
SPHYNX II
&
RS-422
Connectivity
Version 1.3 updated 28.04.2006
Le Verney 1070 Puidoux Switzerland
Merging Technologies
T : +41 21 946 04 44 • F : +41 21 946 04 45
www.merging.com

RS-422 Industrial port of Sphynx II
Sphynx II is fitted with an industrial RS-422 port. This industrial RS-422 carries different
wiring than a regular “broadcast” RS-422. Most often, Sphynx II is delivered with a USB to
RS-422 adapter and accompanying cable fully compatible with RS-422 industrial port and we
recommend you to favor this solution for computer connection. However, should you wish to
use other means of connecting Sphynx II to a computer for remote control purposes, please
refer to the following guidelines:
• RS-422 is a serial connection typically found on “industrial” electronic product
• RS-422 is mostly found on “broadcast” products, such as VTRs.
• RS-232 is the standard serial connection found on most computers.
As you will see below, all three serial connections are very similar; they all are achieved
through the same 9pin connector and only wiring conventions slightly differ.
Pinout of RS-422 industrial port used on Sphynx II is defined as follows:
Pinout RS-422
1 Rx 2 Rx+
3 Tx+
4 Tx 5 GND
T
All other pins (6 to 9) are left unconnected.
Signal
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How to connect a unit equipped with a RS-232 port to the RS-422 industrial port
of the Sphynx II?
Sphynx II’s industrial RS-422 port is fully voltage compatible with the RS-232 signaling
voltage system, which may swing from -15V to +15V. The only noticeable difference is the
pinout.
RS-232 standard defines the RS-232 signals as follows:
Pinout RS-232
1 DCD
2 RXD
3 TXD
4 DTR
5 GND
6 DSR
7 RTS
8 CTS
9 RI
signals
Le Verney 1070 Puidoux Switzerland
Merging Technologies
T : +41 21 946 04 44 • F : +41 21 946 04 45
www.merging.com

Please refer to the following table for connecting a Sphynx II to a unit equipped with a
RS-232 port:
Sphynx II
1 - Rx - 3 - Tx
2 - NC 3 - NC 4 - Tx - 2 - Rx
5 - GND 5 - GND
RS-232
How to connect a Merging AV chassis using the MTCHIO rear connection panel
to a Sphynx II?
The MTCHIO (Merging Technologies Chassis Inputs and Outputs), located on the rear panel
of Merging AV chassis, offers a RS-422 Sony 9Pin compatible port.
Please see below for precise positioning of RS-422 connector:
Pinout of RS-422 port changes according to the mode selected on the MTCHIO module:
These modes are labeled “To Machine” or “From Controller” and will make the AV chassis
unit act respectively as a master or a slave unit on an RS-422 chain.
Merging recommends using the “To Machine” mode.
Please, refer to the following table for connecting a Sphynx II to a Merging AV chassis:
Sphynx II
1 - Rx - 8 - Tx 2 - Rx+ 3 - Tx+
3 - Tx+ 7 - Rx+
4 - Tx - 2 - Rx 5 - GND 1 - GND
RS-422
(Machine)
(All other RS-232 pins are left unconnected.)
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Merging Technologies
Le Verney 1070 Puidoux Switzerland
T : +41 21 946 04 44 • F : +41 21 946 04 45
www.merging.com