The lightning flash with arrowhead
symbol within an equilateral triangle is
intended to alert the user to the pres
ence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure
that may be of sufficient magnitude to
constitute a risk of electric shock to
persons. Read these instructions.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the
user to the presence of important
operating and maintenance (servic
ing) instructions in the literature
accompanying the product.
1.Read these instructions.
2.Keep these instructions.
3.Heed all warnings.
4.Follow all instructions.
5.Do not use this apparatus near water.
6.Clean only with dry cloth.
7.Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in
accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
8.Do not install near any heat sources such as
radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other appara
tus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
9.Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized
or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two
blades with one wider than the other. A ground
ing type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are
provided for your safety. If the provided plug
does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician
for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10.Protect the power cord from being walked on or
pinched particularly at plugs, convenience recep
tacles, and the point where they exit from the
apparatus.
11.Only use attachments/accessories specified by
the manufacturer.
12.Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or
-
-
-
-
-
when unused for long periods of time unless
plugged into a UL rated battery backup and/or
surge protection device.
13.Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
Servicing is required when the apparatus has
been damaged in any way, such as power-sup
ply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been
spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus,
the apparatus has been exposed to rain or mois
ture, does not operate normally, or has been
dropped.
WARNING: To Reduce The Risk Of Fire Or Electric
Shock, Do Not Expose This Apparatus To Rain Or
Moisture!
This apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or
splashing and no objects filled with liquids, such as
vases shall be placed on the apparatus.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to
comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pur
suant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio fre
quency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there
is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a par
ticular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which
can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interfer
ence by one or more of the following measures:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
•Increase the separation between the equipment
and receiver.
•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit
different from that to which the receiver is con
nected.
Thank you for your purchase of the Prowler 8x8 Audio/Video Matrix switch.
Every care has been taken to assure you of a successful installation and the subsequent operation of
your new Prowler 8x8 video switch, however should something go wrong, and warranty repair work is
needed, we request that you hold on to the original packaging materials.
Please take this time to verify the contents of the Prowler 8x8 box.
The following should be included:
•Prowler 8x8 Audio/Video Matrix Switch
•Power Cord
•USB Drive
•Quick Start User Guide
If anything is missing please get in touch with us as soon as possible so that we can correct the sit-
uation.
What’s Inside
What’s Inside
Features
•8x8 active matrix switch, with 3 additional composite inputs.
•DC coupled CAT5/6/7 outputs - bandwidth: 150MHz.
•DC coupled local, component video outputs - bandwidth: 0-450MHz.
•Switches component video, analog audio, coax and optical digital audio.
•All audio types supported (analog, coax and optical digital).
•Auto converts between all formats of audio.
•480i through 1440p60 resolution, including 1080p24 and 1080p60.
•CAT5/6/7 output for driving up to 1000 feet of cable.
•High current outputs for driving 300+ feet of cable on component video outputs.
•Serial, IR, TCP/IP control.
•Hardwired IR jack, any polarity, modulated or unmodulated, opto-isolated.
•All discrete codes available including on, off, and codes for mapping any input to any output.
•100 presets with easy to use Client Mode, that changes front panel operation to “presets only”.
•Made in U.S.A.
•Five year warranty.
Prowler 8x8 User Guide, Version 1.4, 7/15/11
9
Page 10
Front Panel Controls
AUDIO VIDEO MATRIX SWITCH
AUD
VID
MEM 1 2 3 4
CLR 5 6 7 8 ENT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
CABGF
KJ
DE
HI
ABCDE
F
GHI
J
K
Power toggle / Extended functions button.
Overview
Overview
Window for IR sensor.
Clear button and memory buttons.
Input selection buttons 1-8.
Enter button.
Audio / video breakaway selection button.
Zone selection buttons 1-8.
Power indicator / IR received.
Select composite inputs by pressing and holding buttons 1 - 3 for one second.
Audio / video breakaway LEDs.
Current input mappings for each zone.
10
Prowler 8x8 User Guide, Version 1.4, 7/15/11
Page 11
Rear Panel Connections
123
4567
8
A
2
E
COMPOSITE
110-230VAC .25A MAX
50-60 Hz
123 5678
Pr
Pb
Y
87654321
C O M P O N E N T V I D E O O U T P U T S
1
2
3567
8
LRLRLRLRLRLR
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
A N A L O G A U D I O O U T P U T S
S / P D I F I N P U T S
1234567
886
4
2
3157
S / P D I F O U T P U T S
IR
RS232 / RS422
TCP/IP
C A T 5 / 6 / 7 O U T P U T S
OPTICAL INPUTS
123
4
C
A
1
C O M P O N E N T V I D E O I N P U T S
4
A N A L O G A U D I O I N P U T S
4
RLLR
ZEKTOR.COM
SAN DIEGO, CA, USA
AB
EDC
MGLJ
H
IFK
ABCDEFGHIJKLM
Power receptacle.
Hardwired IR jack. Optical isolated, polarity insensitive, 3V to 15V levels.
Component video inputs.
Overview
Component video outputs.
CAT5/6/7 outputs.
TCP/IP connection.
RS-232 / RS-422 connection.
Analog audio inputs.
Analog audio outputs
Coax digital audio inputs.
Composite to component transcoders’ inputs.
Coax digital audio outputs.
Optical digital audio inputs.
Prowler 8x8 User Guide, Version 1.4, 7/15/11
11
Page 12
Front Panel Commands
A
AUDIO VIDEO MATRIX SWITCH
AUD
VID
MEM 1 2 3 4
CLR 5 6 7 8 ENT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
AC
D
B
C
D
B
Turning the Prowler 8x8 on or off
To power on the Prowler 8x8 press the POWER toggle button.
T o power of f the Prowler 8x8, press and hold the POWER button, for about 2 seconds, until the Prowler
8x8 powers off.
Mapping an input to an output zone
Front Panel Commands
To map any input to any zone (output):
1Select the zone or zones to be mapped by pressing one or more of the zone buttons . When
a zone is selected the zone’s LED will flash (allowing the selection to be seen easily from
across the room) and its decimal point will light up. By pressing a flashing zone’s button
again, you can unselect the zone.
2Once a zone (or zones) have been selected, pressing an input button , maps the chosen
input to the selected zone(s). By pressing and holding buttons 1 - 3, the composite to component converters A, C and E can be selected.
3The zone LED(s) will stop flashing, but will remain selected, (the decimal point will remain
lit). To remap the currently selected zone(s) to a different input, simply press another input
button.
Since there are only 8 audio inputs and 1 1 vi deo inputs, when switching to the three composite to com ponent converters, the video break away feature is automatically enabled, and only the video will
switch to the converters. The audio will remain at it’s current setting.
Audio and video inputs will only change when the proper VID and AUDLEDs are lit, see the next section
on audio / video break away for more information.
12
Prowler 8x8 User Guide, Version 1.4, 7/15/11
Page 13
Using the Audio/Video Breakaway
AUDIO VIDEO MATRIX SWITCH
AUD
VID
MEM 1 2 3 4
CLR 5 6 7 8 ENT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
A
A
A
A
The Prowler 8x8 has an audio / video breakaway feature that allows the audio and video signals to be
switched independent of each other.
To switch only the audio channels of a zone (audio breakaway):
Front Panel Commands
1Press the audio / video breakaway selection button until only the AUDLED is lit.
2Following the instructions for “Mapping an input to an output zone”. When only the AUDLED
is lit, only the audio channels will change when mapping an input to an output zone.
To switch only the video channels of a zone (video breakaway):
1Press the audio / video breakaway selection button until only the VIDLED.
2Following the instructions for “Mapping an input to an output zone”. When only the VIDLED
is lit, only the video channels will change when mapping an input to an output zone.
To switch both the audio and video channels of a zone (normal operation):
1Press the audio / video breakaway selection button until the AUD and the VIDLEDs are lit.
2Following the instructions for “Mapping an input to an output zone”. When both the AUD and
the
BLUELEDs are lit, both the Audio and Video channels will change when mapping an input
to an output zone.
Prowler 8x8 User Guide, Version 1.4, 7/15/11
13
Page 14
Volume, Balance, Tone Controls and Input Gains
AUDIO VIDEO MATRIX SWITCH
AUD
VID
MEM 1 2 3 4
CLR 5 6 7 8 ENT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
BAEC
GC
CD
F
AAF
G
D
C
B
E
The Volume, Balance, Bass, Treble, 5 Band Graphic Equalizers, Master Volume, and Zone Gain can
all be adjusted through the front panel, using the extended setup modes of the Prowler 8x8. To make
the adjustments:
1Enter the setup mode to by pressing and releasing the power toggle button , the display will
fill with ‘-’ characters, indicating you are now in the extended setup mode.
Front Panel Commands
To exit the setup mode and anytime, press the power toggle button . The Prowler 8x8 will
return to normal operation.
2Enter the Volume Update mode by pressing the in select ‘1’ button . The display will now
show the selected zone, and the current volume level of that zone.
3To increase the volume, use the input select button ‘4’ .
4To decrease the volume, use the input select button ‘8’ .
5By using the buttons labeled , you can choose between the different settings. The buttons
are mapped as:
•Press the ‘1’ button to control Volume, (0dB to -100dB range).
•Press and hold the ‘1’ button to control the Master Volume, (+24dB to -100dB range).
•Press and hold the ‘2’ button to control the zone’s output gain (+/-24dB range).
•Press the ‘2’ button to control Bass, (+/-20dB range).
•Press the ‘3’ button to control Treble, (+/-20dB range).
•Press the ‘5’ button to control the Eq1 band 100Hz, (+/-20dB range).
•Press the ‘6’ button to control the Eq2 band 330Hz, (+/-20dB range).
•Press the ‘7’ button to control the Eq3 band 1,000Hz, (+/-20dB range).
•Press the ‘ENT’ button to control the Eq4 band 3,300Hz, (+/-20dB range).
•Press the AUD/VID button to control the Eq5 band 10,000Hz, (+/-20dB range).
•Press the ‘MEM’ button to control Balance, (-200=max left, +200=max right).
•Press and hold the VID/AUD button to adjust input gains (more on next page)
14
6Pressing the ‘CLR’ button , will reset tone, equalizer, balance and gain controls to 0dB.
7Select between zones by pressing the zone select buttons
Prowler 8x8 User Guide, Version 1.4, 7/15/11
Page 15
Input Gain Adjustments
AUDIO VIDEO MATRIX SWITCH
AUD
VID
MEM 1 2 3 4
CLR 5 6 7 8 ENT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
BAHF
E
D
C
G
AACHDHEFB
C
To adjust input gains, start by entering the volume control mode, select a listening zone, and then listening to that zone, adjust each of the input gains:
1Enter the setup mode to by pressing and releasing the power toggle button , the display will
fill with ‘-’ characters, indicating you are now in the extended setup mode.
Front Panel Commands
To exit the setup mode and anytime, press the power toggle button . The Prowler 8x8 will
return to normal operation.
2Enter the Volume Update mode by pressing the in select ‘1’ button . The display will now
show the selected zone, and the current volume level of that zone.
3Use the zone buttons to pick a zone. This will be the zone you will use to judge the input
gain levels.
4Press and hold the VID/AUD button to enter the Gain Adjustment mode.
5The zone buttons are now used to switch between inputs, not zones!
6There are separate gain settings for the digital inputs (coax and optical), and the analog inputs.
Digital input gains are indicated by a ‘di’ displayed in the zone 3 & 4 LEDs, analog input
gains are indicated by a ‘An’ in the 3 & 4 LEDs. Initially the selected input type (digital or
analog) will be depend upon which of the two has active audio (digital has priority over ana
log, if both have active audio on the inputs). You can toggle between the digital and analog
gain settings by pressing the VID/AUD button. This allows you to adjust the dB levels of the
other setting - even though you cannot hear it. (To hear the analog audio you must disconnect
the digital input, since digital audio has priority over analog audio.)
7To increase the gain, use the input select button ‘4’ . To decrease the gain, use the input
select button ‘8’ . Pressing the ‘CLR’ button , will reset the input gain to 0dB.
-
8You can jump back to the volume mode by pressing the ‘1’ button
Prowler 8x8 User Guide, Version 1.4, 7/15/11
15
Page 16
Composite Converter Controls
AUDIO VIDEO MATRIX SWITCH
AUD
VID
MEM 1 2 3 4
CLR 5 6 7 8 ENT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
BAEC
GC
CDF
AAF
G
D
C
E
The default input or input type, contrast, brightness, color saturation, and color hue can all be adjusted
through the front panel, using the extended setup modes of the Prowler 8x8. To make the adjustments:
1Enter the setup mode to by pressing and releasing the POWER button , the display will fill
with ‘-’ characters, indicating you are now in the extended setup mode.
Front Panel Commands
To exit the setup mode and anytime, press the POWER button . The Prowler 8x8 will return
to normal operation.
2Enter the Composite Update mode by pressing the in select ‘6’ button . The display will
now show the contrast of composite converter ‘A’.
3To increase the contrast, use the input select button ‘4’ .
4To decrease the contrast, use the input select button ‘8’ .
5By using the buttons labeled , you can choose between default input or input type, contr ast,
brightness, saturation, and hue adjustments. The buttons are mapped a s:
•Press the ‘1’ button to select input, (1=Input-1, 2=Input-2, S-video).
•Press the ‘2’ button to control contrast.
•Press the ‘3’ button to control brightness.
•Press the ‘5’ button to control color saturation.
•Press the ‘6’ button to control color hue.
6Select between inputs by pressing the zone select buttons
•Press the ‘1’ zone button to select the ‘A’ converter.
•Press the ‘2’ zone button to select the ‘C’ converter.
•Press the ‘3’ zone button to select the ‘E’ converter.
16
Prowler 8x8 User Guide, Version 1.4, 7/15/11
Page 17
Using Presets - Setup Mode
AUDIO VIDEO MATRIX SWITCH
AUD
VID
MEM 1 2 3 4
CLR 5 6 7 8 ENT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
BAFE
G
CD
GAF
EDCBE
D
The Prowler 8x8 is capable of memorizing 100 presets.
A preset is a configuration of inputs to zone mappings. Each preset can affect a single zone, or multiple
zones, and supports full audio/video breakaway. To configure a preset, do the following steps:
Front Panel Commands
1Start by mapping the inputs to the zones in any manner you like, this includes any audio/video
breakaway settings. Only the zones that you want the preset to affect, need to be setup.
2Once the desired zones have been mapped, press and hold the MEM button , the ENT LED
will start to flash, indicating you are now in the MEM setup mode.
To exit the preset setup mode at any time, press the POWER button .
3Zone LEDs now indicate the sources that will be mapped when the setup key is pressed. You
can turn off zones that you don’t want affected by the preset, by pressing a zone button
Each zone’s video and audio setting are turned on/off individually. The VID / AUD LEDs
indicate whether you are viewing the video mappings, or the audio mappings. When a zone
LED has its decimal point lit, this indicates the audio and video settings do not match (one of
the audio or video settings is turned off, while the other is turned on). Toggle the VID / AUD
LEDs using the VID/AUD button
To completely turn off a zone’s video and audio (so that the preset will have no affect on the
zone), you must turn off the zone while the VID LED is lit, toggle the VID/AUD LED, and
then turn off the zone while the AUD LED is lit. The decimal point will also turn off, indicat
ing both the VID and AUD selections match.
4Once all zones you want to change are lit up, (and likewise all zones you don’t want affected
by the preset are turned off), press the ENT
choose which preset you want to program.
Use the source buttons to enter the number of the preset you want to program. Use the
CLR button to enter a ‘0’. Use the VID/AUD toggle button to enter a ‘9’.
to choose between the video/audio settings.
button. The display will now prompt you to
.
-
The presets 01-20 are available on the front panel, the next section shows you how the preset
numbers of each front panel button, are mapped.
5Once the desired preset is being displayed, press the ENT button to save the new configu-
ration into the displayed preset.
Prowler 8x8 User Guide, Version 1.4, 7/15/11
17
Page 18
Front Panel Commands
AUDIO VIDEO MATRIX SWITCH
AUD
VID
MEM 1 2 3 4
CLR 5 6 7 8 ENT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
BAFE
G
CD
GACFDEGBD
G
Using Presets - Selecting a Preset, and Toggling “Client Mode”
Once presets have been setup, using the preset is a simple manner of prefixing any button with the
MEM button. To select a new preset:
1Press the MEM button . The VID / AUD LEDs will start blinking, indicating the Prowler
8x8 is waiting for a preset.
2Now pressing any button on the front panel, except power , will recall th e configuration memo -
rize by that preset. Pressing the power button will cancel the preset mode and nothing will
be changed.
3The front panel buttons are mapped to the presets as follows:
•Input buttons 1-8 are mapped as presets 01-08.
•Zone buttons 1-8 are mapped as presets 11-18.
•The ENT button is preset 09.
•The VID/AUD button is preset 10.
•The MEM button is preset 19.
•The CLR button is preset 20.
Another way of using the front panel buttons as presets is to enter the Client Mode. The Client Mode
locks the front panel into a mode where every button is a preset. No other functionality is available
(except power off, and the ability to leave Client Mode). To toggle the Client Mode:
1Press and hold the ENT button . While continuing to hold the ENT button, press the MEM
button . The ENT LED will light, this indicates you are in the Client Mode.
2Repeating step 1 will toggle you out of the Client Mode and return you to normal functionality.
18
Prowler 8x8 User Guide, Version 1.4, 7/15/11
Page 19
IP Address and Baudrate Selection
AUDIO VIDEO MATRIX SWITCH
AUD
VID
MEM 1 2 3 4
CLR 5 6 7 8 ENT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
BAGE
H
CF
I
D
ADABI
C
G
FED
HIC
D
To adjust the IP address:
1Enter the setup mode to by pressing and releasing the power toggle button , the display will
fill with ‘-’ characters, indicating you are now in the extended setup mode.
Front Panel Commands
2To save new settings press the ENT button at anytime. All new settings will be saved in
non-volatile memory are are retained after a power failure. Or, to cancel the setup mode and
lose all changes, press the power toggle button
3Enter the communication setup mode by pressing the in select ‘5’ button . The display will
now show the upper two octets of the IP address.
4The IP address is made up of four “octets”, the default IP address of the Prowler 8x8 is:
192.168.001.200. Each octet is a number between 0 and 255.
To switch between displaying the upper two octets and the lower two octets, use the ‘4’
and ‘8’ buttons. Use the zone buttons under each octet to adjust the value:
•Any zone button under an octet in the 1’s position will increment the value by 1.
•Any zone button under an octet in the 10’s position will increment the value by 10.
•Any zone button under an octet in the 100’s position will decrement the value by 1.
Values will wrap around. Incrementing past 255 will cause a value to wrap to 0. Decrementing
below 0 will cause the number to wrap around to 255.
5You must press the ENT button to save the new IP address!
To change the serial port’s baudrate:
1Perform above steps 1 and 2. The zone LEDs should now be displaying the upper two octets of
the IP address.
. All changes made will be lost!
2Press the source ‘1’ button, the zone LEDs will now display the current baudrate setting.
There are two selectable baudrates, 19200 and 9600. The default baudrate is 19200.
3To switch between the two baudrates, use the ‘4’ and ‘8’ buttons.
Prowler 8x8 User Guide, Version 1.4, 7/15/11
4Once set, you must press the ENT button to save the new baudrate!
19
Page 20
Video Connections
123
4567
8
A
2
E
COMPOSITE
110-230VAC .25A MAX
50-60 Hz
123 5678
Pr
Pb
Y
87654321
C O M P O N E N T V I D E O O U T P U T S
1
2
3567
8
LRLRLRLRLRLR
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
A N A L O G A U D I O O U T P U T S
S / P D I F I N P U T S
1234567
886
4
2
3157
S / P D I F O U T P U T S
IR
RS232 / RS422
TCP/IP
C A T 5 / 6 / 7 O U T P U T S
OPTICAL INPUTS
123
4
C
A
1
C O M P O N E N T V I D E O I N P U T S
4
A N A L O G A U D I O I N P U T S
4
RLLR
ZEKTOR.COM
SAN DIEGO, CA, USA
BACD
ACD
B
The Prowler 8x8 can switch 8 component inputs labeled , and 3 composite to component converters to 8 CAT5/6/7 outputs effectively making it an 11x8 video matrix switch.
The switched video is also mirror to 8 component video local outputs , component outputs 1-8 mirror the video on CAT5/6/7 outputs 1-8.
Rear Panel Connections
Rear Panel Connections
Each component path is rated at 450MHz, and is DC coupled on the inputs and outputs.
Each CAT5/6/7 path is rated at 150MHz, and is DC coupled on the inputs and outputs.
The composite inputs are fed to composite to component converters that transcode composite (or s-
video) to 480i component video.
Converter ‘A’ can set to accept composite video on its input 1, or input 2, or s-video by using a s-video
to RCA splitter cable. The ‘Y’ cable of the splitter is connected to the ‘1’ input of a converter, and the
‘C’ cable of the splitter is connected to the ‘2’ input.
Converters ‘C’ and ‘E’ accept composite video only.
20
Prowler 8x8 User Guide, Version 1.4, 7/15/11
Page 21
Audio Connections
123
4567
8
A
2
E
COMPOSITE
110-230VAC .25A MAX
50-60 Hz
123 5678
Pr
Pb
Y
87654321
C O M P O N E N T V I D E O O U T P U T S
1
2
3567
8
LRLRLRLRLRLR
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
A N A L O G A U D I O O U T P U T S
S / P D I F I N P U T S
1234567
886
4
2
3157
S / P D I F O U T P U T S
IR
RS232 / RS422
TCP/IP
C A T 5 / 6 / 7 O U T P U T S
OPTICAL INPUTS
123
4
C
A
1
C O M P O N E N T V I D E O I N P U T S
4
A N A L O G A U D I O I N P U T S
4
RLLR
ZEKTOR.COM
SAN DIEGO, CA, USA
CBDE
A
F
BDFCD
A
The Prowler 8x8 accepts 8 channels of analog audio , or 8 channels of coax digital audio , or 4
channels of optical digital audio as it’s inputs.
Available outputs are analog audio , and coax digital audio , as well as audio over the CAT5/6/
7 outputs .
Rear Panel Connections
Audio Conversions
By default, the Prowler 8x8 converts all analog audio to digital audio, and all digital audio to analog
audio. It also converts all optical audio to coax audio.
The order of priority, starting from the lowest priority, are:
ANALOG AUDIO
If no other audio signal is present, then the analog inputs will be used. Analog audio is converted to digital audio and will be available as digital audio on the coax outputs, and as analog
audio on the analog outputs. It will also be available on the analog and digital outputs of one of
our SoloCAT receivers.
Volume and tone controls will affect both digital and analog audio outputs.
OPTICAL DIGITAL AUDIO
The optical inputs override the analog audio inputs. When present, the optical digital audio
will be converted to coax digital audio, and analog audio. The audio will be available as digital
audio on the coax outputs, and as analog audio outputs. It will also be available on the analog
and digital outputs of one of our SoloCAT receivers.
Volume and tone controls will affect both digital and analog audio outputs.
COAX DIGITAL AUDIO
The coax inputs override the optical inputs, and the analog audio inputs. When present, the
coax digital audio will be converted analog audio. The audio will be available as digital audio
on the coax outputs, and as analog audio outputs. It will also be available on the analog and
digital outputs of one of our SoloCAT receivers.
Prowler 8x8 User Guide, Version 1.4, 7/15/11
Volume and tone controls will affect both digital and analog audio outputs.
21
Page 22
Rear Panel Connections
Dolby 5.1 Digital, and DTS Audio Handling
The Prowler 8x8 does not decode compressed digital audio streams. When any digital audio that is not
standard PCM audio is detected, the Prowler 8x8 switches to a digital pass through mode with the fol
lowing features:
•Digital data is passed through unchanged by the Prowler 8x8.
•The analog audio inputs become active, and analog audio is passed through to the analog outputs.
•Volume and tone controls will affect only the analog audio outputs.
This behavior applies to both the local coax output and the CAT5/6/7 outputs.
This behavior can also be changed using serial commands.
Using Volume and Tone Controls
The factory default settings for master volume and individual zone volumes is 0dB. The factory
defaults for input gain settings is 0dB. The factory defaults for all tone and equalizer settings is 0dB.
By setting all gains and tone controls to 0dB the factory default for audio is pass through. Audio is
unchanged from inputs to outputs.
This leads to a caveat when using the tone and equalizer controls of the Prowler 8x8. When adjusting
the tone or equalizer controls it’s easily possible to exceed the 0dB threshold.
-
The S/PDIF standard’s maximum level is 0dB. Depending upon the level of signals coming into the
Prowler 8x8, it’s quite possible, with gain and tone controls to exceed this, causing the signal to clip, in
turn causing a very unpleasant crackling and popping type of distortion.
If you choose to use the tone and equalizer settings of the Prowler 8x8, it is highly recommend that you
lower the Master Volume at least -12dB, and possibly lower if you plan on using the full +20dB range
of the tone and equalizer settings. This will prevent the S/PDIF digital audio (and analog outputs) from
clipping.
Using Input Gain Settings
The same warning given above for Volume and Tone controls also apply to the input gain settings.
The input gain settings can be used to amplify an input a full +24dB, well beyond the S/PDIF standard
of 0dB.
The input gain settings should be used to bring a weak signals up to the 0dB point, but should not be
used to increase the levels beyond that.
Using Output Gain Settings
Output gains settings allow adjusting the overall gain of each individual zone.
Different amplifiers require different audio levels to drive them to their full power ratings. Using the
output gain settings you can adjust each zone’s output level to match the sensitivity of your power
amplifier.
This also balance the volume of each room so that the same volume level, sounds the same in each
room.
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The range of the output gain is +/-24dB, this value is added to any input gain, allowing for a full
+48dB of gain through the Prowler 8x8, and this doesn’t take into account the tone controls, which are
added to this value. This is way beyond the gain needed for any power amp, so use care when adjusting
gains; +48dB of gain will cause nearly any input signal to be driven to distortion.
Prowler 8x8 User Guide, Version 1.4, 7/15/11
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Specifications
Specifications
Video
CAT5/6/7 Bandwidth: . . . 0Hz-150MHz Max. Bandwidth changes with cable length and EQ settings