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Frequently Asked Questions |
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1) Balanced Audio - Which
is positive, negative and ground?
On our routers, the center is ground. Positive can be either of the
other two pins, but you must be consistent when wiring.
2) Difference between
balanced and unbalanced audio? When is each used?
Balanced audio has "sound" on two wires, each signal being the exact
opposite voltage to each other irrespective of ground. Unbalanced audio
"sound" is only on one wire that is read with respect to ground.
Balanced is inherently lower-noise because a spike introduced to one side
will be introduced to the other side at the same time in the same polarity.
Since both sides are exactly opposite each other they cancel each other out,
therefore no noise is heard. Also, balanced is often much 'hotter,' further
reducing noise because a noise spike has to be much bigger to be heard since
the signal is also much bigger. So balanced is used in 'serious' audio
situations.
3) Is it "true" balanced
audio or is it converted on the pcb?
When we receive a balanced signal we convert it on the board to
unbalanced and route it that way and then reconvert it. Our S/N ratio is so
good it doesn't matter that it isn't balanced for the time it passes through
our routers.
4) Can we route mic level
audio?
Yes, we can, but they are very low level so our S/N ratio goes down.
Most will really want to use a pre-amp to boost the audio level before going
into the router.
5) Can we route time code?
Yes, generally through an unbalanced audio channel.
6) Can we route data?
RS232? RS422?
We can modify our switchers to route RS232. RS422 is generally
considered bi-directional on two different signals. Our switchers are not
designed for bi-directional routing.
7) How far can the remote
controller be from the router? How far will the RS232 data travel?
Depends on cable, noise environment, and data speed.
8) Can we control the
router from multiple locations simultaneously? What if the router gets two
commands at the same time? Can we "prioritize" the commands?
The likelihood of a conflict is extremely small. In the Chameleon HB
there is a simple priority among the four RS232 inputs that affords a
first-level of protection. Otherwise, we don't have any bona fide
prioritizing system built in to our routers. Prioritizing is a system
issue, so there is no "catch-all" solution. Every situation has to be
defined, analyzed and designed for. We can modify firmware to allow for
customized prioritizing. Also, outside vendors provide priority handlers
and we could spec one from BlackBox.
9) Can we "block-out" control of
a portion of the matrix from certain locations?
Yes. In the MPR we can block out any given output from the front panel
pushbuttons. We can lockout outputs from all Chameleon front panel
controllers and remote keypad controllers.
10) Can we lock out an
input or an output?
Same as above (See #9).
11) Can we turn-off an
output?
Yes.
12) Will the remote controllers
know if I make a route at the switcher & vice versa?
All our routers send an echo of the command out the RS232. Our
controllers listen and update their data; third party controllers may or may
not.
13) Can we route different
types of video signals through the same router?
Yes, but the routers cannot transcode.
14) Can we route balanced
and unbalanced audio through the same router?
Unbalanced audio can be routed through a balanced audio router, but a
balanced signal is too hot to pass through an unbalanced router.
15) What's the difference
between RGB, YUV and R-Y, B-Y, Y? Does the router know the difference?
With respect to our routers there is no difference. However,
technically speaking there are differences. In RGB, each of the wires
carries a complete video signal (meaning luminance and chrominance, but with
or without sync) pertaining to one of the three primary colors. In YUV the
Y channel carries a complete video luminance signal (meaning the overall
brightness information and usually with sync) but none of the color data (in
other words, the brightness of all colors including white, but just not
which colors). The U and V signals each contain a color difference signal,
one at right angles to the other, which combined mathematically yield the
vectors necessary to reproduce the colors, which when added to the luminance
yield the full picture. The advantage of YUV is that you get more of the
important information across and less of the unimportant (the luminance
value of the green signal is very unimportant to the eye, but carries equal
weight to the luminance of the blue signal in the RGB system.
16) Why do we use
bare-wire connectors instead of XLR's for balanced audio?
XLR's are big and bulky. Also, in the majority of the installations in
which our routers are used, dealers are buying bulk cable and the installers
are pulling bulk cable. Bulk cable is on large spools and do not have
connectors on them. To buy connectors and then have to solder them onto the
cables would be very costly and time consuming. Bare-wire is much more cost
effective and consistent with how the equipment is generally used in the
field.
17) Are our routers
active, matrix routers or are they passive, mechanical routers?
Active, full-matrix routers.
18) Can Route Master be
used on a LAN? Ethernet? IP?
It can be used on a general purpose LAN if the systems engineer has
configured the system to do that, but there is no standard for that sort of
system. A TCP/IP selection on our PORT pull-down Window on Route Master
and the Chameleon programs allow a TCP/IP address to be specified. At this
point our router can be controlled if it is connected to a terminal server
on the LAN. The LAN can be any Ethernet LAN, including the Internet.
19) Are we on GSA
contract?
No, but some of our dealers are. We will honor GSA pricing (Generally
15%).
20) Can you daisy chain
two RS Series routers to make a larger matrix?
No.
21) Can you have multiple
levels (Y/C, RGB, etc.) in the Chameleon?
Yes. Cards can be modified at the factory so that they drive
simultaneously as multiple levels of video or the new 8-level translator
allows cards to be addressed via firmware and can be configured in the
field.
22) Can you label the ins
and outs on the routers?
We have decals that can be affixed to the front panel of the routers.
Our Windows control software allows for labeling.
23) What if I need more
than X number of pre-sets?
There are
unlimited batches that can be saved to accomplish the same task in software.
24) What is the difference
between pre-sets and batches?
Pre-sets save and then recall an entire or complete matrix array.
Batches save and then send a series of individual commands. The batch
commands can include the entire array or discreet cross points.
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