AMX MAX-CSE Installation Manual Download Page 1

Installation Guide

MAX-CSE 

Video Encoder

MAX-CSE Video Encoder

The MAX-CSE Video Encoder (

FG2178-70

) allows audio and video signals to be 

delivered in real-time across any IP network for broadcast to a virtually limitless 
number of destinations – classrooms, boardrooms, training facilities, retail store 
branches, and other commercial settings.
The MAX-CSE provides real-time encoding of both analog audio or video content into 
both MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 formats for delivery across these same IP networks 
directly to a MAX-CSD10 Decoder, Modero VG-Series Touch Panel, or computer (for 
immediate playback via a third-party streaming MPEG player). 
The rear Ethernet port provides both 10/100 Ethernet connectivity and IEEE 802.3af 
Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) which enables DC power to be supplied to this device over 
the unused pairs of wires on the connected Ethernet cable. FIG. 1 shows the front and 
rear views. 

Note:

 This unit can be mounted onto either a flat surface or into an equipment rack by 

first removing the front screws and then attaching it to an AC-RK.

Product Specifications

Wiring Installation Procedures

The wiring parameters for the PWR, Serial, and Ethernet ports are described in detail 
within the following sections.

Wiring the power connector

Use an external power supply, described in the Specifications table, to provide power 
to the MAX-CSE through the rear 2-pin 3.5mm mini-Phoenix connector (FIG. 1). The 
incoming PWR and GND wires from the power supply must be connected to the 
corresponding locations within the PWR connector.

Power-over-Ethernet connection

Caution

: When using PoE, you must FIRST ground the unit to provide ESD 

protection. Install a single wire into the (-) GND side of the rear green 2-pin PWR 
connector, and then connect the terminal-end of this wire to a grounded source. 

It is recommended that the length of this wire NOT exceed 6 ft. (1.83 m).

Any 802.3af-compliant PoE switch (

such as the NXA-ENET24 PoE

) can automatically 

detect the 802.3af-compliant MAX device by its authenticated PoE signature and 
sense its required load before applying power to the PoE Ethernet port.

Note

: PoE connections work with all existing Category (CAT) 3, 4, 5, 5e or 6 network 

cabling (including patch cables and patch-panels, outlets, and other connecting 
hardware) without requiring modification.

Reading the Ethernet LEDs

The MAX-CSE uses a standard CAT5 Ethernet cable to provide 10/100 network 
connectivity to the network (FIG. 2). LEDs indicate communication activity, connection 
status, speeds, and mode information.  

  

   

FIG. 1  

MAX-CSE Video Encoder (front and rear views)

MAX-CSE Specifications

Dimensions (HWD):

1.58" x 5.54" x 6.95" (4.01 cm x 14.07 cm x 17.65 cm)

Power 
Requirements: 

• 500mA @ 12VDC (6W)
• Optional 12VDC power input overrides PoE when used.
• Power requirements are usage-dependent.
• Power Over Ethernet (PoE) is available.
This product is intended to be supplied by a Listed external 
power supply rated from 10 to 18 VDC, minimum 500 mA or 
equivalent.

Weight:

• 2.02 lbs (0.92 kg)

Enclosure:

• Metal with black matte finish

Certifications:

• FCC Part 15 Class B, CE, and UL listed

Video Inputs:

• Composite Video (via BNC). 
• S-Video (via female S-Video connector)

Audio Inputs:

• Analog Stereo RCA connectors
• Microphone (1/8” stereo)

Supported 
Resolutions:

• NTSC (480i)
• PAL (576i)

Supported Video
 Codecs:

• MPEG-2 (2 Mbps - 6 Mbps)
• MPEG-4 (500Kbps - 3 Mbps)
• Adjustable Bit Rate: up to 6 Mbps

Supported Audio
 Codecs:

• MPEG Audio Level 2 (MP2)
• MPEG Audio Level 3 (MP3)

Front Panel 
 Components:

• ID Pushbutton: Used to set NetLinx ID (

Device only

assignment, and to reset the unit to factory defaults.

• Status LED: Green LED blinks to indicate both system and 

communication status with the target Master.

• LCD Display: Provides system information such as the 

currently used IP address.

• IR Receiver: Receives 38KHz AMX IR codes.

Ethernet

12 VDC

(

front

)

(

rear

)

Composite IN

Ethernet Speed and

S-Video IN

IR/Serial port

Analog stereo audio

Microphone

ID button

Status LED

LCD Display

IR Receiver

Power

Link Activity LEDs

RS232/422/485

port

Input/Output

port

(BNC)

MAX-CSE Specifications (Cont.)

Rear Panel 
Connectors:

• COMPOSITE IN: BNC connector (female) supports 

Composite Video Input (NTSC/PAL).

• 12VDC PWR: 2-pin 3.5mm mini-Phoenix (male) captive-

wire connector from an optional 12 VDC power supply 
(

overrides PoE

).

• S-VIDEO IN: Mini-Din4 port for composite S-Video input.

• ETHERNET 10/100: RJ-45 port provides 10/100 Mbps 

network communication and PoE. LEDs show 
communication activity, connection status, speeds, and 
mode information (FIG. 2).

• AUDIO R/L: Two RCA connectors support line-level stereo 

input for analog stereo signals.

• RS-232/422/485: 9-pin (DB9) port supports 

RS-232/RS-422/RS-485 data output including:

- 300, 600, 1,200, 2,400, 4,800, 9,600, 19,200, 38,400, 
and 115,200 Baud rates
- 7 or 8 Data bits
- 1 or 2 Stop bits
- Even, Odd, Mark, Space, and None parity settings
- CTS and RTS handshaking
- XON/XOFF handshaking

• MIC: 1/8” mini-stereo input jack.
• IR/Serial: 2-pin 3.5mm mini-Phoenix (male) captive-wire 

connector provides IR/Serial control output by generating 
IR with the use of an IR emitter (

while in IR mode

). 

This 

port supports high-frequency carriers of up to 1.142 MHz 
and can also generate IR with no carrier frequency.

• I/O: Two digital 4-channel binary I/O ports for contact 

closure (accepts a 4-pin 3.5mm mini-Phoenix captive-wire 
connector). 
Each input is capable of voltage sensing. Input format is 
software selectable with interactive power sensing for IR 
ports.

Operating/Storage
 Environment:

• Operating Temperature: 0° to 45° C (32° to 113° F)
• Storage Temperature: -30º to 70º C (-22º to 158° F)
• Operating Relative Humidity: 5% to 85% (non-condensing)
• Operation intended for indoor use only.

Included 
 Accessories:

• 2-pin 3.5mm mini-Phoenix female PWR connector (41-

5025)

• 4-pin 3.5mm mini-Phoenix female I/O connector (41-5047)
• BNC to RCA Adapter (41-1074)
• CC-NIRC IR Emitter cable 
• MAX-CSE Quick Start Guide 

Other AMX 
Equipment:

• AC-RK Accessory Rack Kit (FG515)
• CSB Cable Support Bracket (FG517)
• PMB Pole Mount Bracket (FG531)
• STS, Serial To Screw Terminal (FG959) 
• Surface Mount Bracket Accessory (FG525)

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