RME Audio Hammerfall HDSPe MADIface, User Manual

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User's Guide HDSPe MADIface
© RME
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6. First Usage
6.1 Connectors and Display
The front of the I/O box has a push button acting as input selector, switching the MADI input
from coaxial to optical. The currently active input is indicated by a LED.
Identical signals are available at both the optical and the coaxial output. Therefore two devices
can be connected, i.e. using the MADIface as a splitter (distribution 1 to 2).
The back of the MADIface has two hooks which serve as strain relief for the connected cables,
or to fix the unit in a desired place. The hook is mounted using a thread, therefore can be turned
and even completely removed.
ExpressCard and I/O box are connected by usual FireWire cable (6-pins). However, communi-
cation between the devices does not use the FireWire standard. The cable should not exceed a
length of about 1 m (3.3 ft).
Never connect ExpressCard and I/O Box to standard FireWire ports! They might get seri-
ously damaged by doing so.
6.2 Notes on Laptops and ExpressCard
The HDSPe system uses the laptop’s ExpressCard slot with 34 mm width. While this one is
standard on Apple laptops, PC laptops usually come with a 54 mm wide slot. Then the card not
only easily slides out, but can also be moved to the side, quickly loosing contact.
Mechanically, the ExpressCard slot is weak and lets the card slide out easily. We recom-
mend to fix the card or the cable to the laptop with tape.
Like with a desktop system it’s not possible to remove a PCI Express device while in operation.
First the operating system has to receive a ‘removal request’, then the device has to be
stopped. Finally the card can be pulled out of the ExpressCard slot.
Windows
When inserting the ExpressCard it usually will be detected automatically by the laptop hardware
and then the operating system. A beep signals the detection. In rare cases detection will fail. If
so, simply remove the card and insert it again.
To remove the hardware click on the green arrow symbol in the
systray. It is possible to stop the HDSPe directly, or to first call
up the info dialog by double clicking the symbol, and then stop-
ping it.
Mac OS X
When inserting the ExpressCard it usually is detected automatically by the laptop hardware and
then by the Mac OS. An ExpressCard icon will appear on the top menu. A mouse click on the
icon opens a drop-down menu, showing an option to switch it off.
To remove the ExpressCard click on the menu entry 'Power off card'. The Mac OS internally de-
installs the ExpressCard and switches off power. The card can now be pulled out of the slot.