Understanding the VS-169TP 16x9 CAT 5 Matrix Switcher
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8 Understanding the VS-169TP 16x9 CAT 5 Matrix Switcher
The
VS-169TP
is a 16x9 matrix switcher for CAT 5/6 twisted pair
transmitters and receivers, capable of sending (over UTP/FTP twisted-pair
cables) UXGA, analog stereo/ S/PDIF audio, and bidirectional RS-232
command/reply signals.
Depending on the transmitter and receiver models connected to the
VS-169TP
1
•
UXGA
, it is possible to send the following signals:
•
UXGA with analog stereo/ S/PDIF audio, or
•
UXGA with analog stereo and bidirectional RS-232 commands at the
same time
Any of the inputs can be switched to any or all outputs.
IN 1 and IN 2 can be used for accepting signals either from the local (built-in)
or remote transmitters (see
Section 9.1
8.1 Transmitting the RS-232 Signal
). Inputs 3 to 16 accept only signals
from the connected remote transmitters. Outputs 1 to 8 transmit the incoming
signal to the remote receivers, and output 9 locally decodes all the signals and
outputs these as regular UXGA, analog audio and RS-232 signals.
The video and audio signals are always transmitted in one direction, when
using the
VS-169TP
, from the source (via the input) to the acceptor (via the
output). However, the RS-232 signal behaves entirely differently:
•
It is not a continuous signal, but consists of one or a series of short
messages (commands), which pass the matrix from the input to the output
•
The destination unit sends a reply for each command that is received,
consisting of other short messages (replies), which pass the
VS-169TP
from the output to the input, back to the source of the command
Consequently, the
VS-169TP
needs bidirectional RS-232 signals.
Kramer twisted pair technology embeds the RS-232 command in the audio
stream so that it is transmitted on the same pair as the audio signal. In this
way the audio signal and the RS-232 command always pass the switcher
together even in the breakaway mode. The RS-232 reply can be switched
separately (see
Section 9.7.2
).
1 For example, TP-125EDID and TP-126, or TP-121 and TP-122
