ADDERView 4 PRO VGA MultiScreen Manual

							





10
Channel switching by external control
The OPTIONS port featured on every AV4PRO-VGA allows external control of\
 
the	current	channel	either	by	the	optional	RC4	controller,	commands	sent	via	
RS-232 serial input or by switching one of the four channel select input\
 lines. For 
more details about the necessary RS-232 serial cable, see Appendix 2.
OPTIONS port pinout
The	OPTIONS	port	can	accept	either	8p8c	or	10p10c	connectors,	as	required.
To connect a computer or device for remote control
1	 Insert	the	8p8c	or	10p10c	connector	of	the	cable	to	the	OPTIONS port on the 
rear panel of the unit.
Control by RS-232 serial
Where the external control is via RS-232 signal, ensure that the confi\
guration 
menu option  is set to  or  to enable RS-232 control.   
Serial port parameter settings
Ensure that the chosen serial port is configured to the following:
•	 Baud	rate:		 To	match	setting	of	 option in the Configuration menu
•	 Data	bits:		 8
•	 Stop	bit:		 1
•	 Parity:	 None	
Serial port channel selection codes
  ASCII  Character Hex Decimal
•	 Channel	1:		 ‘1’	 0x31	 49
•	 Channel	2:		 ‘2’	 0x32	 50
•	 Channel	3:		 ‘3’	 0x33	 51
•	 Channel	4:		 ‘4’	 0x34	 52
Note: As each channel is chosen using the above RS-232 commands, the 
peripherals that will be transferred are determined by the current setti\
ng of the 
switching mode.
Control by channel select input lines
Where the external control is via the four channel select input lines of\
 the 
OPTIONS port (see pin out opposite), ensure that the configuration m\
enu option 
 is set to  to enable the input lines.
The four input lines are suitable for connection to dry contacts or open\
 collector 
style	outputs.	Connecting	an	input	line	to	GND	will	cause	the	AV4PRO-VGA	to	
switch all of its functions to the selected channel: 
•	 Channel	1:		 Channel	select	input	1 low
•	 Channel	2:		 Channel	select	input	2 low
•	 Channel	3:		 Channel	select	input	3 low
•	 Channel	4:		 Channel	select	input	4 low
If the input line is held low then all other switching requests by other\
 means will 
be ignored until the line returns to a high (open) state.
If more than one logic input is low (closed) then the lower channel nu\
mber takes 
priority.
Note: The input lines have only limited protection against over voltage.\
 8p8c 10p10c  Signal
	 	 1	 Channel	select	input	1
	 1	 2	 5VDC	power	output	(100mA	max)
 2  3 GND reference for all signals
 3  4 RS232 (RXD) data receive
 4  5 RS232 auxiliary data transmit (reserved)
 5  6 RS232 auxiliary data receive (reserved)
 6  7 RS232 (TXD) data transmit
	 7	 8	 Channel	select	input	2
	 8	 9	 Channel	select	input	3
	 	 10	 Channel	select	input	4
1 10
OPTIONS
2	 Connect	the	other	end	of	the	cable	to	a	vacant	serial	port	on	the	computer	
or to the output of the switching device.
4
USER
CO
NSOLE
OPTIONS   
						

							





11
4321
USB2.0
SWITCHED USB 
1
USB  25V
2.5A
INDOOR USE
ONL YUSER
CONSOLE
OPTIONS
43 21
USB2.0
SWITCHED USB 
1
USB  25V
2.5A
INDOOR USE
ONL YUSER
CONSOLE
OPTIONS
Slave AV4PRO-VGA
Master AV4PRO-VGA
Master monitorSlave monitor
Computers fitted with multiple video heads
Serial synchronisation cable
Synchronising multiple units
AV4PRO-VGA units can be connected together so that they operate 
in a synchronised manner. Thus, two AV4PRO-VGA units can be 
made to switch two video heads in a similar manner to an AVPRO-
VGA-DUAL. Additionally, two AVPRO-VGA-DUAL units could be 
made to resemble an AVPRO-VGA-QUAD, while two AVPRO-VGA-
QUAD units could be combined in order to switch up to eight video 
heads simultaneously. 
Whenever an AV4PRO-VGA channel is switched, it sends an RS232 
command out on its serial interface (marked OPTIONS on the rear 
panel). An AV4PRO-VGA will switch its channel if it receives the 
same	command	on	its	serial	interface.	Consequently,	by	linking	the	
serial interfaces, a master unit may be made to automatically switch 
one or more slave units as shown in the diagram.
It should be noted that the synchronisation cable deliberately does 
not have the transmit pin of the Slave End connector linked to the 
receive pin of the Master End connector. To do so would cause the 
Slave unit to be able to switch the Master unit. This would setup 
an endless cyclical switching sequence that would prevent the 
AV4PRO-VGA devices from operating correctly. For more details 
about the serial synchronisation cables, see Appendix 2.       
						

							





12
Managing EDID video display information
Whenever a AV4PRO-VGA unit is powered on (or when the option  is 
selected from the configuration menu), it will interrogate the connected 
monitor(s) to determine whether EDID (Extended Display Identificati\
on Data) 
information is available. If EDID information is available, it will be c\
opied and 
used; otherwise a default set of data, stored within the AV4PRO-VGA, wil\
l be 
substituted. You can also optionally choose to prevent the unit from see\
king 
new EDID information and instead rely only on stored data. 
EDID Emulation
The AV4PRO-VGA units use our EDID Emulation feature to ensure that the 
collected EDID information (up to two pages) is correctly supplied to \
every 
connected computer, whether it is currently selected or not:
1
2
3
4
USB2.0
SWITCHED USB 1
USB 2
5V
4A
INDOOR
USE
ONL Y
USER
CONSOLE
OPTIONS
V1 V2 V3 V4
Displa y
1
Displa
y
2
Displa
y
3
Displa
y
4
Computer1
EDID
Computer2
EDID
Computer3
EDID
Computer4
EDID
Refreshing EDID information during use
You can refresh the EDID information from the connected monitor(s) 
without the need to power cycle the AV4PRO-VGA. 
To refresh EDID information during use
1  Enter the Configuration menu. 
2 Press  to enter the Functions menu
3 Press  and then .
4 Press  and then  to exit the menu.
Using stored EDID information only
You can choose to prevent the unit from interrogating the video 
display(s) during startup. When you invoke this option, the unit will \
only use the EDID information that it has already stored and pass this 
on to the connected computers. To revert to interrogating the video 
display, use the F 2 function discussed above.
To use the stored EDID information at the power up
1 Enter the Configuration menu. 
2 Press  to enter the Functions menu
3 Press  and then .
4 Press  and then  to exit the menu.    
						

							





13
Configuration
Using the configuration menu
The configuration mode allows you to determine numerous aspects of the\
 
AV4PRO-VGA unit capabilities.  
To use the configuration menu
During normal use, the seven segment display on the front panel shows th\
e 
number of the currently selected computer channel. From this condition, \
enter 
configuration mode as follows:
1 Press and hold the front panel COMPUTER button for roughly five seconds. 
The display will show: 
2 On the keyboard, press the letter key for the required menu section, e.g\
. 
 The display will show the pressed letter, e.g.      
3 Press the number of the required setting, e.g. 
 The display will show the pressed number, e.g.  
4 Press  to accept the setting and return to the main menu section.
 The display will show: 
5 You can now continue with your next configuration change (go to step \
2), 
or exit from the configuration menu (see below).
To exit the configuration menu and save changes
•	 Press	 and then press  to exit and save changes.
To exit the configuration menu without saving
•	 Press	either	of	the	front	panel	buttons.		
 Enter the OPTIONS port Baud rate menu
 1200 (default) 	 38400
 2400  57600
	 9600	 115200
	 19200
 Enter the Functions menu
 Show current firmware version
 Refresh EDID information from the connected video display (default)
 Use the stored EDID at startup, do not interrogate the video display
 Reset configuration to factory defaults ( is displayed momentarily)
 Enter the Hotkey menu
	 Ctrl	+	Alt	(default)  Alt
	 Ctrl	+	Shift		 Left	Ctrl	+	Alt
	 Alt	+	Shift		 Right	Ctrl	+	Alt
 Right Alt  Hotkeys disabled
  Enter the Options port behaviour menu
	 Channel 	switching 	via 	RS-232 	serial	control	(using	the	baud	rate	set 	
by	the	‘B’	option).	Contact	switching	via	the	Options	port	disabled. (d)
	 Channel	switching	via	RC4	remote.	Contact	switching	disabled.
 As per  but with contact switching enabled.
 Set a new password for use with the lock mode
 Enter the Switch Mode menu
 All (default)
	 KVM	+	Speaker
 KVM only
 Speaker only
 USB1 only
 USB2 only
 Enter the Autoscan Time Delay menu
 Autoscan disabled  15 seconds
  2 seconds  30 seconds
  5 seconds (default)  1 minute
  7 seconds  5 minutes
  Enter the User Preferences menu
 Enable mouse switching (default)
 Disable mouse switching
	 Cycle	all	ports	(when	using	‘Hotkey	+	Tab’	or	‘Autoscan’)	(default)
	 Cycle	only	active	ports	(when	using	‘Hotkey	+	Tab’	or	‘Autoscan’)
You can press  
at any point to exit 
from an option and 
return to the main 
menu (  ) section.
(default) or (d) denote 
the default settings 
for each group of 
options.
HT  
						

							





14
General configuration
Changing hotkeys
AV4PRO-VGA units use  and  as their standard hotkeys. These can be 
changed if they clash with other software or hardware within the install\
ation.
To change the hotkeys 
1 Enter the Configuration menu. 
2 Press  to enter the Hotkey menu and then press either: 
  to choose Ctrl + Alt
  to choose Ctrl + Shift
  to choose Alt + Shift
  to choose Right Alt
3 Press  to accept the setting and return to the main menu section.
4 Press  and then  to exit the menu and save changes. 
Mouse switching
You can enable or disable mouse switching to suit your installation requ\
irements.
To enable/disable mouse switching 
1 Enter the Configuration menu. 
2 Press  to enter the User Preferences menu and then press either: 
  to Enable mouse switching
  to Disable mouse switching
3 Press  to accept the setting and return to the main menu section.
4 Press  and then  to exit the menu and save changes.
OPTIONS port speed
You can change the speed of the OPTIONS serial port.
To change the OPTIONS port speed 
1 Enter the Configuration menu. 
2 Press  to enter the Baud rate menu and then press either: 
  to choose 1200 
  to choose 2400
  to choose 9600
  to choose 19200
3 Press  to accept the setting and return to the main menu section.
4 Press  and then  to exit the menu and save changes.
OPTIONS port channel control behaviour
You can determine how the OPTIONS port responds to channel control input\
s. 
To define the OPTIONS port behaviour
1 Enter the Configuration menu. 
2 Press  to enter the Options port menu and then press either:
  to allow channel switching commands to be received via RS-232 serial 
signal through the OPTIONS port (see Appendix 2 for cable pin-out 
details and Channel switching by external control for command 
details). The baud rate currently set by the  option will be used for the 
port. Switching commands via the four channel select inputs within the 
OPTIONS port connector are disabled in this mode. Use option  if you 
wish to enable the channel select inputs in addition to RS-232 control. \
  to allow channel switching commands to be received from the optional 
RC4	remote	control	(see	Optional RC4 control for connection details). 
The baud rate set by the  option is ignored and the rate used by the 
RC4	is	automatically	imposed.	Switching	commands	via	the	four	channel	
select inputs within the OPTIONS port connector are disabled in this mod\
e.
  enables channel switching via RS-232 as per option . However, in this 
mode the four channel select inputs are also enabled. 
3 Press  to accept the setting and return to the main menu section.
4 Press  and then  to exit the menu and save changes.
continued
  to choose Alt
  to choose Left Ctrl + Alt
  to choose Right Ctrl + Alt
  to disable the Hotkeys
  to choose 38400
  to choose 57600
  to choose 115200  
						

							





15
Switching mode
Using the configuration menu, you can define a default switching mod\
e. 
The	switching	mode	determines	which	peripherals	(KVM,	USB1,	USB2	and/or	
speakers) should be moved to the next computer when it is selected usin\
g any 
of the standard methods. Regardless of the default switching mode set here, 
during use you can always change the mode using either the MODE button (\
on 
the front panel) or using the additional hotkey press combinations.
Note: Of the external switching methods, the RC4 remote and the RS-232 s\
erial 
signal inputs will switch the peripherals as defined by the currently \
selected 
switching mode. However, switching control initiated by the channel sele\
ct input 
lines will always switch all of the peripherals to the chosen channel re\
gardless of 
the switching mode.      
To set the default switching mode 
1 Enter the Configuration menu. 
2 Press  to enter the Switch Mode menu and then press either: 
  to select All (default)
  to select KVM and speaker
  to select KVM only
  to select Speaker only
  to select USB1 only
  to select USB2 only
3 Press  to accept the setting and return to the main menu section.
4 Press  and then  to exit the menu and save changes.
Miscellaneous functions
To refresh EDID information from the monitor
1 Enter the Configuration menu. 
2 Press  to enter the Functions menu
3 Press  and then .
4 Press  and then  to exit the menu and save changes.
To use the stored EDID information at the power up
When you engage this mode, the unit will not interrogate the video displ\
ay 
during startup and will instead use the data that are stored. To revert \
to 
interrogating the video display, use the F 2 function discussed above. 
1 Enter the Configuration menu. 
2 Press  to enter the Functions menu
3 Press  and then .
4 Press  and then  to exit the menu and save changes. 
To reset configuration to factory defaults
1 Enter the Configuration menu. 
2 Press  to enter the Functions menu
3 Press  and then . The display will show  momentarily.
4 Press  and then  to exit the menu and save changes.
To show the current firmware version
1 Enter the Configuration menu. 
2 Press  to enter the Functions menu
3 Press  and then .
 The display will blank for a short while and then the major number of th\
e 
firmware revision will be shown. The display will blank again and then\
 show 
the first digit of the minor number. Following another blank, the seco\
nd 
digit of the minor number will be displayed. e.g.  1  0 
 2  equals v1.02
4 Press  and then  to exit the menu and save changes.
To set a new password
1 Enter the Configuration menu. 
2 Press  and then . The display will show 
3  Enter a new password and then . See To lock access to the computers.
4 Press  and then  to exit the menu and save changes.  
						

							





16
Performing upgrades
The AV4PRO-VGA unit is fully upgradeable via flash upgrade. Such upgra\
des 
require a Windows-based computer system to be linked via the OPTIONS port. 
Items required to perform an upgrade 
•	 Optional	upgrade	cable	(see	Appendix 2 for pin-out specifications).
•	 A	Windows-based	upgrade	computer	with	an	RS232	serial	port.
•	 The	latest	version	of	the	KVM	Firmware	Uploader	and	firmware	files	for	the	
AV4PRO-VGA unit - available from the Technical Support > Updates section 
of the Adder Technology website (www.adder.com). 
To use the KVM Firmware Uploader utility
1 - Obtain and run the KVM Firmware Uploader.
 Download the latest AV4PRO-VGA unit KVM Firmware Uploader from 
the Adder Technology website and install it on a Windows-based upgrade 
computer that will be connected to the AV4PRO-VGA unit. The files 
are supplied as a compressed ZIP file. Decompress the ZIP file with \
an 
appropriate tool such as WinZip (www.winzip.com) and copy all containe\
d 
files to the same folder on the upgrade computer. 
2 - Power off the AV4PRO-VGA unit
 Remove the power supply plug from the rear panel of the unit. 
3 - Connect the upgrade computer to the AV4PRO-VGA unit
	 Connect	the	serial	port	of	the	upgrade	computer	to	the	OPTIONS port on the 
rear panel of the unit using the optional upgrade cable. 
4 - Invoke upgrade mode
  While powering on or when already powered: Press and hold the 
COMPUTER	and	MODE	buttons	(for	up	to	ten	seconds)	until	the	numeric	
indicator shows ‘’.  
5 - Run the KVM Firmware Uploader utility
 From that folder, select the KVMUploader icon to run the upgrade utility\
. 
The KVM Firmware Uploader dialog will be displayed:
6 - Query the AV4PRO-VGA unit
	 Click	the	Query Unit button to confirm that communication is possible with 
the AV4PRO-VGA unit and to establish its firmware details. If successf\
ul, the 
‘Unit connected’ field should show the name of the AV4PRO-VGA un\
it and 
the current firmware will also be listed.
 If the application cannot contact the AV4PRO-VGA unit, re-check the 
connection cable and click the Advanced... button to check that the correct 
serial	port	is	being	used.	Change	the	serial	port	within	the	Advanced... 
section, if necessary.  
continued There is no need to adjust the computer’s serial port 
settings as the application will do this automatically.
4
USER
CO NSOLE
OPTIONS  
						

							





17
Issues to consider when performing flash upgrades
The upgrade program rewrites the internal firmware code. If the upgrad\
e 
process is interrupted then the unit will have invalid code and will not\
 be able 
to operate. It is therefore good practice to ensure that the upgrade pro\
cess 
is always fully completed. A partial or failed upgrade may be rectifie\
d by 
performing another upgrade.   
WARNING: Running faulty or partially upgraded code may have unpredictabl\
e 
results and may damage your AV4PRO-VGA unit or computing equipment.
7 - Select the upgrade file to be used
 From the main KVM Firmware Uploader dialog, click the Browse... button 
and select the upgrade file:
 AV4Pro_xxx.txt
 where xxx is the firmware version. 
 The upgrade file details will be displayed within the dialog.
 IMPORTANT: Check that the ‘Intended Target Units’ field matches \
the 
‘Unit Connected’ field. If these fields do not match then you \
may have an 
incorrect upgrade file, check with Adder Technology Ltd before proceeding. 
Check also that the ‘New firmware version’ is greater than the ‘\
Current 
firmware version’.
Check that the ‘Intended Target Units’ field matches the ‘Unit Connected’ field.
Check also that the ‘New firmware version’ is greater than the ‘Current firmware version’.
8 - Commence the upgrade
 To begin the upgrade process, click the Upload Now button. The progress 
will be shown within the dialog. Should you decide not to continue with \
the upload at any stage, click the Abort button; response to this is usually 
immediate, however, during an erase command, the upload will not be 
aborted until the erase is complete (this may take a few seconds).
9 - Cycle the power
 Disconnect the power. When the power is re-applied the AV4PRO-VGA unit 
will operate using the new firmware.  
						

							





18
Operation
Selecting a computer
There are four main ways to switch the common peripherals to specific \
computer channels:
•	Using the front panel controls    
•	Using hotkeys 
•	Using mouse button presses 
•	Using external switching control (RC4 remote, RS-232 or input lines)
To select a computer using the front panel
The front panel allows you to determine how the various peripherals are \
switched to one or more computer channels. 
1 Optional: If you need to selectively switch some of your peripherals, pr\
ess 
the MODE button repeatedly to change the switching mode:
KVM SPKUSB1 USB2
MODE
MODE
MODE
MODE
MODEWill switch all peripherals together
Will switch keyboard, video, mouse and speakers
Will switch only the keyboard, video and mouse
Will switch only the speakers
Will switch only USB peripheral 1
Will switch only USB peripheral 2
 Note: If an indicator flashes, it signifies that the respective peri\
pheral is 
currently switched to another computer channel.   
2	 Press	the	COMPUTER	button	repeatedly	to	select	the	required	computer	
channel. 
COMPUTER KVM
V1 SPK
V2 U
SB1
V3 USB2
V4 MODEUse this button to choose which peripherals will be switched
The KVM, SPK, USB1, and USB2 indicators show which peripherals are switched to the current computer channel OR (as you begin pressing the MODE button) the peripherals that will be switched during the next press(es) of the COMPUTER button. 
Use this button to choose the next required computer
Indicates the number of the currently selected computer
Multiscreen models only - The V1 to V4 indicators show which video monitors are switched to the current computer channel.
HT   
						

							





19
To select a computer using hotkeys
Using hotkey combinations, you can quickly switch the keyboard, video 
monitor(s), mouse and speakers and USB peripherals to any computer cha\
nnel.
There are two mains ways to use hotkeys: Standard and Additional.
Standard hotkey press combinations
The standard hotkey press combinations allow you to change channels with\
 the 
minimum of keypresses: 
1 Simultaneously press and hold  and  (or other hotkeys, if altered). 
2 While still holding  and , press the number key of the required 
channel address (or the TAB key), then release all of the keys. 
Note: The numbers on your keyboard’s numeric keypad are not valid, us\
e 
only the numeral keys above the QWERTY section.
	 The	ports	(KVM,	audio	and/or	USB)	that	are	switched	using	this	method	
depend upon the switching mode that is currently set using the front panel 
buttons.  
The range of standard hotkey combinations are as follows:
Note: If your hotkeys have been changed, substitute them for  and  in 
the examples given here. 
    Selects channel 1
   Selects channel 2
   Selects channel 3
   Selects channel 4
   Isolates the user console from all channels   
   Selects the next channel (see note )
What are hotkeys?
The  and  keys when pressed in combination are called ‘hotkeys’ and 
they signal to the AV4PRO-VGA unit that you wish to control it, rather t\
han 
the computer. However, if these particular hotkeys clash with another de\
vice 
or program, you can change them to a different combination within the 
Configuration menu.
Additional hotkey press combinations
In addition to the standard hotkey press combinations (shown left), yo\
u can also 
add additional keypresses in order to determine which peripherals are sw\
itched: 
1 Simultaneously press and hold  and .
2 Press and release a command key:
  to switch all peripherals
  to switch only the keyboard, video and mouse
  to switch only the speakers
  to switch only USB1 and USB2
3 Press and release the required channel number ( to  using only the keys 
above the QWERTY section).
4 Release  and .
 The appropriate peripherals will change to the chosen channel. 
 Note: Regardless of which peripherals were switched, the front panel 
indicators will continue to show the switching mode that was last 
determined using the front panel controls. 
Choosing which computers are accessed when using hot keys + tab
The	computer	channels	that	are	visited	when	you	use	the	hot	keys	+	tab	(or	
mouse	buttons/autoscan)	are	determined	by	a	setting	within	the	Configuration	
menu: 
1 Enter the Configuration menu. 
2 Press  and then press either: 
  to choose Cycle all ports, or
  to choose Cycle only active ports
3 Press  to accept the setting and return to the main menu section.
4 Press  and then  to exit the menu and save changes.