Extron electronic MVX PLUS 128 manual Matrix Software, Matrix Switchers Control Program

Matrix Software

Two software programs accompany the MVX Plus 128 switcher:

•The Extron Matrix Switcher+ Control Program, which communicates with the switcher via the RS-232/RS-422 port and the Ethernet port, provides an easy way to set up ties and sets of ties.

•The Extron Button-Label Generator, which allows you to design and print labels for the MVX Plus 128 front panel buttons.

Both programs are compatible with Windows 95/98, Windows NT, Windows ME, Windows 2000, and Windows XP. Updates to these programs can be downloaded from the Extron Web site (http://www.extron.com).

Matrix Switchers Control Program

Installing the software

The program is contained on a set of 3.5-inch diskettes. Load and run the program from the hard drive.

To install the program from the floppy disk to the hard drive, run Setup.exe from the floppy disk and follow the instructions that appear on the screen. The program occupies approximately 1 MB (megabyte) of hard-drive space.

By default, the Windows installation creates a C:\MTRX50 directory and places two icons (MATRIX Switcher+ Control Program and MATRIX Switcher+ Help) into a group or folder named “Extron Electronics”.

NThe program was designed to control most Extron matrix switchers, but its operation is limited to the features and configuration of your switcher.

NThe MVX Plus 128 switcher can support either RS-232 or RS-422 serial communication protocol, and operate at 9600, 19200, 38400, or 115200 baud rates. See Selecting the RS-232/RS-422 protocol and baud rate in chapter 3, Operation, to configure the RS-232/RS-422 port from the front panel.

Software operation via Ethernet

When an MVX Plus 128 switcher is connected to an Ethernet WAN or LAN, any number of users can operate it, locally or remotely, using the Matrix Switcher+ Control Program. See Ethernet connection in chapter 2, Installation, for installation details.

Connection to the switcher via the Ethernet is password protected. There are two levels of password protection: administrator and user. Administrators have full access to all MVX Plus 128 switching capabilities and editing functions. Users can select inputs and outputs, set and recall presets, and view all settings with the exception of passwords. If the same password or no password is required for logging on, all personnel log on with administrator privileges. Fields and functions that exceed user privileges are grayed out in the Matrix Switcher+ Control Program when the operator is logged on as a user.

Ethernet protocol settings

The IP Settings/Options screen (figure 5-5 on page 5-6) provides a location for viewing and, if connected via the RS-232 link or if logged on via the Ethernet port as an administrator, editing settings unique to the Ethernet interface. See IP Settings/Options window, later in this chapter, for more details.

5-2 MVX Plus 128 VGA Matrix Switchers • Matrix Software