1.INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your purchase of this Kramer Electronics switcher.

Since 1981 Kramer has been dedicated to the development and manufacture of high quality video/audio equipment.

The Kramer industrial line has become an integral part of many of the best video/audio production and presentation facilities around the world. In recent years, Kramer has redesigned and upgraded most of the industrial line, making the best even better. Kramer’s line of professional video electronics is one of the most versatile and complete available, and is a true leader in terms of quality, workmanship, price/performance ratio and innovation. In addition to the Kramer line of high quality video switchers, such as the one you have just purchased, Kramer also offers a full line of high quality industrial and broadcast distribution amplifiers, processors, interfaces, controllers and computer-related products. Kramer welcomes your inquiries for Kramer equipment or custom-manufactured products, engineering, private labeling and OEM manufacturing per your specifications.

This manual includes configuration, operation and option information for the following products from the Kramer VS line of video switchers. These VS switchers are similar in operation and features and differ in their audio input and output type.

Balanced Audio Family:

￿￿VS-1211- 12x1 composite/single component video & balanced audio switcher.

￿￿VS-1011- 10x1 composite/single component video & balanced audio switcher.

￿￿VS-811- 8x1 composite/single component video & balanced audio switcher.

￿￿VS-611- 6x1 composite/single component video & balanced audio switcher.

￿￿VS-411- 4x1 composite/single component video & balanced audio switcher.

Unbalanced Audio Family:

￿￿VS-1201xl- 12x1 composite/single component video & unbalanced audio switcher.

￿￿VS-1001xlm- 10x1 composite/single component video +DA & unbalanced audio switcher.

￿￿VS-801xlm- 8x1 composite/single component video +DA & unbalanced audio switcher.

￿￿VS-601xlm- 6x1 composite/single component video +DA & unbalanced audio switcher.

￿￿VS-401xlm-4x1 composite/single component video +DA & unbalanced audio switcher.

1.1A Word on Video/Audio Switchers

A video/audio switcher usually switches between several sources (inputs) and one or more acceptors (outputs). A switcher that allows several inputs to be connected to several outputs simultaneously is called a Matrix Switcher. Switchers may be of the electronic or mechanical type. Most matrices are of the active electronic type, with many crosspoints. Vertical Interval Switching, frequently used in video, ensures that the transition from one video source to another (such as switching between two genlocked cameras) is smooth and without interference. The switching and changeover is done during the blanked vertical interval period, when the transition is hidden.

Genlocked means synchronized so that the color and phase information from each source is identical. Thus switching is done with no interference, no rolling, no color loss and no jumping on the screen. Since the Syncs come with the same timing, all the information is identical and the transition between one source and the other is smooth.

Vertical Interval Switching is needed when recording or transmitting a video program involving several video sources, as in live broadcast, to ensure clean, undisturbed picture transitions.

Matrices and switchers may sometimes be RS-232 or RS-485/422 controlled. Each of these options is a way of remotely controlling a video/audio device (switcher, SEG, etc.) using a PC with a serial port, or another device that uses a similar communication protocol.

The range consists of a number of models, having between twelve and four inputs, as indicated by the model name. The audio output is either balanced or unbalanced. Switching is effortless and is performed during the vertical interval of source #1, or of the video available at the external Sync socket. The switchers can be controlled by touch buttons on the front panel, by a PC, via the switcher©s built-in RS-232 and/or RS-485/422 communication ports, or by contact closure via a remote socket on the back panel.

KRAMER ELECTRONICS LTD.

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Kramer Electronics VS-1211 Introduction, Word on Video/Audio Switchers, Balanced Audio Family, Unbalanced Audio Family