RSVSwitch - Serial Controlled Video Switcher Extended User's Manual

Unpack the RSVSwitch The RSVSwitch kit includes the following items: The RSVSwitch video switch DB9 Serial to RJ45 cable An AC power adaptor The quick reference sheet.
Overview The RSVSwitch Video Switch is designed to allow easy integration of multiple video sources into single display or capture card system. The RSVSwitch allows you to use a single video capture card to monitor up to four cameras and maintain the full frame rate for the selected camera to capture the best video quality. The RSVSwitch is designed to work with RS-232 serial ports for maximum compatibility with a variety of computer systems. Important: The RSVSwitch is a switch, and does not include cameras or other video sources or have a display or capture or image processing capability. The RSVSwitch is intended to switch video inputs and outputs of other devices. Cameras, PCs, and displays are sold separately. Requirements A computer is not required to use the RSVSwitch as a video sequencer. It will operate as a four camera sequencer out of the box. To customize or manually control the switch, you need to have a computer with an available serial port with a DB9 connector. Refer to your computer manual for instructions on setting up your serial port. If you already have a working serial port, the RSVSwitch does not require any drivers. An optional USB interface is available for Windows computers and third party solutions for other operating systems are available.
Connecting Video The RSVSwitch has four video inputs that are yellow in color and marked 1,2,3,4. There is also a black output connector. The switch selects between the 1,2,3,4 inputs and connects that input to the black line. So, you can use the RSVSwitch to switch between four video sources to a single monitor. The switch will also work in reverse for most applications with one input switched to four outputs. To connect your video sources, simply plug them into the appropriate connectors on the RSVSwitch. If your cameras have BNC connectors, you need to use a BNC male to RCA Male adaptor for each camera. To connect your video monitor, plug the black cable into the monitor or TV video in jack. You can extend the video cables using RCA Male-to-female extension cables or the more popular RCA male-to-male cables and RCA Female-to-female adaptors.
Connect the RSVSwitch to your computer The RSVSwitch connects to your computer as a serial device. You need to have an available serial port with a DB9 connector. Refer to your computer manual for instructions on setting up your serial port. The RSVSwitch does not require any drivers. An optional USB interface is available for Windows computers and third party solutions for other operating systems are available. To connect to a PC, plug the serial RJ45 cable into the RSVSwitch. Plug the other end into the serial port on the PC. The RSVSwitch ships with a 3ft cable, but you can extend this cable with a serial extension cable or a Cat5E shielded extension cable to customize the RSVSwitch to your particular application.
Connect power to the RSVSwitch Plug the AC Adaptor into a wall outlet. Plug the coaxial power plug on the AC Adaptor into the RSVSwitch power socket. The LED light on the RSVSwitch should turn on.
Test your connection using Hyperterm. In Windows: Click on Start and then Run. Then enter "hypertrm" into the box and click OK.
Configure HyperTerminal for your COM port Select the name of the COM port that patches the port to which you connected the serial cable.
Set your terminal program to 9600 N81 (9600 bps, no parity, 8 bits, 1 stop) and no flow control. Click OK. Make sure the connection is connected/online. Type ? and press Enter You should see the menu. The Menu When you send a "?" to the RSVSwitch, it responds with a menu: (c)2006 TechWorld,Inc RSVSwitch Rev B Line: 0=Off,1*,2,3,4 Evts: E=Evts Q=Quiet* Mode: S=Scan* M=Manual Max: X=2 Y=3 Z=4* Cfg: W=Write F=Factory Get: G=Line H=Sensors Sens: I=Off* J=On BPS: A=2400 B=4800 C=9600* D=19200 (8N1) More: R=Reset ?=help !=Unlock BPS *=default The menu option (?) is provided for manual control, you do not have to display the menu when controlling the RSVSwitch via software.

Controlling the RSVSwitch
The RSVSwitch is controlled by sending single character commands to the serial port on the device. The RSVSwitch can be controlled manually using a terminal program, or via computer scripts that can send data to a serial port. The RSVSwitch is compatible with any operating system or device that can send serial commands.

Menu Options

Line: Video line options
Use the numbers to select the current video input/output line. 1,2,3 or 4. You can also isolate the connections by sending a "0" (zero) to the RSVSwitch.

BPS: Serial Rate options
Note: Do not change baud rates unless you have specific need to do so. Changing the baud rate may prevent you from connecting to the switch when restoring settings or resetting. Use the default speed of 9600bps unless you have a specific need for another rate.

The RSVSwitch defaults to 9600bps, 8 bits, no parity, 1 stop bit (8N1). This setting should be compatible with most applications. Alternate baud rates are supported for specialty applications. Slower baud rates may help with long distance serial connections if noise is encountered. Leave the RSVSwitch on the default setting if you do not have a specific reason to change it. Parity, stops and data bits are not adjustable.

It is important to note that when you switch baud rates, you will lose connection with your terminal program. You must issue the baud rate change command at the current baud rate and then reset your terminal program or serial port for the new baud rate. Once a connection is made enter '?' to view the menu on the RSVSwitch, then select the 'W' option to save the settings on the RSVSwitch. This will ensure that the device starts up with the proper speed setting. Use the 'R' Reset option to reset or unplug and reconnect the power and verify that the RSVSwitch responds to the new baud rate. Keep in mind that a baud rate change can occur when loading factory defaults or when resetting if you have changed the baud rate to something other than 9600bps.

Evts: Event feedback options
The event feedback options control whether the RSVSwitch sends camera status updates to the serial port. This setting can be useful to provide controlling software with event driven capabilities. For instance, when the camera is switched by the scan feature, the switch will send a 1/2/3/4 corresponding to the current camera number. This can be used by controlling software on the PC side to reflect which camera is being displayed, to adjust brightness settings for differences between cameras, etc. Use the "E" and "Q" commands to enable and disable the event feedback feature. The feature is disabled by default.

Mode: Auto Sequencer options
The auto sequencing feature of the RSVSwitch allows the device to switch between cameras automatically. In scan mode, the switch will switch to a different camera every five seconds. Use the "M" and "S" commands to switch between manual and sequencer modes. The default mode is scan. This allows the switch to be used out of the box as a sequencer for four cameras without any programming.

Max: Sequencer MaxCam options
To allow for cases where there may be fewer than 4 cameras connected to the RSVSwitch, a MaxCam setting is available to control how many cameras are included in the rotating sequence. If MaxCam is set to 2, the sequencer will rotate between cameras 1 and 2. If MaxCam is set to 3, the sequencer will rotate between cameras 1, 2 and 3. The default is 4. Use the X, Y and Z commands to select the MaxCam value.

Cfg: Configuration Settings
The RSVSwitch allows you to write the current configuration of the device to startup memory. The next time the RSVSwitch is restarted, it will start up with your settings active. This feature allows you to select an initial monitor to display, the baud rate, echo setting, sequencer mode, and maxcam setting.
You can also revert the settings back to the factory defaults (indicated by stars(*) on the menu). The factory settings are not automatically saved to the device startup memory, so if you want to fully reset the device, use the "F" and then the "W" option. Note that if you are not using 9600bps when you select the "F" option, the baud rate will change to 9600bps and you will need to adjust your terminal program to 9600bps before issuing the "W" command to save the settings to startup memory.
Whenever the device is reset using the "R" option, or unplugged from power and reconnected, it will boot up using the saved settings. If you have made changes and want to clear them, simply reset the device and your previously saved settings will be reloaded. Again, if you have changed baud rates, you may need to adjust your terminal program to reconnect.

Get: Retrieve current line
The RSVSwitch allows you retrieve current settings on demand. To retrieve the currently active video line use "G". The number of the current video line is displayed. This feature is useful for use in software systems to monitor or synchronize with an active device.

Get: Sensor inputs
The RSVSwitch allows up to three sensors, relays, contact devices, or TTL inputs to be monitored. This allows common security monitoring sensors to be used with your video monitoring system. See Sens: below.

The switch does not display current settings for all options, just for camera and sensors. Rather than reading the switch to confirm settings, just set the switch to the desired settings. Once set, you can write your settings to memory and not have to reset them each time if you prefer.

Sens: Enable Disable Sensor Input Lines (custom cabling)
Note: This is an advanced feature that requires custom wiring. Three lines are available in the RJ45 connector for sensor connections. The three inputs are monitored by the RSVSwitch and can be queried or used to switch video lines automatically when a 5V signal is applied to the lines. This allows the RSVSwitch to be used with active high motion detectors and alarm contacts. The RSVSwitch can also be interfaced into other computer and electronic projects and controlled by external signals or switches without a computer. See Application notes RSVAN0012 and RSVAN0013 for full details and warnings.

When a sensor line is raised to 3.3V or higher, and sensor events are enabled, the switch will change to the corresponding input line. Use enable "I" and disable "J" to activate or disable the sensor events feature. When disabled, sensors will not cause video switching.

To view the sensor status use "H". The switch will respond with a three position binary value (in 234 order) for camera sensors 2,3,4. For example: 100 indicates sensor2, 110 indicates sensor2 and sensor3. The "H" command works regardless of the sensor events setting (I or J).

Reset
Performs a hardware reset of the device.

Command Summary

0 (Zero)	No connection, video inputs are all disconnected
1	Video Source 1 is connected to output, all others are disconnected.
2	Video Source 2 is connected to output, all others are disconnected.
3	Video Source 3 is connected to output, all others are disconnected.
4	Video Source 4 is connected to output, all others are disconnected.
A	Set serial rate to 2400bps 8N1. Change happens immediately, control device must switch to new settings to communicate. This function is not available until the "!" command is used.
B	Set serial rate to 4800bps 8N1. Change happens immediately, control device must switch to new settings to communicate. This function is not available until the "!" command is used.
C	Set serial rate to 9600bps 8N1. Change happens immediately, control device must switch to new settings to communicate. This function is not available until the "!" command is used.
D	Set serial rate to 19200bps 8N1. Change happens immediately, control device must switch to new settings to communicate. This function is not available until the "!" command is used.
E	Event feedback On. All camera changes are echoed to the serial port as 0,1,2,3,4.
F	Load the factory defaults. Use the W command to save the settings.
G	Query current line selection. Returns 0-4
H	Query current sensor values. Returns a three position binary value for sensors 2,3,4. For example: 100 indicates sensor 2, 110 indicates sensor 2 and 3.
I	Disable sensor inputs (default).
J	Enable sensor inputs. The switch will respond to sensor events.
M	Manual select mode. Video inputs are selected by commands.
Q	Quiet - Events Off. Camera changes are not echoed to serial port.
R	Reset the device. Disconnecting power will also reset the device.
S	AutoSequencer scan mode. Video Inputs 1 thru MaxCam are displayed in a rotating sequence.
W	Write current settings to non-volatile memory used to initialize the RSVSwitch during startup. The RSVSwitch will boot up with your current settings.
X	Sets MaxCam to 2. Sequencer mode will scan cameras 1 and 2.
Y	Sets MaxCam to 3. Sequencer mode will scan cameras 1, 2 and 3.
Z	Sets MaxCam to 4. Sequencer mode will scan cameras 1, 2, 3 and 4.
!	Unlock the BPS commands. To help prevent accidental baud rate switching the "!" command must first be issued before any BPS commands will be accepted. Changing baud rate, powering down or resetting the switch will relock the BPS commands.
?	Help Menu

Pinouts

Specs

• Power: Typical draw 9VDC 25mA
• Operating frequency: 8Mhz
• Scan rate: 5 seconds
• Connectors: 4 RCA Female, 1 RCA Male, 1 RJ45 for Serial, 2.1mm x 5.5mm Coax Power Jack
• EMI: Verified FCC Part 15 Class B compliant. This product has not been certified for CE mark.
• Video: NTSC and PAL compatible
• Hardware platform: VS4T1
• Firmware: RSVSwitch Rev C

Note:
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
-Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
-Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
-Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
-Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Warranty and Use Limitations

This product is warranteed for a period of 90 days from the date of purchase against defects. No warranty is provided against abuse, damage, improper wiring or use in a manner contrary to the guidelines and specifications listed in this document. Opening the product case voids the warranty. Electrical damage to the device introduced thru the external connections voids the warranty. The purchaser assumes all liability for custom cabling, cabling practices and video equipment installation. Tech World warranties only the equipment we sell, not a particular installion of application. Third party installers and equipment are the responsibility of the user.
This product is not intended for use in life or property protection security systems or for life sustaining or life critical medical applications. Use of the product for these applications is at your own risk and subject to the following terms:

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Tech World, Inc. and any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, information providers, partners, advertisers, suppliers, and any of our successors, as-signs or licensees, together with any of their respective officers, directors, and employees, from and against any and all damages, losses, liabilities, suits, actions, demands, proceedings (whether legal or administrative), use of the product or application notes contained on the website, or any breach or violation of these Terms of Use or any other term or condition contained on the Tech World website. You agree that sole remedy for claims arising out of use of the product will be replacement of the product or refund of the purchase price at the sole discretion of Tech World, Inc.

If you do not agree to these terms, you may return the product to the point of purchase for a full refund within 10 days of purchase.

Safety

Installation of this product should be performed following proper industry standard wiring practices. This product should not be used outdoors. Outdoor cabling should be properly grounded for lightning protection.

This product is intended for indoor use only. Keep this unit away from heat sources such as radiators and furnace vents and use it in a properly ventilated area. To prevent shock or fire hazard, do not expose this unit to rain or moisture or use near water. The power supply packaged with this unit is intended for US and Canadian power systems and should only be used with compatible systems. No user serviceable parts are contained inside the device. This device is not intended for use by children. This device does not contain any user serviceable parts.

This product is not intended for use with RF, VGA or amplified audio signals. If high voltage signals, such as amplified TV antennas or speaker outputs, are connected to the device damage or fire may occur. This device is intended only for composite video signal switching of NTSC signals. It is not certified for use in the European Union. Current inventory of this product is not completely certified for European RoHS standards. The internal electrical components of this device may contain lead. Newly manufactured units will be made RoHS compliant. This product is not intended for export outside the USA.

Country of Origin

This product was manufactured in Taiwan and designed and programmed in the USA.

Firmware revisions

2006 Rev A - Original pre-market
2006 Rev B - First market release, active low inputs on sensor lines.
2007 Rev C - Second market release, active high inputs on sensor lines.