Extron Electronics System 8_10 Plus - Manual (Page 40)

Extron • System 8/10 P LUS • User’s Manual
Multiple Switcher Operation
Multiple Switcher Installation
This chapter shows how to connect multiple switchers in the following ways:
• Two Switcher Operation
• Daisy Chain Connections
• Star Connections
• Using System 8/10 P LUS as slave(s) to System 4
For large installations that require more inputs than one system switcher can
handle, multiple switchers can be looped together. Up to 17 switchers can be
looped together, providing a total of 154 inputs (using all System 10 P
LUS
switchers). System 8/10 P LUS switchers can be looped together in different
combinations. Two connection schemes that are suitable for looping switchers
are called Daisy Chain and Star configurations.
When switchers are connected to work together, only one can communicate with
the projector and with the host system. This switcher is called the "Master". All
other switchers provide input to the Master, and they are called “Slaves”. Which
switcher operates as the Master is determined by two things:
1. How the cables are connected
2. How the Address switches are set
After a multiple switcher configuration is complete, the information must be
saved to the master switcher’s memory.
Saving Configurations to Memory
The System 8/10 P LUS has a memory to store the current connection scheme
(configuration). To save the configuration to memory, switch #4 of the Address
DIP switch, located on the rear panel of the Master Unit, must be set to the
Configuration (Down) position and the system operated for a minimum of 10
seconds. This provides sufficient time to save the configuration in the memory of
the Master Unit. After the configuration is saved, Address switch #4 is set to the
Normal (Up) position. The configuration sequence does not have to be repeated
until (or unless) the connection scheme is changed. This procedure will be
included as a step in the procedures that follow.
Master/Slave Configurations
The Star connection method (shown to the left) provides increased flexibility and
higher video performance than the Daisy Chain connection method. The
maximum number of inputs, however, is limited to 100 inputs when all switchers
are System 10 (1 master unit plus 10 slave units). If
using all System 8 switchers, the maximum number of
inputs is 64 (1 master unit and 8 slaves).
A simple example of the Daisy Chain method of
connection is shown to the right. It is the most
common looping method used for large analog RGB
switching systems. This method offers the largest
chaining configuration – 154 inputs when using all
System 10 switchers (1 master unit plus 16 slave
units). If using all System 8 switchers, the
maximum number of inputs is 120.
For information on selecting slave channels with
the optional IR remote, see page B-6.
5-1
Looping
Daisy Chain
Configuration
Inouts 1 - 9
Slaves #3 - 9
Inputs 91 - 100
Inputs 11 - 20
Inputs 1 - 10