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Contributor: Paul Broome
Company: Sensormatic VPD
Multiplexer Applications & Troubleshooting Guide
Additional Multiplexer Applications
Multiplexers are building blocks. They can be used along with other devices to solve almost any application challenge. The following capabilities are worth consideration:- Remote Control.
- Multiplexers "back to back."
- Multiplexers combined with camera control.
- Multiplexers controlled with HyperScan.
- Multiplexer compatibility with other devices.
Remote Control:(Config. #6). Most VPD multiplexers can be controlled remotely by a remote panel which has the same appearance as the multiplexer control panel. Control signals are sent through telephone type wire with RJ11 connectors at each end. The maximum recommended wire length is 1000 feet. New versions of the remote panel are addressable and will operate up to 16 individual multiplexers. Older versions were designed for single multiplexer control. Both styles will allow you to loop to additional control panels (five total).
Any device capable of providing ASCII commands can control multiplexers remotely. ASCII commands emulate all front panel functionality of the multiplexer.
Multiplexers "back to back."(Config. #7). The encoded output from the multiplexer VCR out connector is intended to be recorded by a VCR. The tape of encoded information is later decoded when sent to the multiplexer's VCR input connector. You can eliminate the middle man (the VCR) with a duplex multiplexer by looping back the output to the input. The "loop back" test (hold in Function, while pressing the Tape button,) will allow the duplex multiplexer to decode its own output. This is a great test. It is not available on simplex multiplexers because there is no hardware to "loop back" to.
You can connect the VCR out of one multiplexer to the VCR in of another. This allows you to send up to 16 encoded cameras on a single coax cable. With a duplex multiplexer, you can do it in both directions. Imagine that you have two buildings with 16 cameras each. Connecting the encoded video between the multiplexers allows you to see the "local" cameras in "live mode," and the remote cameras while in "tape mode." The update speed is limited by the VCR record speeds set in the menus of the multiplexers. The "back to back" solution has been used in a variety of applications. Do not overlook the standard remote panel as it allows direct control of the "remote" multiplexer.
Multiplexers combined with camera control:(Config. #8). A Touchtracker Dome control device may be used in conjunction with a multiplexer. The Touchtracker (VM16, or, ADTT16,) controls the domes and the multiplexer view from the convenient hand control.
Multiplexers controlled with HyperScan:(Config, #9). HyperScan receiver software version 2.2 provides remote control of the multiplexer display through phone lines. This allows a single HyperScan transmitter to view 16 cameras through a single camera input. The update speed for all 16 cameras in 4x4 mode is the same as a single camera update.
Multiplexer compatibility with other devices: All input and output video from multiplexers is standard composite video. This will allow devices which convert from NTSC and PAL to another form, then back again, to work in conjunction with multiplexers. The multiplexer has nothing to do with transfer of information. The degree of success achieved is dependent on the capabilities of the transfer devices used.
Other devices can control the multiplexer's functions by sending ASCII data to the appropriate pin on the remote connector. "Compatibility" is limited to the ability to duplicate the same functionality available at the multiplexer front panel. The external device will not add additional functionality to the multiplexer. It will add additional functionality to the overall system by allowing control from somewhere other than the multiplexer front panel.
