Extron Quantum Ultra® Series Videowall Processors • Setup Guide

Quantum Ultra Series Overview

The Extron Quantum Ultra Series includes Quantum Ultra 610 and 305, Quantum Ultra II 610 and 305, and Quantum Ultra Connect 128 and 84. These modular 4K videowall processors support ultra-high resolutions up to 4096x2160 (4K) @60 Hz on inputs and outputs. All models offer customizable output resolutions, input and output image rotation, and mullion compensation. USB, RS-232, and LAN interfaces allow direct connections for control systems.

The Quantum Ultra 610 features a 6U, 10-slot card frame, while the Quantum Ultra 305 has a 3U chassis with five card slots. These models support multiple videowalls with mixed resolutions and screen orientations, as well as various source types including HDMI, H.264, picture, Really Simple Syndication (RSS), Text, Clock, and VNC. The optional IN SMD 100 input card decodes and displays multiple simultaneous MPEG2, Motion JPEG, and H.264 video streams at up to 60 frames per second. Input cards have four HDMI or two LAN connectors, and output cards have four HDMI or four DTP connectors. Both chassis support any combination of input and output cards, and additional chassis can be added to expand the system.

The Quantum Ultra II 610 and Quantum Ultra II 305 offer the same features as their respective Quantum Ultra 610 and 305 counterparts, with the addition of support for the IN4HDMI 4K PLUS input and OUT4HDMI 4K PLUS output cards for 4K @ 60 Hz capability on four HDMI connectors. They also support the IN4FOX3 and OUT4FOX3 cards for lossless or uncompressed fiber optic connections.

The Quantum Ultra Connect 128 and 84 have fixed configurations. The Quantum Ultra Connect 84 includes two HDMI input cards and one HDMI output card, while the Quantum Ultra Connect 128 includes three HDMI input cards and two HDMI output cards. These configurations cannot be modified.

Expansion In and Expansion Out cards are available for the Quantum Ultra 610 and 305, and Quantum Ultra II 610 and 305 (not for Quantum Ultra Connect models). These cards allow up to five Quantum Ultra chassis to be connected and managed from one primary chassis, expanding a system to up to 42 input and output cards.

Control methods include Extron Videowall Configuration Software (VCS), available on the Extron website, and control via Simple Instruction Set™ (SIS™) or Express Mobile Software (EMS) for Quantum Ultra on iOS®, Android®, or Microsoft® tablet devices.

Installation Steps

WARNING: To avoid electric shock or product damage due to condensation, allow the Quantum Ultra to acclimate to ambient temperature and humidity for at least 30 minutes before switching it on. This is crucial when moving the unit from a cold to a warm location.

ATTENTION: All structural steps and electrical installation must be performed by qualified personnel in accordance with local and national building codes and electrical codes.

1. Disconnect power from all equipment.
2. (Optional) Mount the unit to a rack using the supplied screws.
3. Connect the video inputs and outputs. Connect sources and output devices to installed input and output cards:
   • Inputs:
   • HDMI: Connect HDMI sources to connectors on the installed HDMI input cards. Secure each HDMI device cable with a provided LockIt® HDMI Cable Lacing Bracket.
   • IN SMD 100: Connect the LAN ports on installed IN SMD 100 input cards to a network for streaming sources (Quantum Ultra and Quantum Ultra II only).
   • FOX3: Connect FOX3 transmitters to the fiber connectors on the IN4FOX3 card (Quantum Ultra II only).
   • Outputs:
   • HDMI: Connect HDMI displays to connectors on HDMI output cards. Secure each HDMI device cable with a provided LockIt HDMI Cable Lacing Bracket.
   • DTP: Connect DTP receivers to installed DTP output cards (Quantum Ultra and Quantum Ultra II only).
   • FOX3: Connect FOX3 receivers to the fiber outputs on the OUT4FOX3 cards (Quantum Ultra II only).
4. Connect a control device:
   • For remote control, connect a control device or computer to the RJ-45 LAN A to enable configuration via SIS commands, VCS, or EMS.
   • (Optional) Connect the USB mini B Config connector for configuration and control via SIS commands or VCS.
   • (Optional) Connect the 3-pole captive screw RS-232 connector for serial control via SIS commands.
5. Connect power to the Quantum Ultra or Ultra II primary and redundant (optional) IEC connectors.
6. Power on the unit and all connected devices.
7. Download and install VCS on your computer.
8. Configure sources, displays, EDID, and presets for the videowall using VCS.

NOTE: Figure 1 shows the rear panel of a Quantum Ultra 610. The Quantum Ultra II 610 rear panel is identical except for IEC C20 AC connectors and the product name. The Quantum Ultra and Ultra II 305, Ultra Connect 84, and Ultra Connect 128 have similar rear panels, are 3U high, have five card slots, and lack a redundant power connector.

Rear Panel Features and Connections

The Quantum Ultra 610 rear panel includes:

• A Primary AC power connector: Connect AC power to this IEC connector for the primary power supply.
• B Redundant power connector (Quantum Ultra and Ultra II 610 only): (Optional) Connect a second AC power source to this IEC connector for the secondary power supply to provide uninterrupted operation in case of primary supply failure.
• C Power switch: A momentary rocker switch to power the unit off and on.
• D HDMI Out system output connector: (Optional) Connect an HDMI monitor to this female HDMI connector to view activity and interactions with the embedded operating system.
• E USB system connectors: Connect a flash drive or human interface devices (HIDs) like a keyboard or mouse to one or more of these three USB A connectors for interaction with the embedded operating system.
• F USB Config control connector: Connect a computer to this USB connector for control of the Quantum Ultra Series device via VCS and SIS commands.
• G RS-232 control connector: Connect a control system or computer to this 3-pole, 3.5 mm captive screw connector for control via SIS commands. RS-232 protocol: 9600 baud, 1 stop bit, no parity, 8 data bits, no flow control.
• H LAN connectors A and B: Connect one or both RJ-45 Ethernet connectors to a network to access:
  • A computer with VCS and, optionally, EMS installed for videowall setup.
  • A control device like an Extron IP Link Pro or IPCP Pro for AV control.
  • A network with Virtual Network Computing (VNC) servers for streaming desktops.
• I Input and output card slots: Each slot supports either an input or an output card; at least one of each must be installed.
  • Inputs:
  • HDMI and HDMI 4K PLUS input cards have four female HDMI connectors each.
  • IN SMD 100 input cards have two LAN connectors for network connection to enable decoding and displaying of multiple streams (not available on Quantum Ultra Connect).
  • IN4FOX3 input cards have four pairs of input and output LC connectors for lossless or uncompressed fiber optic connections (Quantum Ultra II models only).
  • Outputs:
  • HDMI and HDMI 4K PLUS output cards have four HDMI connectors each.
  • OUT4DTP output cards have four DTP connectors for connecting HDMI displays or DTP receivers.
  • OUT4FOX3 output cards have four pairs of input and output LC connectors for lossless or uncompressed fiber optic connections (Quantum Ultra II models only).

The Quantum Ultra Connect 84 has two HDMI input cards and one HDMI output card. The Connect 128 has three HDMI input and two HDMI output cards. These card configurations are fixed.

NOTE: To connect DVI sources or displays to an HDMI connector, use a DVI-to-HDMI adapter. Dual link DVI signals are not supported.

Card Installation Order

When the Quantum Ultra Series device is assembled at the factory, input cards are installed in slots above the output cards. If installing cards yourself, do not intersperse input cards with output cards.

NOTE: Expansion output and input cards have special rules for placement in card slots (refer to the Quantum Ultra Expansion System Setup Guide).

Each card slot can contain either an input or an output card, with at least one of each type required. Slot 1 cannot contain an output card, and slot 10 (for 610 models) or slot 5 (for 305 models) cannot contain an input card.

All input cards of the same type (IN SMD 100, HDMI, HDMI 4K PLUS, IN4FOX3) must be installed in adjacent slots, as must all output cards of the same type (HDMI, DTP, HDMI 4K PLUS, OUT4FOX3). Do not intersperse different card types.

Install cards in the following order: IN SMD 100, IN4HDMI, IN4HDMI 4K PLUS, IN4FOX3, OUT4HDMI, OUT4DTP, OUT4HDMI 4K PLUS, OUT4FOX3.

Do not leave empty slots between cards. Empty card slots should be at the bottom of the card stack.

Configuring the Videowall Using VCS

This section describes how to set up the videowall (create a project) using the VCS program to configure and control the Quantum Ultra Series from a computer. For detailed information, see the VCS Help File, accessible from within VCS.

Starting VCS

1. Download VCS from www.extron.com (also available in the Quantum Ultra Series User Guide at www.extron.com).
2. Open the software program by double-clicking the VCS icon or by clicking Start > Extron Electronics > Videowall Configuration Software. The Extron VCS program opens with the Start screen, Connect tab.
3. Click the New tab to open the Create New Project tab.
4. Select the Quantum Ultra / Quantum Ultra II radio button and click the Create button. VCS searches for Quantum Ultra Series devices on the network. The New Project screen is displayed, showing detected devices in the Select Device(s) to Add panel.

NOTE: A gateway IP address is required on the PC running VCS for the Quantum Ultra Series device to be detected.

Adding Devices to a Project

1. Locate your Quantum Ultra Series device in the Select Device(s) to Add panel and click the Add to System button. If a project already exists on the device, a prompt will ask if you want to apply your new project. Click OK to continue or Cancel to stop. Connection information is displayed in the System Devices panel. A green dot indicates a successful connection.
2. Edit IP address settings for your device as needed:
   • In the Select Device(s) to Add panel, click the Edit button.
   • The Communication Settings dialog box opens. Enter a new IP address and edit other IP settings. Select the DHCP checkbox to enable automatic IP address assignment.

Manually Adding Devices

If your device is not visible in the Select Device(s) to Add panel:

1. Click the Manually Add Device button.
2. In the IP Address field, enter the device's address and select the Pull from Hardware radio button.
3. Select the device type from the Device Type drop-down list.
4. Click Add. The connection information appears in the System Devices panel.

Setting Up the Videowall

To configure the videowall using VCS, start by setting up a project. In the project, you can define processors, create videowalls, set up sources and outputs, and create presets. Use the task buttons at the top of the Quantum Ultra Series screen to access setup tasks.

Wall Configuration screen

Click the Wall Configuration button to configure outputs and select output channels for the videowall. The Wall Configuration window opens, providing a Canvas for setup.

1. Name the Canvas. By default, the first configuration is named Canvas 1. You can customize this name in the Canvas Name field. Each Canvas (maximum of 10) is assigned an incremented Canvas ID.

NOTE: Quantum Ultra Connect models support only one Canvas.

2. Select the number of displays by entering values in the Number of Displays spin boxes for columns and rows.
3. Configure the outputs. Settings in the output configuration panel apply to all displays in the Canvas:
   • Resolution: Select the output resolution for the displays.
   • Master Refresh Rate: Select the refresh rate for the displays.

   NOTE: For Quantum Ultra and Ultra II 610 and 305, this rate applies to all displays on the first Canvas and limits selectable refresh rates on other Canvases.

   • Output format: Select the output format (AUTO, DVI RGB 444, or HDMI RGB 444). Default is Auto.
   • HDCP Mode: Select how to manage HDCP encryption on outputs (Always Encrypt, Never Encrypt, or try for 1 minute then revert).
   • HDCP Notification: Select to enable or disable a green screen notification when input signal contains HDCP-protected content and outputs cannot be encrypted.
   • Display Rotation: Select the radio button for the angle at which displays physically rotate: +90° (clockwise), -90° (counterclockwise), or 0° (no rotation).

   NOTE: OUT4HDMI cards support output rotation only on even numbered channels. OUT4HDMI 4K PLUS and OUT4FOX3 cards support output rotation on all channels.

4. Define the Quantum Ultra Series device and output for each display using one of the following methods:
   • Automatic method (Recommended): Click the Auto Assign Outputs button to automatically assign a device and output channel to each display. Displays are numbered left to right, starting upper-left with Display 1. The display location format is n.n.n (chassis.card slot.connector).
   • Manual method: For each display, select a Quantum Ultra Series device, chassis, output card, and slot number from the drop-down lists.
5. In the Mullion/Edge Blending Compensation panel, select either:
   • Mullion Compensation: Specify mullion space around displays in pixels, inches, centimeters, or millimeters. If not using pixels, enter the diagonal screen size.
   • Edge Blending (Quantum Ultra or Ultra II 610 and 305 only): Specify the amount in pixels of horizontal and vertical overlap of videowall outputs.
6. (Optional) In the Canvas Area panel, select Full Screen (default) or Custom to set the Canvas area size.
7. If desired, select a test pattern from the Test Pattern panel to optimize wall configuration.

Source Configuration screen

Each source used in a project must have a corresponding source definition in VCS. To configure sources:

1. Click the Source Configuration button to display the Source Configuration screen.
2. Select a source type in the Source Configuration Tree (left panel) and click Add. Source types include HDMI, FOX3, IP, Picture, Clock, VNC, Text, and RSS.

NOTE: The number format for sources is n.n.n (chassis.card slot.connector).

3. Add a source by clicking Add or right-clicking the source type and selecting Add. One or more source names appear in the Source Configuration Tree.
4. Configure the selected source. Click the source name to be configured. A configuration window opens in the center panel. Enter the required information in the Input Name field and other fields to set up the source.

NOTE: For picture or IP sources, click the Detect button to open a window listing available streams (IP Source) or image files (Picture).

5. Add more sources as desired by repeating steps 2 through 4.

Preset Configuration screen

A window preset, or scene, stores window layout parameters like size, position, and content. Presets can be recalled using VCS or SIS commands.

1. Click the Preset Configuration task button to display the preset configuration workspace. The Canvas in this workspace is a virtual representation of the videowall.
2. Click the Live or Preview button to select the configuration mode.
3. Specify sources to be displayed by adding source windows:
   • Click a source name in the Sources panel and drag it to the desired location on the Canvas. A window containing the source name appears. You can also drag in a Window without Source.
   • Configure the source window:
     • Resize by clicking and dragging resizing handles.
     • Reposition by dragging and dropping.
     • Double-click to fill the display or displays on which it was placed.
     • Change the source by right-clicking and dragging a different source onto the source window.
     • Right-click and select Window Configuration to specify parameters for the window border, text, and overlay text.
4. If a window covers another, set the priority for each window by selecting it and clicking a priority icon on the toolbar. The priority number (P1, P2, etc.) is displayed in the lower-left corner of the window. The toolbar also allows aligning multiple windows and setting their size.
5. Save the window layout as a preset:
   • In the Presets list, select a slot for the preset.
   • Click Save. The preset slot becomes a text field with the label Window Preset nnn.
   • Enter a name for the preset (32 characters maximum) or click outside the text field to keep the current name.
6. If configuring in Preview mode, click the Take button to apply the preset to all displays in the system.

Device Settings screen

The Device Settings screen shows current settings for device name, IP information, firmware version, and input/output configuration. It also provides status of hardware elements like power supplies, fans, and internal temperature.

• Click the Device Settings task button to access this screen.
• The screen has two main panels: Device Details and General Settings.

Device Details

The Device Details panel contains general information and status on connected Quantum Ultra II devices. Buttons at the bottom initiate configuration tasks:

• Communication Settings: Configure IP and port settings.
• DTP/FOX Configuration: Configure RS-232 command insertion into the DTP or FOX3 data stream.
• SMD Card Configuration: Configure IP settings for installed IN SMD 100 cards.
• Download Log Files: Download and view user, server, and debug log files.
• Update Firmware: Install new firmware versions.

General Settings

The General Settings panel contains configuration settings:

• Effect Configuration: Select switch effects between windows, inputs, and upstream devices.
• Date and Time: Select the date, time, and time zone on the unit.

Basic SIS Commands

The Quantum Ultra Series can be controlled with SIS commands via USB, RS-232, or LAN. The following table lists basic commands. For a full list, see the Quantum Ultra Series User Guide at www.extron.com.

KEY:

• X1 = Input (assigned by VCS): 0001–9999. Response is four digits with leading zeros. 0001-0999 = Physical video connections on all Quantum chassis. 1000-9999 = Sources defined in the system and not connected to an input card (Picture, RSS, VNC, Text, or Clock).
• X3 = Canvas: 01–10. Response is two digits with a leading zero.
• X5 = Window: 001–999. Response is three digits with leading zeros.
• X10 = On or off: 0 = off (disabled), 1 = on (enabled).
• X25 = Window preset: 001–128. Response is three digits with leading zeros.
• X75 = Window border style preset: 000–127. 000 = no border. Response is three digits with leading zeros.
• X114 = IP address in the format nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn. Default is 192.168.254.254.

For information on safety guidelines, regulatory compliances, EMI/EMF compatibility, accessibility, and related topics, see the Extron Safety and Regulatory Compliance Guide on the Extron website.

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