Planning Your Videohub Installation
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Planning your Videohub Smart Control Installation
Videohub Smart Control is a rack-mountable control panel, with 40 backlit pushbuttons and Ethernet
connectivity, which works with all models of Videohub. It can be configured to work with one or many SDI
destination devices, using the included software utility for Mac OS X and Windows. Once configured for
your SDI equipment and Videohub router, Videohub Smart Control no longer requires a computer and can
immediately change SDI routes as desired.
The front panel of Videohub Smart Control can be removed to allow insertion of labels under the buttons.
All 40 pushbuttons can be variably backlit to ensure the labels can be easily read, even in dark rooms.
When configured for a single SDI destination, such as a monitor or deck, the pushbuttons can instantly
switch between 40 different SDI sources on the same Videohub router. When configured for multiple SDI
destinations, destination buttons become gold colored, source buttons become white, and the lower
right button can be configured as a take button and illuminates red. Macro buttons illuminate green
when enabled and each one can be configured to perform up to 16 simultaneous crosspoint switches.
The Blackmagic Videohub Control Utility runs on Mac OS X and Windows computers and uses a USB 2.0
connection to Videohub Smart Control for initial configuration. You will need to provide a USB 2.0 type A
to mini B male cable.
This same USB cable can be used for applying internal software updates downloaded from the Blackmagic
Design website. Internal software can provide new features, compatibility with new hardware and support
for new formats. The Blackmagic Videohub Control Utility is used to apply internal software updates, on
Mac OS X and Windows computers, and uses a USB 2.0 connection to Videohub Smart Control.
Videohub Smart Control connects to any Videohub via 10/100Base-T Ethernet networking and also includes
a loop through Ethernet port for connecting to additional control panels, Videohub routers or other network
devices. You will need to provide a standard RJ45 Ethernet network cable to connect Videohub Smart
Control to your Ethernet network switch.
Videohub Smart Control features power over Ethernet meaning no external power supply is required if
used with a power over Ethernet switch. If your Ethernet switch does not provide power over Ethernet,
use the included universal power supply with international power socket adapters for all countries.
To stop power from being accidentally disconnected, a cable tie point is included just below the power
socket to lock down the power connection. You will need to provide a mains power socket.
Videohub Smart Control is 1 rack unit high and less than an inch thick. You will need to leave enough space
in your equipment rack to install the Videohub Smart Control hardware. You can rack-mount Videohub
Smart Control at the front or at the rear of the rack to leave space for other equipment. When configured
for a single SDI destination, install Videohub Smart Control immediately under an SDI deck or monitor you
wish to control. If you don’t have a rack, then you can leave it in a safe place on the floor!
