Network Switching Information
Virginia News Network has converted from the old DTMF switching system to a digital switching system. This digital system is silent, more reliable and will provide real time closures to your automation system without the risk of obnoxious tones accidentally getting on your air or recordings. In the future, as additional closures are added to enhance the service provided by VNN, very minimal wiring will be required by affiliates wanting to take advantage of the added service.
The system conversion will require the addition of an International Datacasting Corporation 4x16 data switcher. Absolutely nothing will need to be done to your satellite dish or current IDC receiver except to plug the 4X16 switcher into the receiver using the supplied pre-wired cable.
IDC 4x16 Switcher
This switcher requires 1 ¾ “ rack space and should be mounted directly over or under the existing IDC receiver. The IDC receiver powers the switcher so no external power is required. Since the unit generates little or no heat, separation from other equipment is not absolutely necessary. The switcher has 15 dry relay contacts and is able to handle most interface situations. The 16th relay is for real time sync but will not be used at the present time. In most cases a connection between the NO (Normally Open) and C (Common) set of contacts on the relay panel is all that is required to interface to your automation equipment. When a closure is sent from the uplink, the appropriate relay will close for 1 second, signaling your system that a network program is starting, ending or a predefined cutaway is taking place.
This switcher may have been supplied to your station when the International Datacasting Corporation receiver, currently being used, was installed. If the data switcher is currently installed and working, you will note a solid green light on the number 16 relay as shown below. No further installation of the 4X16 is needed. The only thing required will be changing your wiring from DTMF to the digital interface.
Working 4X16 Switcher – Note the solid green light
If the switcher is present but no green light, reconnection should be all that is required. To connect the relay panel to the receiver, simply plug the silver D connector into the rear of the receiver into a jack labeled SIGNALS located on the left rear side next to the audio output jacks as shown below. A small screwdriver will be needed to secure the silver D connector. The jacks labeled ANC/AUX, MPEG DATA and DATA should not have anything connected to them. The two audio connectors labeled Ch1 and Ch2 are where the network audio is connected.
Left Rear View of the IDC Receiver
The cable below is used to connect the IDC receiver to the 4X16 relay panel. The silver connector is to be plugged into the receiver as shown above in green.
The Interconnect Cable
The 6-pin connector will plug into the relay panel as shown below with the keyway on top. This connector is polarized and should insert easily.
CAUTION: If it does not insert easily turn it over and try again. Do not force it!
Rear View of the IDC 4X16 Switcher
Please note each relay has a NO COM NC connecting point for each of the 16 relays. These points are where you will want to connect your station equipment to the switcher depending on function desired. There is also a +5 volt DC and ground points to aide in connecting to your equipment if needed. It is recommended that a 1 ohm ¼ watt resistor be placed in series with the 5 volt supply, if used, to protect the power supply from damage should a short circuit occur. If a pull up or pull down resistor is needed a 1000 ohm ½ watt resistor is recommended. The station engineer should have no problem interfacing to this switcher, In most cases it will be as simple as moving the existing set of wires from the DTMF decoder to this switcher. If there are any questions, or any clarification needed, please do not hesitate to call VNN technical support at 804 474 0182.
Common Questions
Do I need the switcher?
You will if you are currently using the DTMF tones for switching and intend to continue using these pulses. By interfacing the relay panel to your automation system you will be able to continue to completely automate live feeds from VNN as well as record segments and accurately cut away for local inserts of programming or commercials. The current plan for switching is:
As additional programming or features are added and we need to add additional relays to the scheme, you will need to simply add one wire in order to interface to your automation system in order to take advantage of the new pulse.
I notice a Bulletin relay, is this new?
Yes. This is another advantage of the digital switcher. The bulletin relay will be used for important fast breaking Virginia stories and urgent network operations messages only. We suggest you have your engineer wire this closure to a Sonalert or other alarm in the station so your staff will be alerted to a statewide or regional important breaking news story. If there is an urgent network operational message this relay will also be activated. This will not be used as a substitute or part of the EAS, weather alerts or national news alerts. You need to continue to monitor your assigned EAS, NOAA and national network as usual.
What are relays 4 and 5 for?
These closures will be used at a later date to control long-form programs carried on VNN such as In The Garden, Virginia Sports and any future offerings.
Can I go ahead and wire all 16 relays to my system while I am at it?
Yes. While you are changing the physical wiring over to the digital switcher you might consider going ahead and adding some additional relays so when additional pulses are added you will be ready to use them. This way no additional wiring will be required to make it work. How many is entirely up to you.
What if I don’t have the switcher?
You will need to call Mike Fleming at 804 474 0182 at our Richmond facility. He will be able to make arrangements to have a switcher shipped to you and answer any technical questions you may have. It is important to verify that the switcher is present and the number 16 green light is on as soon as possible so you don’t get caught in the last minute rush. When you call, please have the serial number of the IDC receiver handy. The serial number is an 8 digit series of numbers usually starting with 9. The serial number is not the 90067401 number; that is the model number.
I have the switcher but lights are not on.
The most likely cause is the interface cable is not connected. Since the switcher does not plug into the wall there is only one cable required for the switcher to work. This one cable connects the switcher to the receiver. Check to be sure it is connected to both the receiver and switcher. If the cable is not located please call Mike Fleming, 804 474 0182, at our Richmond facility and he will have a cable shipped to you.
The switcher is here and the number 16 light is on. How do I know it works?
You will see the number 16 light flash off and one of the other 15 lights turn on for 1 sec then back off. The 16 light will return to a steady on. The flash of a light other than 16 indicates you have received a pulse and the switcher is working. These are digital pulses and no sound will be heard on the network or the switcher.
I have more questions, whom do I call?
You’re overall network affiliate relations contact is Al Spry and he may be reached, toll free, at (866) 304 6397. His email address is alspry@clearchannel.com. Al will be able to answer, get the answer or refer you to the right person.
For programming questions, suggestions and concerns Tom Parker is the network operations manager. Tom may be reached at 804 474 0253.or email him at tomparker@clearchannel.com
For satellite issues, either uplink or your station equipment, Mike Fleming is the contact. His telephone number is 804 474 0182 and email is michaelrfleming@clearchannel.com
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