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View Full Version : The Skinny on Autopatch


liftn
10-07-2006, 03:57 AM
OK, I am by no means an expert on this, but I am going to list out my findings and thoughts on Autopatch 4ydm units. If anything is incorrect, feel free to correct me or add to anything in the post.

1. Autopatch is a matrix router capable of routing audio/video or a combination of both.

2. The units themselves are either Master or slaves. Only the masters are controllable. There is a way to change a slave to a master, but would involve reprogramming of the chip. Something Autopatch would have to do. The only way to tell would to be ask seller or call Autopatch with serial#.

3. There are 2 popular cards, you will see most. The audio card in which you screw down wires. The video which has BNC connectors.

4. The video type has 2 different types of cards. The both look exactly the same, with 4 BNC connectors, but one is capable of doing Hi-def. You won't be able to tell from a picture, you either have to call Autopatch with a serial number or physically pull out the card and read the writing on it. I think you can also do digital audio on these.

5. In order for the unit to be able to do Hi-Def, it not only requires Hi-Def cards, but it has to be set up that way from the factory. The hi-Def cards require higher bandwith and larger power supplies.

6. You cant just put cards in spots where there are no cards and expect them to work. The unit is pre-programmed from the factory for certain types of cards. That is not to say that it can never work.

7. Changing cards and adding cards will sometimes require a new configuration file. You can use Ytools, a program from Autopatch, to create new configuration files.

8. Some set ups are to be used with multiple enclosures. They are connected with a special cable that looks like a cross between a phone cable and a network cable. If the enclosures are seporated, they may not function properly. For examlpe, audio left could be on enclosure one and audio right could be on enclosure two. The configuration file would be set up to know that input 1 would change both the left and right input 1. Without enclosure two, you will get an error.

9. The serial cable to connect to the Autopatch requires a null modem cable or adapter. A straight though cable will not work.

10. If you are using CQC 1.6 or prior and you have more than 9 input or outputs, you will have to download an updated driver to allow 2 digit inputs.

11. The 4ydm does not have volumn control. The closest they come is some units have a gain adjust.


Please anyone feel free to add or correct anything they find wron in here. Autopatch has one of the best support staff that I have come accross. When in doubt call them and they will walk you through things!!

IVB
10-07-2006, 07:11 AM
great list, no joke, I'm hoping to relocate my Sage server today so I can mount and hookup the autopatch in the rack. Thanks for that null modem cable tip, very timely.

ellisr63
10-07-2006, 09:19 AM
OK, I am by no means an expert on this, but I am going to list out my findings and thoughts on Autopatch 4ydm units. If anything is incorrect, feel free to correct me or add to anything in the post.


1. Autopatch is a matrix router capable of routing audio/video or a combination of both.
True
2. The units themselves are either Master or slaves. Only the masters are controllable. There is a way to change a slave to a master, but would involve reprogramming of the chip. Something Autopatch would have to do. The only way to tell would to be ask seller or call Autopatch with serial#.
You can shange the chip yourself but you still must get it from Autopatch

3. There are 2 popular cards, you will see most. The audio card in which you screw down wires. The video which has BNC connectors.
True

4. The video type has 2 different types of cards. The both look exactly the same, with 4 BNC connectors, but one is capable of doing Hi-def. You won't be able to tell from a picture, you either have to call Autopatch with a serial number or physically pull out the card and read the writing on it. I think you can also do digital audio on these.
Actually if you pull the card out it says High Def on it

5. In order for the unit to be able to do Hi-Def, it not only requires Hi-Def cards, but it has to be set up that way from the factory. The hi-Def cards require higher bandwith and larger power supplies.
Don't know about this one

6. You cant just put cards in spots where there are no cards and expect them to work. The unit is pre-programmed from the factory for certain types of cards. That is not to say that it can never work.
Partially true... I am currently installing audio cards in my HD unit... it all depends on the config of the cards. The audio cards I have didn't have all the chips installed so the have to go in specific slots... ie these had to go in the upper slots 5 to 8.

7. Changing cards and adding cards will sometimes require a new configuration file. You can use Ytools, a program from Autopatch, to create new configuration files.
True

8. Some set ups are to be used with multiple enclosures. They are connected with a special cable that looks like a cross between a phone cable and a network cable. If the enclosures are seporated, they may not function properly. For examlpe, audio left could be on enclosure one and audio right could be on enclosure two. The configuration file would be set up to know that input 1 would change both the left and right input 1. Without enclosure two, you will get an error.
If you write a new config You should have no problem as far as I know

9. The serial cable to connect to the Autopatch requires a null modem cable or adapter. A straight though cable will not work.
True

10. If you are using CQC 1.6 or prior and you have more than 9 input or outputs, you will have to download an updated driver to allow 2 digit inputs.
True... Dean just updated the driver

11. The 4ydm does not have volumn control. The closest they come is some units have a gain adjust.
True... I adjust my volume via source


Please anyone feel free to add or correct anything they find wron in here. Autopatch has one of the best support staff that I have come accross. When in doubt call them and they will walk you through things!!
True they have the best 24/7 tech support

CJO
10-10-2006, 04:51 AM
4. The video type has 2 different types of cards. The both look exactly the same, with 4 BNC connectors, but one is capable of doing Hi-def. You won't be able to tell from a picture, you either have to call Autopatch with a serial number or physically pull out the card and read the writing on it. I think you can also do digital audio on these.
Actually if you pull the card out it says High Def on it
There are a few ways they are labeled, some some standard, some say high bandwidth, some give the actual bandwidth of the card (40 MHz, 100 MHz, 160 MHz, etc.).

5. In order for the unit to be able to do Hi-Def, it not only requires Hi-Def cards, but it has to be set up that way from the factory. The hi-Def cards require higher bandwith and larger power supplies.
Don't know about this one
True- you cannot add high bandwidth cards to an enclosure built for standard bandwidth cards.

7. Changing cards and adding cards will sometimes require a new configuration file. You can use Ytools, a program from Autopatch, to create new configuration files.
True
You can also manually edit and create config files with a text editor.

8. Some set ups are to be used with multiple enclosures. They are connected with a special cable that looks like a cross between a phone cable and a network cable. If the enclosures are seporated, they may not function properly. For examlpe, audio left could be on enclosure one and audio right could be on enclosure two. The configuration file would be set up to know that input 1 would change both the left and right input 1. Without enclosure two, you will get an error.
If you write a new config You should have no problem as far as I know
Yep- all that is required is a change to the config file.

11. The 4ydm does not have volumn control. The closest they come is some units have a gain adjust.
True... I adjust my volume via source
None of the 4YDM's have volume control. Autopatch does make other units that will do so (some Precis, Modula, Epica).

Please anyone feel free to add or correct anything they find wrong in here. Autopatch has one of the best support staff that I have come accross. When in doubt call them and they will walk you through things!!
True they have the best 24/7 tech support
Agreed!

CJ

myyaz33
10-21-2010, 06:55 PM
Sorry to resurrect this old thread, but I wanted to check and see if Autopatch is still willing to help out on these units after all this time?

George M
10-22-2010, 05:25 AM
Sorry to resurrect this old thread, but I wanted to check and see if Autopatch is still willing to help out on these units after all this time?

The last time I called for help, they have discontinued FREE help, but do still include PAYED help.

myyaz33
10-22-2010, 09:11 AM
Could you share an idea of what the costs might have been?

George M
10-22-2010, 10:44 AM
I can't as I didn't ask for specifics.