The For.A MFR-5000 Series 8RU Routing Switcher Case is highly configurable; supporting up to 128 inputs, 128 outputs, and 4 monitoring outputs. It comes with a primary CPU control board and power supply, but otherwise requires you to configure it with optional I/O cards. The unit, with optional I/O cards, supports SD, HD, 3G, and DVB ASI video signals and AES/EBU audio signals.

Once the unit is configured with the options, it allows you crosspoint control functions; including button-assigned Salvo, Main unit storage Salvo, Take operation, Chop function, and monitor enable. The switcher supports combining multiple remote control units to make them act as a single large scale control panel. The switcher case supports an optional redundant CPU control board and power supply. Control of the switcher is through either Ethernet or RS-232/RS-422 serial control. The switcher case is rackmountable using the included rackmount clips.

Multi-Format Support

Input and output support for 3G-SDI, HD-SDI, SD-SDI, and ASI, with automatic detection of signal type.

Various Audio Input and Output Support

Audio input and output cards are available for this unit in addition to video I/O cards. This allows for a combined audio/video router in a single cabinet along with A/D and D/A conversion, plus embedding and de-embedding operations. It is compatible with MFR-16AESI, MFR-16ADI, MFR-16AAI input cards and MFR-16AESO, MFR-16ADAO output cards.

Configuring Matrices (Up to 128 Input/128 Output)

The input/output board has 16 channels and up to 8 boards can be installed together. As a result, matrices of up to 128 input/128 output can be configured.

Redundancy

Since routing switchers are the core of large video systems, For.A has engineered a variety of features to ensure full redundancy. CPU board redundancy (sold separately) is a secondary CPU board that constantly monitors the operation of the primary board. If the secondary CPU board detects any faults, operation is immediately switched to the secondary CPU to allow for continuous operation without down time. In the rare event of a power supply problem, the redundant power supply (sold separately) takes over to avoid any interruption of router function. For Network redundancy a secondary Ethernet connection (sold separately) provides back-up for system control. With CPU redundancy, each interface can also have a backup. This unit provides direct control of main unit. The main unit has an LED display on the front. It can display settings and alarms.

Various Crosspoint Control

A variety crosspoint control features are possible in addition to normal crosspoint switching. The button-assigned Salvo function enables multiple crosspoints to be assigned to any button. Separate settings can be made for each remote unit. Additionally a main unit storage Salvo function is present that allows multiple crosspoints to be stored on the main unit side which can be shared by all remote units. The Take operation is performed after presetting crosspoints, by pressing the Take button in order to change the set crosspoints. Switches between take operation and usual operation (instant execution) can be done using the mode-switching Take button. You can always perform take with the Always Take button. The Link function allows for grouping and linking multiple crosspoints. The Level operation does level switching which allows separate control over different subject types. The Chop function allows user to switch between two sources for a destination. Monitor out function enables output of any destination source to a dedicated monitoring channel. To prevent incorrect operations: Crosspoint Inhibit, Source Inhibit, Destination Inhibit, Lock Other, Lock All, and Lock Local functions are provided.

Matrix Partition Function

This routing switcher can be virtually partitioned to build any theoretical hierarchy, creating possibilities for use in various operations. For fully independent switching a single unit can be used as multiple routing switchers by making multiple matrix partitions. This is effective when you wish to do multiple operations while avoiding source sharing. V/Key linking switcher allows 2 inputs to be linked for routing of video and key signals together. For a 3D switcher partition the matrix in two and control the left and right channels from a 3D source simultaneously. An HD/SD simul-switcher provides simultaneous control of HD and SD sources which is a suitable feature for HD/SD master control switching.

SNMP Support

Remote monitoring by SNMP is supported and the router can easily be integrated into an SNMP monitoring system. In this way you can monitor the status of various items including power source, fan, CPU, presence/absence of signals, crosspoint errors, and more.

Maintainability

Designed for maintainability, all boards and power units can be accessed from the front without removing cables.

Remote Control Units

For.A offers several types or remote control to suit your application. The number of units that can be connected is a maximum of 128, including the main unit. This lets you build a flexible control environment by the way you partition the matrix and make operation level settings. It is compatible with MFR-16RU, MFR-16RUD, MFR-18RU, MFR-39RU, and MFR-40RU remote control units.

Supports Combinations of Multiple Remote Control Units

Multiple remote control units can be combined to make them function as a large scale control panel.

Interface Expansion Unit

The interface expansion unit lineup includes 2 types to suit your specific application. The number of units that can be connected is a maximum of 128, including the remote control units. It is compatible with the optional MFR-GPI GPI unit and MFR-TALM Tally Manager.

System Links with Other Products

The routing unit enables tally linking with For.A's video switcher HANABI Series and multi-viewer MV Series. And when switching between sources on the MFR-5000 side, the source name displayed by the video switcher or multi viewer can also change automatically. It supports TSL and Harris protocol, enabling linkage with 3rd party equipment.