Frequently Asked Questions

If you don't find a quick answer here, feel free to contact us.

• Does Altinex offer any software to design AV systems and if so, how much does it cost?
  Yes, AVSnap. AVSnap is a professional AV system integration tool designed to create, present, and control any AV system. How much does it cost? Only the time it takes to download and learn the program. Get ahead of your competition by delivering professional project plans, without having to learn a CAD software or Visio.: Visit AVSnap.com.

• What is the warranty for MultiTasker products?
  MultiTaskers are covered by a lifetime warranty which can be found on our Warranty Statement page.

• How does the MultiTasker compare to stand-alone products?
  Stand-alone products work well for specific applications and are each designed to do a specific task. A MultiTasker solution allows you to design an AV system with all components integrated into one enclosure with one power cord and a single control point. The side benefit is that you can easily reconfigure/reprogram the unit, or add extra cards to expand functionality.

• Which software can I use to control the MultiTasker?
  The MultiTasker can be controlled using any type of control software that provides an RS232 signal. Altinex provides free AVSnap software and MTSetup utility through our website. A third-party control system's terminal utility, such as Hyper Terminal or ONGOER by Simtrol, are a couple of additional options.

• Where can I get a command set for MultiTasker cards?
  The user guide included with the MultiTasker unit contains all the information about the Altinex Command Set (ACS) for the front panel and cards that you'll need. If you do not have your User Guide, you may download copies from our Download page. In addition, you can obtain a list of commands by using the HelpInside feature available on all MultiTasker cards. To get help from the MultiTasker, connect it to an RS232 port and run AVSnap or HyperTerminal. Once in terminal mode, type [HELP] to get help for the front panel or [HELPC2] to get help for the card in slot 2.

• When using standard RS232 cable to connect to MultiTasker, the unit does not respond to commands. What can I do?
  The RS232 ports on the MultiTasker are designed to allow loop through connections between multiple units. Check that you are using Altinex-provided RS232 cable (RC5201RS), or if you need to build cable yourself, connect only pins 2, 3, & 5 straight through between a DB-9 female and male connector, leaving the other pins NOT CONNECTED. Verify that all cables are secured and power is applied to the unit. Do not forget to check what COM port you are connecting with, and verify it is selected in your software or controller.

• Can all inputs of the DA1930CT (Twisted Pair Transmitter) be plugged in at the same time?
  No. Only one of the inputs (Composite, S-Video, or Computer Component video) can be used at a time as the DA1930CT is a point-to-point transmitter, where all inputs are connected together internally to provide one output.

• Can all outputs be connected to the projector at the same time when using the DA1931CT (Twisted Pair Output Connections)?
  No. Only one output port can be connected to a projector at a time, depending on what input is used with the transmitter. If VGA is transmitted, only a VGA connector can be used. If Composite video is transmitted, only Composite video can be used.

• Can I connect a DA1920SX transmitter to a DA1931CT receiver?
  No. A DA1920SX transmitter requires a DA1921SX receiver, and a DA1931CT receiver connects to a DA1930CT transmitter only. The main reason is how the video signals are encoded in the transmitter. DA1930CT + DA1931CT provide superior encoding algorithm and signal quality for video transmission.

• How many MultiTasker Scalers MT106-103 can be installed in t he 19-slot enclosure?
  The maximum number of MT106-103 scaler cards that can be added to a 19-slot enclosure is 6 scaler cards and 13 other AV application cards. You can use 19 scaler cards, assuming that an additional power supply MT200-106 is installed in the enclosure and adequate ventilation is present at installation.

• Why do I need a special Twisted Pair Cable for Computer Video Signal (VGA-XGA) transmission?
  A standard CAT5 / CAT5e or CAT6 cable is made for computer network signal transmission where each twisted pair could be of different lengths. Using standard twisted pair cable could cause a color shift known as "skew." We recommend the Altinex No-skew Twisted Pair Cables, CB3150PV or CB5600PL, to minimize color shift (skew) on long cable runs.

• How many feet of cable can a DA1906SX drive the outputs?
  The quality of signal at the end of the cable run depends on the type/resolution/refresh rate of video signal is being transmitted and the quality of the cable. In a typical environment, each output of the DA1906SX could be driven 75 - 100 ft of distance on quality coaxial cable. For longer distances, a line driver can be used to improve the quality of signal to optimum.

• Can a CNK200 be wall-mounted?
  This can be done, however the CNK200 requires wall that is thicker than normal 4" wall. (Please verify this information with out Technical Support Department since the total thickness from the bezel's bottom edge to the last hinge for table-mount bracket attachment looks to be less than 4" as per the diagram posted on our website.)

• Why does the termination switch have to be "ON"? (VA6835FC)
  The termination switch should be ON if the local monitor is connected through a straight cable. It will be OFF only if a short monitor breakout cable is used at the local monitor output connector. Using break-out cables could produce an unacceptable image on local monitor.

• When and why do I need to use the "Horizontal Position" Control dial? (VA6835FC)
  The "Horizontal Position" Control dial enables or disables and adjust the horizontal position of the image. First adjust the horizontal position of the image using the control provided by monitor or projector, and then use the horizontal position control on the VA6835FC, if needed.

• What dipswitch do I set to receive the composite sync output? (VA6835FC)
  If the desired output signal is composite sync, turn OFF the "HV OUTPUT" dipswitch and connect only 4 wires (RGBS) to the red, green, blue, and sync connectors.

• When and why would I use the "Sync on Green" dipswitch, although the unit does not Seperate Sync from Green? (VA6835FC)
  The VA6835FC seperates the sync signal from green if the input is RGSB, so the output can be either RGBS or RGBHV. The dipswitch should be OFF if the desired output is RGBS or RGBHV for any type of input.

• What is the purpose of "HV OUT" dipswitch? (VA6835FC)
  To obtain RGBHV format output, turn ON the 'HV OUT' dipswitch. If the "HV OUT" dipswitch is OFF, the output signal may have composite sync present on the horizontal sync connector.