NeoPro Matrix Switchers

This driver is for the NeoPro Series of audio/video matrix switchers. It supports direct access to the functions of a 24 x 80 matrix. It was tested with a Borrego+ and a Tahoe

Driver History

1.0 The original release of the driver

1.01 Automatically determines model. eliminating the pull down menu. Expands model compatibility

1.1 Video Matrix is expanded to 24 x 80 to support the Tahoe Models. Individual breakaway variables for audio and composite have 24 outputs even though there are currently no switchers with more than 16. Adds view based 'Selected Source' variables. Adds names list browsing for the inputs and outputs.

1.2 Adds a command called "Return Analog Audio to Previous Source", see below

When any parameter in the matrix is changed the unit sends it's entire setup to the processor, this can bog down the processor if it happens repeatedly. If you're using a large switcher (Tahoe) that requires constant switching and fast response times you may want to consider using a processor faster than an XP-8.

RS-232 Connection

The RS-232 connection on the NeoPro should be connected with a straight through cable to the XP-8 serial adapter. The switcher uses a fixed 115200 baud rate so care should be taken with cable length and quality.

Driver Info

The big change in this version (1.1) of the driver is the addition of Selected Source and Selected Switch based variables that operates independently on each remote or panel. These selections are stored in the processor and reloaded if the processor is rebooted. The selected source or zone can be used as a parameter in one of the switching commands to allow a single button to control a number of rooms. Generally when a command needs an output or input as a parameter you can use the number 999 and the command will execute using the currently selected value for that remote. The selection can be made by direct command, by using a slider, by rotating up and down through the numbers, or by choosing the input or output from their respective lists

There are 7 commands that can do direct switching on the matrix.

Source Select: This is the same command it was in earlier version of the driver. You pick an output, an input, which layer of the switch (All, HD Video, Analog or Digital Audio, or Composite Video) and a time. You can use a 0 as the input and it will switch all the channels in the device. You can use a 0 as the output and it will switch the selected channel off. You cannot use the 'Selected Source' variable with this command, it is included mostly for compatibility.

Source Select (uses Selected Switch): This command is similar to the above except that there is no parameter for the switch layer. You can pick the input and output, this time with the option of using 999 to represent the 'Selected' variable for that parameter. The layer of the switch to switch is controlled by the 'Set Selected Switching' type which is a view based variable that can be different for each remote

All/HD Video/Analog Audio/Comp Video/Dig Audio Source Select: This command doesn't use the selected switch but uses the switch layer it's named for. You can still set the inputs and outputs to 999 or 0 and you still select the delay time.

Analog Audio Muting: The analog audio function "Output Mute Toggle" works but there is no variable to match. Because the matrix does not return a mute status it is better to use the Routing function to do the mute by using the Analog Audio Source Select command with the input set to 0, essentially turning the output off. Then when you want to 'unmute' you can use the 'Return Analog Audio to Previous Source' command to return the output to whatever input it was on before it was muted. The variable associated with that command is actually called Analog Audio Output x Mute, a leftover from the days when there was no analog processing in the unit it and this was the only way muting could be done.

The sample file uses this method on the analog audio page to create a mute toggle button with a macro that checks the variable before choosing to mute or unmute the channel.

List functions

In the drivers configuration tab you can name the inputs and outputs of the device as well as let the driver know how many of each are actually being used. This allows the driver to build a scrolling list for both the inputs and the outputs, as well as indentify the selected input or output in the zone by number or by name. Generally the commands 'Select Output From List' and 'Select Source From List' change the item selected for that remote or panel. This item then becomes the parameter for any button programmed to use input or output 999.

There are also commands that allow switching to happen as the item is selected from the list. With these commands it is not necessary to add a second command to do the actual switch. The command 'Switch Input to Output Selected from List' will immediately switch the input specified in the command, either directly of using 0 or 999, to the output selected from the list. This command would allow you to select and input from the source list and then, using this command, send it to multiple outputs. The 'Switch Output to Source Selected from List' command allows the opposite, you can specify or select an output and then have it immediately switch outputs as they're selected. An additional use for this command would be to have a 'preview' output. You could set the 'Switch Output to Source Selected from List' command to always switch the input you select to output 16 which would feed a monitor at the users position so they can confirm the program they're selecting before they send the program to a distant monitor.