Quickguide RM4200D/Series 52 Upgrade - dhd-Audio

Series 52 

52/RM4200D Upgrade 

Quickguide 

© 2009 DHD Deubner Hoffmann Digital GmbH 

Version: 1.5.0

Table of Contents 

Table of Contents 

1 Terms of Use - Legal Disclaimer 1 

2 About this Book 2 

3 Overview 4 

4 Controller types 4 

................................................................................................................................... 4 

1 RM420-852 Communication Controller, full function 

................................................................................................................................... 5 

2 RM420-853 Communication Controller, basic function 

5 Does it make sense to upgrade 5 

6 Preparing the upgrade 6 

7 Changing the hardware 6 

................................................................................................................................... 8 

1 Updating the firmware 

8 Import of Toolbox4 projects 8 

................................................................................................................................... 8 

1 Restrictions on importing projects 

Index 

© 2009 DHD Deubner Hoffmann Digital GmbH

1 Series 52 - 52/RM4200D Upgrade Quickguide 

1 Terms of Use - Legal Disclaimer 

Series 52 

52/RM4200D Upgrade Quickguide 


This manual is copyright of DHD. It might be distributed and copied as long as it is copied completely as a whole and this 

copyright notice is included. 

No part of this document may be copied or distributed without prior written permission of DHD Deubner Hoffmann Digital 

GmbH. 

Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp., Redmond, Wash., USA. All other trademarks are the property of 

their respective owners. 

Specifications and design are subject to change without notice. 

The content of this document is for information only. The information presented in this document does not 

form part of any quotation or contract, is believed to be accurate and reliable and may be changed without 

notice. No liability will be accepted by the publisher for any consequence of its use. Publication thereof 

does neither convey nor imply any license under patent rights or other industrial or intellectual property 

rights. 

Version 1.5.0, 01.07.2009 


Specifications and design are subject to change without notice. The content of this document is for information only. The information presented in this document does not form part 

of any quotation or contract, is believed to be accurate and reliable and may be changed without notice. No liability will be accepted by the publisher for any consequence of its use. 

Publication thereof does neither convey nor imply any license under patent rights or other industrial or intellectual property rights.

About this Book 

2 

2 About this Book 

The following quickguide is a short introduction about upgrading an RM4200D DSP Frame for the usage as Series 52 

product. 

The content of this manual is subject to change without notice. DHD recommends to visit the DHD website once in a while 

to check if there is a newer version of this document available. 

How to Use this Book 

The Navigation Tree 

You can find the navigation tree on the left-hand-side of the PDF document. Via the entries of this tree you can directly 

reach the several chapters and sections of this document. Click onto the text or the symbol of an entry to display its 

content. 

If a chapter includes further sections, you will find a plus-symbol in front of the entry in the navigation tree. Either you can 

click onto this plus-sign or you double click the text or the symbol of the entry to make the sub-branches of the further 

sections visible. 

Search 

You can find an alphabetical ordered list of keywords at the end of the document. Please see the page numbers in this 

index to find the respective keywords in the document. 

Moreover, you can use the search function of your PDF reader to seek for any words. 

Links 

Links are underlined to separate them from the rest of the text. These links can be a connection to other chapters or 

sections in the same document or to an URL (internet address). 

· Same document: The hand symbol appears if you move the mouse over the link. 

· URL: The hand symbol with an additional w appears if you move the mouse over the link. 

Please notice, that you need an active internet connection to be able to execute a link to an URL. 

Version 1.5.0 - 01.07.2009 





The Meaning of Advices in the Text 

Warning 

The demands and advices in this fields should be followed unconditional, because otherwise hardware 

and software products, data bases, as well as persons may suffer a loss. 

Important 

The demands and advices in this fields should be followed, because these contents are necessary for the 

proper operation of the DHD systems. 

Note 

Recommendations and further information are marked as notes. Sometimes you will also find off-topic 

content in this field, which is related to the actual topic. 

Tip 

Tips are helpful advices, which should make work with DHD systems easier. 

Weblink 

In this fields you can find links to websites, which include for example an other manual or the possibility to 

download a driver for the respective DHD system. 

Please notice, that you need an active internet connection to be able to execute a link to an URL. 

Download 

You can directly open and download a file if the respective link is marked as download link (file link). 





Overview 

4 

3 Overview 

You can adapt features and improvements of the Series 52 to your existing RM4200D by replacing the RM420-850 

Communication Controller of your system with an RM420-852 or RM420-853 Communication Controller. 

With an exchange, you transfer some essentially modified functions from the Series 52 onto your existing RM4200D. These 

changes are amongst others: 

· Powerful network capabilities 

· More processing power 

· Improved logic and audio functions 

· New software features in combination with the configuration software Toolbox5 

· Up-to-date technologies and more flexibility by the operation system Linux 

· Easy system maintenance 

· Central software concept 

4 Steps to upgrade the controller: 

1. Remove the RM420-850 Communication 

Controller from your RM4200D Frame... 

2. ...and plug in the new RM420-852 or 

RM420-853 Communication Controller to 

the COM slot. 

3. Update the firmware of all bus controllers 

in the system. 

4. Import and modify an existing 

configuration file. 

In the following quickguide you'll find more detailed descriptions of the steps above. 

4 Controller types 

Currently, DHD offers two different types of controllers to upgrade your RM4200D to a Series 52 system. 

· RM420-852 Communication Controller, full function 

· RM420-853 Communication Controller, basic function 

These modules have a different functional range. 

4.1 RM420-852 Communication Controller, full function 

Module description 

· 3x 100baseTX Ethernet on RJ45 

· 1x USB-B device connector 

· CAN bus 

· provides logic functions, setup 

· memory and communication functions 

· 1 module 420-850 or 420-852/853 

· necessary for each RM4200D DSP Frame! 

Functional range and specifications of the module 

· 120 Output Functions (2 inputs) - number also dependend from using of other DSP functions and number of DSP 

modules, see "DSP capacity" bar in Toolbox5 

· 18 Super Output Functions (16 inputs) - number also dependend from using of other DSP functions and number of DSP 


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· 200 Logic Functions 

· 200 Global Logics 

· 20 Level Detects 

· 20 Logic Delays 

· 100 Scripts 

· 20 Global Ressources 

· 1 Talk Back Matrix 

· 4 (Virtual) Mixers per DSP Frame 

· 2 Fader Layers [2 x 24 Faders] 

· 48 Faders 

4.2 RM420-853 Communication Controller, basic function 

Important 

The RM420-853 Communication Controller is designed for single console usage 

and not for networked studio installations. Therefore it comes with restricted 

console overlapping functions. 

Module description 

· 3x 100baseTX Ethernet on RJ45 

· 1x USB-B device connector 

· CAN bus 

· provides logic functions, setup 

· memory and communication functions 

· 1 module 420-850 or 420-852/853 

· necessary for each RM4200D DSP Frame! 

Functional range and specifications of the module 

· 40 Output Functions (2 inputs each) - number also dependend from using of other DSP functions and number of DSP 


· 5 Super Output Functions (16 inputs each) - number also dependend from using of other DSP functions and number of 

DSP modules, see "DSP capacity" bar in Toolbox5 

· 40 Logic Functions 

· 20 Global Logics 

· 5 Level Detects 

· 5 Logic Delay 

· 0 Scripts 

· 0 Global Ressources 

· 0 Talk Back Matrix 

· 1 (Virtual) Mixer per DSP Frame 

· 1 Fader Layer (means no additional Layers) 

· 24 Faders 

5 Does it make sense to upgrade 

There are several reasons for a controller upgrade of an existing RM4200D system. 

Improved functional range 

The exchange of the controller gives your RM4200D more calculation power, improved network features, enhanced logic 

and audio functions as well as a Linux operating system for higher flexibility and easy handling. Hard- and software of the 

RM420-852 and the RM420-853 Communication Controller represent state-of-the-art technology. You will transfer these 

functions to your existing RM4200D system by exchanging a single module. 

Compatibility to other systems of the Series 52 

If you want to connect your existing RM4200D system to Series 52 systems, an upgrade will reduce the complexity of the 

entire configuration process. 





Does it make sense to upgrade 

6 

The configuration of the communication beyond system borders has been improved in the Series 52: global logics are not 

longer necessary for the exchange of logics between two or more devices. These changes comparably apply to an 

RM4200D with new controller, as it will be configured within the same Toolbox5 project as the other Series 52 systems. 

Moreover, an updated RM4200D can be controlled by Series 52 applications. 

Finally, an upgrade enables to connect the highly modular console surface 52/MX to an existing RM4200D DSP Frame. 

More system resources 

Facing applications with an enormous workload (e.g. the communication between an RM4200D and an RM420-015 TFT 

Display), an upgrade will bring improvements. Because of the considerably advanced system resources as well as the new 

software concept, extremely high data transfer rates will no longer influence the availability of the system. 

6 Preparing the upgrade 

A controller upgrade is a step-by-step procedure. Because of this it is wise to accurately prepare each single step to make 

the actual upgrade process as short as possible. 

Important 

1. Do not upgrade a system, which is On Air. 

2. Allow for enough time to upgrade a system. 

Some steps of the upgrade will need more time than others. How much time you'll finally need for each single step can not 

be determined, as it depends on several parameters, like the size of the system or the complexity of the configuration. 

The most time is required by the adjustment of the system's configuration. You have to touch the configuration, because it 

is not possible to transfer an entire Toolbox4 configuration into a Toolbox5 project. Of course, the import function of the 

Toolbox5 allows to load Toolbox4 projects. But finally, not all data is compatible. That's why some functions need to be 

reconfigured after the import. 

Note 

The adjustment of the configuration can be done by DHD. This service is not 

included in the price of the module and needs to be ordered separately. 

Please learn more in abstract Restrictions on importing projects, which functions need to be manually reconfigured after 

importing. 

7 Changing the hardware 

Warning 

Avoid damaging removed components by electrostatic discharge (ESD). 

Before you touch or mount electronical components, make sure you do not carry 

any electrostatic charges. Earth yourself using a grounded metal object (heater, 

rack) to divert electrostatic charges immediately before you touch electronical 

components. 

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Imortant 

You can replace the communication controller of a system, no matter if it is 

running or switched off. Please note anyway, that directly after startup, the new 

controller will need approximately 5 minutes to automatically update the firmware 

of the remaining controllers in the entire system. Do not switch off single modules 

or the entire system during this process. 

Exchanging the controller hardware is pretty easy. Firstly, you have to remove the RM420-850 Communication Controller 

(see the highlighted module in the picture below). Start with loosening the two Torx screws at the top and the bottom of 

the module (red arrows). 

Before you can remove the module, you have to loosen the two marked 

screws. 

Use a Torx screwdriver (TX8), which was included in the shipment of the RM4200D DSP Frame. 

1. Unplug all cables from the controller module. 

2. Loosen the screws, but don't remove them completely from the front panel. 

3. Pull out the controller module. Use the handle at the front of the module for pulling. 

4. Place the module on a clean and save underlay, take care of electrostatic discharges. 

5. Plug the new module into the slot. Take care to place the card correctly into the red guides on top and bottom of the 

slot. 

6. Fasten the two screws on top and bottom of the module. 

7. If needed, plug in the network cable. Use the lowest connector of the 3 existing RJ45 jacks. 

If the device has been switched off before, switch back on now. After booting, the new controller needs some minutes, 

until it is ready for operation. 





Changing the hardware 

8 

7.1 Updating the firmware 

After boot-up, the communication controller immediately starts to communicate with the other bus controllers in the 

system. It will recognize, that they are still running with the RM4200D software. The communication controller will 

automatically start an update of the whole system to replace RM4200D software by the new Series 52 software. The 

process will take approximately 3 to 5 minutes. During this process, the device can not be operated. 

Important 

Take care, that you do not switch off single modules or the entire system during 

the updating procedure. 

The communication controller will initiate a system reset after the update of the controllers has been successful. After 

rebooting, the new firmware is used systemwide. 

From time to time, DHD offers 

You can load a new firmware into the communication controller, if you want to run a newer firmware in the system as the 

preloaded version in the communication controller. He will disperse the newer version in the system by himself, like it is 

already described. 

8 Import of Toolbox4 projects 

The import of Toolbox4 configuration files in the Toolbox5 software can only be done by DHD. Please contact support 

(at)dhd-audio.de if you want to import your Toolbox4 configuration in the Toolbox5 software. 

8.1 Restrictions on importing projects 

Important 

As a result of the changed command format, some functions of a Toolbox4 

project cannot be imported into a Toolbox5 project. In the following table you will 

find more information, which manual modifications are needed after importing a 

Toolbox4 project. 

Functions missing in this list will not be imported at all. 

Concerning objects Imported content Necessary modifications 

Global Logics 

The settings for the Global Logics 

are not imported. 

Labels need to be reconfigured and 

you have to assign the logic sources. 

Global Resources No settings will be imported. The settings need to be reconfigured. 

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Network Configuration 

The network settings are not longer 

specified within the device 

configuration. 

Please use the Maintenance 

window to set your network 

parameters. You can reach the 

Maintenance window in menu 

View - Maintenance or simply by 

pressing F7 on your keyboard. 

Operation Mode No settings will be imported. The settings need to be reconfigured. 

Authorisation 

Group labels, PIN and other options 

will be imported. 

The logic sources for activating the PIN 

entry as well as the key functions, 

which should be locked, need to be 

reconfigured. 

DSP Frame I/O 

I/O modules and I/O Labels will be 

imported. The settings in columns 

Mono/Stereo, Level Adjust, 

SRC, Mode, Output Mode and 

Output Dither will be assigned. All 

settings for the inputs and outputs of 

the DSP frame will be imported, no 

restrictions here. 

DSP Frame I/O, MADI Ports 

I/O Labels will be imported as well as 

the settings in columns Mono/ 

Stereo and Level Adjust. All 

settings for the inputs and outputs of 

each MADI port will be imported, no 


Console 

Modules and key Labels will be 

imported. 

Key functions need to be reconfigured. 

Fader Channels Labels will be imported. Audio sources and fader channel 

options need to be reconfigured. 

Channel Assignment 

Channel assignment and the selected 

DSP functions will be imported. All 

settings will be imported, no 


Audio - Synchronisation 

The synchronisation settings will be 

imported. 

Audio - Selector Source List Labels will be imported. Audio sources need to be reassigned. 

Audio - Mixing Functions Most of the settings will be imported. Logic and audio sources for the 

talkback matrix need to be 

reconfigured. 





Import of Toolbox4 projects 

10 


Audio - Monitor Functions 

The configuration of Monitor 

Functions has been changed 

completely. 

All settings need to be reconfigured. 

Output Functions Labels will be imported. Logic and audio sources need to be 

reconfigured. 

Super Output Functions Labels will be imported. Logic and audio sources need to be 

reconfigured. 

Fixed Processing 

Labels and selected DSP functions 

will be imported. 

Audio sources need to be reassigned. 

Output Routing Labels will be imported. Audio sources need to be reconfigured. 

Logic Functions 

Labels will be imported as well as the 

settings for Logic Concatenation 

and Interlock Logic Bus Nr. 

Logic sources need to be reassigned. 

Level Detection 


parameter settings. 

Audio sources need to be reconfigured. 

Logic Delay 


settings of Trigger Delay and 

Impuls Length. 

Logic sources need to be reconfigured. 

Logic Script 

The usage of scripts has been changed 

completely. 

Contact DHD for help on this. 

Logic GPO's Labels will be imported. Logic functions and there settings need 

to be reconfigured. 

Version 1.5.0 - 01.07.2009 




11 Series 52 

Index 

A 

Authorisation 8 

B 

bus controller 4 

C 

Changing the hardware 6 

Channel Assignment 8 

COM slot 4 

Compatibility 5 

configuration file 4 

Console 8 

D 

DSP Frame I/O 8 

DSP Frame I/O, MADI Ports 8 

E 

electrostatic discharge 6 

F 

Fader Channels 8 

features 4 

Fixed Processing 8 

Functional range 4, 5 

G 

Global Logics 8 

Global Resources 8 

GPO's 8 

I 

Imported content 8 

L 

Level Detection 8 

logic and audio functions 4 

Logic Delay 8 

Logic Functions 8 

Logic Script 8 

M 

Mixing Functions 8 

Module description 4, 5 

Monitor Functions 8 

N 

Necessary modifications 8 

network capabilities 4 

Network Configuration 8 

O 

Operation Mode 8 

Output Functions 8 

Output Routing 8 


Index 

12 

P 

Preparing the upgrade 6 

processing power 4 

R 

Restrictions on importing projects 8 

RM420-850 Communication Controller 4 

RM420-852 Communication Controller 4 

RM420-853 Communication Controller 4, 5 

S 

Selector Source List 8 

Super Output Functions 8 

Synchronisation 8 

system resources 5 

T 

Terms of use 1

Quickguide RM4200D/Series 52 Upgrade - dhd-Audio

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