Extron CrossPoint 300 - Dead? Not set up right? Am I just dumb?

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Bakamoichigei
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Extron CrossPoint 300 - Dead? Not set up right? Am I just dumb?

Post by Bakamoichigei »

Okay, I've been googling my ass off for like a week, and all I can find is people talking around the information I need, never the actual information, and it's all just starting to blend together... (Don't you hate it when that happens?!) Long story short, my retro setup has grown to unmanageable proportions, so I acquired an Extron CrossPoint 300 series 128 HVA matrix switcher. Supposedly working, and it certainly seems to power up and function, and yet I can't get any video out of it.

I see a lot of talk about high output signal voltages (My oscope can certainly confirm the fact that it outputs 5V p-p instead of 1V p-p) and issues with sync signals, but no concrete details on what I need to do about it. I figure I need to whip up some inline voltage dividers to fix the first issue, and use some sync strippers on the inputs for the latter? But shouldn't I at least be getting something when I test composite video on the switcher? No joy. Analog signal stuff isn't my particular engineering forte, so I'm mostly flying blind here... 😩

Based on other forum threads, I opened it up and reseated all the ribbon cables...no change. (And the interior is immaculate! I was very surprised by how shiny and new it still looked.) There's an active 5V p-p signal on the outputs, but nothing there...just a flat line on the oscilloscope.

I've got a sync-stripper SCART to BNC cable coming to test that... But if composite doesn't even work, I don't have much hope.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, because if this thing's hosed, I'm certainly going to try returning it and get my money back. 😕
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Fudoh
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Re: Extron CrossPoint 300 - Dead? Not set up right? Am I just dumb?

Post by Fudoh »

But shouldn't I at least be getting something when I test composite video on the switcher?
You can test the matrix using composite video, but you have to use the G(reen) inputs and outputs to do so. Composite will NOT pass through the sync connections.
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Bakamoichigei
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Re: Extron CrossPoint 300 - Dead? Not set up right? Am I just dumb?

Post by Bakamoichigei »

Fudoh wrote: Sun Sep 22, 2024 10:12 pmYou can test the matrix using composite video, but you have to use the G(reen) inputs and outputs to do so. Composite will NOT pass through the sync connections.
Thanks for the reply! Yeah, I was using the Green port on both ends as I read in another thread. Nothing coming out the other end; No video, and no change on the oscilloscope whether the ports are tied or not. Just a solid 5V signal. Doesn't sound good, does it? 😬 (I even tried tying that input to all outputs, just to be sure...)
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Bakamoichigei
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Re: Extron CrossPoint 300 - Dead? Not set up right? Am I just dumb?

Post by Bakamoichigei »

Okay, so... Still waiting on a sync stripper equipped cable... But I got my hands on an Extron VTG-300, and the switcher isn't passing along its reference grade RGBHV video signals or anything else the Test Generator sent it. The switcher's output just shows a solid 5V on all signals. So I'm guessing this thing is well and truly hosed. A shame because it's in perfect condition.

Haven't tested audio yet because I need to wire up some pigtails to the screw terminals... But I don't have high hopes for that working any better than video.

Anyone else experienced with Extron CrossPoint matrix switchers recognize these symptoms?
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Syntax
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Re: Extron CrossPoint 300 - Dead? Not set up right? Am I just dumb?

Post by Syntax »

Try reflashing the firmware or maybe you will get more insight using the program for it with a usb to serial adapter.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/191HJnq ... sp=sharing
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Bakamoichigei
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Re: Extron CrossPoint 300 - Dead? Not set up right? Am I just dumb?

Post by Bakamoichigei »

Syntax wrote: Mon Sep 30, 2024 6:45 am Try reflashing the firmware or maybe you will get more insight using the program for it with a usb to serial adapter.
Woah, thanks. I'll give it a try next time I'm at my desktop!

I was rather discouraged when I tried to get the firmware from Extron's site and they were like "lol, request an insiders account" which to me sounded suspiciously like the ol' "Price: Ask us" which I'm all too used to getting slapped in the face with when looking at specialized software and tools... And as we all know, "If you have to ask, you can't afford it." 😓

ASIDE: In case I can't get it working, I've come up with a temporary solution...an Extron MLS-506SA. It's not a matrix switcher, so it's not going to help distribute the video from my console to multiple endpoints, but it'll eliminate all the cable switching behind the TV, and it even has a really decent stereo amp... It seems to be fully working, so that's a start! 😌👌
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Syntax
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Re: Extron CrossPoint 300 - Dead? Not set up right? Am I just dumb?

Post by Syntax »

Bakamoichigei wrote: Tue Oct 01, 2024 12:17 am I was rather discouraged when I tried to get the firmware from Extron's site and they were like "lol, request an insiders account" which to me sounded suspiciously like the ol' "Price: Ask us" which I'm all too used to getting slapped in the face with when looking at specialized software and tools... And as we all know, "If you have to ask, you can't afford it." 😓
Yep, that's why I made a pack for you, I can't even remember how I got my account.
Good luck!
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Bakamoichigei
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Re: Extron CrossPoint 300 - Dead? Not set up right? Am I just dumb?

Post by Bakamoichigei »

Cool, thanks!

Is there something specific I'm supposed to be doing with the firmware exe? I run it, it seems to install something somewhere, but any attempt to upgrade the firmware on the unit from within the matrix software gives me an error about not being able to find the firmware updater. I've currently got 1.01 firmware, so I'm sure it'll be an improvement.
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Bakamoichigei
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Re: Extron CrossPoint 300 - Dead? Not set up right? Am I just dumb?

Post by Bakamoichigei »

Okay, it sounds like I need to have the Extron Firmware Loader Utility in order to make use of the firmware file... 😕
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