DAX-202 - Professional audio equipment USL - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	Digital to Analog Converter for HI/VI-N Audio
Brand	USL
Model	DAX-202
Input Voltage	12VDC, 1A
AES Source Options	Dolby 7/8, DCI 7/8, DCI 9/10, DCI 13/14, DCI 15/16, BNC (internally selectable via DIP switches)
Audio Inputs	AES/EBU via DB25 or BNC; HI analog via Phoenix connector
Audio Outputs	HI and VI-N analog via Phoenix connector (balanced or unbalanced)
Frequency Response	20-20kHz +/- 0.5dB (all inputs)
Noise (A-weighted)	< -80dB (all inputs)
THD	< 0.005% (all inputs)
HI Source Selection	Via Phoenix connector pin 9: grounded for AES, open for analog from cinema processor
Connectors	2 x DB25 (pass-through), BNC, 10-pin Phoenix, power jack
LED Indicator	Green = analog HI source, Red = AES HI source
Pin Configurations	Supports DCI and Dolby AES pinouts
Operation	Loops AES through to sound processor; extracts HI/VI-N audio

Frequently Asked Questions - DAX-202 USL

What is the USL DAX-202 used for?

The DAX-202 is a digital-to-analog converter designed to extract and convert Hearing Impaired (HI) and Visual Narration (VI-N) audio tracks from AES digital cinema signals. It provides analog outputs for connection to HI/VI-N transmitters or systems.

How do I select the HI/VI-N AES source on the DAX-202?

Open the unit and set the internal DIP switches according to the desired AES source: Dolby 7/8, DCI 7/8, DCI 9/10, DCI 13/14, DCI 15/16, or BNC. Refer to the source chart in the manual for specific DB25 pin assignments.

How do I connect the DAX-202 to my cinema sound processor?

Unplug the existing AES cable from the cinema processor and plug it into the DAX-202. Then connect a 25-conductor jumper cable from the DAX-202 to the sound processor. The AES audio is looped through the DAX-202.

How can I change the HI audio source between the cinema processor and the server?

Use the HI CTL terminal (Pin 9 on the Phoenix connector). If left open, the HI source is the cinema processor's analog output. If grounded, the source switches to the AES HI track from the server. This can be controlled by automation.

What do the DIP switches inside the DAX-202 control?

The DIP switches select which AES channel pair (e.g., 7/8 or 15/16) is decoded for HI/VI-N audio. They must be set according to your server's output configuration. See the manual for exact switch pair assignments.

How do I set up the Phoenix connector for unbalanced outputs?

For unbalanced output, connect the '-' signal pin to the Gnd pin next to it. For example, for VI-N output, jump Pin 2 (VI-N -) to Pin 3 (Gnd). Similarly, for HI output, jump Pin 4 (HI -) to Pin 5 (Gnd).

What does the LED indicator on the DAX-202 signify?

The LED shows the current HI source: Green indicates the HI source is the analog input from the cinema processor, while Red indicates the HI source is the AES digital track from the server.

What is the frequency response of the DAX-202?

The frequency response is 20-20kHz ±0.5dB for all inputs (AES, analog, BNC). The unit also features noise < -80dB A-weighted and THD < 0.005%.

Can I use the DAX-202 with both Dolby and DCI AES pinouts?

Yes, the DAX-202 supports both Dolby (DMA8) and DCI pin configurations. The DB25 connectors are pass-through and can be used as input or output. DIP switch settings determine which pin assignment is used for HI/VI-N.

What are the pin assignments for the DB25 connectors on the DAX-202?

The DB25 connectors follow standard AES pinouts. For Dolby 7/8: pins 6 and 19. For DCI 7/8: pins 7 and 20. For DCI 15/16: pins 1 and 14. See the manual's chart for full details.

USER MANUAL DAX-202 USL

Hearing impaired audio has traditionally been generated by the cinema processor as a mix of the left, center, and right audio channels. With digital cinema, it is possible to include a separate hearing impaired (HI) and visual narration (VI-N) track in the digital cinema package. Most digital cinema servers place the HI/VI-N pair on AES channels 7/8 or AES channels 15/16. If your existing cinema sound processor does not convert these AES signals to analog to drive your HI/VI-N system, a digital to analog converter such as the DAX-202 is required.

AES audio using either the Dolby DMA8 or DCI pinouts is looped through the DAX-202 on its way to the cinema sound processor. Typically, the DAX-202 is located near the sound processor. The existing AES cable is unplugged from the cinema processor and plugged into the DAX-202. A 25 conductor jumper cable then connects the DAX-202 to the sound processor. The AES audio is "looped through" the DAX-202.

DIP switches inside the DAX-202 determine which pins on the DB25 connector the HI/VI-N audio will be connected to. As mentioned above, this is typically 7/8 or 15/16, but the DAX-202 provides several other options as well.

The HI track in a digital cinema package is "dialog centric" audio that may include the dialog at a higher level than the main audio, may include special equalization, or may include compression. However, not all content includes an HI track. Because of this, it is currently "safer" to use the existing HI output of the cinema processor to drive the HI portion of the HI/VI-N transmitter. The DAX-202 includes a terminal that must be grounded to use the HI audio from the AES pair. If this terminal is not grounded, the DAX-202 audio output is driven by the HI audio output from the sound processor. The control terminal may be permanently open or grounded, or may be driven by an open drain output or contact closure from the server or cinema sound processor to change the source of the HI audio "on the fly."

Description

The DAX-202 is designed to process signals for Hearing Impaired (HI) and Visual Narration (VI-N).

AES sources may be selected from a DB25 or BNC connector. The DB25 connectors are pass-through configured; either may be used as an input or output.

The HI/VI-N signals can be sourced from either DCI or Dolby pin configurations.

Setup

1. Using the chart below, determine where the HI/VI-N AES sources will come from.

Source DB25 pins
Dolby 7/8 6 / 19
DCI 7/8 7 / 20
DCI 15/16 1 / 14
DCI 9/10 18 / 6
DCI 13/14 15 / 3
BNC	—

1. Remove the four cover screws holding the DAX box together.
2. Close the PAIR of DIP switches that correspond to your source selection. See Figure 3.
3. Replace the cover screws.
4. Connect the HI output of the cinema processor to the HI input on the Phoenix connector.

Assemble the Phoenix Connector Plug as Required:

Pin Function Comments
1 VI-N + (Output)
2 VI-N - (Output) Connect to Gnd for unbalanced
3 Gnd
4 HI - (Output) Connect to Gnd for unbalanced
5 HI + (Output)
6 Earth Gnd
7 HI - (Input) Connect to Gnd for unbalanced
8 HI + (Input)
9 HI CTL (Control) Connect to Gnd for AES
10 Gnd

1. Connect the VI-N and HI outputs to the IR or RF transmitter. If the system has an unbalanced input, be sure to jump the “-” signal output

to the Gnd pin.

1. The HI signal can be sourced from either the cinema processor or the cinema server. With no connection to the HI CTL (Pin 9 Phoenix Connector), the HI source will be the cinema processor. If HI CTL is grounded, the source will be the cinema server. The cinema automation system can also be used to select HI sources.

Connect and Test

1. Plug in the Phoenix connector, BNC, DB25 input and output as needed.
2. Plug in the power supply into the DAX and into the line.
3. Check the LED for the correct HI source: Green = Analog, Red = AES
4. Run source material and verify proper levels and audio quality at the user end.

Specifications

Input Voltage: 12VDC, 1A

HI/VI-N AES Source:

-20dBFS reference

Internally selectable choice between

Dolby 7/8

DCI 7/8, 9/10, 13/14, 15/16

BNC

HI Analog Input: 300mVrms = 0dBv via Phoenix type connector

HI Source selection: via Phoenix type connector

Analog Outputs: 300mVrms = 0dBr via Phoenix type connector

Frequency Response (all inputs): 20-20kHz +/- 0.5dB

Noise (A wtd'd) (all inputs): <-80dB

THD (all inputs): <0.005%

Figure 1 - Connection Description on Cover

Close-up of a black electronic device rear panel showing two VGA connectors and a coaxial connector (no text or symbols visible)

Figure 2 - AES Connectors

Close-up of an electronic circuit board with black components and connectors (no visible text or symbols)

Figure 3 - AES Source DIP Switches (DCI 7/8 Shown)

Black industrial electronic device with green connector pin and control buttons (no visible text or symbols)

Figure 4 - Power and HI / VI-N I/O Connectors

Additional DAX-202 User Manuals may be viewed / downloaded at: www.uslinc.com

Precision Sound • Light • Color

USL, Inc.

181 Bonetti Drive

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401