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UniSketch Panel Connections

For full UniSketch panel guide see the UniSketch Installation and Operations Manual here:
https://github.com/SKAARHOJ/Support/blob/master/Manuals/SKAARHOJ/SKAARHOJ_Manual.pdf

Back Panel Connection

Screenshot 2026-06-05 at 14.31.41.png

1. Micro USB plug. Used for service monitoring and programming new software into the unit (firmware upgrades).

2. Ethernet Jack. Connect this to your ethernet switch. This jack may also support PoE (Power over Ethernet) if your SKAARHOJ controller was delivered with that option. When connected to a network switch, the yellow LED (lower left) will be on. When data is sent to/from the controller, the green LED (lower right) will blink. If the device in the other end supports TX/RX auto detection you may be able to connect the SKAARHOJ controller directly to your device, otherwise use a crossed cable or a network switch (the supported setup).

3. DC input. Use a standard 2.1mm center pin plug (center = ”+”). Allowed voltage range is 7-18V. We test controllers will work at 12V. The device uses max 1A at 12V. Units with Blackmagic 3G-SDI Arduino Shields needs 12V.

4. Configuration/Reset button. Use a pencil or tooth pick to press the button. When you press the button shortly, the controller will reset (same as pulling the power plug). If you press and hold the button, you can reset the controller into configuration mode (as as pressing “Local Configuration” in Firmware Application):

A.  Press and hold the button until the status LED becomes blue after a few seconds. Release the button and the controller is in config mode. You can access the controller web interface with a web browser on ”http://[CONTROLLER IP]/” where CONTROLLER IP is the IP address used for the currently loaded preset. The controller will run a diagnostics mode after 2 minutes where displays and buttons will light up.

B. Press and hold the button longer until the status LED becomes white (which is 2 seconds after becoming blue). Release the button and the controller is in config default mode. You can access the controller web interface with a web browser on ”http://192.168.10.99/”. The controller will immediately run a diagnostics mode where displays and buttons will light up.

C. Press and hold the button even longer until the status LED becomes red (which is 10 seconds after becoming blue and 8 seconds after becoming white). This will clear all presets in memory thereby resetting all configuration made in the controllers own web interface (this corresponds to the serial monitor command “clearpresets” and should only be necessary in case a firmware update requires it or if there is another tricky error state present). In rare cases you cannot rely on the reset button but have to turn off the power to the controller instead (“cold start”).

5. Status LED: When the controller is just powered up, you will see the status LED blink purple during the boot process. In this process, the hardware is initialized. Eventually the LED should end up blinking slowly (2 sec period) steady green (or blue or white if in config modes). If the LED blinks yellow quickly it indicates that connection to one or more devices is not established. This is perfectly normal for a few seconds between the boot up process (purple blinks) and the operational state (green blinks) when the controller connects to all devices. The status LED should never be permanently on or off, this indicates a potential freeze in the system. In fact, in normal healthy operation the LED should blink with a steady 2 sec period, otherwise it could indicate trouble with connections or hardware. The LED will also light up red for a split second whenever an analog hardware component (such as a T-bar) is operated (this feature is helpful to determine if calibration is needed).

6. Programming Mode Reset: Will make a hard reset of the controller leaving it with no firmware. Is used if the controller does not appear in the Port list in the Firmware Application. Only to be used prior to have consulted SKAARHOJ Support. Please see section: Controller does not show up under Port in Firmware Application.

Status Light Overview

Purple blinks, uneven durations

 The controller is booting up (and for each blink a given step has been completed).

Yellow blinks, quickly The controller hasn't established necessary connection to one or more devices. At the end of the boot process this is natural for a few seconds as the controller connects to devices for the first time. If you unplug the network cable or turn off an external device the controller is connected to, you will also see this state. Just turn on the external device again or re-insert the cable and the error state should restore itself to normal operation (green, steady blinking) after some time. If this happens during normal operation and without obvious explanations (like removal of a network cable or shutting down an external device), it's an error state you need to pay attention to and bug-fix further.

If the controller boots up and never stops blinking yellow, you may want to check if you have configured devices for the controller which are not currently present in the network set up. Go to config mode, enter the web interface and check which devices are enabled and their IP addresses.

Green blinks, steady, period of 2 seconds Normal mode, everything is connected and working properly. Just bliss

3G SDI Arduino Shield

The 3G SDI Arduino Shield imbedded in UniSketch panels is not compatible when using the UniSketch panel with a Blue Pill device. It will only function when working only via the UniSketch platform.

SDI.pngThe Blackmagic 3G-SDI Arduino Shield supports the following formats using SDI Level B: 720p50, 720p59.94, 720p60, 1080i50, 1080i59.94, 1080i60, 1080p23.98, 1080p24, 1080p25, 1080p29.97, 1080p30, 1080p50 (output only), 1080p59.94 (output only) and 1080p60 (output only), but the camera does not have to be running the same video format as the program input, so you can use cameras in Ultra HD while the camera protocol is sent over HD signal to the camera.

 

Eth-GPI Link and Color Fly DB-25 Connector

Eth-GPI.png

 

RCP v2 DB-9 Connector

The RCPv2 only has 1x GPI Input that is programmable, this is different than the RCP Pro.

DB-9 RCPv2.png

 

SDI-GPI.png

 

Tally Box and Lights

The pinout of the RJ-45 connector is as follows:

1. GND

2. 12V

3. 5V control signal for red tally 1

4. 5V control signal for green tally 1 The next four are for daisy-chaining tally lamps:

5. 5V control signal for red tally 2

6. 5V control signal for green tally 2

7. 5V control signal for red tally 3

8. 5V control signal for green tally 3

Our tally lamps need 12V power in order to light up the LEDs. The control signals are 5V so whenever you apply 5V on one of the pins the corresponding LEDs will illuminate.

Tally Box.png