​EDID is a term that you have likely seen or heard if you have been in the audio video industry for a while. Like HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) it is commonly attributed to undesirable audio and video outputs.

So, what is EDID and why is it used?

Let’s start with some EDID history. Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) was introduced by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) in August of 1994 with release of EDID v1.0. A few updates later and in September of 2000 VESA introduced Enhanced – EDID (E-EDID) v1.0, and as part of the new specification was EDID v1.3. The next, and latest, update was released in 2006 when we received E-EDID v2.0, and EDID v1.4. This is the current version of EDID that is used today.

Now that you know when it came out, we will explain what EDID is and why we need it. 

EDID is a message of information that comes from your output device that explains to your audio video equipment how to setup your audio and video signals. This message includes many specific technical settings and parameters that can precisely portray all supported signal formats. This is important so that your computer, Blu-Ray player, game console, audio receiver, or other devices that will send or repeat a signal (we refer to these devices as “source” devices) knows what type of signals are valid and will work with your output devices, which may include a TV, monitor, soundbar, or audio video input (we refer to these devices as “sink” devices). Without EDID you would have to make sure to set these devices manually, and if you messed up the settings you would not have a visible picture or sound may not be coming through to your devices. EDID set out to make installation of devices easier and allow easy changing of devices around a time when computers were now becoming more mobile. 

Now that we know a little about what EDID is and why we have it, what does an EDID message look like? I will forewarn you; it can be a little intimidating to understand at first, but AVPro is here to help make you more knowledgeable and make more technical features easy to understand and use.

Here is an EDID message that is sent to a source device from a TV:

​This probably does not make much sense to you, but to a source device you would have all the information you need to send it the highest resolution video, correct HDR support, and valid audio formats. Let’s look at some of the information provided in this EDID.
 
EDID is separated into sections we call EDID “blocks.” Each block is associated with a specific group of information, and different devices will include different blocks. A block is typically 128 Bytes in size, though some blocks can be larger, and the size is defined within their block header. The first half of the EDID contains the base EDID v1.3 or v1.4 blocks. This article is going to review the information contained in the base EDID. A future article will cover the other extension block that is included in this EDID.

Header Info:
     Manufacturer: GSM
     Product Code: 49352
     Serial Number: 16843009
     Week of Manufacture: 1
     Year of Manufacture: 2020
     EDID Version: 1.3

EDIDs all begin with a padded byte string and a header. The header tells you who the sink device (output) manufacturer is, and more information about the product, and finally the EDID version. In this case even though it is a newer display they are still using EDID v1.3. Some of the bytes in the EDID represent different settings when v1.3 compared to v1.4.

Basic Display Parameters:
     Video input parameters: Digital  Bit Depth: Undefined/Reserved
     Video Interface: Undefined
     Screen Size (mm): 160, 90
     Display Gamma: 2.20
     DPMS Standby Supported: false
     DPMS Sustpend Supported: false
     DPMS Active Off Supported: false
     Display Type/ Chroma Support: RGB 4:4:4 + YCrCb 4:4:4
     RGB 4:4:4 Support: true
     YCrCb 4:4:4 Support: true
     YCrCb 4:2:2 Support: false
     sRGB Colorspace: false
     Preferred timing mode specified in Block 1: true
     Continuous timings with GTF or CVT (only analog may be true): false

This section defines basic display parameters that describe the connection details and what type of signal format is supported. It describes analog or digital support, the color sampling support, and if the preferred resolution and timing is later defined in the detailing timing descriptor block 1.
 
Chromacity Coordinates:
     Red   0.63965, 0.33008
     Green 0.29980, 0.59961
     Blue  0.15039, 0.05957
     White 0.31250, 0.32910
 
Established Timings I & II:
     720x400 @ 70 Hz (VGA)
     640x480 @ 60 Hz (VGA)
     800x600 @ 60 Hz
     1024x768 @ 60 Hz

Standard Timings:
     Display mode 1:
     Resolution (horizontal): 640
     Aspect Ratio: 4:3
     Vertical Frequency: 60 Hz
     Display mode 2-8: …

Established and Standard Timings are a list of common older, and not as common in modern video systems, resolutions and timings. The EDID will tell you which of these timings are supported and which timings are unsupported.

Descriptor Blocks:
Block 1
     Descriptor type: Detailed Timing Block
     Index: 0x36
     Quick Info: 3840x2160 (Preferred Timing)
     Pixel Clock: 594.000 MHz
 
     Horizontal Active Pixels: 3840
     Horizontal Blanking Pixels: 560
     Horizontal Total Pixels: 4400
     Horizontal Front Porch (Sync Offset) Pixels: 176
     Horizontal Sync Pulse Width Pixels: 88
 
     Vertical Active Pixels: 2160
     Vertical Blanking Pixels: 90
     Vertical Total Pixels: 2250
     Vertical Front Porch (Sync Offset) Pixels: 8
     Vertical Sync Pulse Width Pixels: 10
 
     Image Size: 62.99 in x 35.43 in (1600 mm x 900 mm )
     Diagonal Size: 72.27 in (1835.76 mm)
     Signal Type: Progressive
     Stereo Mode: Unknown
     Sync Mode: Digital Sync, Separate
     Vertical Sync Polarity: positive
     Horizontal Sync Polarity: positive
 
Block 2
     Descriptor type: Detailed Timing Block
     Index: 0x48
     Quick Info: 1360x768
     Pixel Clock: 85.500 MHz
 
     Horizontal Active Pixels: 1360
     Horizontal Blanking Pixels: 432
     Horizontal Total Pixels: 1792
     Horizontal Front Porch (Sync Offset) Pixels: 64
     Horizontal Sync Pulse Width Pixels: 112
 
     Vertical Active Pixels: 768
     Vertical Blanking Pixels: 27
     Vertical Total Pixels: 795
     Vertical Front Porch (Sync Offset) Pixels: 3
     Vertical Sync Pulse Width Pixels: 6
 
     Image Size: 62.99 in x 35.43 in (1600 mm x 900 mm )
     Diagonal Size: 72.27 in (1835.76 mm)
     Signal Type: Progressive
     Stereo Mode: Unknown
     Sync Mode: Digital Sync, Separate
     Vertical Sync Polarity: positive
     Horizontal Sync Polarity: positive
 
Block 3
     Descriptor type: Display range limits
     Index: 0x5A
     Vertical Field Rate Range: 24 - 120 Hz
     Horizontal Line Rate Range: 30 - 255 kHz
     Maximum Pixel Clock Rate: 1190
     Extended timing information type: Default GTF

Block 4
     Descriptor type: Display name (ASCII)
     Index: 0x6C
     Display name: LG TV SSCR

The descriptor blocks above can be any one of a few different types of information. They are all 18 bytes long and can include detailed timing information (resolution and timing support), display range limits, a couple ASCII text blocks with different uses (commonly used to list the display name, which is how computers shows the name of the monitor in your display settings), and a few other useful types of descriptor blocks.

The last two pieces of information in the initial block is the number of extension blocks that follow the base EDID block and the block checksum, which is used to verify that the EDID was received correctly and that it was a valid built EDID block. This uses a modulo 256 checksum, which can be calculated by adding all the other byte values (bytes 0 to 126) together and dividing by 256. The remainder is the value that is set in the final byte (byte 127) as the checksum. The source device will calculated the checksum of the data and compare to the byte it received, if they match then it knows the EDID was received correctly.

​This is just the first block of the EDID. We will get more into the secondary blocks and how to manipulate and change EDID settings to provide the best audio video configuration in a future article as we continue this series in EDID information. This series will be culminated in a single larger resource that you will be able to use to examine your system EDIDs and provide help to understand the EDID settings in your equipment.
 
In addition to education reading materials and references, keep an eye out for new AVPro upgrades coming to enhance your EDID configuration tools and settings. This year we will be releasing some new changes to improve compatibility for the average integrator and providing more detailed information about EDIDs and tools to help the advanced integrator modify an EDID to tune their system to perfection.

AVPro Edge has built a company on producing products that deliver nothing be the best quality video throughout installations that connect multiple sources and displays. We have always talked about compression destroying image quality. So why are we putting out a 1G system that handles 18Gbps signals?

The answer is because when done correctly, AV over IP offers integrators a larger swatch of options for video distribution infrastructure. When you need to deliver a vast system that doesn't fit in a 4x4, 8x8 or 16x16 matrix switcher, you have an option. 

To ensure the video was at the AVPro Edge level, we built this MXNet Ecosystem from the ground up, engineering our own components, including our own Network Switch constructed just for these types of HDMI signals. Taking this route made the development process much longer, but we think once you install an MXNet System, you will discover that it was worth it. 

The Home Theater and MXNet - This application shows how you can distribute Dolby Atmos & Dolby Vision throughout a home for a Home Theater. We are showing a 4K Dolby source connected to the MXNet encoder. The encoder is connected to the network switch, and this entire set up would be located in a rack-mounted system tucked away for the end-user to forget about. A local AVR controls the sound in the home theater and passes the signal through to the display. Connecting the AVR to an MXNet decoder allows you to extract that Dolby Atmos sound and pass along the Dolby Atmos picture. Ensuring your customers are seeing and hearing high-quality picture and sound.

The Luxury Home and MXNet - An AV over IP system is perfect for large scale installations like the one above, we are showing one room, but with this network switch, you could expand up to 48 endpoints. Allowing the user to control, select, and manage each zone through a control system or the MXNet Mentor software. Now you can easily manage installations with over 40 displays by using MXNet from AVPro Edge!

For more on the MXNet click here. 

If you would like to purchase a system please call us at 605-274-6055 or visit our buy section for a distributor near you!

The AVPro Employee Highlight section is a way for you to get to know our AVPro Family. Let's get to know Nik!

What is your Name and your role at AVPro Global Holdings?
 My name is Nikolas Hallstrom and I’m the Videographer at AVPro Global Holdings.
 
What’s you favorite Color?
 My favorite color is blue.
 
What’s your favorite food?
 Burgers/sandwiches. I like trying new combinations, but the simplest ones taste great too.
 
What do you like about working at AVPro?
The work is meaningful, I really feel like what I do makes an impact.
 
From your point of view, how is AVPro different from other places you worked?
AVPro is much more collaborative than other companies I’ve worked at. In example, if I need to know something technically specific, I can ask technical support and get a great answer. If technical support needs a graphic made, they can ask me. It really improves our organizational dynamics.
 
What has been your best “moment” since working with AVPro?
I think every current moment is the best moment, even if there’s a lot of work to do.
 
AVPro Operates out of South Dakota, what the best and worst part of living in the 605?
The weather will always keep you on your toes. Sometimes the weather can be awful, but the variety keeps things interesting.
 
If you had it your way, what is one thing you would change with the professional audio video world?
More interest in higher quality audio and video.
 
We hear you love water, when did it become for favorite choice of refreshment?
At a young age I learned that I don’t like sweet drinks, they just aren’t as hydrating. Water is the best and cheapest way to stay hydrated.

Dolby Vision support, Dolby Atmos downmixing support, quick switching, endless sources routed to endless displays; Welcome to MXNet.  In this training Tom and John from AVPro give integrators an introduction to AVPro Edge's AV over IP/Networked AV system called MXNet.

This ecosystem includes the encoders, decoders, switch and set-up software, MXNet Mentor, built with the AV integrator in mind. Check out this overview where we explore how we developed our own proprietary technologies to maximize what an AV over IP system is capable of. 

AVPro Edge has released MXNet, a networked video ecosystem, officially entering the AV over IP market.
 
Sioux Falls, SD - AVPro Edge, an AVPro Global Holdings company, is excited to announce the release of MXNet. This fully networked A/V Ecosystem includes AVPro Edge network switches, encoders, decoders, a control processor, and accessories designed to facilitate advanced A/V multipoint distribution systems over CAT6a copper or OM3 fiber.
 
Built entirely from the ground up, MXNet offers features not found on competitive products such as Dolby Vision and 4K60 4:4:4. Installer tools include bandwidth control, network health, EDID management, format conversion and scaling, video wall setup and configuration, and much more. On launch, advanced control drivers have been designed to support Control 4, Savant, Crestron, and more. Couple this with the powerful HTML 5 integrator control and implementation software, MXNet Mentor, and you will be on your way to system success in any environment. AVPro Edge engineered the MXNet Ecosystem with three main factors in mind, including stability of the entire system, interoperability with any HDMI source, display, USB device, or control system, and easy deployment of the system.
 
Jeff Murray, CEO of AVPro Global Holdings, stated, "We are ready to come into the AV over IP party in a big way - we decided to completely build the switch to support AV from the ground up. Not only can MXNet deploy decentralized and unlimited video walls, but we can also achieve resolutions of 4K60 4:4:4 and present any of the content in Dolby Vision, HDR-10 and HLG while maintaining fast switching even in deployments with over 150 endpoints."
 
Joel Silver, President of the Imaging Science Foundation, was quoted, “Awesome to see Dolby Vision and 4K60 4:4:4 on this technology!”
 
Key differentiators for this product line include:

• Fast Switching
  • Including 4K, HDR and Format Changes
• Extensive HDR Support for Superior Picture Quality
  • Including HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, and Dolby Vision​
• Unlimited Video Walls
  • Configure and execute an unlimited amount of video walls
• Extensive Video Format Support
  • From 720p to 4K60 (4:4:4), with Interlaced to progressive conversion
• 10-Year Warranty

 
For more information on the MXNet Ecosystem, please contact AVPro Edge at 877-886-5112 or visit www.avproedge.com/mxnet.html. To find a distributor near you, please visit www.avproedge.com/buy.
 
About AVPro Edge
AVPro Edge was founded and is headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. An AVPro Global Holdings company, AVPro Edge diligently develops and manufactures connectivity products de-signed to provide integrators with the tools they need to get their jobs done. As a full adopter of HDMI, HDBaseT and HDCP, AVPro Edge provides the quality products integrators deserve. Our engineers regularly work with these organizations and chip manufacturers to ensure the very best and capable products come to market. For more information, visit www.avproedge.com or call (877) 886-5112.

Unlimited Video Walls
With the MX Net System, you can set up and run an unlimited number of video walls in all sorts of configurations. Many AV over IP Systems will limit the number of video walls present in a system because of the added processing it takes for each wall. AVPro Edge’s engineers designed the MX Net system to bypass this limitation. Two main features of our video wall include:

• Panel Rotation: Rotating the video wall panels 90 or 180 degrees allow for outside the box layouts. 
• Gen Lock: Each signal is generated simultaneously, so each frame is getting displayed at exactly the same time, assuring your image is always synced. 
  
  

Installing ultra-engaging systems with eye-catching features will put you ahead of your competition and keep word of mouth positive, increasing the total number of installs while adding to the company’s bottom line. 

Dolby Vision/HDR
MX Net’s engineers spared zero brainpower when programing our encoding methods—designing a data flow that not only kept latency extremely low but also allowed for the processing of HDR and Dolby Vision metadata. With the MX Net system, you can process Dolby Vision and HDR throughout a whole system, delivering billions of beautiful colors to every display and video wall that is a part of the installation. 
​
Be the integrator that delivers the latest technologies and builds systems ready to stand the test of time. This drive to deliver the best will make potential customers notice your company above others, keeping your install pipeline full. ​

MX Net Mentor - Easy to Construct, Configure, Create and Control 
The MX Net system comes with the MX Net Mentor software, walking users through each step of the way; even if this is your first time installing a MX Net system, you will be able to breeze through the entire process. 

• Construct - Build the system by auto finding each Rx and Tx unit - replicating the physical system in a digital space, receiving each MAC address, automatically assigning the IP address and multicast channel, and plugging in Rx and Tx units. 
  
  
• Configure - Assign custom names with descriptions, such as location. You can set EDID for each channel, set scaling on each of the outputs. The Extensive Diagnosis includes link quality, link speed (critical), and the ability to check the signal’s quality using green, yellow, red codes.

​

• Control - Auto-matrix allows you to switch your system between any of the connected Tx’s and Rx’s. Extend KVM, IR, RS-232, as well as encapsulate your own RS-232. You can do RS-232 over IP; we call this serial passthrough. We also have serial routing where you plug in a control system then the Mentor software allows you to select what receiver signals you want the control system processor to receive. The same process with IR, we have I-Pass and IR. CEC power on and off, with over 50 of the most common signals included, ensuring any TV can be powered on or off; this would be CEC over IP. Control becomes even easier when you have a built-in screen preview to view each source inside the Mentor software, updating every 15 seconds.  

1. Clean Concise Communication​
   Delivering the message you want your customers to see has never been easier than with a video wall. Its large size and ability to immediately grab any viewer’s attention is unmatched. So when you install a video wall, you are giving yourself a leg up on communication. Are you running a special? What are you promoting this month? Have an eye-catching new product that you want everyone to see? The video wall will give you the ability to deliver clean, clear communication without you having to say a word to your customer. 
   ​
2. Major Wow Factor
   When you walk into a room with a massive array of displays showing dynamic content, it’s impossible not to look at. That is what you give your organization when you install a video wall. This major WOW factor will impact your customer/client, impressing upon the fact that they are in a business that has spent a lot of time and energy on the way it will make their customers/clients feel. 
   
   
3. Run a Modern Business that looks to the Future
   When you install a video wall, you are not only giving your business a really cool asset, but you are setting yourself apart from your competitors. Having dynamic video walls in your business tells clients that you look to the future, you look outside the box for solutions. You show your customers/clients that you are ready to do business in a 2021 world where technology improves our lives daily. Show your customers you are not stuck in the past but are looking to the future. 
   
   
4. Adaptability to the look of your Business
   Large scale video walls allow you to decorate for any season by simply changing the content on display. You can show beach scenes in the summer and cozy snowy cabins in the winter. And the best part is you don’t have to do any actual decorating; you can keep a modern, clean environment but still show your customers you care by changing what is displayed on your video wall.
   
   
5. Builds Confidence in your Clientele 
   When customers see that they are doing business with a company with video walls, they feel confident. This shows you go the extra step to get to the next level, and you didn’t even have to say anything to convey this feeling. It’s something that is immediately felt when walking into a well structured and impactful environment.

AVPro Edge offers video wall processors that allow you to use any type or brand of display. We allow the integrator to make the choice they prefer for display, and we take care of the splitting and mapping of the various signals via HDMI. For more information on our video wall solutions, please give us a call at 605-274-6055 or email us at info@avproedge.com.

The AVPro Employee Highlight section is a way for you to get to know our AVPro Family. Let's get to know Jeremie!

What is your name and your roll at AVPro Global Holdings?
Jeremie Degen Inside Sales/Reporting
 
Whats you favorite color?
Green                      
 
Whats your favorite food?
Spaghetti

What do you like about working at AVPro? 
Everyone is part of the family
 
From your point of view, how is AVPro different from other places you worked?
AVPro understands that many great minds collectively, actively, and thoughtfully put together, creates an environment that can accomplish the inconceivable.  
 
What has been your best “moment” since working with AVPro? 
All of the group outings with our team!  We work hard, play hard!
 
AVPro Operates out of South Dakota, what the best and worst part of living in the 605? 
Best- little to no traffic  Worst-when Winter decides to extend its stay
 
If you had it your way, what is one thing you would change with the professional audio video world? 
Create more avenues for the younger generations to get involved in the trade. Having a properly trained staff cuts out a lot of unnecessary time and money.
 
What is your favorite Consumer Electronic? 
TVs - My Grandpa used to own a small TV/Electronics repair store and I loved going out to his shop to look at all the TV’s he was working on.   
 
We hear you were a collegiate athlete back in the day, any lessons you learn on the wrestling mat that apply to your current position?
One of my favorite wrestlers Jordan Burroughs says it best, “To get better you have to step out of your comfort zone. You can’t do the same thing you’ve always done and improve.”  The moment you are complacent is the moment your competition passes you. We are always looking for ways to improve.

I think we can all agree - in today's world of video displays, bigger is better; however, size alone is no longer enough. The bar for image quality has been set higher than ever, with single displays in the 100"+ range delivering stunningly bright, high-resolution HDR pictures that are truly mind-boggling. For larger displays, the solution, in most cases, has been to move to a front-projection system. Projectors can look amazingly good given the proper viewing environment. There have been many advancements to expand the definition of "proper viewing environment"; however, technical limitations prevent any projector from approaching the impact of today's direct view devices.

On December 18, 2020 AVPro announced the winner of the first annual Bruce Hasche Employee Excellence Award. This award was created in honor of its namesake, Bruce Hasche. Bruce was an employee of AVPro who made a very deep impact on his co-workers. Some words used to describe Bruce are quick witted, intelligent, respectful, a gentle soul, a huge heart, humble, an ear to tell your troubles to. Tragically, on February 25, 2020, Bruce passed away, surrounded by many of his co-workers.
 
The winner was to encompass the following characteristics, reflective of Bruce’s life:

• Leadership—demonstrates initiative and sets the pace in their role
• Teamwork—contributes significantly in team approaches
• Empathy—the ability to understand and share the feelings of others
• Self-Improvement—initiates developmental activities to improve job knowledge or work performance

AVPro Edge has a unique product called Cloud 9. What makes this product different is that you can connect nine sources to an unlimited number of displays. On those displays, the video processing power of the Cloud 9 provides 4-source and 9-source multiview and customizable video walls.

​The modern sports bar has become a staple for fans worldwide, and the need to bring clean, clear, and powerful video distribution to these locations is a must. As the world can see the light at the end of the dark tunnel we have been in, everyone will want to get out, spend time with friends, and cheer on their local teams. Be prepared for people to return with a Cloud 9 system from AVPro Edge.

If you are looking for basic product information, you can find out everything you need to know about Cloud 9 here - www.avproedge.com/cloud9.

What we want to show you today are some different ways Cloud 9 can bring a major WOW factor to your next installation. Let's take a look at some ways integrators have utilized Cloud 9.

MULTIVIEWER: With the ability to instantly switch from showing 4 sources on the same display in a perfect 2x2 layout, to showing 9 sources on the same display in a 3x3 layout, you can make sure patrons won't miss any of the action from any game. 

VIDEO WALL: With a video wall layout from Cloud 9 you can instantly switch from watching 4 separate games on a 2x2 video wall to making the whole wall one image. You also have options for 3x3 video walls and unconventional layouts. 

INSTANT SWITCHING VIDEO MATRIX: Many video switching solutions take a couple seconds to switch from source to source. In a sports bar that could be a home run or a touchdown, when seconds matter Cloud 9 has you covered with instant switching. 

UNLIMITED OUTPUTS: With cascading units you can always increase the amount of displays in your system. Each Cloud 9 unit adds an additional nine displays to your total installation.