​Live events are back, and we want to see you! AVPro Edge has a full schedule of events for 2022 including CEDIA Tech Summits, Trade Shows, AVPro Academy classes and more. We'd love to see you at one of our presentations or stopping by our booth. 

Check out our schedule of events for April 2022, we hope to see you there!

It's no secret that MXNet is a robust product shaking up the industry. We've compiled some recent MXNet deployments to show you just how versatile this system can be.

​2022 is set to be an exciting year for MXNet! Recently, John and Tom went through all the latest updates to the MXNet Ecosystem with a hint of what is to come through-out the year! 

Check out the recording below and learn more about the entire MXNet Ecosystem here.

AVPro Academy is hitting the road in 2022 with its first stop in Phoenix, AZ at Blackwire Designs. The curriculum is revamped and better than ever this year, focused on hands-on, real-world experience where we cover the fundamentals of HDMI and setting up and controlling both single room and multi-room/multi-zone distribution systems. Learn how to troubleshoot your distribution system when things do not go as planned. This course was built for today's integrator and is a CEDIA CUE & AVIXA RU accredited training.

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​You will learn:

• How to solve common problems in whole-home video distribution
• Top 10 A/V tech support calls and how to avoid them
• HDMI issue symptoms 

This month's class will be hosted by Blackwire Designs in Phoenix, AZ on April 27-28. Make sure to register today and check out where AVPro Academy will be throughout the rest of the year below!

​In our new feature, From the Tech Specialist, we will highlight one of our AVPro Edge Support team members as they share their knowledge! Today's article covers some of the most common reasons for tech support calls by Austin Dirks.

General EDID Management: Whether it's with our extender kits or matrices, EDID management is a common question. A common issue we run into is AVRs > Extender Kits > Displays, where syncing issues occur when switching between sources or when initially powering on the zone. Typically, this issue boils down to the AVR not properly negotiating the display's EDID. Setting a canned EDID on the extender kit (or copying the EDID of the display and storing it into the extender - which typically has the best results) will allow the AVR to immediately see and sync with the EDID information when adjusting sources/powering on. This eliminates sync issues and improves switch times between sources.

Matrix Setup and Firmware: One of the most common calls in tech support is when an integrator needs to set up a new Matrix Switcher. This can be daunting; it's the backbone of your video system and needs to be done correctly. Usually, the caller has some general questions like:

• How do I set my EDID?
• How do I make sure I have the up-to-date firmware?
• How do I manage my audio breakouts?
• How do I activate the scalers?

 
The answer to all of these questions is to access the AVPro Edge User Interface. To do that, follow these steps:

1. Connect Matrix to power and your network
2. Using the front buttons on the Matrix, navigate to the IP address
3. Type that IP address into your browser
4. Type in admin/admin to log in
5. Enable Cloud Services in the Settings area

 
You can now click around changing EDID, managing audio, and scaling, but most importantly, your device will automatically check for firmware updates. Once you have done that, you can start plugging into displays and sources. Then, we suggest a power cycle of the switch. Finally, you can navigate back to the User Interface to manage audio, video, EDID, scaling, and the like. But if you still have a question, don't worry AVPro Tech Support is here for you.

Audio Configuration: The last common call on the list is Audio Configuration for Matrix Switchers. This is when an integrator is trying to extract audio from the switcher via the de-embedded audio ports. The best part about AVPro Edge’s audio extraction is that you can set it however you want! There are three main ways to do that:

• Bind to Input - For using a separate audio matrix
• Bind to Output - When you want to hear what the display is playing
• Matrix Mode - Completely independent audio switching

Some control systems may want a specific configuration, or you might set up your customer to control the audio independently so they can hear the game in a zone showing no video. Whatever the case, you can set up your configuration in the AVPro Edge User Interface. To manage this go to the I/O Configuration > Extracted Audio Output Settings, just as shown in the bottom half of this picture...

Seems pretty simple, right? At AVPro we carry matrix switchers for every application, and we set ourselves apart by offering built-in, unique features like...

• Test Pattern Generation
• Front Panel access for various functions such as DHCP, Network Info, Reset, and EDID Management
• The AVPro Edge User Interface
• In-House Engineering & Manufacturing
• Built-in Downmixing
• Drivers for all Major Control Systems
• EDID Management
• Downscaling
• Full Audio Routing & Matrix
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Take a look at our Matrix Family to see what switch will fit for your next install. Give us a call with questions or visit our Buy page to find a distributor near you!

AVPro's latest 8k product is a 1x4 distribution amplifier that is far from a simple D.A. The AC-DA-14X is an 8K HDMI distribution amplifier, scaler, and signal stabilizer. It connects one HDMI source and repeats that signal throughout the 4 HDMI output ports. 

Output ports two and four have built-in scalers allowing users to connect legacy TVs, projectors, or AVRs. Introducing an 8K display and gaming console is the norm in many of today’s installations. With this product, you can do just that without having to upgrade your AVR. Scaling allows you to take 8K down to 4K or 1080p and 4K down to 1080p. Now you can send 8K signals to the connected 8K displays and a 4K or 1080p signal to older models. 

Full HDMI 2.1, FRL 40Gbps, and HDR support ensure maximum stability in distributed HDMI systems, even with the newest sources. You can comfortably use all of the latest 8K sources without worrying about headroom with the added bandwidth. Finally, advanced EDID management allows users to select from 16 different settings. This enhances your ability to get the right signal throughout the system and ensures communication with any 3rd party device. Check out these features and more on the new AC-DA-14X.

Vista, Ca, March 17, 2022

Brawn Consulting in association with AVIXA is launching a three-day virtual class (March 29, 30, 31) on the new role of sales and the importance of the salesperson.
Alan Brawn notes that “Every year we celebrate new AV, IT, and digital signage technologies. Today the technologies are different but so are the relationships with our customers. The focus is no longer about a product but rather solving problems and creating an AV experience that adds value beyond the products we sell.”
AVIXA notes “The role of sales takes on a new meaning and importance and we need to be prepared to address the new reality of the seller/buyer relationship with new skills. This new course explores the need for differentiation and that today the difference is “you” the salesperson.”

This course includes:

• The history of sales
• Exploring "you" the salesperson
• Synthesizing today's sales models
• Differentiate by adding your value
• Understanding customer personalities
• Handling objections/continuances/rejections
• Being productive versus busy
• The buyers, sellers, and influencers
• Keys to success

New virtual course alert! Sales’ New Role and the Importance of You is taking place on March 29-31. The role of sales takes on a new meaning and it’s important to be prepared. Learn more and register now! https://www.avixa.org/events/2022/03/29/default-calendar/sales'-new-role-and-the-importance-of-you

​About Brawn Consulting:
A service-based alternative to the high cost of developing in-house technical resources. It provides outsourced sales, product, and application engineering support, plus systems design, training and follow-up services for AV, IT, and digital signage manufacturers, distributors, and resellers. Brawn Consulting provides market intelligence services plus “Go to market” analysis, strategy development, and consulting to help companies plot a clear path to enter a market.  Brawn Consulting also works with manufacturers, distributors, and resellers to create educational programs and content, train their staff, and the sales channels they serve.

MXNet has become the go-to networked AV system of choice for many integrators. Integrators are raving about having a complete ecosystem under one roof, including the network switch and MXNet Mentor, which gives you full control over the configuration and diagnosis of your system. To show everyone the recent updates with MXNet, we are hosting this webinar with MXNet Guru John Tumbleson to break it down for everyone!

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8890961505784836367 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Pioneer Music Company, Inc is AVPro Edge's March Featured Partner! Learn a little bit about the history of this distinguished company and see what they had to say about working with AVPro Edge.

Founded in 1869 in Burlington, KS, Pioneer Music Company started out as a Hardware and Implements retailer. In 153 years, it has maintained ownership by the same family, and in that time each generation has put their spin on the business to help navigate it into the industries we serve today.

Jerod Grieme of AVPro Edge had this to say about working with PMC, "When working with distribution partners, it is key that they exemplify everything that you stand for as a company. Pioneer Music Company strives for excellent customer service, integrity, and ownership, all great examples of what makes them such a great partner of AVPro."

What has been your experience working with AVPro Edge and our products?

AVPro Edge is the definition of what you want as a vendor partner, specifically in the CEDIA channel. 

It starts with their products, which perform at the top of their class, consistently. It is improved with their staff and service, they are a vendor partner that understands the importance of relationships and working together to serve the dealer base. It is perfected by their innovation, their investment into new technologies keeps them at the frontier of the industry, which is exactly what the CEDIA channel needs from its vendors. 

How has providing AVPro Edge products benefited your customers?

As a company 100% dedicated to its products and technology, our customers have benefited from AV Pro’s consistency, reliability, and constant innovation. This results in our customers having complete confidence in their install when using AV Pro gear. In today’s world, that confidence goes a long way.

In our new feature, From the Tech Specialist, we will highlight one of our AVPro Edge Support team members as they share their knowledge! Today's article was written by Brandon Buol.​

Custom integrators use HDMI video distribution equipment (Matrix Switchers, Extenders, AV over IP, or Distribution Amplifiers) in their installations every day. They leave the site, and everything is working great. Then, they get a call from their customer that the video stopped after several hours or days. 

The first thing you want to do is point fingers at is the Video Distribution equipment, but how do you know what is causing the problem? Where is that HDMI Handshake dropping out? 

I put together this list of fixes I use which has helped other integrators as well:

​Ensure you are using HDMI cables that are 2 meters or longer, and replace all HDMI cables that are too short! 

​When running multiple video runs, ensure your category cables are not bundled together; this will ensure you don’t have interference from cable to cable. 

​Bypass each section of the video distribution chain in order and keep track of your results on paper. This way, you can narrow down where the handshake issues are coming from in your install.

Double-check the distance specifications for the cable you are using (if you are using CAT5 and specs call for CAT6A subtract 25% distance for using CAT5 or 5E).

For more tips check out the HDBaseT Installers Ten Cable Commandments:​

​Check FW on all devices starting with the source and finishing with each display, and hit every piece of electronics in the middle. HDMI signal technology is in constant flux; the devices you are installing need the latest firmware to ensure a smooth signal flow. 

​Lowering the resolution will drop the overall bandwidth and allows you to see if you are running into bandwidth issues on a specific piece in the run.

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​Brandon Buol has taken thousands of phone calls helping our integrators. Brandon uses that experience to educate others by sharing his experiences and writing these helpful tips for everyone to use. Brandon is Imaging Science Foundation Level III certified and has earned his HDBaseT Master Program Level II.

In this video Justin from AVD is back, this time showing us how to build custom, mosaic video walls in the MXNet Mentor software! Let's check it out...

In this video, Justin Barnard from AVD (Audio Visual Distributors) down under in Australia walks us through MXNet Mentor, AVPro's proprietary, state-of-the-art, HTML 5 based setup and control software. Let's take a look and learn more about Mentor below!

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Mentor is a complete, full featured solution showcasing a large variety of simple, yet powerful features and functions. This essential member of the MXNet Ecosystem, Mentor comes preinstalled on the AC-MXNET-CBOX. Easy to use and understand, MXNet Mentor is designed to eliminate many of the pain points associated with AV/IP systems. Some notable features include:

• SYSTEM UTILITIES: Reboot and perform factory resets to CBOX, Encoders, and
• Decoders
• SETUP AND DIAGNOSTICS: Assign custom names to Encoders and Decoders
• AUTO-MATRIX: Easy to use and understand source to target the switching interface
• VIDEO WALLS: Unlimited with mosaic and asymmetrical arrays
• CEC AND RS-232 Passthrough
• RS-232 AND IR Direct Routing

MXNet Mentor is included with every MXNet system as it is pre-installed on every AC-MXNET-CBOX. To learn more about MXNet or to spec it into your next installation, give us a call at 877-886-5112 or visit a distributor near you!

AVPro Edge is making a splash at the CEDIA Tech Summits across the country this year! At every event, AVPro will be hosting our HDMI 2.1 training class for integrators which covers the ins and outs of 8K and what to expect. Learn about FRL, VRR, eARC, HFR, CDS, ALLM and HDR - if you don't know what these abbreviations mean, you should definitely get yourself to a class!


​Registration is free! Check out the CEDIA Tech Summits happening across the country and get registered today!