Since 2010 HDBaseT, has been regarded as the standard for sending video, audio, control signals, Ethernet, USB, and power over a single cable. This technology has been a game-changer in the industry as it allows integrators to easily install complex yet reliable A/V systems. 

AVPro Global has been a proud member of the HDBaseT Alliance since we started manufacturing HDMI connectivity products. Not only is AVPro Global an HDBaseT adopter, but we are also a contributing member to the HDBaseT Alliance. This means that as a manufacturer, we are part of a team that makes decisions on the current state and the future of HDBaseT technology. ​

We are very excited to see what HDBaseT has in store for its latest update, HDBaseT 3.0. Take everything we love about HDBaseT already…the long distances, reliability, robustness, versatility, and now add uncompressed video. Yes, you read that correctly! HDBaseT will transmit uncompressed HDMI 2.0 video along with a few more upgrades:
​

• 16Gbps bandwidth over a single category cable, enabling distribution of fully uncompressed 4K@60Hz 4:4:4 for up to 100m/328ft
• Low power mode/standby mode
• Support for HDMI 1.4, HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.3
• Support of 1Gb Ethernet and enhanced USB2.0 bandwidth

This major update is all possible thanks to a brand new chip from Valens. Called the VS3000, this chip is designed to work as both the HDBaseT transmitter and the receiver. For integrators, this makes installations even easier as they no longer have to worry about accidentally mixing up a Tx vs. an Rx. If there is a hardware failure in the field, it won’t matter if you run out of transmitters or receivers as they are all the same. For manufacturers like AVPro, this simplifies several things allowing us to serve our customers better. 

Jason recently sat down with Danny Shwartzberg from HDBaseT to discuss HDBaseT technology in general and what HDBaseT 3.0 is all about. Check out the replay here, and as always, reach out anytime if you have questions!

Today we are highlighting one of AVPro Edge's most popular matrix switches, the 18Gbps 8x8 HDBaseT Matrix. This switch was built for the highest bandwidth signals up to
18Gbps and support Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and HLG. With built-in scalers on each HDBaseT output and advanced EDID
management you have an ideal solution for a mixed 4K HDR and HD system .

The AC-MX88-AUHD-HDBT-PLUS features ICT (more on this technology below), uncompressed mirrored HDMI, IR routing, RS-232 signal management, scaling and audio matrixing and delay. Each output block on this powerhouse switch contains both a mirrored HDMI and HDBaseT port capable of handling full 18Gbps video signals with HDR metadata, HDMI 2.0, and HDCP 2.2. 

This matrix uses our proprietary technology, ICT (Invisible Compression Technology) to pass full 18Gbps, lossless signals over category cable. ICT compresses high bandwidth HDMI signals into a more manageable size to fit through a CAT Cable "pipe".  The ICT algorithm can manage all flavors of HDR including 4:4:4, 4:2:2, and 4:2:0 as well as signals up to 18Gbps and 4K 60Hz 4:4:4.  The architecture of ICT also allows it to be compatible with all chroma subsampling types, color spaces and HDMI Deep Color up to 12  Bit.

Over the past few months, AVPro has had the pleasure of hosting Anthony Grimiani for a series of webinars covering many different topics in home theater acoustics. This series is a must-watch for any audiophile or installer working with home theater acoustics. We would like to thank Anthony for providing AVPro's audience with this great content and participating in this series, we hope to hear more in the future!

Take a look at the library of webinar recordings below:

​AVPro Global Holdings is headquartered in Sioux Falls, SD. We are proud to serve as members of our community and are always looking to support in any way we can.

One sponsorship we take part in is at the Rapid Speedway in Rock Rapids, IA (about 45 minutes from Sioux Falls). Aaron S runs the 14s car down at the Speedway and you'll find the AVPro Edge logo on the side of his car. Many of the staff members of AVPro enjoy attending the races on Friday nights during the summer where they can watch Aaron Race.  

​ICT, Invisible Compression Technology, is AVPro's proprietary compression algorithm used in several of our HDBaseT matrix switchers and extension products. So what makes ICT special? We asked AVPro CTO Matt Murray to explain it for us.

ICT is different technology than VESA DSC (Display Stream Compression), and is actually more akin to CSC (Color Space Conversion).  DSC is imperfect because it uses a spatial type of compression and requires deep color to be removed to work. There is currently no solution to recover and mask the dropped bits creating banding.

With Traditional CSC there is a similar issue, in order to use CSC the bit density is reduced to minimum (8 bpc or 24 bpp), in turn, you get banding in some formats, namely 4:2:2 signaling (Which is always 12 bpc/36 bpp). So visually CSC is typically better than DSC due to the minimization of artifacts on most signals (remember 4:2:2 is bad) but the sync times for CSC are increased by about 500ms for processing. This is not only present in HDBaseT transport, you will see in standard bits of silicon that are “18Gbps” they are, but they aren’t – they are just processing in the silicon.

​ICT has a unique algorithm that can be contained inside of an FPGA or a robust enough HDMI circuit that circumvents conventional wisdom to allow us artifact free processing of high bandwidth signals in ANY situation we are presented – it is a totally on house, proprietary, construct. Our ideals originate from a LONG history with ISF and belief that image quality matters, it is what separates us and focuses us on the quality of the end result rather that “making a picture”.

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

What is your Name and your roll at AVPro Global Holdings?
Hello my name is Loel Wheeler.  My role here at AVPro Global is business development manager for the commercial markets. I also manage the Canada market and parts of Asia.  
 
What's you favorite Color? 
Hmmmm, tough call here but I have to say black and yellow as I am a lifetime Steelers fan.
 
What's your favorite food?
One of my favorite foods are a wide variety of soups from all over the world. I also love a good plate of SUSHI!
 
What do you like about working at AVPro? 
I love that we are all like a large HAPPY family. Everyone is always there to help and make sure things get done. I love to travel and meet new people along the way. I love the way everyone works as a team to achieve a final goal. 
 
From your point of view, how is AVPro different from other electronic manufactures?  
We own our own factory, how cool is that. I have worked for other companies that can never say that. We have input from end to end, on all products that are conjured up, designed and built from the ground up. We have two teams here in the USA and China and we all strive to bring the most cutting edge products to market. 
 
What has been your best “moment” since working with AVPro? 
I think one of the greatest moments working at AVPro has been the trips to far away places.  Landing in Amsterdam my first time was breathtaking as was landing in London. These are moments that just took my breath away with the beauty, the structures and the lands.

You head up your team based in South Dakota? What the best and worst part of living in the 605?  
I moved here in 1993 to work for Sencore, fresh out of Devry. Coldest year I can ever remember. Not a huge fan of the coldest winters I have ever known. However,  the spring, summer and fall are the coolest parts of year. We have CLEAN air and having lived in several states prior to SD, THAT is huge benefit. We have some of the best fishing in the country also. Nothing like a short ride to the river to catch some tasty walleye.

Scaling Solution for all HDBaseT Matrix Switchers
If you are using an HDBaseT Matrix Switcher, you need to be using this Rx unit. Something every integrator on the planet wants is faster switching speeds when working with 4K sources; well, the solution is here. Increase switching speeds by never dropping the HDMI handshake! An integrator can place the AC-EX70-SC2-R behind every display in the system to ensure quicker switching speeds, an optimized picture, and the resolution you choose hitting the display or projector.

​EDID Manager and Fixer
EDID causes about 80% of HDMI connectivity issues, and the AC-EX70-SC2-R can fix them all. You can select from the top EDID’s our tech support staff like to use, already preloaded into the unit. Unable to find the EDID that will work perfectly for the system? No Problem! You can capture and emulate your own EDIDs, and you can steal an EDID from a display you know works great. Then, you can use it throughout your entire system no matter what types of displays you are using!

Troublesome Legacy Projector or Display
Playing the latest Netflix shows in 4K, gaming on the newest offerings from Microsoft or Sony, connecting the latest ThinkPad or MacBook Pro can push your projectors or displays to the limit. If you are using any legacy display, built for only 1080p or 720, you won’t even get a picture on most occasions. The AC-EX70-SC2-R can take that high-bandwidth 4K signal and convert it to something that will play nicely with the legacy display or projector your customer didn’t want to get rid of. Perfect for classrooms, hospitals, hotels, or anywhere you can find preceptors are showing something from their laptop.

AC-EX70-SC2-R fits and helps many applications you are already installing today. Why not bring your next installation to the next level of video distribution with AVPro Edge's scaling receiver.

Video Walls are exciting, and because of their size, they are very impactful in any room. We see them at sports bars, airports, shopping centers, and retail stores, but why do we not see them in the home? Are they too big? Does a projector do the same thing? Is it a pricing issue? Do integrators bring it up as an option for a home?

AVPro Edge has developed a video wall processor that can handle any signal found inside a home, can work with ANY display on the market, can be installed by any Level 1 Tech, and won’t break the bank. This product is the perfect way to start delivering video walls to your residential clients. This product is the AC-FRESCO-CAP-4, a four-input, one output HDMI video wall processor able to take any incoming HDMI signal and automatically display it in a 2x2 format video wall.

The AC-FRESCO-CAP-4 is a unique video wall processor, because of its ease of use and low cost, it can fit perfectly alongside the rest of your residential installation.

In video distribution systems that use HDMI as the delivery method, many things can go wrong to take away a clear picture. One of the most notorious errors that can happen in this pathway is with the HDMI "Handshake." The HDMI Handshake is the process of both the source (streaming device, UHD blu-ray, gaming console) and the sink (television, projector, monitor) recognizing each other and determining that they are both authorized to transport the high bandwidth HDMI signal. This process is continuously repeated while the signal passes through the HDMI pathway.

As integrators introduce additional products between the source and the sink, such as AVR's, HDMI extenders, HDMI switchers, repeaters, or any other video processors, that can affect the HDMI signal. The more items in-between the source and the sink, the more opportunities for something to fail. Dropped picture, flashing screen, no image, the dreaded "No Signal" displays on the tv; these are all things that HDMI handshake problems can cause, especially when trying to switch between two different video sources. Today's integrators need to be aware of these problems and be able to manage them, ensuring that when they leave a site, they won't have to return the next day to "fix" the distribution system.

Holding the HDMI Handshake.
When you switch your distribution system from one source to another, it needs to re-authenticate the HDMI Handshake, ensuring that the signals passing along the infrastructure are authorized. That switching takes time; now, our whole system needs to verify the handshake process. This stops any signal from getting on the display or projector, often putting up the "No Signal" screen built into the displays.

By holding that handshake in-between the distribution infrastructure and the display, you can increase switching speeds, stabilize your distribution, and deliver a superior solution for the end-user. But how would you do that?!?!?!?! It's impossible???????

Not any more...

Introducing the AC-SC2-AUHD and the AC-EX70-SC2-R, a one input, one output device that was made to be the integrator's new best friend. These products can hold the handshake with the display, projector or monitor, allowing you to increase switching times, stabilize your system when switching and deliver an extremely stable install for your customer.

These are shipping now, call today to order yours, or if you have a questions please don’t hesitate to call or email us, 605-274-6055 or info@avproedge.com

Learn more about the ConferX Universal Amplifier by giving us a call today at 877-886-5112.

Fresco Video Systems by AVPro Edge is making affordable, easy to install video walls a possibility for any installation. Video walls give sports bars, retail stores, entertainment venues, and hotels an opportunity to ‘WOW’ their customers with big, bold and bright messaging. With the Fresco 4 you are able to process 4K video throughout your video wall, delivering a dynamic effect no one will soon forget. We included robust scaling features inside this processor that allows you to not only input 18Gbps 4K60 signals, but output them as well to each display.  ​

The key is SIMPLICITY. With the AC-FRESCO-CAP-4 Video Wall Processor the most difficult part of the installation is hanging the panels. The Fresco CAP4 has built-in scalers that allow you to convert any signal to 4K, 1080P, 720P, or even 480; now, you can use this with all legacy products! With this product, you can add a video wall solution onto any pre-existing installation. Check out the installation below using a Fresco CAP 4 and the AVPro Edge Video Flux.

The Fresco CAP4 also comes with intuitive software that takes the guess work out of creating a video wall. Capture regions are very important in a video wall set up. By installing this free software, and connecting the Fresco CAP4 to your PC, you can enter all the measurements of your bezels and the software will layout your video wall perfectly, compensating for every bezel of every screen. This enables integrators to use any display with an HDMI input as a video wall panel.

Another Fresco solution is the AC-FRESCO-DA116, a large-scale distribution amplifier engineered to repeat and amplify any HDMI signal you can throw at it. 

​We understand that many installations are running non-stop, 24/7-365. Our engineers took measures to ensure any signal running through the AC-FRESCO-DA116 will be stable over long periods of time – our 10-year warranty proves that. Whether you are building a video wall, running digital signage or showing the big game throughout a bar, Fresco Video Systems from AVPro Edge will deliver a solid solution that lasts.

So where do these fit?

Video Walls: When using commercial displays to make a video wall, every display needs to receive get the exact same signal at the same time. the Fresco DA116 will provide the stable uncompressed connection that makes a video wall “pop”.

​Bars & Restaurants: Perfect for showing the game or a menu on many displays at the same time.
 
Digital Signage: Signage and advertisements are everywhere, using a Fresco DA116 will ensure an uncompressed image will reach its destination. Delivering a signal that is processed through a compression model can lower the quality of the final image.
 
Retail TV Sales: Stores that sell displays need to have high bandwidth solutions that will deliver the most optimized image to the screen. Today’s displays are 4K and built to show HDR. if you are selling new displays, you need to have a distribution solution that can handle the latest signaling. 

So much more than a receiver, the AC-EX70-SC2-R can ​distribute audio/video signals 70 meters over standard category cable and scale that signal's resolution from 480p to 4K and interlaced to progressive.

AVPro Edge's AC-EX70-SC2-R is the ideal solution for integrators who need to distribute a signal long distances to a variety of displays and keep an optimal picture. Integrators will enjoy the versatility of not only controlling up/down scaling but handling EDID issues (including 4K HDR EDID's) and being able to access audio from the stream. This HDBaseT receiver/scaler is ready for 18Gbps 4K HDR signaling. Yet, if you have 480, 720, or 1080 displays, the AC-EX70-SC2-R will make sure they're getting the resolutions and picture type you set.
 
This product works great alongside all of AVPro Edge's HDBaseT Matrix's Switchers to give your customers the best resolution possible. AVPro's Matt Murray said it best...

There are several key benefits of using the AC-EX70-SC2-R including:

• Full HDR Support
• Fixed Output Up/Down Scaling
• Interlaced to Progressive Scaling
• Adaptive Scaling Mode
• The Most Advanced EDID Management
• L/R Audio De-Embedding
• On-Board Troubleshooting

To learn more about this powerful receiver, give us a call today at 877-886-5112!

Over the past several weeks, AVPro has been hosting a plethora of webinars with some pretty outstanding guests. We wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of these professionals who took time out of their schedules to talk with us. Lets get to know them a little better...

SFM is now distributing AVPro Edge products throughout Canada.

Sioux Falls, SD – AVPro Global Holdings is pleased to announce that SF Marketing Inc. (SFM) is now the exclusive Canadian distributor of the AVPro Edge line of connectivity solutions, Murideo testing and troubleshooting equipment, and Bullet Train HDMI Cables. SFM, based in Montreal, has proven itself as an organization dedicated to providing service and support to a large number of consumer electronics dealers & custom installation integrators. Their dedication to supporting customers aligns with AVPro's core values. 

Jeff Murray, CEO of AVPro Global, stated, "We are elated to strike an exclusive distribution partnership with SFM. They are uniquely positioned to provide service, support, and sales to all the provinces of Canada. We are excited that they share the same philosophy with us regarding training & dealer support. Dealers come first to SFM and AVPro!"

"SFM's CI division is thrilled to have AVPro Global Holdings trust to grow brand-name awareness and sales in Canada." says Steven Freytag, General Manager of SFM's CI division. "In an effort to develop our CI division as a go to distributor amongst commercial and residential custom integrators alike, SFM is pleased to be working with AVPro and their multiple brands each filling a hole in our portfolio. While we are happy to have all four brands, we are especially thrilled to bring Murideo to our customers and to assist them in diagnosing issues while saving them time and money."

AVPro Global Holdings brands include AVPro Edge, Murideo, and Bullet Train HDMI Cables. AVPro Edge products are used in residential and commercial AV installations for switching, splitting, connecting, and controlling HDMI. The complete product line includes a range of extenders, distribution amplifiers, matrix switchers, multi-viewers, and audio equipment, all engineered with military-grade quality to ensure long component life. Murideo has brought cutting edge testing, troubleshooting, and calibration equipment to the world that was previously only available to the elite. Finally, Bullet Train HDMI Cables provide passive and active optical HDMI cables to the industry with up to 48Gbps bandwidth.

To learn more about AVPro Global brands, please visit www.AVProEdge.com, www.Murideo.com, and www.BulletTrainCables.com or call (877) 886-5112.
 
To contact SFM, please reach out to Simon Tournay, SFM CI Brand Manager for AVPro brands, at 1-800-363-8855, ext. 2240, or via email at simon.tournay@sfm.ca.  

About SF Marketing Inc. 
Established in 1978, SFM is a leading Canadian distributor of custom installation brands. With their head office in Montreal, SFM has proven itself as an organization dedicated to providing service and support to a large number of consumer electronics dealers & custom installation integrators. SFM's CI division distributes some of the industry's top brands, including AVPro Edge, Bullet Train, ConferX, Da-Lite, Dynamic Mounting, Furman, Just Add Power, Luxul, Murideo, Nest, Niles Audio, Omnimount, Panamax, Pro Control, RTI, & Shure as well as quality accessory lines such as Canare, Digiflex, Littlite, and Neutrik.

About AVPro Global Holdings
The vision of AVPro is to be the technical resource of choice for installers and integrators serving residential and commercial Audio Video markets. Getting our start with display calibration and evolving with the industry to work beyond 4K resolutions, we have become a go-to source for new technologies, unique products, and industry training. AVPro Global is an ever-evolving company, ready for the next step in Audio/Video. Our brands include AVPro Edge, Murideo, and Bullet Train, each committed to providing users with quality, capable, and innovative products. AVPro was founded in 2011 and headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA.