![]() Truck rolls are nearly impossible to avoid, and time spent at these jobs sites means money out of your pocket. Luckily, equipping your technicians with the proper tools can ensure quicker diagnoses and less time spent revisiting jobs. ![]() Infrastructure Faulty infrastructure can be the death of one or more runs in a system. Proper infrastructure equipment includes:
The HDMI specification for cables is 2-10 meters in length. Cables, whether shorter or longer than this specification, can suffer from voltage irregularities, attenuation, sync issues, and resolution limitations. By having various lengths of cables, you can instantly replace bad cable runs and restock when the truck returns. Moving on to patch cables, a minimum of 2 meters of Cat6 is recommended. Patch cables following this rule provide a stable, good length for testing extender sets in isolated settings and also can double for running LAN in IP control situations. Standard RJ45 ends provide better stability of both connection and data transfer. Pullthrough and EZ Ends can have inconsistencies in their terminations which can cause shortages and destabilize signals (especially at higher resolutions). Lastly, stock up on common power supplies. Once again these allow you to not only isolate units and gives the ability to instantly switch a bad power supply. Infrastructure can be kept flowing smoothly by diagnosing and fixing the easy problems in one roll. ![]() Hardware Sources, switches, and displays can be considered the heart of the installation. Some units can underperform or need specific things to work properly (such as color space and resolution, contained in EDID). Proper field fixes for signal cleanup should include:
Cable boxes are just one of the various sources that tend to underperform in distributed systems. Cable boxes use HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) to prevent piracy. HDCP contains keys (permission to pass the sources HDCP content) and can only give out a certain number of keys. HDCP issues can arise and appear as intermittent video or no signal at all. Distribution amps (like the AC-DA12-AUHD-GEN2), have a repeater inside the unit and allows for a reissue of HDCP keys. This is useful in systems that include extenders and multiple jumps as a key must be issued to each new HDMI connection. Now, not all blame can be pushed onto cable boxes as some newer displays have issues handling certain types of signals. More advanced displays have been found to struggle with interlaced signals (i.e. 1080i), 24 and 48Hz refresh rates, and needing device specific EDIDs. These struggles can be solved using a scaler. Scalers (such as the AC-SC2-AUHD-GEN2) can provide interlaced to progressive framerate conversion and increased framerate (60Hz), as well as manage EDID. The combination of these functions help sources fulfill the necessary signal needed to work properly with the display. Finally, audio products such as soundbars or older AVR’s may run into issues with higher resolutions, HDR, and high bitrate audio formats. An Audio Downmixer (similar to the AC-AVDM-AUHD) can take these higher bitrate formats and downmix them to 2 channel PCM. As for higher resolutions and HDR, the AVDM offers a scalable port that not only downscales to 1080p but removes the HDR metadata, allowing audio devices that are not 4k HDR capable to accept the signal. ![]() External Devices Let’s consider external devices that are used to relay information such as HDMI testers or USB cables. Proper external tools should include:
The ability to connect to a unit in the field is a necessity. Micro, Mini, or RS232 to USB are all common connection types to communicate to with units. Combined with a Windows PC (compatible with most units), more feedback than ever can be obtained. Being able to connect to these devices can assist in firmware updates as well as accessing specific commands that cannot always be accessed via button press or in a GUI. Lastly a good HDMI Tester (we recommend the Fox & Hound) can help diagnose problems in a system. A good tester should come with the ability to send and accept HDMI signals and allow you to generate an 18Gbps signal, test HDCP, and read EDID. In addition, having an analyzer that allows you to read incoming signals can be very helpful. Analyzers also work as a mobile test monitor and allow for movement along the runs to help pinpoint where failures are occurring. These tools can drastically decrease time and truck rolls by decreasing guess work. Time is money and each and every truck roll means time. By properly preparing a truck for a job, labor costs and guesswork can be massively reduced.
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Step 1Hang the four displays in a classic 2x2 formation. Step 2Connect a HDMI cable from each of the displays into the Fresco 4, be sure to connect the HDMI cables in this order: step 3Connect a source via a HDMI cable. The Fresco 4 can handle 18Gbps 4K60 (4:4:4) signaling! done!If the displays are on and the Fresco 4 is powered up, you will be getting a video wall. You don’t need to select start or program anything. Once you have a source and displays connected, you will be processing that sources image into 4 quadrants and sending the picture to each display in the video wall. do your displays have a bezel?If so, we can easily alter the image to compensate for that with our free PC software. Install this software onto any PC and connect to a Fresco 4 unit via Mini USB, RS-232 or though a shared network LAN connection. Once connected you can enter the bezel measurements. Once you have them all entered just select “create video wall” and in real time you will see the complete video wall compensate for the new measurements. You don’t have to power cycle or reset the device, it just works! Here you can see what the bezel compensation software looks like: want to get custom?You have that ability with the Advanced section of the PC software. The Fresco 4 has four independent capture regions, that means each of the displays in the video wall can show any part of the original image coming from a source. This allows you to set up unconventional video walls where displays over lap or are separated from other displays. With the Fresco 4 you control the capture region and can set it in real time via the free PC software. infocommInfoComm 2019 we were able to demo the Fresco 4 and the PC Software throughout the show. Our partners over at AVNation made this video that will give you all the information you need to fall in love with this simple, easy to use, video wall processor. Controllable Class-D Audio Amplifier with AV Functionality![]() This multi-purpose device serves several functions in today’s classrooms, conference rooms and huddle spaces. Not only can you use it as an audio amplifier for any of the inputs including; HDMI, HDBaseT, line In and microphone, it can also be used simultaneously as your presentation switch for video presenting! You can connect an HDMI source, a ConferX HDBaseT Wall Plate Transmitter, a microphone, distributed audio, speakers, and a display for an entire single room solution. ![]() The Universal Amplifier (AC-CX100-RAMP) is an IP controllable 2 channel 25W Amplifier with microphone, line, HDMI and HDBaseT inputs. This ConferX product was built to handle 4K at 18Gbps throughout the HDMI input and outputs, 10.2 Gbps via the 100M HDBaseT input. Outputs are scalable from 1080p to 4K and 4K to 1080p and there are additional audio outputs for recorders, additional amplifiers, audio matrices or other devices. Full EDID management makes setup a breeze and the on-screen display (OSD) provides critical information for the system operator and installer. The CX100-RAMP supports both ARC and eARC so all high bitrate audio codecs are supported. A built-in circuit for eARC automatically detects delay information from the display and corrects time delay up to 170 msec. All of these functions support collaboration for large and small groups! Take a look at this connection diagram that shows how you can use a ConferX wall plate transmitter for presenting a screen from up to 100 meters away from the Universal Amplifier: What is ConferX?ConferX is a line of products from AVPro Edge that focus on providing unique solutions to conference room, classroom and huddle room spaces. These products maintain the same high quality components and engineering you have come to expect from the AVPro Edge brand. The Universal Amplifier is the newest edition to ConferX's line up and works along side any of our ConferX HDBaseT transmitters. Products that work with the universal amplifier
![]() AVPro is proud to present all new 16x16 HDBaseT matrix switchers including the world's first 16x16 HDBaseT matrix switch with built-in 7.1 channel downmixing. The AC-MX1616-AUHD-HDBT and AC-MX1616-AUHD-HDBT-AVDM (downmixing version) are the ideal solution for multi-zone setups in both homes and commercial settings. COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS The backbone of any video distribution inside a museum, office building, hospital or hotel is a stable matrix switcher. With the new 16x16 from AVPro Edge you are able to distribute 16 4K inputs to 16 different independent zones using a category cable infrastructure and HDBaseT technology. Bring your next installation to the forefront of technology with a 18Gbps 4K Matrix Switcher. The AC-MX1616-AUHD-HDBT features 8 mirrored HDMI outputs, volume control, built in downscalers, IR, RS-232 and LAN control options, advanced EDID management, full HDR support, independent audio matrixing and the list goes on. RESIDENTIAL APPLICATIONS The AC-MX1616-AUHD-HDBT-AVDM delivers all the features of the HDBaseT version but really makes this product special is the ability to downmix bitstream audio beyond 7.1 channel into a 2 channel audio signal via all 16 inputs. This switch allows you to deliver 24+ channels to your Dolby Atmos home theater, at the same time it delivers 2 channel to the rest of the zones. We do this by allowing the downmixing to only affect the de-embedded audio outputs, the 8 mirrored HDBaseT & HDMI ports leave the audio unimpeded, allowing you to distribute full Dolby Atmos and DTS-X through them. Supporting the full HDMI 2.0 a/b specification and supporting every flavor of HDR, this matrix will ensure you can get the most out of any system. The AC-MX1616-AUHD-HDBT-AVDM supports HDR formats Including HDR, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG, BBC and NHK. All of them are supported in up to 4K 60Hz and up to 12 Bit Deep Color and all color space compression is compatible. Give AVPro a call today to learn more about these unrivaled switchers, 877-885112 or visit their product pages, AC-MX1616-AUHD-HDBT and AC-MX1616-AUHD-HDBT-AVDM Please note that demand for these matrix switchers is very high. If interested please contact AVPro Edge at 877-886-5112 to check availability or to be added to the waitlist as soon as possible.
![]() One of the most exciting announcements at InfoComm 2019 was the release of the Valens VS3000 chip. This application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is the first to enable long-distance uncompressed 4K60 (4:4:4) with HDR signaling via HDBaseT. Up to this point an integrator would have to install fiber optics to deliver such a high bandwidth signal. With the release of this chip, manufacturers will be able to take advantage of this new technology and build products like never before. The Valens Stello Family of chips and HDBaseT have been providing integrators with stable audio video distribution since 2006. With HDBaseT 3.0, manufacturers can build audio/video transmission products that also distribute 1Gb Ethernet, USB 2.0, control and power over a category cable, with nearly zero latency. This is pretty impressive. Another innovative feature is the ability to get rid of the Tx and Rx mentality. With HDBaseT 3.0 the Rx and Tx will look the same and have the ability to act as a receiver or transmitter unit. AVPro will be on the forefront of developing products using this technology when the full details are released. There is also no need to worry about inter-operability with current chip sets as this new VS3000 chip will still work with the VS100 & VS2000 families. What does this mean for the integrator?This means you are about to be delivering 18Gbps over CAT 6A without using compression. A common misconception in the A/V industry is that the 10.2Gbps bandwidth threshold for category cable was because of the physical copper wiring. Simply, the technology behind delivering audio video signals at such long distances wasn’t quite there yet. Valens and HDBaseT have changed that notion with this recent announcement. With the power of VS3000 series from Valens working within the HDBaseT 3.0 specification, integrators will find themselves delivering beautiful 18Gbps uncompressed signaling in their installations. Showcasing 60 frames per second 4K over long distances with near-zero latency.
The entire team at AVPro Edge and Murideo would like to thank you for visiting us at InfoComm 2019! Take a look at some of the products we featured this year in the product guide below and please give us a call with any questions, 877-886-5112! Thank you for making InfoComm 2019 a success!
Again, thank you again for visiting us at InfoComm 2019, please contact me with any questions! Below is all our pictures from the show. |
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