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. 

​Let’s jump into a time machine and go back to 2010: a year where audio video technology was seeing great improvements but was still chained up in high end home theater installations. Since then we’ve seen many new products and features expanding the audio and video industry well beyond the home theater and into the rest of our lives. New developments improved an already wonderful experience in the theater and video content delivery is now a daily part of lives throughout the home, information screens and personal viewing in hotels and hospitals, productivity and collaboration in the office, and even restaurants in the form of video menus and interactive ordering. As more affordable consumer devices draw people into the realm of the smart home and eventually the world of more complex custom integrations audio and video solutions must maintain their position in the forefront of the customer experience. In order to do so our industry continues to develop new and exciting capabilities to offer more to viewers and listeners.
 
2020 has been a challenging year for everyone due to a global pandemic. Manufacturers faced a lot of hurdles to continue to meet expectations and deliver products and support to a world that rapidly changed to rely on video systems and remote work capabilities almost overnight. Despite all the setbacks, 2020 couldn’t hold back innovation and new advancements. We were even able to see the successful launch of the first HDMI 2.1 sources and displays, 3 years after the release of the specification in 2017. With so many people working from home and spending more time in their house while social distancing many people are realizing that they want more in their home audio video systems. New TVs, sound systems, game consoles, and control integration are at the top of the list for people now spending a large amount of their time at home. Let’s look at AVPro Staff’s Top 5 advancements in AV Technology in 2020:

​8K Displays:
With the newly expanded bandwidth support offered with the HDMI 2.1 standard we are now able to expand beyond 4K. This year the industry started to welcome the first 8K displays into the market. There are a only a few models each from LG, Samsung, and Sony at the moment, but more models will surely be available in the future. Some of the models to keep an eye on are the LG Signature ZX, LG NanoCell 99, Samsung Q950R, Samsung Q950TS, Sony Z8H, and finally the Sony MASTER Series Z9G.
 
Now that we are seeing some displays in the market, we can get excited and start switching everything over to 8K right? Well, unfortunately, it isn’t that fast and easy. 8K comes with its own challenges and you will need to make some system upgrades in order to support 8K content bandwidth requirements. Installers and consumers need to make sure all their video processing and switching devices support HDMI 2.1 in order to get the bandwidth required for 8K. The higher resolution is currently limited to 30 frames per second (FPS) uncompressed, or up to 60 FPS compressed, on available products. Like the launch of 4K we also need to wait for more widespread content availability, however gamers are some of the first to get to take advantage of the new resolution offerings.

​New Video Game Hardware:
To pair well with the new 8K displays we have a few different video game hardware products. Two new video game consoles, new graphics card lineups, and some new VR hardware. Both Microsoft and Sony released new console generations this year, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. For more information, and some things you should consider about using these products in an installation, see our integrators guide to the PS5 and Xbox Series X.
 
Console gamers are all excited, but PC gamers also had a great release year with the NVIDIA RTX 3090 and AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT graphics cards released this fall. These devices can all output 8K, pairing well with the previously mentioned 8K displays, but also support 4K at 120 FPS and variable refresh rate (with the Xbox Series X and Radeon RX 6900 XT supporting AMD FreeSync technology). Native HDMI 2.1 variable refresh rate (VRR) is a big step forward for all gaming devices for image quality (at the expense of a few ms of latency) and don’t rely on proprietary matching protocols to get the job done. Keep in mind that to use VRR your entire video signal chain must support VRR. If image quality is important while gaming VRR is something you should be looking for in your audio video installation or gaming setup.
 
Aside from the consoles, there have also been some good developments in virtual reality (VR). In 2020 Oculus launched the Oculus Quest 2. The Quest 2 offers the best performance and highest resolution display from Oculus yet. The Quest 2 is also Oculus’ first “universal” VR device, ending the need to have a different product for mobile and tethered PC use. In 2021 they will end the sale of the Rift S and sell only the Quest 2. With a refresh rate from 60 up to 90 FPS, on a 1832x1920 (per eye) display, it is the best performing consumer VR headset available.

As consumer demand for larger displays continues to trend upward video walls have made an appearance beyond large scale commercial advertisement boards. You can now find these displays in a variety of locations such as commercial locations like sports bars, business office spaces where they can act as a presentation screen, and it has even been seen in some residential installations. This year with the release of the Fresco Cap 9 more precise images and accurate content recreation are possible on a large scale via Dolby Vision supported video walls! Here is a quick refresher on Dolby Vision:

WHAT IS DOLBY VISION?

​Dolby Vision is the brand name for a high dynamic range (HDR) 4K video format developed and promoted by the folks that brought us Dolby Surround and all its subsequent permutations. To use the Dolby Vision logo on a TV or Blu-ray player, manufacturers must pay to certify their products and license the name. The Dolby HDR format is also used in video production, making it a professional as well as a consumer brand.
​
​Managing the Dolby Vision HDR metadata and ensuring that the content you want to play and the sources you hookup to the video wall are getting the most out of your equipment. Now you can create a large video wall without giving up all the benefits of Dolby Vision.

​Netflix and YouTube are two of the largest streaming content delivery systems used in the US. As such you will commonly find them researching and developing new technologies and features for us to benefit from as the viewers! Let’s look at a few new tech bits from the streaming realm. This year Netflix switches to support per shot video encoding. What they are doing is determining on shot by shot basis encoding content to be the best quality based on the content in that shot to reduce the bandwidth load on your network while retaining the highest perceived quality to the end viewer. Read here for more detailed information:  Netflix Tech Blog.
 
YouTube is making some slightly bigger waves this year with the new 8K video streaming to 8K TVs that support the AV1 streaming codec. AV1 is a newer streaming codec, initially released on 28 March, 2018, and is an open royalty-free video coding format designed for streaming over the internet. It can compress video without noticeable quality changes significantly better than VP9, seeing up to 30% more compression. The bandwidth savings offered by AV1 enabled YouTube to offer 8K content and with supported TVs they have enabled 8K streaming. Although Netflix has also been seen utilizing AV1 in the wild when sending content to Android phones, YouTube is the first to the market when it comes to 8K streaming. We are excited to see what content comes to YouTube for people to watch and how the other players, like Netflix, in the streaming space follow suit. Perhaps they may seek to use other compression algorithms such as Versatile Video Coding (VVC / H.266).

​With the COVID-19 pandemic many people across the world, and here in the US, have had to switch over to completely work from home or mixed work environment solutions. While this isn’t a breakthrough featuring a new technology feature or product offering, the massive shift at such a large scale has made a dramatic impact to how we are working now and in the future. According to information and polls provided by Gallup, at the start of the pandemic in March as many as 62% of Americans were working from home in some capacity. Months later, in September, Gallup reported still upwards of 58% of Americans are working from home in some capacity (either full-time or part-time). In the fall update polled Americans also indicated that 65% of the workers wanted to continue working remotely post COVID-19. This large shift needed many forms of support: cameras, microphones, headsets, and other audio video support equipment. Now that many people have gotten the desire to work remotely, and businesses have been shown that full time remote work doesn’t prohibit productivity, what does our future as a workforce look like? This is something designers and integrators will need to consider as we look to a future where people are working in a mixed environment and teams have both in person and remote employees. Including devices like pan, tilt, and zoom cameras and integrating teleconference systems like Zoom or Teams into the workspace should be a priority to any new conference room construction or renovation.
 
 
Despite all the challenges presented by the pandemic this year you can see all the advancements and breakthroughs that allowed our industry to show its ability to continue to grow and thrive. From new video games to streaming, there are many ways for you to utilize the new 8K TVs that are on the market. Dolby Vision video wall support is new this year, as was the massive change to a mixed work from home environment. 2020 turned out to be a pretty good year for new developments in the audio video industry and we look forward to what is coming in 2021!

​Greetings from South Dakota! It's been one crazy year! 2020 will be a year to remember – my first pandemic, and I'm over 60 years old! Hopefully, there won't be a second, at least in my lifetime. From a personal standpoint, it's been weird – the first time in over 25 years not traveling on a regular basis – nor is the Sales team or the reps or the distributors. Everybody has figured out and is sick of, Teams, Zoom, and FaceTime, for one – I'd like to have some real "facetime" in 2021, and it looks like things will start to open up soon in the new year. No CEDIA, CES, INFOCOMM or ISE, no NAB, no Regional Events, no nothing in 2020! In 2021 we hope to SEE YOU in person – SOMEWHERE IN THE WORLD!

Interestingly, in talking to my colleagues in the CEDIA/Residential market, business has generally been OK with numbers equal to or higher than 2019. I guess you could say people spending more time at home has made them aware of the deficiencies in their hardware and home control systems. In some markets, AV work is backlogged 3-6 months! We are hopeful that this growth trend continues in the CEDIA market and lite commercial continues to recover as more public venues continue to reopen. I'm going to lay out one tip here – from the housing crash of 2009 – don't take anything for granted. Shore up relationships with customers, make sure you have ongoing recurring revenue projects in the pipeline, and don't overlook training to give you and your employees an edge! 2021, from what I am hearing from the Resi market, could be the biggest ever in CEDIA's history – if you add on professional teleconferencing to home entertainment assets, your 2021 could be life-changing!

The AVIXIA/Commercial AV market has not been so lucky – buildings have been cleared out in large cities, and employees have been asked to work from home – putting projects on hold while leaders figure out the way forward with the new rules for health and safety. Budgets have been slashed or put on hold until the recovery is clearer. AVPro has spent 2020 building our AVIXIA/CAV team with the help of Brawn Consulting. All of the team members earned their CTS certification in 2020. We expanded our Manufacturer Rep network to cover the entire US market and are starting to see some projects really start to pick up, with 2021 promising to be a much better year!

We have been blessed in 2020 with some new, critical hires in the Engineering department and hope to use their knowledge to take the lineup in Commercial – AV over IP, USB extension, HDMI extension, switching and matrixing to new levels of excellence while building out relationships with Consultants and Dealers.

​The AVPro Employee Highlight section is a way for you to get to know our AVPro Family. Let's get to know Manny, the Warehouse Cat!

Manny is a new addition to the AVPro Warehouse and is loving his new role as resident box inspector and employee entertainer!

What is your Name and your roll at AVPro Global Holdings?
Manny, Warehouse Cat
  
What’s you favorite Color? 
​Meow. (Translation: Green)
 
What’s your favorite food?
Meow, meooow. (Translation: Fish)
  
What do you like about working at AVPro?
Meow, meooooow. Meow. (Translation: I love climbing the racks and inspecting new box shipments. I also keep the warehouse clear of any unwelcome guests, aka mice. I also like sitting on Joe's desk on top of the paperwork he needs.)
 
What has been your best “moment” since working with AVPro? 
Meow, purrrrr. (Translation: I get scratches all day long and everyone loves me)
  
What is your favorite Consumer Electronic? MEOWWWWW. (Translation: My self cleaning litter box)

​This month's spotlight is on a brand-new product that fits into a slightly different category than most of our products, the AC-EXUSB-2-KIT USB 2.0 extender. USB signal transmission has been part of the low voltage integrator's world for some time now. Universal Serial Bus is, for the most part, a technology that works reliably as intended for a variety of signal types. It does have its limitations, however, most notably distance. On its own, USB 2.0 is limited to 5 meters. Available USB extension cables can extend the signal up to 30m, but they can introduce their own issues, not to mention that 30m is in many instances not sufficient. Other extension methods tend to be quite costly and may not provide the needed signal stability.

AVPro has several HDBaseT video extenders that incorporate USB extension. It has been a popular feature in many applications for a while now; however, we are now seeing many cases where USB extension is needed without being accompanied by HDBaseT video. Covid19 has by necessity caused many of us to find new ways of doing what we do, many times, in places we're not used to doing them. Moving some of those activities out of the office and into our homes has created some technical challenges. Cameras, keyboards, mice, and computers are many times not in the same room. Home theaters and other spaces are being converted into multi-use areas. Even before Covid extending USB signals was a common request; however, the current situation has multiplied the demand many times over.

​​In response, AVPro has developed the AC-EXUSB-2-KIT USB extender, allowing USB 2.0 extension up to 328ft over category wire. And of course, in true AVPro fashion, we have found a way to do things just a little better than the rest with a measured throughput of 324Mbps, making sure your customers' devices perform the way they should. We even added a 4 port hub on the receiving end, allowing multiple devices to be easily connected (computer, mouse, camera, flash drive, etc.). We've done this at a remarkably affordable cost, still covered by our 10 year parts and labor warranty.

​This extender kit utilizes standard USB-A and USB-B connections. I have had some questions regarding compatibility with USB-C connectors. All you need is a standard USB-C to USB-A connector cable to use a USB-C device with this extender. Since USB-C cables do not adhere to the same strict standards as USB-A versions, we chose not to put USB-C connectors directly on the device, avoiding potential compatibility problems.

The AC-EXUSB-2-KIT is available now. If you have any questions regarding applications or installation, just let us know. We're here to help!

When you get the opportunity to offer a video distribution system to a client, it's a big deal! Video can be daunting to many consumers when every TV has smart functions. So how does an integrator sell the idea that a matrix switcher is worth the investment? Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, DTS-X, and HDR are the reasons. Delivering unmatched image and audio quality throughout a whole home run with a professional control system is the recipe for continued installs with good word of mouth. 
 
When a customer can watch a 4K film at 60 frames per second in their home theater with over 30 channels of object-based audio, then run to the kitchen to grab snacks and see/hear the same source played through in-wall speakers and kitchen TV, it delivers an experience beyond their expectations. You can provide this set-up with the new AC-MX44-AUHD-HDBT-AVDM matrix switcher from AVPro Edge.​

​AVPro Edge has rounded out its HDBaseT/HDMI down-mixing matrix line-up with this 4x4 version! Like its 16x16 and 8x8 big brothers, this matrix is a high bandwidth audio/video matrix switcher with the ability to down-mix bitstream audio beyond 7.1 channel into a 2 channel audio signal via all 4 inputs, including Dolby Atmos and DTS-X.

This AC-MX44-AUHD-HDBT-AVDM matrix switcher allows the user to deliver 24+ channels to a Dolby Atmos home theater while simultaneously delivering 2 channel to the rest of the zones. This is possible by enabling the down-mixing only to affect the de-embedded audio outputs. The HDBaseT and HDMI ports leave the audio unimpeded, allowing users to distribute full Dolby Atmos and DTS HD through them.

​Earlier this year, AVPro has had the pleasure of hosting Anthony Grimiani for a series of webinars covering many different topics in home theater acoustics. You can access this on demand library of trainings below or AVPro's full library of trainings here.

This series is a must 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!

​Surround sound has been used in home theaters for decades, imitating realistic environments and helping consumers feel even more immersed in the content that they view. While this is great for a dedicated home theater, problems arise when distributing this multichannel audio to multiple zones with varying capabilities. Whether it is no sound at all or missing voices, this is mainly seen when a room's audio varies between using AVRs and Preprocessors or where audio is played back by the display.

To understand these issues, we need to understand the two main types of Multichannel Audio:

• Pulse Code Modulation (PCM): Uncompressed digital representation of analog audio sent in individual channels (No Encoding)
• Bitstream: Compressed encoded audio that must be decoded for a device to play correctly, to the device's configuration of channels. Such as Dolby or DTS.

As said above, the main difference between multichannel audio formats is that some are encoded, and some are not. But how does this affect your system?

The following issues and resolutions are situations in which a zone with a multichannel audio player/decoder is functioning correctly. If you are experiencing issues with an AVR or Preprocessor, check the device's configuration settings and ensure that the channel configuration is set accordingly.

Issues with PCM audio:

• Display plays audio but is missing voices: Because PCM does not have to be decoded, displays will simply play the channels that they have. In Multichannel PCM, the center channel will mainly carry the voices, and because most displays are meant for stereo (Left and Right) audio, the display will simply not play the center channel. AVR's and Preamplifiers may also face this issue if improperly configured. This can be resolved in two ways:
  
  1. Using Bitstream Audio. Most modern displays can decode bitstream audio formats and properly decode the audio to the display's correct channel configuration.
     
  2. Using a Downmixing Device. Most downmixing devices can take Multichannel Audio whether it is bitstream or not and change the output format to 2 Channel Stereo PCM.
     
• Distributed Audio plays audio but is missing voices: Like above, most distributed audio systems can only play two-channel audio and will only accept the Left and Right channels of a multichannel PCM signal. We can resolve this in two ways:
  
  1. Setting sources to stereo PCM audio. While this may compromise the Multichannel zone(s), it will allow you to distribute your source's audio without any additional costs.
     
  2. Using a Downmixing Device. Most downmixing devices can take Multichannel Audio, whether it is bitstream or not, and change the output format to 2 Channel stereo PCM. Most downmixing devices can extract stereo PCM audio, allowing you to go directly into the distributed system.

​We are always trying to provide the best experience for a client by understanding the issues that can arise with multichannel audio. We can address problems when designing the original solution, saving both you and your clients time and headaches, as well as reducing the number of truck rolls.

Sioux Falls, S.D. - AVPro Edge, an AVPro Global Holdings company, is proud to announce the expansion of their line-up of HDBaseT/HDMI Downmixing Matrix switchers with a 4x4 version. The AC-MX44-AUHD-HDBT-AVDM is a high bandwidth audio/video matrix switcher with the ability to downmix bitstream audio beyond 7.1 channel into a 2 channel audio signal via all 8 inputs, including Dolby Atmos and DTS-X.
 
This AC-MX44-AUHD-HDBT-AVDM matrix switcher allows the user to deliver 24+ channels to a Dolby Atmos home theater, while simultaneously delivering 2 channel to the rest of the zones. This is possible by allowing the downmixing to only affect the de-embedded audio outputs. The HDBaseT and HDMI ports leave the audio unimpeded, allowing users to distribute full Dolby Atmos and DTS HD through them.
 
This matrix supports the full HDMI 2.0 specification, 18Gbps 4K60 4:4:4 signaling, and HDR formats Including HDR, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG, BBC and NHK. All of which are supported in up to 4K 60Hz and up to 12 Bit Deep Color. As with any AVPro Edge product, this switch comes with a ten year no-nonsense advanced replacement warranty.
 
For more information or to purchase AC-MX44-AUHD-HDBT-AVDM, please contact AVPro Edge at 877-886-5112 or visit www.AVProEdge.com.
 
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 designed 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.

AVPro Edge is happy to sponsor the reading program for Eugene Field Elementary School, promoting the continued learning of hundred of students ages 5-11.

Eugene Field Elementary School is located in Sioux Falls South Dakota, and in many ways is like every other elementary school. Kids run through the halls as teachers try to keep up, colorful art covers the walls and a plenty of learning is done. What makes this school different though is that it is a A+ Magnet School focused on the Arts!

​Drama, Dance, Writing, Drawing, Painting, Sculpting, Singing and Preforming become these students every day routine. A math lesson is now acted out by the students, American History is learned through a living Wax Museum of students ready to preform in character, Geography is taught through map building. 
 
This unique style of learning lets students from all walks of life received a specialized education. 

​Video walls catch the eye, there is no doubt about it! The want for larger screens is real; we have seen TV screen size increase immensely over the last 10 years. Video walls allow you to drastically increase your customer viewing size and add a MAJOR wow factor to the installation. ​Video wall TV's can be expensive; they are commercial grade and are built for signage and infographics. AVPro Edge is presenting the residential audio/video market with another solution! Enter the Fresco CAP 9 from AVPro Edge! ​The AC-FRESCO-CAP-9 is a 3x3 video wall processor built to make things easier on the integrator. Great news, you can use any display with an HDMI port to set up the wall! Even better, the Fresco CAP 9 supports full HDR and Dolby Vision content you find from films, tv shows, and video games. If you are not familiar with Dolby Vision, you will want to be:

​Dolby Vision is the brand name for a high dynamic range (HDR) 4K video format developed and promoted by the folks that brought us Dolby Surround and all its subsequent permutations. To use the Dolby Vision logo on a TV or Blu-ray player, manufacturers must pay to certify their products and license the name. The Dolby HDR format is also used in video production, making it a professional as well as a consumer brand.

​As a refresher, HDR was introduced as a way for TVs to display more colors (by increasing the color gamut) and more-intense colors (by boosting specific brightness levels). Before HDR, sets were limited by an old video specification for HDTV known as Rec. 709, which was based on technical limitations going back to the '90s.

Today's LCD and OLED panels have the capacity to display many more colors than older sets, but they didn't have a way to reach their full potential until HDR came along.
 
This Video Wall Processor allows integrators to install video walls inside luxury homes while displaying Dolby Vision and HDR content throughout. With one HDMI input and nine HDMI outputs, you can set up video walls in 2x2, 3x3, or even two simultaneous 2x2 configurations. Set up is easy, and you can use any type of TV you want. With so many consumer panels having small bezels, they now make for great video walls. 
 
The Fresco CAP 9 can work with any matrix switcher, any distribution amplifier, any extender, or any other HDMI 2.0 product.
 
Here are some ways to set up your video wall:

​If you would like to install a video wall in your next installation, please give us a call at 605-274-6055 or email us at info@avproedge.com.

​A clean, organized rack is now possible with the newly redesigned EZ Rack from AVPro Edge.
 
AVPro Edge has redesigned their extender rack mount with the all new EZ Rack. With this rack, installers can mount any type of AVPro Edge extender or MX Net encoder to give customers a clean and safe finish in the rack. This mount holds up to 15 extenders and features thumb screws for easy manipulation of the slots.
 
The product fits in a standard 19-inch rack system and is made of extremely strong metal alloy. It is powder coated in a black matte finish to give the rack a professional, polished look.
 
Matt Murray of AVPro Edge stated, “This redesigned rack mount makes for an easier, quicker installation over our previous rack. It’s always exciting to keep improving our products, especially ones that make an integrator’s life easier.”
 
For more information or to purchase AC-EZRACK-15 please contact AVPro Edge at 877-886-5112 or visit www.AVProEdge.com.

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 designed 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.

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

What is your Name and your roll at AVPro Global Holdings?
Jerod Grieme, Regional Sales Manager
  
What’s you favorite Color? 
​Blue
 
 What’s your favorite food?
Baby Back Ribs For sure.
  
What do you like about working at AVPro?
I love the atmosphere we have in our office, we work together as a big team and it shows in our support of our customers. Plus I have always been amazed by advancing technologies, new and leading edge products. Getting to talk about them every day and see them in action is really not work at all to me.
 
 From your point of view, how is AVPro different from other places you worked? 
The number one thing that makes us different is that everyone’s voice is heard. We are all encouraged to share input and offer solutions. Our leadership team does a great job of taking feedback and doing something with it.
 
 What has been your best “moment” since working with AVPro? 
My best moment so far has been experiencing 2019 CEDIA, I was shocked at how busy our booth was the entire 3 days.  It went by in a blur and it was the really great getting to meet a lot of our customers. Also it was a lot of fun getting several people involved in a little card game at our dealer party. Great times great people!
 
 AVPro Operates out of South Dakota, what the best and worst part of living in the 605?
My favorite thing about living here is you get to experience all the seasons, Fall is my favorite. The worst part has to be that Winter seems to last forever some  years.
  
If you had it your way, what is one thing you would change with the professional audio video world?  If we could make unlimited bandwidth a real thing. Zero Lag and Latency would be something that would be amazing.
  
What is your favorite Consumer Electronic? Whatever’s new. PS5 right now.
  
We hear you’re a big sports nut, what are your favorite teams and why? Growing up I was always undersized and having 2 older brothers I was constantly competing against kids bigger than me. The first time I watched Derek Jeter play shortstop and hear how the announcers talked about him being undersized and being told that he wouldn’t be able to play at that level. I naturally took a liking to the New York Yankees, plus the 90’s were really good to the Yankees!  I am also a cowboys fan… But I’m declining to comment on them in their current state.

In this case study, we join Omnia Integration out of Chicago, IL as they bring a home built in the 1800s into the 21st Century with a full A/V upgrade.

​From a 24 zone audio video distribution system, Control 4 lighting control, HVAC control, garage control, to a state of the art security integration, this home has it all. For full 18Gbps distribution throughout the entire home Omnia used the AVPro Edge modular 16x16 matrix switch (AC-MX1616-AUHD-CHASSIS) as the backbone to get all be benefits of full HDR support, downmixing, and more.

Download the case study below to see how this unique installation turned out!

If you have any questions about the modular 16x16 HDBaseT Matrix or any of AVPro Edge's products, please contact us or give us a call at 877-886-5112!

​

​PLAYSTATION 5
Launch Date: November 19, 2020

​
​XBOX Series X 
Launch Date: November 15, 2020

It is in the best interest of both the integrator and the client to address these needs early and upgrade the distribution system first to prepare. Once the video distribution is upgraded, you also benefit from preparing for other high frame rate 4K or higher resolution of 8K sources that will surely be following the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.

Some customers will choose not to upgrade their equipment, in these circumstances explaining how 4K at 120 FPS or 8K video will not work is up to the integrator. Having an 8K Source and Sink is nil if you don’t have the infrastructure in-between to support it. ​

​Bandwidth required for 4K at 120 FPS and 8K content is much larger than past signals. ​For 4K HDR @ 120 FPS or 8K HDR @ 30 FPS you will need a minimum of 40Gbps for uncompressed video and 18Gbps for compressed video. If you want to use these consoles to their fullest and support 8K or 120fps content, you should be providing a completely uncompressed signal. If your video distribution infrastructure cannot pass 48Gbps you won’t be getting that signal at the high-end 4K 120Hz or 8K display. Even worse, the equipment’s EDID will not even allow them to change the resolution on the console, and your customer may be upset that they spent money on a high frame rate or higher resolution display that they can’t even use.

If the end client decides that they don’t want to upgrade their installation, the system will still work, but at less than optimal performance. HDMI 2.1 offers some new features such as Link Training that can establish the best possible bandwidth performance and adjust the video settings as necessary. This is an automatic process where the source device will send packets of data to the sink device and then check to ensure the sink device received the packets. If it fails, the settings are reduced to use less bandwidth and attempted again until the whole system can successfully pass the data to the display. This feature means while you may not get 4K at 120 FPS or 8K content delivered to your client, you will get the best possible video for the equipment that is currently installed.

If Link Training means you don’t have to upgrade your equipment chain, then why do it? Integrators are expected to provide the highest possible performance of the systems they install. To do this, you should be prepared to offer your clients a system capable of handling up to 48Gbps video. You need to ensure all equipment and cables are rated for HDMI 2.1 and 48Gbps bandwidth. The CEDIA Integrator’s job in Audio/Video is to provide the highest quality, most optimized signal possible. When your source uses Link Training to send the signal, it maybe sending a signal that is not high quality, that is not optimized for the best picture. That’s when the custom integrator must choose their products wisely, ensuring the customer is getting what they paid for. 

This month's product spotlight begins with a question - 
 
Q: When is an HDMI cable not just an HDMI cable? 
A: When it's a Bullet Train 48gbps Active Optical Cable (AOC).       
 
That's because when you run one of our 10K AOC cables not only are you running the best HDMI cable option available, you're also installing a signal pathway for the future. Our AOC cables have a very unique capability. Where other manufacturers use proprietary fiber in their AOC HDMI cables, AVPro uses actual Cleerline field-terminatable fiber. This means that no matter how far into the future, if standards change (connectors, bandwidth requirements etc.) the end of the cable can be cut-off and the fiber within can be terminated just as you would standard bulk Cleerline fiber. This feature makes our 48gbps AOC fiber cables not only the best choice right now, they offer a level of future-resistance not available in any other cable. Yes, I did say future resistance, not future proof. I used to say future-proof but I've been in this business way too long to keep using that phrase. Fiber optic cable is, however, as close as we can get in this industry. Much of the fiber I installed as an integrator in the early 90's is just now being used, and given the bandwidth capabilities of fiber we're a long way from needing to look beyond. 

To make an even more compelling argument, AVPro recently began shipping 60m, 80m and 100m versions of these amazing cables. With lengths up to 328ft you can now provide a pathway for uncompressed signals up to 48Gbps at a very reasonable cost, possibly changing project specifications where extenders may have otherwise been used. They are ARC compatible at up to 60m and eARC compatible up to 20m. And you can pull longer runs with confidence. We have drastically increased durability by attaching the headshell to the Kevlar strands which run the length of the cable, not the jacket itself. In addition to being CL2/CL3 and in-wall rated they are also plenum/FT6 rated making then suitable for commercial as well as residential installations. Not only did we build these cables to be durable, we also cover them with our outstanding 10 year parts and labor warranty. As with the rest of our HDMI cable line-up, each one has an individual serial number to allow for a level of quality control rarely seen in this product category. I still highly recommend using your Fox and Hound to test all cables that you install at the rough stage to be absolutely sure there will be no surprises at finish. Don't have a Fox and Hound? Please contact us and we'll be happy to explain why you should and how to get your hands on one.
 
With lengths of 5m to 100m there is a length for almost every application. I think there is one thing we can say for sure - video quality is only going to improve and the resulting signals are unlikely to get any easier to transmit. Creating a robust infrastructure for both today and tomorrow is one of the most important aspects of low-volt system design. AVPro 48gbps 10K AOC cables are an excellent way to help ensure that your installations stand the test of time!​

For more information on Bullet Train Active Optical HDMI Cables, visit  BulletTrainCables.com/10kAOC!

Steve Baker is and industry veteran and AVPro's Sales Manager for the Western US. Here is a little more info about Steve:

​I entered the A/V industry in 1979. Since then I have worked in retail sales/management, custom integration installation /sales/project management as well as business owner and licensed contractor. Since 1999 I have worked primarily in CEDIA channel distribution and direct representation.

Look forward to Baker's Corner in every AVPro Newsletter!

​Capable of Dolby Vision™ and HDR, the Fresco CAP 9 3x3 video wall processor is now available from AVPro Edge.
 
Fresco Video Systems by AVPro Edge is a line of products engineered to make video wall set-up easier on the installer. The all new AC-FRESCO-CAP-9 is a versatile 4K HDR, plug and play video wall processor built to work directly out of the box for a 3x3 video wall. Capable of Dolby Vision and full HDR, this video wall processor is the first of its kind.
 
As an original equipment manufacturer, AVPro Edge was able to include unique features such as 18Gbps bandwidth, full HDR and Dolby Vision support, advanced EDID management, interlaced to progressive scaling, as well as plug and play capabilities in this product. The free, intuitive Fresco 9 software allows for easily setting up capture regions and entering bezel measurements. This allows the software to generate the video wall perfectly, compensating for the bezel of every screen.
 
Matt Murray, CTO of AVPro Edge stated, “We are very excited about this one!  It allows us, for the first time, to do amazing video walls for residential and light commercial applications. With HDR and Dolby Vision support, this will be an ideal addition to any smart home! With the increased focus on entertainment at home, this is a great way to kick it up a notch!”
 
For more information or to purchase AC-FRESCO-CAP-9 please contact AVPro Edge at 877-886-5112 or visit www.AVProEdge.com.
 
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 designed 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.