HDBaseT Extenders
Oct 9, 2013 9:59 AM,
By Bennett Liles
Altinex Muse MU500-112 receiver/MU400-111
One of the more significant developments in AV during the past three years has been the introduction of HDBaseT. Overcoming the previous distance limitations with TMDS (Transition Minimized Differential Signaling)-based conveyance such as HDMI would have been enough to make news, but the 5Play feature carrying uncompressed video, multichannel sound, control signals, Ethernet, and up to 100W of DC power on a single Cat-5e/6 cable for up to 300ft. has assured its market success. Evidence of this impact is reflected in its wide adoption and the flood of products that have emerged using HDBaseT technology. Projectors, monitors, switchers, and extenders have incorporated HDBaseT conveyance and more are on the way.
The products in this survey are simple signal extenders that employ either the Valens Semiconductor VS100 or VS010 chipset. While they don’t all carry the HDBaseT logo or even mention the name, the Valens chipset provides the features and the compatibility with like devices and their specs reveal the 5Play features. Valens no longer uses the term “HDBaseT Lite” replacing it with the term “Class B” and the VS010 chipset used in some of the hardware listed here enables a smaller set of the 5Play features and allows a conveyance of up to 230ft. for a somewhat lower price.
Fully compliant with HDMI and HDCP standards, the Muse MU500-112 receiver/MU400-111 sender/receiver pair from Altinex extends HDMI, RS-232, and infrared control signals with the Valens VS100 chipset but adds a special power extension that differs from the HDBaseT 100W DC power spec. Altinex uses its own proprietary circuit to carry up to 150W AC for up to 300ft. and it terminates the power on a standard NEMA 5-15 110V AC socket. This line of thinking was so that designers and installers weren’t limited to using displays with integrated chips.
Atlona AT-HDTX-ROADNET
Atlona’s entry is the ATX-HDTX-ROADNET and it is designed primarily for rental and staging applications, and it provides power to the receiver over the category cable, eliminating a separate receiver power unit. Fitted with tough Neutrik etherCON RJ-45 connections, the units provide captive screw terminals for the RS-232 and IR signals while carrying Ethernet and video signal resolutions of 4Kx2K up to 328ft. working with Atlona AT-HDRX-ROADNET receivers. The pairs also carry all embedded audio signals, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, and they can be field updated through USB.
Audio Authority HBT200KIT
Audio Authority designed the HBT200KIT to support 3D video transmission to compatible TVs and carry bidirectional infrared and bidirectional RS-232 along with up to 7.1-channel uncompressed audio and DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD high bit rate audio. The kit includes one HBT200T Transmitter and one HBT200R Receiver to support uncompressed HDMI 1.4 up to 1080p and 48-bit deep color for a maximum transmission distance of 330ft. For video testing, the transmitter also has an HDMI bypass output port. The transmitter panel includes LEDs for power, HDCP, and link activity.
Aurora Multimedia DXW-2EU
The newest release of the Aurora Multimedia DXW-2 family of HDBaseT wall plate extenders is the DXW-2EU, a 2-gang Decora style wall plate that can convert VGA (YPbPr, S-Video, Video) with audio to HDMI locally and transmit the signal up to 600ft. The sources are selectable with the buttons on the wall plate, or remotely via RS-232 commands sent through the matching receiver device (DXE-CAT-RX, DXM Matrixes, etc). There is also an RJ-45 LAN terminal on the wall plate and two USB ports for powering USB devices and transmitting 480Mbps independently to a different location. This transmitter can be powered from the receiver and it can accept and relay IR control commands.
HDBaseT Extenders
Oct 9, 2013 9:59 AM,
By Bennett Liles
Black Box Network Services VX-HDMI-TP-E100M
The compact VX-HDMI-TP-E100M from Black Box Network Services extends IR, RS-232, audio, Ethernet and HDMI video up to 1080p/2048×1152 resolutions, with 3D and Deep Color support for distances up to 328ft. The receiver is powered remotely from the transmitter to eliminate the need for a separate power supply at the display end of the link. An IR emitter and receiver are included and the pair supports CEC passthrough and source device control. On the sound side, the pair transmits uncompressed LPCM signals, as well as compressed audio, such as DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD audio, as part of the HDMI signal.
Broadata Communications LB-HDMI-AD
A new wall plate from Broadata Communications carries HDMI 1.3 with resolution up to 1920×1200 @ 60Hz, bidirectional stereo audio (on 3.5mm mini jacks), and bidirectional RS-232 control up to 328ft. over one Cat-5e/6 cable. The LB-HDMI-AD needs no user adjustment to extend all of these signals in a wall panel format or a standalone transmitter/receiver box pair. The wall plate version fits into a standard single gang box. HD video signals are HDCP/EDID compliant.
CE Labs HM1CK-3
CE Labs has a solution for long-distance signal extension in the HM1CK-3 UTP extender series with HDCP-compliant support for HDMI 1.3 at resolutions up to 1080p @ 60Hz and audio transmission for Dolby True HD, DTS-HD MA. All of the signals are good up to the standard HDBaseT cable length of 328ft. including the IR and RS-232 at up to 115200 bps/full duplex serial control. The pair is 3D ready with a maximum data transmission rate of 3.4Gbps. LED indicators on the front panel signal various conditions such as sending/receiving IR and activity at the RJ-45 port.
Crestron DM-TX-200-C-2G
The DM-TX-200-C-2G from Crestron is a DM 8G+ transmitter and switcher that installs in a double-gang electrical box as part of a complete DigitalMedia system, but it can also be connected directly to the input of an HDBaseT compliant display device through a single Cat-5e or Crestron DM 8G cable. The unit provides HDMI, VGA, and analog audio inputs, plus a USB HID host port and it mounts in a standard gang box, which can install next to an Ethernet jack. Via its DM 8G+ output, the DM-TX-200-C-2G can be connected directly to any HDBaseT compliant device without requiring a DM receiver.
DVIGear MultiPort DVI-TPS-TX90/RX90
For 5Play features at distances up to 590ft. (on Cat-6A S/FTP 550 MHz cable) DVIGear makes the MultiPort MultiPort DVI-TPS-TX90/RX90 sender/receiver pair. Maximum cable length requires Long Reach firmware. TPS is the company’s nomenclature for HDBaseT. The units support all HDMI v1.4 formats and features including HDCP and they carry bidirectional RS-232 and IR. There is also support for Power over Ethernet (PoE) and either unit can be powered locally or over the twisted-pair cable from the other. Each unit’s front panel includes live, link, video and HDCP detection LEDs while supporting resolutions up to 4K, 48-bit color depth, and a wide range of 3D signal formats.
Factor Electronics HD100BaseT-Balun
Factor Electronics designed the HD100BaseT-Balun to carry HDMI 1.4, bidirectional IR and Ethernet over Cat-5e/6 for up to 330ft. with 24bit/36bit deep color and 3D support at 10.2Gbps video bandwidth for a maximum video resolution of 1920×1200. The transmitter/receiver pair includes two 100BaseT Ethernet expansion ports and on the audio side, they support DTS Digital with DTS-HD and Dolby Digital including Dolby True-HD. The kit also provides an IR repeater, one IR flasher on a 3.5mm mini jack and two external 5VDC power supplies. Each unit is housed in a steel case.
HDBaseT Extenders
Oct 9, 2013 9:59 AM,
By Bennett Liles
Gefen EXT-HDMI1.3-CAT5-ELR
The EXT-HDMI1.3-CAT5-ELR from Gefen extends HDMI 1.3 with Ethernet and IR over Cat-5 for up to 330ft. with support for Deep Color and LPCM 7.1 Audio, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS Master Audio. The sender and receiver units have locking 5VDC power supply connections and DIP switches for EDID management along with a plate for wall mounting. The pair supports resolutions up to Ultra HD 4Kx2K and 1080P. Optional accessories include a dual IR emitter and a 6ft. IR extender cable with a rubber mat under the extender head.
Hall Research has an HDMI 1.4 compliant splitter with one local HDMI output and three HDBaseT outputs for transmission to a compatible receiver up to 500ft. away. Compatible receivers for the UHBX-3S include the UH1BT-R for HDMI only, or UHBX-R that supports RS-232, PoH, and Long Reach modes. These can be powered from the UHBX-3S over the twisted-pair connection. The transmitter supports HDCP, 3D, Deep Color, and 4Kx2K resolution and it has a USB port for EDID management. There is also an HDMI output on the transmitter to serve a local display.
Intelix DIGI-HD60C-S
For 1080p, 4Kx2K and 3D compatible HDMI transmission up to 195ft. in digital signage, home theater, and commercial video systems, Intelix offers the DIGI-HD60C-S with CEC-supported control signal capability, bidirectional wideband IR, and RS-232 passthrough along with built-in surge protection. When used with the DIGI-HD60C-R, the transmitter unit can be powered over the twisted-pair line from the receiver. Otherwise, it has its own locking 24VDC power connector. The RS-232 connection is on captive screw terminals and the IR in and out are 3.5mm mini. There are also power and link LED indicators.
KanexPro HDBaseT Long-Runner 100M
The KanexProHDBaseT Long-Runner 100M can send full 3D with resolutions up to 4Kx2K at data rates up to 10.2Gbps, multichannel audio and IR over Cat-5e/6 for up to 330ft. The conveyance is fully compliant with HDCP, EDID, and CEC control. External 5VDC 2A power supplies for transmitter and receiver units are included and there are front panel LED indicators for link activity and HDCP authentication. The HDBASE70M is the HDBaseT Class B version extending HDMI/DVI along with bidirectional RS-232 and IR up to 230ft. The tiny units consume only 5W power maximum.
Kramer Electronics TP-580TXR
For extension of HDMI with Deep Color and 3D passthrough, Dolby TrueHD, DTS−HD audio, CEC control signals and bidirectional RS-232/IR Kramer Electronics designed the TP-580TXR twisted-pair transmitter. Using shielded twisted-pair cable such as Kramer’s BC−DGKat524, BC−DGKat623, and BC−DGKat7a23 cables, the transmission range is up to 430ft. in normal mode and 590ft. in ultra mode. The front panel has LED indicators for input, output, link, and power. Using the optional RK-3T universal rack adapter, up to three units can be mounted in a single rack space. Specs are based on the use of a Kramer TP−580RXR receiver.
For extension of HDMI supporting 3D and 4K up to 590ft., Lightware USA has the HDMI-TPS-TX90 and HDMI-TPS-RX90 twisted-pair transmitter and receiver pair, which also carries bidirectional RS-232 on a 9-pin D-Sub, IR on 3.5mm TRS jack and 10/100 Ethernet. Uncompressed video has full EDID and HDCP compliance and either unit can power the other over the twisted-pair cable or it can use its own local power supply with a locking DC connector. Each unit has live, link, HDCP, and video LED indicators. The control transmission capability is also CEC transparent.
Opticomm Optiva OTC-1DVI2AUSB
The Optiva OTC-1DVI2AUSB from Opticomm provides DVI, stereo analog audio, USB KVM extension and it does conversion in conjunction with the OTC-1HDMI and OTC-1HDP. The Optiva OTC-1HDMI extends HDMI and the Optiva OTC-1HDP extends 3G HD-SDI, each with embedded audio. Working together, the three cards can convert signals over Cat-X such as DVI to HDMI, or DVI to 3G HD-SDI/HD-SDI/SDI, or any other combination. There is full duplex EDID handshaking built into the HDBaseT technology. Additionally, the Optiva OTC Series incorporates active (re-clocking) daisy-chain technology with their HDBaseT products.
HDBaseT Extenders
Oct 9, 2013 9:59 AM,
By Bennett Liles
SmartAVI SDX-2P
The SB-6335R&T (KIT) from Shinybow supports HDMI 1.4 at resolutions up to 1920×1200, audio formats such as Dolby True HD and DTS-master along with all seven 3D formats for transmission up to 330ft. (Cat-6/7). Also providing bidirectional IR and RS-232 control, the pair includes two power supplies, two IR blasters, two North American power cords, and user guides. The front panel of each surface mountable unit includes LED indicators for HDMI, link, and power, and has a locking DC power connector.
For digital signage, control room, point of sale, and other applications, SmartAVI offers the SDX-2P for extending dual DVI signals at up to 1920×1200 @ 60Hz for as much as 400ft. on two Cat-5/5e/6 cables. It also extends USB 1.1 keyboard, mouse, audio, and RS-232 for the full distance with HDCP support and DDC learning. Transmitter and receiver units each have a separate 5VDC 4A external power supply. Audio connections are on 3.5mm TRS jacks and the RS-232 signals use standard 9-pin D-sub.
SnapAV Binary Single CAT5e/6
For applications that call for extending the 5Play features of HDBaseT less than the full 328ft. and using “HDBaseT Class B” for cost savings, SnapAV makes the Binary Single CAT5e/6 HDBaseT Extender (B-500-EXT-230-RS). The sender/receiver pair carry up to 4K video and 7.1 channel audio as far as 230ft. along with bidirectional IR and RS-232. The receiver can be powered by the transmitter over the Cat-5/5e/6 cable and the RS-232 port is equipped with DIP switches to allow onsite firmware updates.
TVOne 1T-CT-651/1T-CT-652HDMI
The 1T-CT-651/1T-CT-652HDMI from TVOne can handle HDMI 1.4a signals with resolution up to 4Kx2K and 3D for distances to 325ft on Cat-5e or Cat-6. Computer resolutions to WUXGA are supported and embedded 7.1CH LPCM, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio capability are carried with bidirectional IR and RS-232. Transmitter and receiver units have locking 5VDC power connectors. The front panel on each unit has power, HDCP, and link LED indicators.
WyreStorm EX-1UTP-IR-100-EDID
WyreStorm’s EX-1UTP-IR-100-EDID extends 1080p video and multichannel sound up to 328ft. with bidirectional IR and RS-232 along with Ethernet. The unit also provides manual EDID management and 1:2 HDMI splitting to duplicate the receiver HDMI output. Power is passed along the twisted-pair link to run the receiver without a separate power supply. The unit handles HDMI v1.4 with full 3D compatibility—frame packing/sequential (Blu-ray) and interlaced Stereoscopic (satellite/cable broadcasts) and fully supports 48-bit Deep Color.
Zektor SoloCAT HDE
A very handy feature of the SoloCAT HDE from Zektor is its four Ethernet ports on the sender and receiver in addition to the HDMI 1.4, RS-232, and IR ports. All signals extend to 328ft. over Cat-5e/6 and only one unit has to be externally powered. Uncompressed video resolutions up to 4K are supported along with all seven 3D formats. The units pass through EDID and handle 48-bit Deep Color up to 330ft. The ventilated chassis of each unit can be wall mounted.
