Category: General articles

  • Locating the IR window on common HDMI devices

    Finding the IR window on your source device can be difficult if it isn’t mentioned in your user manual or is marked clearly on the front of your device. A very common device is Sky+HD and Virgin’s Tivo boxes. Below, we’ve marked where the IR windows are on these devices for easy installation.

    THOMSON model DSI8215

     

     

    PACE model TDS850NB

     

    Amstrad model DRX895

     

    Sky multiroom box

    Sky HD Terabyte box

     

    Can’t find the source device that you we’re looking for? Please email us with a request and we will make it available online the next working day.

    Still having problems with your IR setup?
    Please check our HDanywhere IR wiring setup diagrams or have a look at our IR troubleshooting video

  • What do the flashing lights on my HDBaseT receivers mean?

     

    1. HDCP indictor light – shows whether a handshake between that display and source has been authenticated

    2. Link indicator light – confirms the TV receiver is connected to the hub

    3. Mode indicator light – if flashing all is correct

    4. Power indicator light – Lit when the TV receiver is on

  • Sky HD box full system reset

    This page is now archived. For up-to-date information on HDANYWHERE/HDA HDBaseT matrix or video distribution systems please visit: https://hda.systems

    This can be accessed from the Sky Engineers Menu by doing the following:

    Press “SERVICES” on your Sky Plus Remote
    Select Option 4
    Next press 0, 1 and SELECT – you should now see the engineer’s menu.
    Choose option 8, ‘Full System Reset’. The box will now take a few minutes to reset itself.
    BE WARNED: This will clear your HD and thus wipe all your recorded programs!!
    This solution has also been known to resolve pausing and recording issues. Enjoy!

    ‘back up’ is force software update only, not reset.

    Take the mains power out of the box, press and hold both left and right arrors on the top of the box and whilst holding plug back into mains, the record light should show at which point you release the left and right and press the centre select.

    • It is very unusual for a Sky HD box to go wrong. But these things do happen.
    • Your Sky box must be connected at all times to a telephone line.
    • Most users need not apply for a firmware update, this is only a recommended for users who are experiencing problems with their decoder.
    • Lastly (the boring part, but pay attention!), thetechangel.com is providing this information in good faith, but waivers any responsibility for damage caused by these procedures.

    Notes before you start:
    To upgrade to the latest software, you will need to force the decoder if it is failing to do so:

    • You must have at least 50% signal quality, or more, before attempting a software upgrade
    • Make sure the satellite cable lead is tightly screwed into the decoder and not loose
    • You must have your decoder connected to your Sky registered phone line, i.e. no a secondary number that they do not know about
    • You are strongly advised not to run this procedure if you have already got the latest firmware available
    • You must not use your phone line whilst you are doing this process
    • Do not unplug the decoder from the mains whilst the software update is happening, or where it appears to have stalled / crash. You may end-up doing permanent damage.
    • If you have broadband on the same phone line / number, you must make sure that you have a broadband filter at the socket that the decoder plugs into. It may also be best that you turn-off your broadband connection at your router or modem whilst doing this process.
    • How to upgrade to the latest Sky Firmware / Software
    • Remove your Sky viewing card from the decoder.
    • Turn on your TV and ensure that you can see a feed coming from your Sky decoder (if you remove the card it will most likely just give you a message to reinsert the card, but no TV images will be shown, only a blue background).
    • Turn-off the decoder at the wall socket, or better still unplug it and wait one minute
    • Then, holding down the ‘back-up‘ button on the front of the decoder, plug it back into the mains. Do not use the back-up button on the remote control.
    • Still holding down the back-up button, count to 15, or wait until all the lights on the front of the decoder are on. A message should appear on the TV screen saying that the decoder is “Updating System Software – Please wait” – do so (patiently). When you see this message, you can remove your finger from the back-up button. Remember not to use your phone line during this period.
    • Wait for around 15 minutes for the software upgrade to complete itself.
    • When the update has completed the decoder will restart itself automatically. Wait for 2 minutes and 30 seconds after the red light appears. If it does not, wait for a minimum of 1 hour before turning it off and on again at the mains.
    • Try watching and recording some TV and see if it works.
    • How to perform a full system reset on your Sky HD box
    • This should really only be used as a last resort. This is because all the recordings you currently have in your Personal Planner will be deleted.
    • Press services on your Sky remote control.
    • Highlight option 4 using the up/down arrows and press select.
    • Press (number) 0, then 1, then select to access the Installer Menu.
    • Highlight option 8 and press select to access the Full System Reset procedure.
    • You will receive a warning advising you that you are about to delete everything that is currently in the planner. Press select to continue.
    • This process can take up to 2 minutes for the Housekeeping message to disappear.
    • If this is a second time do not attempt this procedure again
    • If this is the first time the message has frozen follow the Connection Check Procedure below followed by the Full System Reset procedure again.
    • You will see a message on your TV screen, “Housekeeping Please Wait.”
    • After approximately two minutes the Housekeeping message will disappear and your Sky box will carry out the procedure and switch itself off and back on.
    • Leave your Sky box on standby for one minute and then test the recording facility to confirm that this has solved your problem.

  • Using a multi-channel 5.1 / 7.1 amplifier receiver AVR with a matrix

    Using multichannel 5.1 / 7.1 amps AVR with matrix systems

    Essential Knowledge
    To understand how multichannel (5.1 / 7.1 etc) audio/sound is routed via a HDMI or HDBaseT matrix system, it is important to firstly acknowledge that all HDMI source devices (Blu-ray players, set-top-boxes, media servers, PCs etc) can only output a single audio format type at any one time. This is a limitation of HDMI itself.

    For example, the HDMI port on a Blu-Ray player cannot simultaneously output HDMI with 2.0ch stereo as well as HDMI with 7.1 DTS Master audio. It is always one or the other.

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    With only displays connected to the matrix
    When a matrix has only displays connected, with no AMPS/AVR in your set up, routing audio is relatively easy. This is because displays generally only have two speakers, and so a single HDMI format of HDMI+2.0ch can be routed to all displays. This gives you video and audio at every display.

    Adding an AVR/AMP the matrix
    When adding an AMP/AVR to the connected device mix, you are adding a component that can accept a multichannel audio format, such as 5.1 or 7.1.

    You now have a situation whereby some connected devices (displays) can only accept HDMI with 2.0ch stereo and some (the AVR/Amp) can accept HDMI with multichannel audio.

    What to expect in a mixed display / AVR setup
    Video matrixes operate on a “lowest common denominator” rule. This means that the matrix will exchange information with your displays and AVRs to decide on the format of audio to get from the source device; choosing the format that will ensure audio is output in all of your locations.

    One of two things can happen: If the AVR is turned on first and the matrix set to send a source capable of multi-channel audio to the AVR, the source will deliver multi-channel audio to the AVR. If a stereo TV is then turned on and the matrix then set to send the same source going to the AVR to the TV, the TV will be unable to play back the multi-channel audio. The result would be no sound from the TV.

    In the reverse, if a TV is turned on first and the matrix is set to send one of the connected sources, the source will deliver stereo audio to the TV via the matrix. If the AVR is then switched on and the matrix set to deliver the same source going to the TV, the AVR will only receive stereo audio.

    It is important to re-iterate, this is not a product limitation of HDanywhere matrixes. This is a limitation of HDMI technology itself and its specification.

    A solution is therefore required whereby the source device always sends multichannel audio to the AMP/AVR and 2.0ch stereo audio to the displays.

    Solution options
    There are many ways to solve this problem. Some complicated, some easier. Things will depend on the location of your equipment and the number of AVRs. We are always happy to help you build a specific solution that meets your setup. Here we can only cover some of the more common setup examples and a single solution to those.

    I have a single AVR located beside / local to my source devices and the matrix e.g. in a cupboard / AV rack.
    In this type of setup, where the AVR for the multi-channel room is located with the sources and matrix itself, one solution is to deliver the audio to your AVR via alternative connectors to the HDMI where possible. For example, Sky HD boxes and Blu-Ray players usually have a digital audio output that can be connected to the AVR** via optical cabling. This can deliver multi-channel audio to the AVR over the optical cable, whilst the HDMI output from the source device can deliver 2.0 ch stereo audio to your matrix and therefore your other TV (stereo) locations in your setup. If this setup is located away from the room with multi-channel speakers fitted, say an under-stairs cupboard, there are solutions to keep IR control of your AVR that we can help with.

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    AVRs located in the room with the displays
    In this type of setup, where AVR(s) are located in the rooms local to the displays, make sure the HDMI device is set to output 5.1 / 7.1 channel audio. This audio format will be sent over the Cat cable to each display location. In order to get audio out of your HDTVs (in say three rooms) and the AVR (connected to HDTV in a fourth room), some additional hardware is needed. HDanywhere sell a signal manager. Place 1 x signal manager at each TV that needs 2.0 channel audio aka. each TV that does not have an AVR.  Use a HDMI cable to connect the HDMI output port of the matrix’s display receiver to the HDMI input port of the Signal manager. Then use another HDMI cable to connect the HDMI output port of the Signal Manager to the HDMI port on the HDTV. So, the Signal Manager sits in between the display receiver and the HDTV.

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    The Signal Manager has a box labelled “Audio”. The little switch on this audio section needs toggled to number 2: LPCM 2.0 before you connect up and turn on all your HDMI source devices and displays. Do not switch toggle the switch from no. 1 to no. 2 whilst displays and HDMI sourced devices are on. If you do so, you will need to power down the re-power all source devices and displays.

    Once the signal manager is set up and in place it will take 5.1 and output it as 2.0, ready to be accepted and then output by the HDTV. This should hopefully resolve your issue and deliver 5.1 to your AVR and 2.0 to your HDTV.

    Buy HDanywhere Signal Manager 

    Notes:
    *Multichannel audio via HDMI includes the following formats: LPCM, Dolby Digital, DTS, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD,DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio, MPCM, DSD, DST

    **When using alternative audio connectors other than HDMI, support for DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby True HD is lost.

  • The correct approach to troubleshooting your system

    When attempting to troubleshoot any issue, we need to isolate where the root cause of the fault could lie by a logical process of elimination.

    The art of effective troubleshooting is the application of logic and deductive reasoning.

    At the start of a troubleshooting process, never rule out anything as not a potential cause of the problem. Every aspect of the installation should be considered as a potential suspect. Each component of the installation should be ruled out one-by-one and only then eliminated from the troubleshooting process as the potential problem.

  • HDMI 2.0 – key features of the new specification.

    HDMI 2.0 was unveiled to the world at IFA Berlin in September.  Following this, Aussie company Kordz, stocked in the UK by HD Connectivity, became the first approved HDMI 2.0 Adopter in the world, outside of the HDMI Forum, and is the only HDMI 2.0 Adopter in Australia.  Founder David Meyer lifts the lid on the key features, inner workings and potential pitfalls of this new specification.

    Each time a new version of HDMI is announced, there follows a buzz of new features and formats, but also a groan from the custom installation community as to what the implications may be.  HDMI 2.0 paves the way for some fantastic new video and audio capabilities, but no need to panic – the changes may not run as deep as you might think.  Ultimately HDMI 2.0 will settle into a place of normality, as has happened with every iteration before it.

    So what does HDMI 2.0 offer, how is it different, and what are the headline features that you need to know about?  Let’s take a look.

    Development of HDMI 2.0

    HDMI 2.0 is the first major HDMI specification release since version 1.4 back in 2009, so it’s fair to say a lot has changed, and it needs to.  There are now two HDMI organisations;

    • HDMI Licensing, LLC, with its seven founder companies.  Developers and managers of the HDMI 1.x generations, and now also appointed licensing, marketing and compliance managers of HDMI 2.0,
    • HDMI Forum, Inc., a non-profit corporation founded in 2011, with more than 80 member companies for broader market development of future versions of HDMI,

    An important point to note is that HDMI 1.4b remains as an ongoing specification, with HDMI 2.0 running concurrently with its subset of additional optional features and enhancements.  Existing HDMI Adopters do not automatically get an upgrade; they must sign an addendum and be accepted before they can become adopters of HDMI 2.0.

    Key Features of HDMI 2.0

    Here’s a summary of some of the key new features of HDMI 2.0;

    Video

    • 2160p/60 (4K) 8-bit 4:2:0 in the existing 9Gbps data rate (previously 30fps limited),
    • 2160p/60 (4K) 10 or 12-bit 4:2:2 colour at a new higher speed of 18Gbps,
    • Anamorphic video modes for 2.37:1 picture,
    • New ‘Dual View’ video mode for two simultaneous full screen 1080p images (on 3D backbone),

    Audio

    • Up to 32 channels of One Bit audio to 192kHz, and up to 1536kHz sampling in 2-channel mode,
    • New 10.2, 22.2 and 30.2 channel modes for ‘3D Audio’ speaker placement,
    • Up to 4 simultaneous audio streams to accompany Dual View video or multi-language,

    Other

    • New 2.0 clock mode, EQs and data scrambling for transmission robustness,
    • New improved CEC 2.0, HDCP 2.2 support, and expanded applications for DDC.

    In this article we’ll focus on 2160p, touching on anamorphic, but coming back to explore audio some other day.

    Emerging Trends – 4K TV Firmware upgrade to “HDMI 2.0”

    The first key new feature of HDMI 2.0 out of the gate is the upgrade of 2160p (4K) to 60 frames per second within the existing defined HDMI bandwidth, where previously it was limited (under HDMI 1.4) to 30fps.  Both Sony and Panasonic have recently announced firmware updates for their existing 4K TVs to enable this feature, indicating that there is no new hardware (aka ‘speed’) required.  As an aside, they tend to tout this upgrade as “HDMI 2.0”, but that’s a non-compliant practice as it’s actually just one of a multitude of new features of HDMI 2.0 that they’re talking about.  What they really mean is that the firmware just adds newly defined support 2160p/60, 8-bit 4:2:0… assuming the existence of content.

    So how is it possible to double the frame rate without doubling the bandwidth?  The answer lies in the ‘…8-bit 4:2:0’ reference; save on colour data, give back in frame rate.

    Chroma subsampling and pixel data packing

    Chroma subsampling is a process of compressing, or rather stripping out colour data to reduce file size &/or video transmission bandwidth load.  The premise is that the human eye is far less sensitive to colour than in is to brightness and grayscale, by a factor of 20, in fact.  As such, the amount of colour information in video can potentially be reduced without us really noticing… or that’s the plan.

    The trick is to leave the resolution and gray scale untouched, which is why it’s only applicable to Component video (YCbCr) signalling, where the separate luminance (Y) channel can be left intact.  The most common chroma subsampling methodologies are 4:2:2 with half colour data when compared to 4:4:4 original, and then there’s 4:2:0 (as used with DVD & Blu-ray) with just one quarter of the original colour data.

    The sampling commonly occurs over a 2×2 pixel array, where each pixel comprises a Luminance channel (Y) and two Chrominance channels (Cb & Cr).  Fig.1 below shows a simplified depiction of the uncompressed array before any subsampling, called 4:4:4.  Fig.2 shows how HDMI 1.4 (and prior) handles YCbCr, where everything from 8-bit 4:2:0 to 12-bit 4:2:2 produces precisely the same bandwidth at a constant 96 bits per array (same as 8-bit 4:4:4).  Fig.3 depicts 4:2:0 as it really should be, being how HDMI 2.0 handles it; with 8 bits of ‘Y’ per pixel, and just one of each 8-bit colour component Cb & Cr across the whole 2×2 array.

    What they’ve done with HDMI 2.0 is recognise that 8-bit 4:2:0 natively nets 48 bits per sample array, and they’ve actually passed on the savings.  That is, they halve the bandwidth, which enables them to then double it again with frame rate.  Voila, 30fps goes to 60fps in the same bandwidth as before.  Note this is ONLY applicable to 8-bit 4:2:0.  This is not where HDMI 2.0 stops – there’s even better formats on the horizon.

    HDMI 2.0 Need for speed

    There are several formats of 2160p (4K) that are included in the HDMI 1.4 specification, all of which run at 8.91Gbps, the specification then capping out at 10.2Gbps.   HDMI 2.0 introduces some more at this legacy level, and several superior combinations at double this rate, being 17.82Gbps (rounded to 18Gbps, 6Gbps/ch).  This is well beyond the limits of HDMI 1.4, and defines the top end of HDMI 2.0.  The range above 10.2Gbps is referred to as “HDMI 2.0 mode”, whereby the TMDS Clock is slowed to 1/40th of the data rate to counter the effects of EMI at such high speeds.  Other techniques like data scrambling are also employed to improve stability.

    HDMI 2.0 Cables

    Right off the bat – THERE IS NO SUCH THING!  If anyone offers you so-called “HDMI 2.0 cables”, turn and run.  It will be either a marketing tactic, or expression of ignorance.  Either way it’s non-compliant.  When the HDMI 2.0 specification was first announced, it was accompanied by this statement;

    “..Current High Speed cables (category 2 cables) are capable of carrying the increased bandwidth.”
    – HDMI Licensing, LLC, Press Release, 4 Sep 2013
    http://www.hdmi.org/press/press_release.aspx?prid=133

    There is no new speed, no new cable.  Does it make sense that a cable rated to 10.2Gbps can then carry up to 18Gbps?  Logically no, but they have some tricks up their sleeve.  2.0 introduces a parametric-like new sink EQ system which supposed to make a 10.2Gbps tested cable perform up to 18Gbps.  It can’t however fully compensate for the collapsing effect of cable length, and will be expected to cap out at around 3m with a decent cable.  Beyond that, it’s all bets off and there is no new cable spec, speed or directive.  My prediction – HDMI cables will have to turn active, as some already have.

    2.37:1 Cinemascope

    Another fantastic feature of HDM I 2.0 is the ability for it to support different pixel aspect ratios, namely 4:3 (nothing to do with 4:3 TV, by the way).  Eg; a 1080p image is comprised of 1,920 pixels wide and 1,080 pixels high.  Every pixel is square, so content is fed to each pixel in 1:1 ratio.  The array of 1:1 pixels then determines overall image aspect ratio, being 1.78:1, or 16:9.

    What HDMI 2.0 has introduced is the ability for content to be formatted using 4:3 pixel ratio.  Every pixel in a supporting display could potentially be fed 4:3 anamorphic content, even though the pixel is still 1:1 square.  In practice, a projector with a matching anamorphic lens will horizontally stretch the image by 1/3 (4:3).  The result is 2.37:1 picture aspect ratio (1.78/3)x4 = 2.37.

    No more encoded black bars.  It means we can look forward to maximising image resolution for cinemascope 2.37:1 in a standardised format.

    Summary

    HDMI 2.0 brings many benefits and some exciting new features, paving the way for a level of AV immersion the likes of which we’ve never seen.  Yes it means new hardware, but that points to opportunity for the custom AV dealer/installer.  HDMI speeds are ever increasing, and that means more demand on quality infrastructure to ensure everything works as planned.

    Imagine a premium 2160p/60 2.37:1 aspect home cinema projection system with brilliant 12-bit 4:2:2 colour and 10.2 audio system.  How about dual-view gaming with 2 players each experiencing their own full screen 1080p image on the same TV, with separate audio tracks being fed to their headphones?   Or to really make your head spin, imagine an IMAX Private Theater ™ with 30.2 channel 3D digital sound.  Phwoah!

  • Troubleshooting: “No picture on one of the TVs connected to my matrix”

    In order to effectively troubleshoot this problem, we need to deduce whether or not the matrix, the HDMI cables, extender set, or other connectivity accessories such as wallplates, repeaters or cable joiners are at fault.

    Troubleshooting Step 1

    Swap the outputs over on the matrix to see whether the problem follows the cable run, or stays associated with the HDMI port. This will help us decide whether it is the cable run or the matrix at fault.

    Outcome 1: Problem follows the cable.

    You have isolated the issue to be associated with that particular cable run and TV. If possible, try an alternative HDMI cable (such as the one connected to another TV on the matrix) to deduce whether a known to be working cable solves the issue. If it does, there is a good chance that the original HDMI cable is at fault and requires replacing.

    Outcome 2: Problem stays with the port on the matrix.

    You have isolated the issue to be associated with that particular HDMI port on the matrix. This issue could be hardware or software related.

    Firstly, to rule out whether it is a software issue, follow the hard reset procedure (described in manual) to reset the matrix software. If this does not revive the troublesome HDMI port, it is likely that there is a hardware fault with the matrix.

    In this case, Contact Customer Services. for a replacement unit.

  • A quick introduction to Ultra HD 4K

    Ultra HD began its life known as ‘4K’. The term 4K was officially adopted by the HDMI® organisation in 2009. In October 2012, the 4K working group of US-based organisation CEA renamed 4K to Ultra HD.

    Regardless of its title, Ultra HD it is a video format offering four times the resolution of what is known as 1080p. Ultra HD has been also referred to as ‘4Kx2K’, ‘4K/2K’, and ‘Quad HD’. In simple terms, 1080p video (what is called ‘Full HD’) is actually like viewing a 2 megapixel photo. 4K, however, is the equivalent of viewing an 8 megapixel photo. 1080p = 1920 x 1080 pixels. 4K = 3840 x 2160 pixels (consumer version)

    What are the requirements for viewing Ultra HD?

    1. Displays:
    Ultra HD is initially dominating the high-end purist projector format, where it is most beneficial to improving the viewing experience. Sony have already shipped their first 4K projector. As of November 2012, it is appearing in flat panel displays due to consumer demand and/or manufacturers value-adding.

    2. Sources:
    The Blu-ray disc format is compatible with Ultra HD content once enough layers to hold the data are incorporated into the disc. A new ‘Ultra HD capable’ BD player will be required, of course.

    3. Content:
    As of November 2012, the movie industry is gearing up for Ultra HD content. James Cameron’s Avatar 2 will be filmed in Ultra HD and other high profile directors are working with Ultra HD cameras now. Back catalogue film negatives are being transferred to Ultra HD digital masters.

    4. Cables:
    From a cabling point of view, Ultra HD video will actually be the first true technical/performance challenge to many long length HDMI cables which claim to be High Speed.

  • Can HDanywhere TwinWire or SingleWire be used on existing networks?

    Our HDTV multiroom products use the physical properties of the twisted pair copper cables to transmit an uncompressed HDMI signal. It does not alter or compress the HDMI transmission into IP for example.

    It cannot be linked in to an existing IP network. Our latest HDBaseT models however can transmit both HDMI and Internet traffic over a single Cat5/6 cable.

  • ULTRA HD 4K Q&A

    Answers to various 4K / Ultra HD questions we’ve been asked recently…

    What is the content availability for Ultra HD/4K currently?
    Very limited right now. In the US, Sony are shipping pre-loaded media servers with their 4K panels (in what seems to be a stop-gap measure) until an industry-ratified medium comes along. This will most likely be answered by Blu-ray, with the BDA working on defining a new expanded and elevated specification right now, expected for release later this year.

    Why do home technology professionals need to be aware of Ultra HD/4K? Are consumers buying into this new technology?
    The need to be aware because it’s happening now. It’s possible some are thinking of it as 3D – a passing fad or a peripheral feature. In reality it is similar to the leap we made from SD to 1080p; it’s being supported by SMPTE, studios and vendors alike to such a high level that most in the community are not yet aware. Consumers will inevitably buy into the technology, but it will take time. Serious penetration won’t happen until prices come right down and content is broadly available. Ten years ago you could only get 1080p by upscaling before Blu-ray (and HD-DVD) came along in 2006, but look at it now – 1080p is ‘normal’. The 4K path will be the same, albeit in a much shorter timeframe.

    What are some common misconceptions about Ultra HD/4K?
    Misconception one – there’s no content. OK, it’s true right now – but it’s close. There is actually already an impressive back catalogue of movies in 4K – but the new BD spec needs to be released (and new players to implement it) before we’ll be able to truly tap in.
    Misconception two – it will deliver no benefit: The resolution would exceed our own visual acuity. Look back through recent history – there was a time that an 34” TV (not rear pro) was regarded as HUGE. Now 42” is small, 50-60′ is normal, and even sizes up to 84” are gaining popularity. However we’re not sitting further away than we used to. IMAX cinemas allow a much bigger picture with relatively close seating by increasing picture resolution. 4K panels and content will do the same.

    Can you suggest one way Ultra HD/4K will help the bottom line?
    There are a few opportunities for 4K to help drive business:
    Old install refurbishments: all-new hardware and possibly even new cabling.
    New 4K sales and installation requirements.
    It defers cloud based delivery methods and in-home wireless technologies (for AV), reducing the DIY plug-n-play capability of consumers. That is, the high bandwidth specialty installation of 4K sustains the need for a professional integrator, with a chance for more hardware sales.
    It will even help software (BD disc) sellers as 4K reduces the threat of downloads due to sheer file size and delivery bit rates.

    On the technical side, where will the common mistakes be made?
    Cables mislabelled: 4K is deliverable via HDMI at one fixed clock speed of 297MHz (up to 30 frames). This equates to an aggregate data rate nearing 9Gbps, which before the year is out will double again with an upcoming new HDMI spec. Although the existing ‘High Speed’ HDMI cable spec technically has this 9Gbps rate covered, many HDMI cables are possibly not accurately labelled.

    Devices simply not capable: The big ‘gotcha!’ is with devices and the HDMI silicon they contain. Currently most devices employ HDMI chipsets (transmitters & receivers) that are limited to 225MHz, or 6.75Gbps, emanating from 2006 specifications. This is clearly insufficient for 4K, even with firmware upgrades. The pipe simply isn’t big enough. Many HDMI extenders, switchers, splitters, matrix switchers etc, on the market also contain this restricted silicon, and so are not adaptable to 4K applications. Even if the silicon is upgraded, length potential will be much reduced, perhaps by more the half. CATx cable has become a favourite choice for installers for HDMI extension but 4K fundamentally challenges the limits of this cable type. Technologies like HDBaseT already address this through proprietary firmware driven timing technologies, but it’s no longer native HDMI. Matrix switchers with HDBaseT will generally still perform the cross-point switching in the HDMI space, so they may still be restricted even though the HDBaseT stage is capable of more.

    Do you have a final comment?
    4K is not only coming, it’s here. We’ll exist in a world of upscaling and some proprietary file delivery for perhaps a year or two, then things will turn very quickly to more mass-market. The challenge for the custom installer is that they are expected to pre-wire jobs for future 4K support NOW, even though they can’t yet even test what they’re putting in for validation. They will need to rely on their product suppliers and a leap of faith that the products will deliver as expected, when expected. The phrase ‘futureproof’ is scarier and more difficult to define than ever.
    The new HDMI spec will push data rates up to at least 18Gbps, driving the need for all-active connectivity and pretty much wiping out CATx cable as a viable extension cable option (other than possibly HDBaseT).

    It’s exciting times ahead with the best sales opportunities opening-up to those that learn the basics NOW and stay ahead of the curve.