Category: General articles

  • Can my MHUB support uControl Remote 2?

    Can my MHUB support uControl Remote 2?

    If you are thinking about upgrading your existing MHUB system to support the newly announced uControl Remote 2 then you have two options available to you: 1) upgrade your system capability with a control processor or 2) use AI or the open source community to write an integration for your system. The pros and cons of each option and systems supported are detailed below:

    Option 1: Upgrade your MHUB by adding a new uControl Controller to it

    A controller, such as the uControl Zone Processor 5, can be added to the following systems to allow it to work with uControl Remote 2. Adding a controller to your MHUB brings additional benefits in the form of IP control, smart automation for lighting and blinds and access to the new uControl app.

    Whilst this option requires a further investment to upgrade your hardware, it is the simplest to deploy and is available to purchase today.

    Note: the uControl Remote 2 will be bundled with a more powerful controller upon release in new hardware called the uControl Connect Hub. This is an optional further upgrade should you wish to future-proof your system.

    If you have the following MHUB system then it will work with a controller upgrade.

    • MHUB (4×1+1) 100A
    • MHUB (4×4) 100A
    • MHUB (6×6) 100A
    • MHUB S (8+8×8) 100A
    • MHUB S (16+16×16) 100A/DM

    Older MHUB systems
    If you own a legacy or discontinued MHUB and wish to upgrade to uControl Remote 2 then the same controller is required but your MHUB must meet the following requirements.

    • MHUB U (4×3+1 & 8×6+2)
      MHUB-OS 8.21 or higher
    • MHUB PRO 2 (4×4 &8×8)
      MHUB-OS 8.21 or higher
    • MHUB S (8+8×8) 100
      MHUB-OS 8.2x

    If you own one of the systems above, it is important to note some caveats:

    1. The AV setting page on your controller may stop working and may become unresponsive; this will mean settings like EDID, scaling and audio settings will need to be manually set via a direct command.
    2. Slave (if your system comprises of more than one HDA device) auto-healing is not supported; this means that if the MHUB is not fixed to a IP address (MAC reservation or static IP) if it moves, the controller will be unable to automatically search and update the address requiring a manual intervention.

    Option 2: Someone writes or builds an integration (no controller needed & potentially free)

    The uControl Remote 2 is special because the code that programs it is completely open. This means that anyone (or any AI) could write an integration for your MHUB which can pull data from your system and use that to program the Remote 2. This effectively means that all MHUB systems can be upgraded to support any MHUB manufactured since 2016. Our recommendation is to ask on any of the uControl Development and Hackers group to see if such integrations exist or if you would like to tackle it as a project for yourself.

    • MHUB PRO (4×4) 40
    • MHUB PRO (4×4) 70
    • MHUB PRO (8×8) 40
    • MHUB PRO (8×8) 70
    • + all of the devices listed above

  • Basic IR Setup (dos and don’ts) – Multiroom+ and Modular

     Basic IR Setup (dos and don’ts)

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  • Routing 3D Blu-ray via a multiroom+ system

    Routing 3D Blu-ray (BR) via a multiroom+ system can be a challenge and in some cases, due to an incompatible mix of displays, will not be possible. Whether or not 3D Blu-ray formats can be routed via a multiroom+ system greatly depends on the mix of HDTVs, their capabilities and the 3D BR source itself.

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  • Sky HD Freezes / Locks Up / Powers Off / Non-responsive

    Sky HD and Sky+HD boxes freezing, locking up, powering themselves off etc are not uncommon. A quick google search will reveal just how many people suffer from this occurrence.

    Their connection to other devices is in most cases not the cause of the Sky box fault.

    In order to resolve this issue, HD Connectivity’s experience is that a full Sky system reset is the best medicine. Instructions on how to do this can be found here: Sky box full system reset

  • Troubleshooting: Green screen

    Important:
    In most cases, if you are experiencing green screen on your display then this is often down to the HDMI cable in between. A quick way to test to see if this is the case is to replace your existing HDMI cable with our range of 4K or 8K HDMI cables. If that doesn’t work, move your HDMI source to another display in your property (use a different HDMI cable), connect it up and observe to see if the same behaviour follows the box. This will help you determine if the issue is the cable or the HDMI source.

    The article below describes how to troubleshoot a green screen when using a HDANYWHERE product, if you are having green screen issues and you do not own a HDA product then we recommend you buy our 4K or 8K HDMI cables and give that a go first – they come with free shipping!

    Symptom:

    There is no picture or maybe a green screen following standby or when switching between source devices via a matrix. Most often this problem occurs once the TV goes to standby, and when brought out of standby to an ‘on’ state, it will not handshake properly and green screen instead of video appears.

    Green screen flashes generally indicate a HDCP (Digital Content Protection) handshaking issue, or a HDMI hot plug detect issue between that particular source device and display.

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  • 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.