Category: Miscellaneous

  • EDID management: Modular 4×4 and 8×8

    EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) is information provided by a display to describe its capabilities to a source. It contains information including resolution, audio formats and frame rates. Modular has the ability to ‘Fix’ the EDID profile to allow a source to always pass video with a fixed resolution and/or specific audio output (i.e 1080p 60Hz, with 5.1 multi-channel audio)

    If the system is functioning as normal, then no EDID management is required, however if you have a source that will not output the correct resolution/audio type, this can be resolved by following the instructions below

    Please remove the SD card from the unit and connect it to a PC (Please do not use a MAC). On the route of the SD card is a file called ‘settings.ini’, this is the file that will be edited. Open the file in a text editor such as notepad, then scroll down to the bottom of the file

    Enter one or more the following lines where required

    edidprofile1 = x     ; sets the EDID profile for source connected to input 1
    edidprofile2 = x     ; sets the EDID profile for source connected to input 2
    edidprofile3 = x     ; sets the EDID profile for source connected to input3
    edidprofile4 = x     ; sets the EDID profile for source connected to input4
    edidprofile5 = x     ; sets the EDID profile for source connected to input 5  (8×8 only)
    edidprofile6 = x     ; sets the EDID profile for source connected to input6 (8×8 only)
    edidprofile7 = x     ; sets the EDID profile for source connected to input 7 (8×8 only)
    edidprofile8 = x     ; sets the EDID profile for source connected to input 8 (8×8 only)

    where x equals:
    0 – Presents the source with the 1080p template EDID
    1 – Fixes the EDID
    2 – presents the source with the 4K template EDID
    3 – presents the source with the 1080p template EDID with 5.1 enabled
    101  – presents source with the EDID of the Sink connected to Output 1
    ..

    108  – presents the source with the EDID of the Sink connected to Output 8

     

    Once all editing has been done, save the settings.ini file, and reinsert the SD card back into the Modular unit.

    Also please reboot any source where the EDID profile has been modified to allow the new EDID data to be passed.

  • MHUB-OS 8: a quick guide to zones

    Zones define a physical space in a property where outputs from MHUB terminate.

    A Zone can include a maximum of 1 video output and a maximum of 4 audio outputs. For example, you can create a zone called “Kitchen” and assign 1 video and 1 audio output to it to provide you with viewable TV and sound. A Zone must contain at least 1 output from an MHUB for it to be addressable for control. Note: outputs can not be shared or split to more than 1 Zone.


    MHUB zones

  • Using Sky Q and MHUB on maximum video and audio settings

    If you have a Sky Q 4K capable box and 4k capable displays this support post will guide you through getting the most out of your setup when using HDA systems.

    Does my HDA system support Sky Q maximum output

    You will need to confirm if your system is capable of passing the signal from your Sky box. Only the following systems are supported –

    1. MHUB PRO 2.0
    2. MHUB S
    3. MHUB U systems running MHUB-OS version 8.26 or greater

    If your system isn’t listed above it may still support Sky Q at 4K, however, HDR will not be supported.

    Configuring the MHUB System

    You may need to do some minor configuration on the MHUB to get the most out of the Sky Q. To do this you will need to adjust the MHUB’s EDID settings for the input where the Sky is connected. Where possible we would recommend copying the EDID from your display. To configure EDID settings follow this guide – EDID Settings

    Setting Sky Q to output 4K 10 bit

    After setting the EDID on your MHUB you will then need to set the output of the Sky Q system. To do this Press the HOME button and scroll down to settings. Then in the settings menu scroll down to SETUP, then AUDIO VISUAL.

    The first option will be Picture resolution, use the D-Pad and select 2160 [UHD]. You will then get onscreen instructions to select either 10-bit or 8-bit colour. Select 10-bit colour, then confirm everything is fine by following the onscreen instructions. You can also check out Sky’s guide here – Changing Resolution

    There is a timer to confirm the picture is fine, if it expires before you can confirm simply press LEFT and ENTER after selecting 10-bit colour whilst the screen is still black.

    Setting Sky Q to output Dolby Atmos Audio

    to get Dolby Atmos from your sky box you need to change the Audio settings. These are located in the same menu as the video settings above. Scroll down to DIGITAL AUDIO OUTPUT HDMI. The setting required is ‘Dolby Digital Plus’.

    Please be aware if any display cannot handle a 4K output and decode Dolby Digital Plus you may get no video and audio. If this happens you may have to adjust these settings.

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  • Updating OS through uControl

    Your HDA device will be supplied with the latest stable software version already installed. To access the latest features or maintain your system, it is recommended that you perform periodic updates to the OS. This process must be done manually as we do not push updates to systems automatically. Ensure that your system has access to a good internet connection and that power to your HDA device is stable during the process.

    In this support article:

     

    If you are not connected to a device

    1. Open uControl app

    Launch uControl and you will see the home page.

    1. Open uControl
    You now need to press advanced.

    2. Press “Update”

    This is the advanced screen where you can find your devices, connect over WiFi, reset your system and more.

    1. Open uControl
    2. Update
    Your IP address will be needed here so uControl knows which device is looking for an update.

    3. Enter the devices IP address

    If you don’t have this you can get it by finding the IP address of your device.

    1. Open uControl
    2. Update
    3. Enter IP Address
    Once you have typed in your IP address, press “Continue”.

    4. Updating your device

    A. If there is an available update press “Update Device”.
    B. If your device is already up to date, exit this page.

    1. Open uControl
    2. Update
    3. Enter IP Address
    4. Update Device
    If your HDA device has an issue that prompted you to update, but it is already up to date please contact support.

    5. Terms and Conditions

    To proceed accept the End User Licence Agreement (EULA) and Privacy Statement.

    1. Open uControl
    2. Update
    3. Enter IP Address
    4. Update Device
    5. Legal Terms
    For more information click on the terms.

    6. Update begins

    This process can take up to 5 minutes, however, depending on your network it could be longer.

    1. Open uControl
    2. Update
    3. Enter IP Address
    4. Update Device
    5. Legal Terms
    6. Downloading
    Please do not switch off your HDA device whilst updating.

    7. Update completed

    uControl will display your OS Version.

    1. Open uControl
    2. Update
    3. Enter IP Address
    4. Update Device
    5. Legal Terms
    6. Downloading
    7. Complete
    Press “Update Finished”.

    If you are connected to a device

    1. Open up uControl

    If you’re already connected to a system then you will need to access uControl’s settings. From the main screen you will see something similar to this (see below). From here, look for a menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner, press that to reveal the Zone selector and Zone control menu.

    1. Open uControl

    What you see on the main screen may differ, however, the three lined menu bar will still be there.

    2. Navigate to your settings

    Look for the settings icon located in the bottom left corner.

    1. Open uControl
    2. Settings
    The icon may vary depending on your mobile devices size, however, it will still be in the bottom left corner.

    3. Press “Utilities”

    This will take you to your devices service page.

    1. Open uControl
    2. Settings
    3. Utilities
    From here you can also see your connected devices IP address(s).

    4. Press “Update”

    From this page you can also find your devices, and reset one. To find out more check out our uOS Utilities page.

    1. Open uControl
    2. Settings
    3. Utilities
    4. Update
    The next page will show you your connected HDA devices.

    5.“Available Systems”

    If you have a stacked system, or multiple devices they will show here.

    1. Open uControl
    2. Settings
    3. Utilities
    4. Update
    5. Available Systems
    Once an update is found you will be taken to the update screen.

    6. Begin update

    If your device is updateable it will start, and include which version you’re updating to.

    1. Open uControl
    2. Settings
    3. Utilities
    4. Update
    5. Available Systems
    6. Begin Update
    Press “Update Device”.

    7. Terms and Conditions

    To continue please acknowledge the legal terms.

    1. Open uControl
    2. Settings
    3. Utilities
    4. Update
    5. Available Systems
    6. Begin Update
    7. Legal Terms
    For more information on the legal terms, you can read the End-User Licence Agreement (EULA) and the Privacy Statement.

    8. Await download

    This process can take up to 5 minutes, however, depending on your network it could be longer.

    1. Open uControl
    2. Settings
    3. Utilities
    4. Update
    5. Available Systems
    6. Begin Update
    7. Legal Terms
    8. Downloading
    Please make sure not to power down your device whilst the update is downloading.

    9. Update completed

    uControl will now let you know the update is complete.

    1. Open uControl
    2. Settings
    3. Utilities
    4. Update
    5. Available Systems
    6. Begin Update
    7. Legal Terms
    8. Downloading
    9. Complete
    Press “Update Finished”.

  • Configuring the uControl Remote for use

    Before you begin:

    To ensure a smooth setup process for your uControl Remote, please make sure you have the following in place before you start:

    uOS 11 or above: The uControl Remote will work correctly with uOS 11 or above. Ensure that you have checked for updates beforehand.

    Powered On: Press and hold the HDA Key (top left circular button) and the Power Key (top right circular button) simultaneously for 5 seconds.

    Sufficient Power: Ensure the Remote is charging using the provided USB-C cable or a wireless charger.

    Setup tested on uControl app: uControl Remote should be the last device setup in uOS. It is recommended that all uControl packs have been downloaded, all Smart Automations have been created and tested inside uControl app before transfering any configuration to .

    20 minutes (approximately) to work through.

    Contents:

    In a hurry? Refer to the quick start guide in your packaging

    The fastest way to connect your uControl Remote to your WiFi network is to refer to the quick start guide found inside your packaging.

    Connect your uControl Remote to your WiFi network by following the instructions the quick start guide inside your packaging.
    If you need more help then a detailed version of this process is described below.

    Getting uControl Remote on your WiFi network (full description)

    1. Ensure that the uControl Remote is charging before you start

    Ensure the uControl Remote is fully charged before setup. Place it on a charging pad or connect it to a power source using the provided USB-C cable and a standard 5V USB charger.

    2. Turn the uControl Remote ON

    Start by peeling off the screen protector and turn on the uControl Remote by press and holding both the HDA and Power keys for 5 seconds until the device turns on. The uControl Remote will boot up and display “DISCOVERY MODE” showing an abbreviated WiFi network name (SSID). The last 4 characters of the SSID will always be unique.

    3.Connect directly to uControl Remote’s WiFi

    Connect directly to uControl Remote on a PC, tablet, or smartphone. Go to your WiFi settings and search for the uControl Remote’s WiFi network name ensuring that you connect to the correct SSID (always starting with SL-HDA-UCRMT…) look particularly for those 4 unique characters in your WiFi list.

    To connect to uControl Remote’s WiFi use password hdanywhere.

    4. Access the uControl Remote’s Network Page.

    Open a browser and go to: http://192.168.10.1 Follow the on-screen instructions to connect the uControl Remote to your local WiFi network.

    At this stage, uControl Remote will scan all available WiFi networks within range. uControl Remote only supports 2.4GHz WiFi and WPA/WPA2/WEP security standards.

    5. Wait for connection

    The uControl Remote will attempt to connect to your WiFi. If the uControl Remote screen has turned off then press any button to wake the remote up. The screen will update you with its progress. If it fails, double-check your WiFi credentials and try again. Once the connection is successful, the uControl Remote will display a confirmation message along with its new IP address. Write this down—you’ll need it later for configuring.

    Once the uControl Remote has joined your WiFi network, it will be given a new IP address, take a note of this IP address as you will need it when you configure your uControl Remote for use.

    Starting uControl Remote basic configuration.

    Make sure your uControl Remote is on the same network as you controller and that the Remote is charging.

    Visit uOS and navigate to the “Remote” page.

    Visit the IP address of uOS and open the menu in the top left corner to reveal the menu. Select the “Remotes” option and you will see a page similar to this one. Select the option “ADD NEW REMOTE” to start the configuration process.

    Make sure that all uControl Packs, Smart Automations & Zone Settings have been completed before proceeding.

    The first question asks if all the necessary prerequisites have been completed before starting the uControl Remote configuration process. This is an important check because editing a configured remote, repeatedly, is slower (and more error prone) than making sure the system is working first using our app and transfering that config in one go instead.

    Enter your uControl Remote’s IP address.

    Enter the IP address of the uControl Remote into the box to connect uOS to it. If you are unsure what your uControl Remote’s IP address is, you can find it by pressing on the HDA key (top right corner) then navigating to Network > WiFi Info > IP Address to reveal it on the Remote’s OLED display.

    Add your uControl Remote to your Zone or Room.

    uOS will display all Zones that are available on the system. If you do not see any options here, ensure that you have created your Zone properly and can see it inside the uControl app.

    Optional step: rename your devices so they are easier to read on uControl Remote’s screen.

    The uControl Remote’s screen has a maximum width of 15 characters. You can shorten any long names to make their appearance better on your Remote.

    Select what will be doing the volume control in your Zone or Room.

    uOS will automatically detect all devices that are capable of volume control in the Zone you have selected and will present them as an option for you. Once selected, this option will become the default volume control in that Zone when using uControl Remote.

    More about volume: uOS will automatically select devices you’ve installed that offer volume control and will present them in this list based on how they are categorised by HDA. This includes TVs, Projectors, audio streamers/amplifiers (Wiim, Sonos), AVRs and HDA hardware like MHUB or MZMA.

    If you have multiple devices that are all volume controllable (eg TV + AVR) then you will still need to nominate which device is default but uOS will transfer all options to the remote. This means you can switch away from the default option by pressing and holding the “AUDIO” key on the Remote. If you power down the remote or it is restarted, uControl Remote will revert to it’s default setting.

    Basic setup is complete.

    The basic setup is now complete and you are now able to customise how the uControl Remote works down to individual keys.

  • HDMI 2.0- the must-know info.

    hdmi-2.0-the-must-know-info

    HDMI 2.0

    HDMI technology has different versions or specifications, the newest of which is HDMI 2.0, which has been causing a lot of confusion and questions within the AV distribution world.

    The main feature of this HDMI 2.0 specification which is relevant to custom installers, is this:

    “The HDMI 2.0 specification defines a new, more efficient signalling method, for speeds above the limits of the earlier HDMI 1.4b specification (10.2Gbps), to allow higher bandwidths (up to 18Gbps) over existing High Speed HDMI Wire Cables.” (HDMI.org) 

    What does this mean?

    This will allow transmission of higher bandwidth video formats such as 2160p @60Hz 4:4:4 UHD / 4K and 4:2:0 UHD with HDR. It’s worth pointing out that currently there is only ONE HDMI source device in existence (the Sony FMP-X10 4K) that is capable of outputting these resolutions and is HDMI 2.0 licensed. But more HDMI 2.0 licensed source devices will probably begin to appear at the end of 2015.

    Will you need new cables or specific HDMI 2.0 cables?

    HDMI 2.0 is backwards compatible, so you won’t need new cables (as long as the HDMI cables you’ve been using are high speed, passive and under 5m)

    What is HDCP 2.2? 

    HDCP 2.2 is the new encryption format for UHD content. It’s designed to create a secure connection between a source and a display. This is so you can’t take the output from a source (a Blu-ray player, say) and plug it into a recording device to make a copy of the content. HDCP doesn’t care what goes across the cable, as long as that cable is secure.

    The key point is all devices in a chain need to be HDCP 2.2 compliant or you’ll get an error message.

    What is the point of HDMI matrixes with HDCP 2.2 but NOT HDMI 2.0? Should I invest?

    The best way to answer that is with another question: ‘what HDCP 2.2 compliant devices are you planning on installing that don’t need HDMI 2.0?’

    The big push for compliance is going to come at the end of the year when new UHD Blu-Ray players are released. These will definitely require HDMI 2.0 and won’t work on the HDCP 2.2 matrices that have just hit the market.

    Another key point is that HDMI 2.0 will require HDCP 2.2, but HDCP 2.2 does NOT require HDMI 2.0. Hence new HDCP 2.2 compatible matrices hitting the market before HDMI 2.0 + HDCP 2.2 compliant matrices.

     The other big factor is what Sky will do with UHD. The current industry belief is that the new sky box won’t need HDCP 2.2. The logic is that there are not enough HDCP 2.2 compatible TV’s in the UK currently to be able to justify a new Sky box that isn’t compatible.

    What TVs are HDMI 2.0?

    The vast majority of  TV’s marketed as UHD or 4K that were bought  before 2015 don’t have HDMI 2.0 and don’t have HDCP 2.2. Some manufacturers have produced TVs with one or more HDMI 2.0 ports with HDCP 2.2, these are below:

    Samsung UE65HU8500

    Samsung UE55HU7500

    Sony KD-65X9005B

    Panasonic CX600 and CX 650 Series

     

  • MHUB-OS 8 and uControl 2 update troubleshooting and FAQ

    Below is a list of three issues which have been reported to HDANYWHERE (HDA) after updating older systems to MHUB-OS 8 (MOS 8). If you have encountered any of these problems then you will find a solution below. If your issue is not shown below then contact the HDA support team via email on – support@hdanywhere.com.

    Jump to issues and solutions:

    1. My MHUB is stuck in a loop and is always prompting me to update again – I can not access any other MHUB-OS page.
    2. I am having problems connecting with HDA Cloud because there is an error with my serial number.
    3. I have connected to my MHUB and all my settings are gone.
    4. I can’t get uControl to connect to MHUB.
    5. I have an 8×8 system and I can not control my TVs anymore.

    1.
    I’ve clicked the update from within MHUB-OS and now appear to be stuck on an update page and cannot access any other MHUB-OS page.

    This error can occur when MHUB fails to complete the update process completely. This can be caused by a power outage, multiple sessions of MHUB-OS being open at the same time (browser tabs, app) or network issues as the update is applied to MHUB. This has been patched in version 8.02 of MHUB-OS. However, if you find yourself with a problem like this, you will need to contact HDANYWHERE technical support services by emailing support@hdanywhere.com with the subject line: “Update error code:728” and we will treat this with the highest priority.

    2.
    I’ve updated to MHUB-OS 8 and when linking to HDA cloud it says there is an error with my serial number.

    This error can occur when the MHUB cannot connect with HDA cloud. This can be caused by network issues or power outage. This has been patched in MHUB-OS version 8.02. However, should you find yourself in this situation you can recover the serial number following these steps

    1. Step 1 – Load a web browser on a pc or mac(such as Chrome), and enter the following in to the URL bar [MHUB IP ADDRESS]/diagnostics.php. Then click on “GET SERIAL NUMBER”
    2. Step 2 – Confirm that you want to change the serial number
    3. Step 3 – You will get a notifcation saying that the serial number has been updated, and should notice the serial number is showing in the system information section near the top of the page.

    If after using the serial number recovery method above, it still does not appear, you will need to contact HDANYWHERE technical support services by emailing support@hdanywhere.com with the subject line: “Update error code:628”

    3.
    uControl has updated, when I reconnected to my MHUB all my settings were gone.

    This can occur when reconnecting to your MHUB after uControl has updated to version 2 or greater and selecting the incorrect option. When uControl loads you are shown 2 options:

    • “SETUP A NEW MHUB SYSTEM” – This is used when you are connecting to a brand new or unconfigured MHUB system. If you select this option and have a previously configured system, all user data will be removed requiring the MHUB to be fully reconfigured like a new system.
    • “CONNECT TO AN EXISTING MHUB SYSTEM” – This is used when you are connecting to a previously configured MHUB system. Existing data will remain untouched, and uControl will sync the data stored. If you were connected with a previous version of uControl this option should be used.

    4.
    After the update, uControl can not connect to MHUB

    HDANYWHERE released an update to uControl and all MHUB systems on Wednesday 10th October 2018. To ensure that your MHUB works correctly both your MHUB and uControl must be on the correct software version.

    MHUB / MHUB-OS = version 8 or above
    uControl (iOS / Android) = version 2 or above

    If you find that one version of uControl can connect to MHUB and the other can not then it is very likely that you did not complete the update to MHUB-OS. As soon as you have run this process then uControl should work on all devices with no issue. For this solution HDANYWHERE are assuming that your system is already in a pre-configured state and that you are wanting to CONNECT TO AN EXISTING SYSTEM.

    Steps to resolve this issue:

    1. Ensure that you have the latest version of uControl installed on your iOS or Android device. Download uControl for iOS or download uControl for Android
    2. Once you have the app installed, please load it up and follow the instructions here:

    5.
    I have a 8×8 or 8×6+2 system and after the update, I lost the ability to control my TVs

    If you are able to control your source devices with uControl but can not control your displays then a quick update to your MHUB will resolve this problem. Instructions detailing how to update your MHUB can be found here. Ensure that you use uControl to update your MHUB and do not try to update your system via MHUB-OS.

  • Resolving MHUB-OS “Critical Error”

    IMG_1329

    If you notice that uControl has stopped responding or your control system is no longer controlling your MHUB or HDA device and you see a screen similar to the one above when you visit MHUB-OS’ IP address then it is likely that a core file within MHUB has become corrupted or is missing.

    Generally, this error affects systems that are on very early versions of MHUB-OS, usually versions 7 or lower (at the time of writing 8.15+ is considered stable). On systems that are already on 8+ it is possible to restore the system sucessfully from a backup but earlier ones will need a HDA technician to check your system to identify the damaged system file and repair it.

    If your system is out of warranty then there is a charge of 1 unit for this repair. Please contact HDA first to arrange a technician slot.

  • Integrating Stream Deck with uOS

    Stream Deck & HDANYWHERE.

    Using an Elgato Stream Deck along with an MHUB or Zone Prossesor you can use the Elgato device and our API to send commands to uControl/uOS to control virtually any display, source inputs and lighting control.

    Below you will find a step by step how-to guide:

     

  • Using the USB port on MHUB models for recovery and diagnostics

    MHUB 100A matrices have a USB A port on the front panels in the bottom right corner.

    With MHUB PRO models you can enable DHCP from the MENU button on the front panel by holding it down for 3 seconds. For MHUB 100A models you need to follow Guide 1, for newer MHUB U models follow Guide 2 and for older MHUB U (micro USB on front) models use Guide 3.

    Guide 1

    Guide 2

    Guide 3