At CEDIA 2009, Just Add Power demos inexpensive ($299) solution to HDMI switching: infinitely expandable, HDCP compliant, sends IR commands.
09.12.2009 — How would you like to distribute multiple HDMI streams over your home IP network? It seems you can do that with a new solution from Just Add Power.
At the CEDIA Expo 2009 I found the company tucked away at a tiny booth in the corner of Exhibit Hall B.
Their product? Projector Connector: a solution for HDMI matrix applications that leverages a managed network switch to distribute multiple HDMI sources to multiple displays.
Because it's all IP you don't have to worry about exceeding the ins and outs of a typical matrix switch; and that's good because the limited offering for large frame HDMI matrix switches has handicapped the entire industry for years.
Here's how it works: an encoder unit (VBS-HDMI-308A) converts the HDMI signal to IP packets. This information passes through a managed switch on a specified VLAN. A networked receiver unit (VBS-HDMI0108A) decodes the signal at the display device.
The signal routing to each end point can be adjusted by controlling the network switch VLAN configuration via RS-232 or Ethernet. If a client wants to add another PS3 to the system just add another Encoder and set it up on the network.
I know that Netstreams developed a component-over-IP solution a while ago and it is very cool. It's also very expensive. Just Add Power's device for HDMI encoding is $299 and for decoding is $250. Add a managed switch and you are paying HDMI balun prices for an ever-expandable HDMI matrix switch!
Based on the manufacturer's specs the devices pass 1080p signal, are HDCP compliant, and support up to 5.1 digital audio via HDMI.
The receivers have an infrared eye to send IR commands to remote sources connected to the transmitters.
Each year I've asked friends and colleagues attending CEDIA Expo the same thing: "Have you seen anything mind-blowing on the floor this year?" Normally I hear something about a balun, a speaker, or a creative booth layout -- but never anything game-changing like this.
Projector Connector HDMI/IP Transmitter (VBS-HDMI-308A)
Projector Connector HDMI/IP Receiver (VBS-HDMI-108A)
09.12.2009 — How would you like to distribute multiple HDMI streams over your home IP network? It seems you can do that with a new solution from Just Add Power.
At the CEDIA Expo 2009 I found the company tucked away at a tiny booth in the corner of Exhibit Hall B.
Their product? Projector Connector: a solution for HDMI matrix applications that leverages a managed network switch to distribute multiple HDMI sources to multiple displays.
Because it's all IP you don't have to worry about exceeding the ins and outs of a typical matrix switch; and that's good because the limited offering for large frame HDMI matrix switches has handicapped the entire industry for years.
Here's how it works: an encoder unit (VBS-HDMI-308A) converts the HDMI signal to IP packets. This information passes through a managed switch on a specified VLAN. A networked receiver unit (VBS-HDMI0108A) decodes the signal at the display device.
The signal routing to each end point can be adjusted by controlling the network switch VLAN configuration via RS-232 or Ethernet. If a client wants to add another PS3 to the system just add another Encoder and set it up on the network.
I know that Netstreams developed a component-over-IP solution a while ago and it is very cool. It's also very expensive. Just Add Power's device for HDMI encoding is $299 and for decoding is $250. Add a managed switch and you are paying HDMI balun prices for an ever-expandable HDMI matrix switch!
Based on the manufacturer's specs the devices pass 1080p signal, are HDCP compliant, and support up to 5.1 digital audio via HDMI.
The receivers have an infrared eye to send IR commands to remote sources connected to the transmitters.
Each year I've asked friends and colleagues attending CEDIA Expo the same thing: "Have you seen anything mind-blowing on the floor this year?" Normally I hear something about a balun, a speaker, or a creative booth layout -- but never anything game-changing like this.
Projector Connector Specs
Projector Connector HDMI/IP Transmitter (VBS-HDMI-308A)
- 1 UTP/STP 100Mbps Ethernet Port
- Embedded HTTP Server
- Protocol: IP, UDP, TCP, ICMP, and IGMP
- 1 HDMI In (19 pin Type A female)
- 1 3.5mm IR Receiver Port
- Size: 5" W x 4.5" D x 1" H; 1.1 pounds
- 100-240V, 50/60 Hz, 5v DC Adapter - 1 Amp
- HDCP Compliant
- Plug-and-Play installation
- Supports DVI with HDMI-to-DVI adapter
- Video Bandwidth: 2.25Gbps (HDM1.3)
- Maximum LAN Bandwidth: 50 ~ 60 Mbps
- Input TMDS Signal: 1.2 volts (peak-to-peak)
- Input DDC Signal: 5 volts (peak-to-peak)
- Resolutions - practically any input from 16 x 16 to 2048 x 2048 pixels including the following:
-- 640x480 @ 85fps
-- 800x600 @ 85fps
-- 1024x768 @ 75fps
-- 1280x1024 @ 30fps
-- 1600x1200 @ 30fps
-- 720x480 @ 60fps
-- 720x576 @ 50fps
-- 1280x720 @ 30fps
-- 1920x1080 @ 24fps
-- 1920x1080 @ 60fps
Projector Connector HDMI/IP Receiver (VBS-HDMI-108A)
- 1 UTP/STP 100Mbps Ethernet Port
- 1 HDMI Out (19 pin Type A female)
- 1 3.5mm IR IR Transmitter Port
- Size: 5" W x 4.5" D x 1" H; 1.1 pounds
- 100-240V, 50/60 Hz, 5v DC Adapter - 1 Amp
- HDCP Compliant
- Plug-and-Play installation
- Supports DVI with HDMI-to-DVI adapter
- Scaler automatically adjusts for each display
Andrew Southern is director of automation Systems at CytexOne in New York City. CytexOne is a four-time Control4 MVP Award Winner and host of c4forums, the worlds largest public Control4 community.
Posts
View Ben Loos's profile
