09.04.2008 — Throughout CEDIA, Lee Distad will be reporting on vendors and products you may not be hearing too much about.

One of the biggest stories at this year's CEDIA Expo is the distribution of HDMI signals, either matrix switching of multiple sources and displays or wireless A to B distribution.

Aurora Multimedia is a much bigger name in commercial AV than residential. In fact, despite being a major name used in large commercial distribution jobs, sales manager Andy Fliss jokes that "in residential, we're barely on the radar. At least for now!"

For HDMI distribution, Aurora Multimedia's HS88-M will switch between 8 HDMI sources to 8 displays, porting 1080p video. Most importantly, it's HDMI v1.3a and is 100 percent HDCP compliant.

For really big residential or medium-sized commercial installations, their EDM-3636M takes their HDMI know how and turns the knob up to 11. Fully custom configurable to handle a mix of 36 sources of HDMI, DVI, SDI or DisplayPort, the EDM-3636M will matrix switch those sources to up to 36 displays.

That's probably enough for most clients.

Also of interest is their OBHD series of extenders that punt HDMI over fiber optic cable. Each box has an approximate retail of $600, and will send 1080i video and audio up to 3000 feet.

Belkin Flywire Wireless HDMI

On the wireless front, Belkin debuted a working model of their Flywire HDMI wireless solution.

The receiver accepts two HDMI, two component video plus composite and S-video. Inputs are selected manually either on the console or on the IR remote. It transmits to a small receiver that can be mounted inconspicuously behind a flat-panel television.

Approximate retail is $999, and is expected to ship in November.

When my colleagues and I first arrived at the Belkin booth, the Flywire was "down," which was troubling. The Belkin crew got it back online and gave it a fairly good demonstration, but I'd still recommend testing one extensively in the shop before installing on in the client's home.

Still, wireless HD has been a solution I've been waiting for. I can think of five or six clients in the past four years whom I said "No way" to for lack of a simple, cost effective solution like this.

Lee Distad is a freelance CEDIA Certified Professional Designer who offers design and process consultation to firms in the Custom Installation industry, as well as copy writing and other professional writing services. Lee's business and industry blog can be read at http://www.leedistad.com

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