Hands On: Atlona $25K 16x16 HDMI Switcher

“Fortunately for us – but unfortunately for readers—we didn’t have to review the extenders because we didn’t need them. “

How can this even be considered a review when the part that could potentially cause the most problems was over looked because “we didn’t need them”.  How about a complete review using the parts that will be used in most applications for the unit regardless of the reviewers needs.

Wow, an HDMI matrix that works? If it really does not have any of the typical HDMI issues, then I’d say it’s definitely worth the money. Is there no way to set an output resolution per display independent of the source? Internal scaling or something like that would be helpful in preventing the hiccup when the TV has to scale different source resolutions.

Point well taken, Jaysant1. We changed from “review” to “hands-on”

I agree, point well taken. We do however know the extenders work well and reliably as they are the same extenders used on the 8x8 hdmi switch from Atlona which has been out for a while.

The extenders work great, We were just implying the switch worked so well we did not need them which was a good thing. One of the displays used in this hands on was a little over the recommended range and did not hiccup at all.

If there is indeed a 6 sec switching delay as the reviewer reported, then this is most likely due to HDCP and not only for the display scaler to sync again.
What makes him make sure that it is NOT the source recalculating all the HDCP ?
The most important test of all (besides the baluns!) would have been the following;
Route a HDCP protected source (BDP) to one display A. After you see a picture route it also to an ADDITIONAL display B. Does the picture stay on A without any hiccups? Or does it go away for some time to come back more or less together with the first appearance of the picture on display B?

If A stays on all the time then there is some HDCP smartness built into the system, if not then the product is as unuseable for many applications as the majority of the HDMI switches out there.

HST

Great question Harold! We did do this but took it a little further. we sent a bluray source to display A, then to display B, Then to A display that actually has a scaler, then on to 8 more displays. Display A never jumped, paused, lost signal, nothing. each input on the switch acts as if it is a display. Since the switch does have HDCP and EDID logic built in it never has this issue.

Thanks for the question! It made me realize that this may be a question for many readers.

My company purchased this switcher against my recommendation of RGBHV Extron Matrix.  I have been working on getting this thing to work correctly.  We have 8 different inputs going to 14 different outputs, and on about 8 of the displays, it works great, the remaining 6 go from Ok to absolutely terrible.  We have bought the Pro HD troubleshooting kit, Even a CableIQ by Fluke Networks.  There is artificating on some, snow on some and no picture on 2, no CAT 6 cable length exceeds 30 meters.  Inputs all show up great on the built in display, but actually transmitting it out to the monitors is a different issue.  I called Atlona and they said I need to test cables to 10Gb/s and the Fluke only goes to 1 Gb/s.  I wish my company would have either went with my suggestion or if you have to go with HDMI, may I suggest a fiber solution.  As of right now, the Atlona is going to get packed up by the end of this week and shipped back to the distributor with the amount of time and headache this thing has caused me.

Funny the Crestron DM16x16 switcher we installed last week worked flawlessly and does a lot more.

@  Michael. Sorry you had issues with the the switch. HDMI distribution is tricky. It takes work to be done correctly. Fiber is much better, but I am against selling anything component at this point.

@Jaysant1
The DM16x16 may do more out of the box. But how many OTHER non crestron systems does it integrate with. NOt ponting any finger but this is CePro not CrestronPro.

@Joe
Thanks for pointing out that it’s CE Pro, not Crestron Pro.  I suppose that means you’d say the same about other manufacturers being mentioned as well?  Like…“this is CE Pro, not Atlona Pro”  or “this is CE Pro not Savant Pro” or… come on, man. Really?

You kinda missed my point. While the crestron switch is awesome, the reason I use this switch more often is that it integrates with so many other control systems.

@Joe
I won’t bore you with the facts and details since they clearly hold no interest for you, but suffice it to say it’s not difficult to get Crestron devices to be controlled by other control systems.  Not even a little. 

By the way, you claim that programming this thing was “a little hairy”  If that’s the case, why are you hanging your hat on its ability to be controlled by other control systems?  Apparently that ability is pretty limited…

You’re not boring me. Conversations like this are important.
I am aware the Crestron pieces can be integrated into other systems. We do it all the time. However for a canned solution in “other” systems I do prefer the Atlona. I have had ZERO issues with their products.

Also keep in mind, that when I said it was hairy at first it was. That is because that was the FIRST unit in the 16 by 16 flavor that was shipped from them and I had started on the project before the control system firmware or driver was completed. Everything since has been gravy.

I in no way was intentionally downing the Crestron product. I was just giving information on what has worked well for us.

From one integrator to another I just have to say chill out. We all have our preferences on what works well when packaged together. I do value opinions on these topics.

THis is for Joe, as an integrator for the Atlona 16 x 16, please send me an email at msandborn at aerovoice dot com.  I would like to discuss with you how you managed to get everything resolved.  As I am at my hairs end on this thing and would prefer to be able to salvage it rather than gut it and start from scratch.  THank you.