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.
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Audio Authority released a new Model of its AVX-562 Matrix Routing System at CEDIA Expo 2008.

The second-generation AVX-562 is a six-input, six-output HD Cat 5 Matrix expandable up to 36 outputs.

It distributes HD component video, analog audio, digital audio and IR control up to 1,000 feet via a pair of Cat 5e/6 cables.

Other new features include:

• New chassis two rack units high instead of three
• Parental controls including source and zone lockout
• New install process that doesn't require head-end assembly

The AVX-562, which is 33 percent smaller than the old model, also has RS-232 and IR control, as well as IR routing for discrete source control.

The AVX-562 also has options for three Cat 5 receivers, which the company says converts the Cat5e/6 run to usable form. Each receiver Active Gain Equalization (AGE) technology.

Options include: a single-gang "Decora" style wall plate (Model 9879), a dual-gang stainless steel wall plate…

RTcom has introduced its Digital Extender HDC Converter, an HDMI-to-DVI signal converter.

The HDC, displayed here at CEDIA Expo 2008, allows installers to use dated DVI displays to show new HDMI content to any full HD source.

It enables HDMI distributor devices and matrixes to be compatible with both HDMI displays and DVI displays.

The HDC offers data transmission at 2.25 Gbps and digital video bandwidth of 25-165 Mhz.

Other features of the HDC-compliant extender include:

• Resolutions up to WUXGA (1920x1200)
• Power supply of DC, 5V and 2A
• Maximum power consumption of 5 watts

RTcom says the HDC overcomes limitations of HDMI/DVI compatibility to "help installers expand their applications."

"A major goal in developing the HDC converter was to create a seamless integration between outdated DVI displays and state-of-the-art HDMI source devices", says RTcom president Joon Ryu.

The HDC is available now for $249.

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…

Gefen is unveiling its Wireless for HDMI Extender, which delivers 1080i resolutions with HDCP compliance.

The connectivity solutions provider is demonstrating the extender at its booth (518) at CEDIA Expo 2008.

The no-cable extender uses Amimon's 5GHz wireless technology to deliver uncompressed HDMI audio and video up to 30 meters (90 feet).

The two-box solution comes with a sender unit that connects to the HD source, and a receiver unit that connects to the remote HD display.

The system does not require line-of-sight to work, meaning equipment can be placed in any desired location.

Gefen did not release pricing or availability.

Neothings, Inc. will introduce at CEDIA 2008 three new products that extend its line of Cat 5-based video distribution systems: an 8x16 matrix switch, a stackable 12x8 matrix that can grow up to 12x96, and a surface mount Cat 5 receiver.

The Delano is an 8 input by 16 output HD component video matrix switch, featuring RCA inputs and Cat5 outputs. The system can send full HD video up to 1,000 feet away to the Hornet Cat 5 receiver. Neothings expects to being production shipments on October 1st. The Delano will have an MSRP of $2,999.

Larger sports bar systems will benefit from the Hawthorne, a 12 input by 8 output stacking matrix. Each input has a fully buffered, high bandwidth passthrough connection. This allows multiple units to be stacked building up to a 12 x 96 non blocking matrix. Only the 8 matrix outputs are Cat5, so multiple Hawthornes can be stacked with the Imperial, creating a mixed cabling environment of both Cat5…

Crestron has a Cat 5 switching solution that apparently fixes everything that is wrong with HDMI, from switching lags to HDCP authentication to distance limitations and more.

The technology is part of Crestron's new DigitalMedia line, which includes the DM-MD8X8 and DM-MD16X16 switchers in 8x8 and 16x16 configurations, respectively.

The switchers are modular solutions with card slots that accommodate virtually any type of input.

A full selection of switcher input cards, wall plate transmitters, and room controllers provides extensive connectivity throughout the home, supporting a complete range of analog and digital signal types.

DigitalMedia manages all of the different signals and devices, matching each source’s output to the capabilities of the selected display(s) without using scaling or compression.

Crestron claims that very signal is preserved in its native video resolution and audio format, ensuring a lossless signal path throughout.

The DigitalMedia…

NuVision is offering a glimpse of its six-zone, four-source amplified distribution, matrix and control system at CEDIA Expo 2008.

The MultiView NCMVIR46 High-Definition Amplified Cat-5 Distribution and Control System simplifies setting up pass-through systems for control and setting up control processors for multiple displays, according to NuVision.

The NCMVIR46, not expected to ship until Q1 2009, provides a matrix switch solution that was pre-integrated with NuVision displays to store discrete source commands.

It allows integrators to tie control systems into one box to have control of any display and any source, reducing programming and installation time.

“Now, NuVision provides a complete custom video install solution from the display back to the source,” says NuVision CEO Scott Deley.

The NCMVIR46 also includes:

• Six NuWire Display connections (RJ45) for up to 1,000-foot runs
• Four HD source component inputs
• Four buffered HD source component pass-through outputs
• Four discrete HD source NuControl IR outputs
• Four discrete NuControl…

If you're specifying a high-performance control system, you better be able to go the max. For Savant dealers, that "max" is the new Rosie System 36, which offers the same feature set as Savant's flagship System 12, but with three times the operational capacity.

System 36 incorporates the complete Savant technology portfolio including control, audio and video switching, audio processing, integrated touchpanel user interface, internal iTunes Digital Media Server, and built-in ROSIE Mobile Device Server.

The product "eliminates the need for single-function and standalone solutions," the company says.

The "36" in the System 36 stands for the number of card slots accommodated by the unit.

Because it is modular, the system can take on a variety of configurations, managing up to 27 x 36 HD video switching and 72 x 72 audio switching, or 144 x 144 audio-only switching, or 18 separate 7.1 surround sound zones.

The surround-sound processing module supports surround…

VizionWare will display its VZ-S5100 5x1 HDMI switcher and digital audio synchronizer at CEDIA Expo 2008 (booth 345).

The switcher offers lip-sync correction with 5-in, 1-out HDMI 1.3 switching.

The five HDMI inputs are combined with user-adjustable and programmable lip-sync correction that may be independently associated with its own degree of audio delay from 0-100ms in 2ms increments.

"Advanced installations require switching between multiple HDMI sources – typically more than are provided for on high-end switchers and other in-path distribution products, such as AV receivers," says VizionWare VP of sales and marketing Ben Jamison.

An HDMI switcher is the ideal place to add lip-sync correction to an A/V installation, otherwise correction must occur at each source device, or in an A/V receiver or A/V processor, which may not contain a sufficient number of HDMI inputs.

Once adjusted by the installer, audio synchronization values are set into each port's memory in order to compensate for the…