Arguably no manufacturer has done more to educate and problem solve the entire HDMI category than the Metra Home Theater Group.
Adding to its selection of problem-solving products, Metra has just announced three new products that take on common issues electronics professionals face in the field related to HDMI. The newly announced Voltage Control Trigger (HDM-VCT), Active Cable Voltage Stabilizer (ADM-ACVS), and HDM All in One (HDM-AIO) are engineered to work with formats such as Ultra HD, and they incorporate provisions that enable dealers to handle unforeseen technologies that still loom on the horizon.
“We’re pleased to unveil three new products in our Ethereal line because they’re true ‘fix it’ solutions for many problems integrators are facing with today’s 4K and 18 Gbps HDMI technology,” notes Jessy Crabb, general manager of Metra Home Theater Group. “These products were developed after hearing about and diagnosing issues that dealers are seeing in the field with some of the latest displays on the market. We want to future-proof their 4K, 18 Gbps work to prevent many of those problems. We invite those attending CEDIA 2016 to visit our booth and check out the latest technology we have to offer—it’s truly impressive.”
The Voltage Control Trigger (HDM-VCT) is designed to solve a growing problem that many installers in the field are dealing with that involves display devices. Metra says that in the quest to speed up source selection through display-based inputs, changes have been made in how the hot plug return signal works. Sources connected to an A/V receiver or matrix switch don't always sync according to the company because the signal doesn't request EDID.
The HDM-VCT connects to a relay or digital I/O on a control system to break the signal between the 5-volt trigger and the hot plug to create a signal reset. The HDM-VCT also incorporates supplemental TMDS voltage that adds a 100ms delay to the hot return to ensure the signal is accepted.
The Active Cable Voltage Stabilizer (HDM-ACVS) is designed to supply sufficient voltage and current to all TVs to keep components such as matrix switches and active cables functioning properly. The company states that many installers are finding that when they connect active cables within a system there may not enough power available to adequately drive the active cable and the result is a power failure once the active cable is connected.
Using the HDM-ACVS, installers can use active cables ranging in length from five meters to 20 meters to deliver the correct voltage to ensure the active cable provides reliable connectivity.
The final new product in this group of problem-solving devices is the HDM-AIO. Metra explains this product is an all-in-one solution that serves as a digital analysis device, a voltage swing corrector and a voltage control trigger.
The digital analysis portion corrects audio and video timing issues found within HDMI components that include drop outs. Other functions such as the voltage control trigger break the signal between the 5-volt and hot-plug signal to reset the EDID, and it also provides a hot return delay of 100ms.
The made-in-America products are DPL 4K 18Gbps certified to support HDMI 2.0a, as well as HDCP, HDR10 and Dolby Vision HDR.
Dealers can learn more about these products at CEDIA 2016 in Dallas on September 15-17 in booth #3005.
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