After a crazy August and September, CE Pro caught up with Todd Akins, director of marketing at WyreStorm, after CEDIA.
Akins discusses some of the larger tech trends facing the CE industry at the moment: 4K with HDR, networked AV and IP-based solutions.
CE Pro: Can you discuss the products you showed during CEDIA, and how they can help dealers?
Todd Akins: In Dallas, we showed several of our newest 4K UHD [Ultra HD] matrix and extender products, which included some upgrades to the current line.
Our H2 Series HDMI (MX-0404-H2 and MX-0606-H2) and HDBaseT (MX-0606-HDBT-H2 and MX-0808-HDBT-H2) 4K matrix switchers now fully support HDMI 2.0 video for 4K@60Hz and 24Hz, with chroma subsampling rates 4:4:4 and 4:2:0; 8- and 10-bit color depth; and BT.2100, BT.2020 and BT.709 color standards.
We also showed by our A/V over IP platform, NetworkHD. The demo included side-by-side comparisons of HDBaseT, HDMI and two versions of NetworkHD, both still in development. We wanted to get feedback from dealers on what they thought of the picture quality, performance and price points of NetworkHD.
The future is moving to networked A/V. The timing can be tricky to predict; however, we are very focused on providing solutions using the right technology for today and tomorrow.
What is WyreStorm’s “Because the Technology Matters” initiative?
The technology used in any project is vital to its success. And understanding the advantages — and disadvantages — between various technologies is essential in the success of any system design.
Far too many problems experienced by dealers, and subsequently poor end-user satisfaction, are simply caused by specifying the wrong product or trying to force a product to do something it was not designed to do.
WyreStorm embraces multiple platforms including HDMI, HDBaseT and IP, with each offering its own distinct benefits.
Can you clarify the requirements of transmitting 4K with HDR over HDMI and HDBaseT?
The short answer is that HDR is possible with both HDMI and HDBaseT, with the limiting factor being bandwidth (HDMI at 18GB and HDBaseT at 10GB). The addition of HDR can require as much as 20 percent more bandwidth.
The minimum requirements for HDR10 (the more common, open format) are 4K resolution, 10-bit color depth, a wide color gamut (DCI-P3) and HDR mastered content. The source device and display must both be HDR-capable.
WyreStorm’s H2 Series of HDMI and HDBaseT 4K UHD matrix switchers, receivers and extenders are fully compatible with HDR, supporting 2160p @24Hz 4:2:0 10-bit color (BT.2020). Additionally, 60Hz HDR content can be distributed via WyreStorm 4×4 and 6×6 HDMI matrixes supporting a maximum of 2160p @60Hz 4:4:4 8-bit.
Is signal distribution and management evolving with the adoption of IP-based solutions?
If the dust had a chance to settle, then maybe IP video would stand a chance of being adopted more quickly. However, video content technology is advancing quicker than signal distribution technology, which makes it a bit of a chicken-and-egg problem.
A/V over IP is evolving with solutions using 10GB. However, costs are still high for 4K over IP.
WyreStorm is in the fortunate position of being able to offer solutions using several technologies. We have always been very clear about the execution of both HDBaseT and IP solutions. We are seeing a higher adoption of IP solutions in the commercial arena where 4K is not in as much of demand yet.
Does WyreStorm foresee that larger systems will adopt A/V over IP, and smaller systems will use traditional matrix solutions?
Yes. In the three years that WyreStorm has had an IP video solution, we have always been very clear about the virtues of IP vs. HDBaseT.
As our flagship IP case studies have shown, there have been clear advantages. The need for large, highly scalable A/V distribution systems will continue, and NetworkHD the perfect fit for those types of applications.
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