Back at the switcher, the digital stereo signal is also converted to analog to enable sharing with every other room in the house via an AAE, CNX-PAD8A, or other multi-room audio distribution system. The DM-MD8X8 also allows bulky surround sound processors and amplifiers to be located centrally instead of at the display location via optional local HDMI outputs.
Computer Compatibility†—Besides handling every available HDTV format supported by HDMI, DigitalMedia also supports the distribution of DVI and RGB* computer signals, and is fully compatible with DVI computer monitors up to 1920 x 1200 WUXGA.
Built-in Ethernet Switch—In addition to digital video and audio, DigitalMedia also carries 10/100 Ethernet to each Room Controller, supporting streaming media for multimedia devices, or just providing LAN connectivity for any room device that requires Ethernet or Internet access. Its Gigabit Ethernet connection to the external LAN helps maximize bandwidth for each network port. Ethernet is also utilized internally by the Crestron control bus to manage all of the DM devices in the system and provide display control in each room.
USB HID Switch—DigitalMedia lets you centralize ALL of your HD sources - not just television receivers and DVD changers, but also media servers, computers, and even video game consoles. Built-in USB HID (Human Interface Device) signal routing allows USB HID compatible keyboards, mice, and game controllers to be connected at each display location, extending their signals through to the centralized equipment via USB HID ports provided on select switcher input cards.
EDID Format Management—With HDMI comes a slew of confusing video and audio formats to keep track of, and chances are not every device in your system supports all of the same formats. In a typical one-room system, HDMI attempts to resolve this confusion using EDID. When two HDMI devices are connected together, the receiving device (a display or surround sound processor) uses EDID to announce its format capabilities to the source device (a TV tuner or video player), which in turn configures itself to output the most effective format that both devices can support.
But, try to distribute a bunch of disparate sources to a house full of different displays and audio systems, and you’re likely to experience some serious conflicts. For instance, the Blu-ray player that’s feeding your 1080p projector in the theater may restrict itself to a lower resolution, or even shut off completely, if someone decides to view the same signal on the 32" TV in the bedroom. And instead of enjoying the incredible 7.1 Dolby TrueHD format supported by your high-end theater sound system, you may find your listening experience limited to Dolby 5.1, or even plain old stereo.
The DM-MD8X8 takes full advantage of EDID to prevent such conflicts, assessing the formats supported by each system device, and then allowing the installer to assign compatible devices in logical arrangements. Conflicting combinations can be prohibited so only the optimum signal formats get delivered to each display and audio system in the house.
QuickSwitch HDTM Technology—As the move to digital takes hold, more and
more movie studios and television service providers are using a copy-protection scheme called HDCP to protect their DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, and broadcast signals against unauthorized copying. To view HDCP encrypted content in full high- definition requires the source device to “authenticate” every display and signal processor through an HDMI connection before delivering an output signal. This process occurs every time any HDMI signal is switched, causing a complete loss of signal for up to 15 seconds whenever a new source or display is selected anywhere in the house.
Crestron exclusive QuickSwitch HD technology eliminates this issue by maintaining a constant HDCP connection with each HDMI device in the system. By eliminating the need to re-authenticate each time a different source or display is selected, QuickSwitch HD achieves very fast switching of HDMI signals.
Crestron Electronics, Inc. 15 Volvo Drive l Rockleigh, NJ 07647 Tel: 800.237.2041 / 201.767.3400 l Fax: 201.767.1903
www.crestron.com
HDCP Key Management—Another aspect to HDCP is its use of “keys” to manage the handshaking that occurs between any two devices. Every HDMI source device has a limit to how many downstream devices it can support, determined by the number of HDCP keys it has available. Rarely is that limit advertised
or specified by the manufacturer or service provider, so connect too many displays or processors and the source will simply stop outputting a signal without warning.
To prevent such surprises, the DM-MD8X8 tests the HDCP limits of each HDMI source, allowing the installer to configure the system around any limitations, or substitute a different component.
CEC Signal Management—The primary objective of every Crestron system is to enable precisely the control desired for a seamless user experience. To ensure this outcome, the DM-MD8X8 intercepts the CEC signals that many HDMI devices generate without your knowledge, preventing any unwanted commands from being executed — like a Blu-ray player attempting to turn off the video display when it gets turned off, or a DVD player trying to pause the other players in the system when it is playing. Through proper CEC management, DigitalMedia allows you to take control of each device as you like.
Easy Setup—Via the front panel or using Crestron Toolbox software, every step of the DM-MD8X8’s setup process is designed to be quick and easy, configuring inputs and outputs automatically while letting the installer make intelligent design decisions along the way. The switcher even tests and measures the length of each DM cable, automatically making the appropriate calibrations
for optimal signal transmission to every room. With DigitalMedia, an entire 8x8 system can be commissioned in only 15 minutes.
SPECIFICATIONS
Video
Switcher: Modular input/output card based 8x8 digital matrix w/resolution management and HDCP v.1.1 copy protection support, Crestron QuickSwitch HD Input Signal Types: Configurable via plug-in cards supporting HDMI, DVI*, RGB*, component (YPbPr), S-Video (Y/C), and composite video, DM (DigitalMedia) over copper wire* or fiber*
Output Signal Types: Configurable via plug-in cards supporting DM over copper wire or fiber*, HDMI
Formats: NTSC or PAL, HDTV up to 1080p/60 (HDMI v.1.3 w/Deep Color), RGBHV up to UXGA/WUXGA
Input Resolutions, Interlaced: 480i, 576i, 1080i
Input Resolutions, Progressive: 640 x 480 minimum to 1920 x 1200 @ 60Hz maximum
Output Resolutions: Matched to inputs
Audio†
Switcher: 8x8 multi-channel audio-follow-video switching, plus independent 8x8 stereo matrix for audio breakaway
Input Signal Types: Configurable via modular plug-in cards supporting HDMI, analog (stereo or surround encoded 2-channel), SPDIF, DM over copper wire* or fiber* Output Signal Types: DM over copper wire or fiber*, HDMI
Note: Some input cards also include analog pass-thru audio outputs
Ethernet
General: 10/100/1000BaseT, auto-switching, auto-negotiating, auto-discovery, full/half duplex, TCP/IP, UDP/IP, CIP, DHCP, IEEE 803.U compliant
Switch: (1) 10/100/1000BaseT Gigabit Ethernet port (rear panel);
(16)10BaseT/100BaseTX Ethernet ports (actual hardware ports are exposed on select outboard devices)
Connectors
LAN: (1) 8-wire RJ45 female w/2 LED indicators; 10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet port;
Green LED indicates link status; Yellow LED indicates Ethernet activity
