Echo Rack Shelf

[STC]

And then, here's the kicker, sorry, but the Echos are tiny, surely there isn't an issue using them locally to each TV?
Having a distribution system is a tad overkill?
-Maybe just a nice plaything, but an expensive one none-the-less...



*Velcro'd to the back perhaps?!

[mcewinter]

^I don't disagree but it may be a case where the home already has it in place. I imagine that most/all whole music installs still include IR systems. There's a level of customer that doesn't want to see anything and have it just work.

[tad]

And then, here's the kicker, sorry, but the Echos are tiny, surely there isn't an issue using them locally to each TV?
Having a distribution system is a tad overkill?
-Maybe just a nice plaything, but an expensive one none-the-less...



*Velcro'd to the back perhaps?!

overkill? maybe.

expensive? no doubt. The HDMI matrix switch I just picked up was not cheap.

awesome? absolutely.

easy to use? incredibly - everything will be soon be integrated into a custom control system that will completely eliminate switching between inputs manually on the TVs, remembering which device can do Pandora, which can do Netflix, etc...

We LOVE being able to sync up several displays on the same floor of our home. For example, watching the same TV show in the kitchen and living room at the same time. Or, listening to the same music throughout the first floor (and being able to see the lovely music interface that media center provides on each TV). It's especially great for parties. You can't do this without having the sources centralized.

[STC]

Interesting.

How does the switch handle HDCP for sync'd shows viewed at same time?
Do you have any other required hardware at the screen end such as a twisted pair to HDMI converter or IR receiver module etc?
Is your solution completely free of extra hardware TV side other then the TV and HDMI cable?
Would you mind linking to the matrix, I'd be interested to read up on it.

[tad]

Interesting.

How does the switch handle HDCP for sync'd shows viewed at same time?
Do you have any other required hardware at the screen end such as a twisted pair to HDMI converter or IR receiver module etc?
Is your solution completely free of extra hardware TV side other then the TV and HDMI cable?
Would you mind linking to the matrix, I'd be interested to read up on it.

This is the matrix I am currently using, but there are quite a few available. Quality varies greatly. http://www.gefen.com/gefentoolbox/gtbpr ... d_id=10306
I have an IR receiver module at each TV (xantech) and on some tvs (where I didn't run HDMI), I have a cat5 to hdmi receiver. There is no other hardware at the TV side.

[Embiggens]

holy ****

[STC]

Indeed

[STC]

I'm still interested in the protected content to multiple TVs aspect. Does the matrix perform this spoofing?

[tad]

I'm still interested in the protected content to multiple TVs aspect. Does the matrix perform this spoofing?

HDCP handshaking isn't an issue as long as all the displays support HDCP. The matrix handles all of the EDIDs internally.

Note that there are several other (much cheaper) products that accomplish similar distribution. For example, I've used this monoprice splitter for years: http://www.monoprice.com/products/produ ... 1&format=2

There is also a monoprice 4x4 matrix here, which gets mostly good reviews: http://www.monoprice.com/products/produ ... 1&format=2

[STC]

Ahh no, I didn't phrase that properly; My question is one of playing protected content to more than one TV at once.
That would be defeating [some aspects of] the protection. Does the matrix do this?

[tad]

Ahh no, I didn't phrase that properly; My question is one of playing protected content to more than one TV at once.
That would be defeating [some aspects of] the protection. Does the matrix do this?

Yes, you can play protected content to multiple displays. However, I don't think this defeats any aspect of the protection.

[richard1980]

@STC http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDCP_repeater_bit

[STC]

Thanks tad and Richard. I'm still stuck on older tech in my mind, when the protected path was point to single, not point to possible multiple...

Next question, then please tad; Do you experience any hiccups with handshaking multiple devices through the matrix? Glitches or otherwise?

[tad]

Thanks tad and Richard. I'm still stuck on older tech in my mind, when the protected path was point to single, not point to possible multiple...

Next question, then please tad; Do you experience any hiccups with handshaking multiple devices through the matrix? Glitches or otherwise?

I just upgraded to this particular matrix, so I'll report back in a couple weeks after I've had some more experience with it.

One big complaint with the monoprice matrix was that viewing source A on display A and subsequently switching display B also to source A would cause source A to flash/hiccup. Supposedly the higher end switches (like the gefen) fix this problem. Gefen also has "FST" - some sort of proprietary fast switching technology that allows you to switch between sources more quickly. My initial testing has been very positive.

[rmalbers]

The echo is so light you might be able to glue supporting brackets to the face plate, there are a lot of really good glues these days.

[erkotz]

I've been meaning to make something to rack-mount some of the Echos I have in my testing rack. This shelf was news to me

[erkotz]

I've been meaning to make something to rack-mount some of the Echos I have in my testing rack. This shelf was news to me I'm surprised it's 2U though, the Echo is less than 1U tall.

[Crash2009]

I just upgraded to this particular matrix, so I'll report back in a couple weeks after I've had some more experience with it.

Hey Guys,

I have been thinking about jumping in to this HDMI matrix thing. Got a 3D projector last week. I am all ready tired of manually connecting/disconnecting. I thought it might be cool to tie all my displays to all my sources. I only have 3 displays and 4 sources. Would be nice to send any source to any or all displays. Are your suggestions from January still relevant? I like the price on the Monoprice http://www.monoprice.com/Product/?c_id= ... largeimage The Sewell Spider 4X4 is affordable as well. http://sewelldirect.com/Sewell-Spider-4 ... upport.asp Anybody got any other suggestions?

[werds]

Hmmm interesting thread....

[Crash2009]

Hmmm interesting thread....

Yup, I probably should start a new thread over in Components. But, before I go, here are a few more HDMI Matrix Switcher's that I found over at Ebay. I want them all, I can only buy 1. http://www.ebay.com/bhp/hdmi-matrix-4x4