For some time now distributing high definition can be a tricky task, particularly in large commercial applications, with so many different screen sizes, EDID issues it was typical to get picture drop out or flicker. with the release of Crestrons DigitalMedia product range, it now boasts true un-compressed 1080p High definition video and audio distribution over a choice of cable structures.

DigitalMedia distributes uncompressed digital audio and video signals over a choice of CAT5e/6-based copper wiring or dual fibre cable. A full selection of switcher input cards, wall plate transmitters, and room controllers provides extensive connectivity throughout the home, supporting a complete range of analogue and digital signal types all through one switcher — another industry first! DigitalMedia intelligently manages all the different signals and devices, matching each source’s output to the capabilities of the selected display’s) without using scaling or compression. Every signal is preserved in its native video resolution and audio format, ensuring a pure, lossless signal path throughout.

Crestron DM Switchers provide the foundation for a complete DigitalMedia system, delivering an advanced, true high-definition multi-room AV signal routing solution that’s extremely flexible and installer-friendly. The DM-MD8X8 affords low-latency switching and pure, lossless distribution of HDMI and other signals to support the latest Blu-ray Disc™ players, HDTV receivers, digital media servers, computers, video game consoles, and all your other AV devices.

Learn how to design a DigitalMedia System

The DM-MD8X8 is field-configurable to handle up to 8 AV sources of virtually any type. The outputs are also field-configurable to provide up to 8 DM room outputs and/or HDMI outputs in a single chassis, with expansion capability possible for up to 40 outputs using multiple chassis. A full selection of DM switcher input cards, DM transmitters, and DM room controllers provides extensive connectivity throughout the home or office, supporting a complete range of analogue and digital signal types — all through one switcher! User-friendly setup and troubleshooting tools are provided through the DM-MD8X8 front panel, or via Crestron Toolbox™ software, to make setting up a complete multi-room HD system easy.

DigitalMedia™

You can’t talk about AV and home entertainment today without talking about high-definition, and creating a professional HD AV distribution system means handling the challenges that come with HDMI. HDMI is the new standard for interfacing high-definition AV equipment, but despite its many benefits, wasn’t developed with multi-room distribution in mind. So, as the leader in HDMI and control system technologies, Crestron has developed DigitalMedia, the first complete HD AV distribution system that takes HDMI to a higher level, and allows virtually any mix of AV sources to be distributed throughout the home from a centralized rack location.

DigitalMedia (DM) distributes uncompressed digital video and audio signals over a choice of CAT5e/6-based twisted-pair wire or multi-mode fibre. DigitalMedia thoughtfully 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. Every signal is preserved in its native video resolution and audio format, ensuring a pure, lossless signal path throughout.

How to design a Crestron Digital Media system part 2

Of course DigitalMedia handles more than just audio and video. Integrated Ethernet and USB HID distribution allows computers, media servers, and video game consoles to be installed out-of-sight and accessed from anywhere in the house. And naturally, Crestron control is also built-in for controlling the displays and other room devices without additional wiring.

Modular Architecture

The DM-MD8X8 features a modular architecture with 8 input card slots, and 2 quad output card slots. Each card slot on the DM-MD8X8 is field-installable, allowing for easy and flexible system configuration with the ability to make changes to the system as needs change.

A wide selection of DM input cards is offered to support a complete range of digital and analogue AV signal types. One or two output cards may be installed to feed up to 8 DM Room Controllers (receivers) using either DigitalMedia Cable or CresFiber fibre optic cable. DigitalMedia allows for cable lengths up to 450 feet (137 m) using DM cable, 1000 feet (300 m) using CresFiber. HDMI outputs are also available for direct connection to centralized audio processors and video monitors.

Output Expansion

An HDMI “pass-thru” output is provided on every input card to allow the inputs of up to 5 DM switchers to be daisy-chained, enabling the configuration of very large distribution systems with many DM and HDMI outputs.

Versatile Audio Routing

HDMI is the key to handling all the latest 7.1 surround sound formats like Dolby® TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Great for your high-end home theatre, but how do you share that same source with other audio zones in the house?

DigitalMedia provides the answer, allowing for the simultaneous distribution of multi-channel surround sound and two-channel stereo signals from the same HDMI source. Equipped with a DMC-HD-DSP input card, the DM-MD8X8 employs onboard DSP processing to derive a stereo down-mix from the original multi-channel signal. Both signals can be routed separately or simultaneously from any of the switcher’s DM outputs, allowing either signal to be selected for output at each DM receiver location.

Back at the switcher, the digital stereo signal is also converted to analogue 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, DisplayPort Multimode*, 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 a remote display location, conference table or presentation lectern, 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 (Extended Display Identification Data). 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 and disappointing picture and sound quality. For instance, the Blu-ray player that’s feeding your 1080p projector in the theatre may restrict itself to a lower resolution, or even shut off completely, if someone decides to view the same signal on the 20″ TV in the kitchen. And instead of enjoying the incredible 7.1 Dolby TrueHD format supported by your high-end theatre 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. All DigitalMedia wiring is also tested for integrity and bandwidth capability, optimizing system operation by instructing sources to output only resolutions and formats that the wiring can reliably handle.

QuickSwitch HD™ Technology

Crestron exclusive QuickSwitch HD technology minimizes the annoying switching latency that plagues typical HDMI switchers. As the move to digital takes hold, more and more movie studios and television service providers are using HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) to protect their DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, and broadcast signals against unauthorized copying. Viewing the HDCP encrypted content in its full high-definition format requires a source device to “authenticate” each display and signal processor in the system through an HDMI connection before delivering an output signal. Normally the authentication 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 system.

QuickSwitch HD technology achieves very fast switching of HDMI signals by maintaining a constant HDCP connection with each HDMI device in the system, eliminating the need to re-authenticate each time a different source is selected.

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 Embedded Device Control

The primary objective of every Crestron system is to enable precisely the control desired for a seamless user experience. DigitalMedia provides an alternative to conventional IR and RS-232 device control by harnessing the CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) signal embedded in HDMI. Through its connection to the control system, the DM-MD8X8 provides a gateway for controlling many devices right through their HDMI connections, potentially eliminating the need for any dedicated control wires or IR probes. Through proper CEC signal 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 8×8 system can be commissioned in as little as 15 minutes.