UPGRADING RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATIONS with September 2020

We Live in an HDBaseT World

UPGRADING RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATIONS WITH September 2020

HDBaseT Alliance 3855 SW 153rd Drive, Beaverton, OR 97006 Tel +1 (503) 619-3007 | Fax (503) 619-6708 admin@hdbaset.org | www.hdbaset.org Upgrading Residential Installations With HDBaseT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. TABLE OF CONTENTS...... 2

2. INTRODUCTION

It goes without saying that technology brings many benefits to our lives, whether at home, in the office, school, or even just walking or driving around. Technology allows us to reach out and connect to different people and platforms, optimizing our time, resources, and productivity. This is particularly relevant in the audio-video industry, where there is continuous progress with new devices, new platforms, new possibilities. The ability to enhance the distribution of high-quality, high-speed content leads to the ultimate AV experience in corporate, residential, medical or any other vertical.

The evolution of AV technology is never-ending, and progresses according to the needs of the market and its end-users, whether is in terms of speed, quality, distance, etc. In this paper, we are going to look at the requirements of residential installations to deliver the best experience to customers.

3. THE NEEDS OF THE CONNECTED HOME

Long gone are the days when families relied only on their plain TVs, their wired phones, and antennas. Broadcast, cable TV, VCR, DVD, from analog systems to digital, streaming and video-on-demand. Nowadays, the home display (aka, TV) is only part of what is expected in most residential installations. Home is not only where we put our feet up and enjoy some time off. In fact, our working and personal lives are more interconnected than ever, with an increased number of people working from home, many more students learning remotely, and the need to easily and conveniently connect with family members and friends who are far away.

The new connected home requires the right infrastructure to enable the highest quality of in-home AV experience. The connected home must address the different needs of each family.

Let's look at some of the most essential use cases.

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3.1. Entertainment

Home entertainment involves a wide range of possibilities – from simple video streaming, to outdoor displays, home theaters, virtual parties, and more. As we evolve to 4K and even 8K displays, our home connectivity must be able to deliver the audio, video and data quality to ensure proper entertainment.

While some content today is still limited to up to 1080p, streaming platforms (such as Netflix, Disney+, HBO, etc.) are investing mostly in 4K content. 4K resolution brings better sharpness, color, and more features than available in 1080p, but also demand more bandwidth, whether over wire or wireless. 4K displays are particularly helpful for outdoor displays, as they can better adjust with ultra-bright picture quality and optimized outdoor audio.

In addition, as streaming becomes increasingly popular and widespread, the ability to upstream audio from the TV to speakers around the room is also a nice feature to have.

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3.2. Gaming

Gaming is the main residential application that demands the highest quality, lowest latency video distribution platforms. Zero latency is critical to gaming, as latency heavily impairs the user experience. As game consoles are already supporting 4K, and soon will be supporting 8K, data distribution quality becomes even more important.

3.3. Working from home

Working from home (WFH) brings benefits and drawbacks. On the one hand, no commuting, flexible working hours, and the possibility of spending more time with your family. On the other hand, you often have to handle distractions, and sometimes deal with connectivity issues. As it becomes clear that working from home is not a temporary situation, it is important that your home office is properly designed and equipped with the right technology. Make sure not only to have the right computer and displays, but also the right camera, microphone, and reliable connectivity. Setting up a cable clutter-free environment with the right infrastructure is the right way to boost your productivity.

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3.4. Remote learning

Until recently, besides the few families who opted for homeschooling, remote learning was not widespread, with the exception of some courses here and there. In recent months, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote learning did not become an option, but a necessity, to help control the spread of the virus and guarantee safety to students, teachers and their families.

While children are quite tech-savvy and are used to be in front of a screen, whether a display or their smartphones, remote learning has brought some new challenges that need to be addressed sooner rather than later. Even when COVID-19 will be behind us, it is likely that a hybrid remote/in-school learning set-up will survive to optimize the overall education system, and benefit those who are not able to attend everyday classes.

Remote learning demands high-quality AV distribution, including camera and microphone accessibility, to empower the collaborative environment that is often experienced in the classroom. The ability of other students and the teacher to see and listen to each class participant optimizes and improves the quality of the learning experience.

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Each family, each home, each person has different needs, but the one thing they all require is the right connectivity infrastructure to support these needs. That means enough bandwidth, no latency, and flexibility vis-à-vis distance and setup of the different devices, with the ability to address the different scenarios.

The ideal connected home requires:

• Standardized technology & interoperability: at home, we are connecting different devices in different rooms, and the ability to move from room-to-room while guaranteeing smooth, plug-and-play connectivity enhances the overall experience.

• Clutter-free cabling: yes, wireless is also a possibility, but eventually, to guarantee high performance and low latency, a wired infrastructure is necessary. How can we guarantee that our house does not become a cable nightmare? A minimal cable installation can significantly improve the setup.

• Future-proofing: our home infrastructure is not as replaceable as our computers, cell phones, or even our cars. As such, guaranteeing a future-proof installation (both backward and forward- compatible) is a must.

• Simplicity: life is complicated enough. A plug-and-play solution is a must.

• High-Definition & no latency: high-quality and image sharpness considerably improves not only how much we enjoy a movie or gaming, but also our productivity during online meetings or lectures. A low-resolution, poor-quality online classroom will negatively impact a student performance, for example. If we must work or learn from home, then it is necessary to invest not only on the right desk and chair, but also on the infrastructure to guarantee a comfortable visual and audio scenario. The high-quality screens and audio equipment of today require the right AV distribution system to guarantee their high-end features are properly utilized.

The one technology that optimally addresses these items is HDBaseT, providing the most value for residential applications nowadays.

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4. HDBASET IN THE HOME ENVIRONMENT There is no one-size-fits-all for any AV installations, whether corporate, medical, industrial, or even residential. It is important to take into consideration the different setups (size/area, number of rooms, number of people) and the different needs (entertainment only? WFH? Remote/hybrid education?) of each installation. The one central element addressing the different scenarios and optimizing the home environment is connectivity, and that’s where HDBaseT comes in.

HDBaseT delivers an all-inclusive solution that is elegant, simple, and yet uncompromising in its high performance. From simple TV applications all the way to complete home networking solutions, the arsenal of HDBaseT’s comprehensive feature set provides a simple, aesthetic installation. HDBaseT is a genuine plug-and-play solution, delivering the best audio-video experience.

HDBaseT is the ultimate standard for digital connectivity. It is the only technology available today for long-reach distribution of uncompressed HDMI 2.0, in addition to converging additional interfaces over a single, 100m/328ft Cat cable. HDBaseT’s rich feature set is unique as it brings unparalleled benefits to each installation simplifying the overall AV distribution infrastructure. HDBaseT enables the long-reach distribution of:

Audio & Video HDBaseT enables the uncompressed distribution of HDMI2.0 (4K@60 4:4:4), with HDCP 2.3 support, in addition to HDR10, HDR10+ and DolbyVision. HDBaseT’s unique video coding scheme ensures the highest video quality at zero latency. HDBaseT Audio supports all standard formats, including Dolby Digital, S/PDIF, I2S-4, and more, enabling a full 7.1 surround system to be installed.

Ethernet HDBaseT supports up to 1Gb Ethernet, enabling screens, televisions, Hi-Fi equipment, computers, and other consumer electronics devices to connect to streaming services and to communicate with each other for access to stored multimedia content, including video, pictures and music.

USB2.0 Bi-directional USB functionality is a major feature of HDBaseT in a residential installation. By being able to transmit USB signals for up to 100m/328ft, HDBaseT enables interactivity and sharing of content with camera and microphone connectivity. In addition, USB enables the usage of keyboard and mouse functionality, touch screen capability, video sharing, gaming controllers, and more.

Control HDBaseT delivers different types of control signals (UART, RS-232, I2C) for different purposes, which enables the operation of remote equipment and allows a system to be easily controlled and monitored.

Power HDBaseT safely delivers up to 100W over the same category cable. This allows for the installation of devices in places where there is no power outlet.

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HDBaseT display HDBaseT Audio/ Ethernet Power source Video

100m/328 ft Cat6 cable Control USB

Seamless convergence of multiple interfaces over a single cable

HDBaseT’s high-bandwidth copper-extension PHY (physical layer) supports up to 16Gbps for 100m/328ft. Even though HDMI2.0 demands 18Gbps, HDBaseT is able to do so without the 20% overhead that HDMI demands, distributing the fully uncompressed video data without compromising signals or affecting latency.

HDBaseT is dynamically managed by a sophisticated DSP, supporting PAM-16 (Pulse-Amplitude Modulation) to ensure maximum bandwidth and maximum error resilience. With built-in debug, monitoring capabilities and advanced error handling, HDBaseT can guarantee error-free links, as its adaptive mechanisms can cope with multiple system impairments and noise sources. HDBaseT brings unique error correction mechanisms, which delivers better results than the Forward-Error-Correction (FEC) mechanism implemented in Ethernet PHY implementations.

Over the years, HDBaseT has evolved, with additional features being added in each new Specification – from 1.0 to the recently released 3.0. However, it is important to highlight that all Specs are fully interoperable, and guarantee a smooth evolution and transition.

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SPEC 3.0 VS3XXX SPEC 2.0 I2S-4, SPDIF SPEC 1.0 VS2XXX UART, IR, I2C I2S, SPDIF VS1XX USB2.0 @ 350Mbps UART, IR UART, IR, I2C HDMI2.0 in, HDCP HDMI1.4 out or in USB2.0 HDMI2.0 out, HDCP T-Adaptors HDMI1.4 out or in 8G/0.15G, 100m PHY (RX or TX) 16G/2G, 100m 8G/0.3G, 100m (TX) (RX or TX) 100MbE HDBaseT Port 2G/16G, 100m Duality 100MbE (RX)

1GbE

FULL INTEROPERABILITY HDMI1.4 HDMI1.4 HDMI2.0

HDBaseT Evolution: From Spec 1.0 to 3.0

The Power of Interoperability HDBaseT brings many benefits to residential As the leading standard for long-reach installations, delivering the highest AV distribution, HDBaseT is embedded performance over long distances, while in thousands of products (with millions simplifying installations with category cables. of HDBaseT ports in the field!), from By converging several interfaces over a single simple extenders to displays, matrixes, cable, HDBaseT significantly reduces cable projectors, cameras, and more. One clutter in our homes. of the core principles of HDBaseT is interoperability among the different devices, It can also reduce the number of devices which significantly simplifies installations necessary, as a single platform can be and facilitates upgrades of devices. The shared across multiple rooms (for example, interoperability of HDBaseT devices is a single gaming console can be enjoyed by guaranteed through the HDBaseT Alliance’s several users in different rooms). HDBaseT Compliance Testing Specifications (CTS), is also highly resilient to noise (such as and can be easily confirmed through the electromagnetic or cross-talk), and is able to Alliance’s online Certified Product List. minimize the sources of such noise around your AV system.

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5. RESIDENTIAL USE CASES

5.1. Home Theater

AV Rack Room Home Theater/Living Room

AV Receiver

HDBaseT Matrix

Blu-Ray PC Set-top box

HDBaseT USB HDMI Audio (ARC, I2S)

Ultra-high-definition audio & video (uncompressed HDMI2.0) long-reach distribution

5.2. Outdoor Display

HDBaseT Matrix

AV Rack Room

DVD player PC

HDBaseT USB HDMI Audio (ARC, I2S)

Ultra-bright quality video & outdoor audio, with high resilience to temperature, weather, dust, etc.

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5.3. Remote Learning

HDBaseT USB HDMI Audio (ARC, I2S)

Superior interactivity with bi-directional USB functionality

5.4. Working from Home

HDBaseT USB HDMI Audio (ARC, I2S)

High-quality, flawless virtual meetings for increased productivity

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5.5. Gaming

PlayStation Computer Apple Streamer

BEDROOM 1 BEDROOM 2

HDBaseT HDBaseT Matrix HDBaseT RX RX 100m/328ft Cat cable

100m/328ft Cat cable

HDBaseT USB HDMI Audio (ARC, I2S)

Zero latency, uncompressed video for superior gaming interaction

6. CONCLUSION

At the end of the day, flexibility and feasibility are important elements when considering a residential installation, especially as the gamut of devices and needs continue to expand and increase. A plug-and- play, interoperable, and high-performing technology is the ultimate solution to guarantee a superior residential experience. This is where HDBaseT comes in.

HDBaseT simplifies the installation while guaranteeing the distribution of high-speed, zero latency content. Our lives are increasingly connected. It is time to sit back and relax in your own home.

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About the HDBaseT Alliance

The HDBaseT Alliance advances and promotes the adoption of HDBaseT technology as the global standard for ultra-high-definition, digital connectivity. Since its founding in 2010 by LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Valens, the Alliance has brought together the leading names in the consumer electronics, professional AV, industrial and automotive verticals, and it has today more than 200 members and thousands of products. HDBaseT, powered by the Valens chipset, enables all-in-one connectivity between ultra-HD video sources and remote displays through a single 100m/328ft CAT6 cable or fiber, delivering high definition 4K video, audio, USB, Ethernet, control signals and up to 100 watts of power.