Product Forum CRESTRON DIGITALMEDIA by Christopher Maione

don’t typically write about specific products, but I feel this product line has a significant impact on our industry. So first, the excitement. Crestron DigitalMedia is amaz- I ing stuff. Hats off to them for being ahead of the game and out of the gate first with this sort of product. A matrix switcher system with inputs and outputs specifically designed to accommodate an end-to- end solution for switching and routing HDCP-compliant digital . Next, we enter a brave new digital world. My head spins with the complexity of the commercial AV world and having to deal with HDCP compliant AV? I don’t think so. This is just the copyright police devices. What happened to my simple DA? Gone. Routing HDCP compliant shooting at the bad guys and hitting the innocent by- devices (Cable/Satellite TV Tuners, Blu-ray DVD, Xbox etc.) is no simple feat. standing AV industry (where there really aren’t copyright Basically the Hollywood piracy police (copy guard protection) have taken over the protection issues), and forcing us to react. Take, for exam- world of HD content and created a near impenetrable system for “protecting” the ple, a basic boardroom, which in addition to the staples of distribution of content (Movies, Games etc.). PC and laptop display, we would typically include—you Unfortunately for the commercial AV world, we are going to have to deal with this guessed it—a Blu-ray DVD player and an HD Cable or stuff and figure a way to route and distribute the digital signals while maintaining the Satellite TV box. We’ve now entered the world of HDCP HDCP and AACS (Advanced Access Content Protection System) compliancy. Enter compliance where without the proper digital “handshake” Crestron DigitalMedia. This product line consists of various digital interfaces the video signals will not be displayed. (HDMI, DVI, SDI) and a slot based matrix switcher provide an end to end solution for Pre-digital, many AV system designs would have moving audio/video/control (such as HDMI) included Extron interfaces, and Extron/AMX from a source device (Blu-ray DVD, Xbox, (AutoPatch) matrix switchers, now Crestron key features Cable/Satellite TV) to a display (flat panel, video DigitalMedia has provided an end-to-end solution. I’m projector) while maintaining the required sure the folks at Extron and AMX are not happy about • An integrated solution that manages, controls, and distrib- HDCP “handshake.” Without the handshake this at all and why they are also selling HDCP compliant utes all analog and uncom- from source to display you get nothing but a switchers. From what I hear and see, the product line pressed HD digital content black screen. Maintaining the handshake has taken off like wildfire, and AV consultants and AV over twisted pair or fiber. involves passing a complex control and systems integrators have joined the DM revolution. • DM matrix switchers are flexi- authenticating “keys” between the source and ble, modular systems that can display to allow the content to be viewed? accept virtually every signal DO YOUR HOMEWORK type and transmit them long Heads up—this stuff is complex. It’s also a bit finicky distance as digital DM signals. REALITY CHECK when it comes to strict adherence of cable distances and Okay, now for some disillusionment. proper terminations. In addition, the matrix switch • Built-in QuickSwitch HD tech- nology pre-authorizes HDCP Hollywood and the copyright police will dic- requires a boatload of IP addresses and its configuration keys and maintains a constant tate how we must design AV systems? This is (continued on page 43) handshake for glitch-free HD bad...real bad. I think the fact that the switching. world of consumer copyright content • At the end points, DM control is influencing how we now moreonline receivers control and output must design commercial AV systems is HDMI to the display.data such Watch a video explaining HDCP and how it as HDCP, EDID and CEC. ridiculous. Is this the so-called “conver- relates to DigitalMedia. Learn about how gence” of consumer and commercial HDCP works as well as its limitations. Visit avtechnologyonline.com/nov10

42 NOVEMBER 2010 | avtechnologyonline.com listen up! (continued from page 28) performances is the automatic mic mixer which tune. Rane’s Mongoose matrix and its RAD (Remote Michigan University, says sound systems have increases the gain on the active mic and lowers it Audio Device) remote, which convert audio to and become much more sophisticated over the last two on the others, reducing feedback and interfer- from digital at the end of the run, are self-testing. decades but are more challenging to operate. ence, explains inventor Dan Dugan. Variable pat- Installers and users verify that everything is proper- A good technician needs to know how sound tern mikes are complementary to automatic mike ly connected. The Mongoose, which was recently systems work and understand 1/3 octave equal- mixers, assuring that the mixer selects the correct installed in Arizona State University Memorial ization in order to eliminate unwanted ringing, mike in challenging conditions, adds Dixon. Union, helps eliminate problems with ground loops he says. A technician also needs to know some- Architecture and hardware aside, the key and EMI, thus improving audio quality. thing about music and speech to run systems for to achieving good sound is ultimately the sys- concerts and lectures, respectively, he adds. tems design and, in turn, the AV technician at TRINITY: GOOD STUFF, “Don’t walk into the room five minutes the controls. STILL A CHALLENGE ahead of time,” Campbell warns. “You have to “Sound systems are more than a microphone Robert Miller, media support coordinator with test everything in advance, know what peripher- and a speaker,” says Dixon. “It takes a trained Trinity University, says the sound systems there als they will be using and what you need to do to engineer who has experience in the applied sci- are good, typically six years old or less, with have a successful meeting. And if something ence of sound to set up the system and adapt it high-end speakers and . goes wrong, you have to know what to do. You for the needs of the environment and the event. Still, AV techs face challenges synchronizing must strive for perfection.”

Rane's Mongoose Matrix and RAD (Remote Audio Devices) convert analog audio to or from 24-bit, 48 kHz . Rane’s RAD Network uses standard CAT-5 cable and termination transports four digital audio channels, two channels in each direction, as well as power, and device communication. Mongoose can replace the analog mic and line level portions of an audio system with digitized audio over regular CAT 5 cable. Mongoose can be used with or without CobraNet.

The quality of sound in manufactured devices is sound with video in large venues because audio Sometimes, for example, an AV technician there; it’s the technician who must adapt the signals have a longer path to travel than the might arrive before a meeting and discover a equipment to the situation.” video counterparts, he says. hum in the system. This is often created when The AV staff is pleased with its touch panel con- there are multiple points of grounding, creating KEY AV ROLE: SYSTEM TUNING trols, however, which are very intuitive, and the a loop. The solution is to locate and isolate the A popular complaint from contractors is the timers which automatically shut down projectors problem component with an isolation filter or “novice” making adjustments that send the sys- after three hours, saving energy and lamp life, he adds. transformer, he says. tem into feedback distortion, and sometimes, The department uses Energy Star 2.0 ampli- Wireless microphones also can be subject to even damage the equipment, Dixon says. fiers to save on power and will buy Extron self- interference, but this can be avoided with a “[Proper] system tuning is key,” agrees idling amplifiers with the next upgrade, he says. “wireless sweep” a day in advance, he adds. Young. “Without proper gain structure and Sometimes, the university experiences hearing Finally, AV systems near powerful radio sta- even the best system designs will problems with videoconferencing, especially when tions can be plagued with signal interference. This not perform optimally.” the other party uses a different brand, Miller says. happened to Campbell once in New York City and Their recommendation for onsite managers: But Trinity solves the problem with a com- during a presentation on a football field. In both Take courses from InfoComm or other organiza- pany that is able to adjust for the differences, he says. cases, the microphones acted as antennae for the tions offering audio education programs. And radio station signals and the problem was solved work closely with the sound engineer who PREPARATION IS KEY by isolating the lines with transformers, he adds. designed the system. Kevin Campbell, who manages communications for The point of the stories is, “The unexpected Manufacturers can also help end-users test and a division of Dow Corning and teaches at Central happens,” he says. “You have to be prepared.”

CRESTRON DIGITALMEDIA (continued from page 42) up as the HDCP standards evolve. If your project can be challenging. There is also a moving target sue their certification, which comes in two fla- has a Crestron DM solution, make sure the con- in the world of HDCP compliance as the standard vors, Certified Designer and Certified Engineer. sultant, designer, engineer and installers all have evolves (changes). Patches and firmware updates their certification to ensure they have the training are being pushed out “chasing” the ever-changing MESSAGE TO THE END-USER required to successfully navigate through the world of consumer electronics equipment. One word of advice to the end-user world: the complexities of routing HDCP-compliant devices. I think it’s great the migration to fully digital analog sunset is going to bring some very chal- FYI, You can verify a person’s certification on signal is challenging our industry and requiring lenging and interesting items we are going to have the Crestron DigitalMedia Website. us to learn new skills as we leave the analog world to address, in regards to AV systems design and Christopher Maione, CTS-D, is president of for digital. It will be interesting to see which con- engineering. Digital is here to stay, and there will Christopher Maione Associates. Weigh in with your sultants and AV system integrators actually pur- undoubtedly be a variety of unknowns popping feedback by emailing [email protected].

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