Using HDMI Switch to Expand Home HD Theater System
HDMI will continue to be the de-facto standard in home video
transmission for 2 reasons: (1) uncompressed digital format ensures the best picture quality and (2) HDMI allows content providers to ensure that their intellectual property is protected through HDCP.
"It is clear that more equipment such as Cable/Satellite Set Top boxes, DVD players, HD DVD players, Personal video recorders, video game stations, and computer video cards will adopt HDMI/DVI. However, many early-generation HDTV monitors only had 1 or 2 HDMI input leaving the early adopter no way to easily add HDMI enabled sources.
Furthermore, many Surround Sound Audio Receivers do not include HDMI switching. Octava's HDMI switching solution was designed to allow end users add HDMI sources and at the same time upgrade their existing Surround Sound Audio Receiver with HDMI switching capabilities. This allows the end user to fully experience the benefits of HDMI."
Octava's latest HDMI switch solution include a 3x1 and 5x1 HDMI switch. The 3x1 HDMI switch allows the user to connect up to 3 HDMI sources and share it with 1 HD monitor or projector. The 5x1 HDMI switch are for "power users" who intend to add in more sources in the future. "By providing 3x1 and 5x1 HDMI solutions, we ensure that the end user always has adequate number of ports for future expansions."
The Octava HDMI switch has been meticulously engineered for superior impedance matching, minimum skew and clean transmission. All switches are HDCP compatible and are transparent to the HDCP process ensuring compatibility. Furthermore, Clear Eye technology has been employed to correct and improve signal quality over HDMI cables.
In addition, Octava HDMI switch incorporate Smart Scan auto-detection, which intelligently and automatically select the desired HDMI source allowing for the ultimate user friendliness. Smart Scan simplifies the user experience by minimizing dependence on additional remote controls. A further benefit of Smart Scan is that the HDMI switch may be placed behind the equipment cabinet and be controlled without an additional IR extender.
All products can be connected to DVI-D also simply by using a DVI-D to HDMI cable or adapter.
About the Author
Jeff Su is product-marketing manager at Octava Inc.
Jeff is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology (BSEE, MSEE) and has over 10 years of experience in CATV systems, RF, and microwave designs. He may be reached at: info@octavainc.com
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