Gefen EXT-DVI-148 User manual

®
1:8 DVI
Distribution
Amplifier
EXT
-DVI-148
User Manual

1
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of the 1:8 DVI Distribution Amplier. Your
complete satisfaction is very important to us.
Gefen
Gefen delivers innovative, progressive computer and electronics add-on solutions
that harness integration, extension, distribution and conversion technologies.
Gefen’s reliable, plug-and-play products supplement cross-platform computer
systems, professional audio/video environments and HDTV systems of all sizes
with hard-working solutions that are easy to implement and simple to operate.
The Gefen Extender for HDMI 1.3 Over One Fiber with IR
The 1:8 DVI Distribution Amplier is the perfect solution for anyone who needs
to send one source of digital high denition video to multiple displays at the
same time. It supports all DVI equipment, such as computers, HD-DVD players
and satellite set top boxes and all DVI displays. DVI (Digital Visual Interface)
is a common connector used throughout the industry to connect digital video
displays to video sources. In operation, the digital video source is connected to
the distribution amplier on one side. On the other side, eight video outputs are
available to be used in part or in full. Once the unit is connected and powered,
your video source is routed to up to eight digital displays at the same time.
For home theater applications, the unit is HDCP (high bandwidth digital content
protection) compliant, making it effective for use with all HDTV displays. HDCP
is a standard “key” encoded into the DVI signal to prevent video data from being
pirated. HDCP was strongly endorsed by the entertainment industry. If a source
device is HDCP coded and is connected to a HDTV display or projector via DVI
without the proper HDCP decoding mechanism, the picture is relegated to “snow”
or in some cases, a very low (480p) resolution. In order to see protected content,
the source, the display and any device in between must be equipped with DVI
connections that can enable HDCP using “software key” decoding.
How It Works
Simply connect your DVI video source to the 1:8 DVI Distribution Amplier input
using the supplied DVI cable. Then connect up to eight DVI displays to the unit’s
eight DVI outputs. Once connected and powered, your video source will be seen
on all eight displays at the same time.

2
OPERATION NOTES
READ THESE NOTES BEFORE INSTALLING OR
OPERATING THE 1:8 DVI DISTRIBUTION AMPLIFIER
• When using the 1:8 DVI Distribution Amplier, it is important to use devices/
displays that have similar or compatible resolutions/features. This will ensure
that the single video/audio signal produced by the source device is accepted
by all of the connected output devices/displays. See page 7 for more
information.

3
FEATURES
Features
• Distributes easily up to eight DVI/HDMI displays
• Maintains 480i, 480p, 720p, 720i, and 1080i, 1080p resolutions
• Maintains highest DVI single link video resolution
• Maintains highest DVI digital audio signal
• Supports HDCP compliant devices
• DVI or DVI to HDMI cables are used to connect the inputs and switcher
output
• Installs in seconds
Package Includes
(1) 1:8 DVI Distribution Amplier
(1) 6 ft. DVI cable (M-M)
(1) 24VDC Power Supply
(1) Rack Ears
(1) Quick Start Guide

4
PANEL LAYOUT
Front
Back
1 2
4
3

5
PANEL DESCRIPTIONS
1 DVI Out (1 - 8)
Connect a DVI display to each of these DVI ports.
2 Power
This LED indicator will glow bright red when the included power supply is
connected to the 1:8 DVI Distribution Amplier and the AC power cord is
connected to an available electrical outlet.
3 DVI In
Connect the computer (or other DVI source) to this DVI port.
4 24 VDC
Connect the included 24V DC power supply to this power receptacle and
connect the AC power cord to an available electrical outlet.

6
How to Connect the 1:8 DVI Distribution Amplifer
1. Connect a computer (or other DVI source) to the DVI input on the back panel
of the 1:8 DVI Distribution Amplier using the included DVI cable.
2. Connect up to eight DVI displays to the DVI outputs on the front panel of the
1:8 DVI Distribution Amplier.
3. Connect the included 24V DC power supply to the power receptacle on the
back panel of the 1:8 DVI Distribution Amplier. Connect the opposite end of
the AC power cord into an available electrical outlet.
Wiring Diagram for the 1:8 DVI Distribution Amplier
CONNECTING THE 1:8 DVI DISTRIBUTION AMPLIFIER
DVI CABLE
Splitter
Computer
Monitor
Monitor
Monitor
Monitor
Monitor
Monitor
Monitor
Monitor
EXT-DVI-148

EDID: What is it and what is it used for?
Under normal circumstances, an source device (digital and analog) will require
information about a connected device/display to assess what resolutions
and features are available. The source can then cater its output to send
only resolutions and features that are compatible with the attached device/
display. This information is called EDID (Extended Display Information Data)
and a source device can only accept and read one EDID from a connected
device/display. Likewise, the source an only output one resolution for use by a
connected device/display.
Why is EDID so important with the 1:8 DVI Distribution Amplier?
The 1:8 DVI Distribution Amplier is complex piece of technology that replicates
and switches between multiple inputs and outputs. Each connected source
device will require one EDID to read. EDID management is carefully handled by
1:8 DVI Distribution Amplier to provide a single EDID for each source to read.
What options do I have to manage the EDID in the 1:8 DVI Distribution
Amplier?
First, it is important to note that each source device can only output one video/
audio signal type. This includes resolutions and timings. When multiple devices/
displays are used, such as with the 1:8 DVI Distribution Amplier, it is important
to use devices/displays that have similar or compatible resolutions/features. This
will ensure that the single video/audio signal produced by the source device is
accepted by all of the connected output devices/displays.
The user has the option, through a combination of DIP switch settings within the
1:8 DVI Distribution Amplier, to choose how the unit will manage the EDID from
multiple HDMI devices/displays. Therefore the user has some control over the
resolutions/features that the source devices will output. The 1:8 DVI Distribution
Amplier has a multiple EDID management modes that will control how the EDID
information from multiple devices/displays are combined, ignored, and routed.
How do I change EDID modes in the 1:8 DVI Distribution Amplier?
There is an bank of 8 DIP switches located on the main-baord inside of the
1:8 DVI Distribution Amplier. DIP switches 1, 2, and 5 are used in different
combinations to manage the EDID modes.
To access these DIP switches it will be required to open the unit. To do this,
remove all screws on the underside and side of the unit. Remove all HEX screws
on the rear panel. This includes the screws above each DVI port. Carefully slide
the unit apart.
EDID MANAGEMENT
7

8
EDID MANAGEMENT
EDID Modes
The diagrams below illustrate the DIP switch bank for each EDID mode. Use DIP
switches 1, 2, and 5 to select the desired EDID management mode.
EDID Mode 0
• EDID is copied from the active device connected to DVI Out 1.
EDID Mode 1
• Same as EDID Mode 0; adds basic 2-channel audio support.
EDID Mode 2
• Same as EDID Mode 0; adds full audio support up to 5.1 channels.
EDID Mode 3
• EDID is generated based on the common video features of all the connected
devices.
1 2 5 63 4 7 8
1 2 5 63 4 7 8
1 2 5 63 4 7 8
1 2 5 63 4 7 8

9
EDID MANAGEMENT
EDID Mode 4
• Same as EDID Mode 3 and adds basic 2-channel audio support.
EDID Mode 5
• Same as EDID Mode 3; adds full audio support up to 5.1 channels.
EDID Mode 6 (Default Setting)
• EDID is generated based on common audio and video features of all
the connected devices.
EDID Mode 7
• EDID is passed unmodied from the active device connected to DVI Out 1.
1 2 5 63 4 7 8
1 2 5 63 4 7 8
1 2 5 63 4 7 8
1 2 5 63 4 7 8

10
SPECIFICATIONS
Maximum Pixel Clock................................................................................165 MHz
Input Video Signal................................................................................1.2 volts p-p
Input DDC Signal...........................................................................5 volts p-p (TTL)
Input Video Connector.....................................(1) DVI, 29-pin, female (digital only)
Output Video Connector..................................(8) DVI, 29-pin, female (digital only)
Power Consumption .............................................................................60W (max.)
Power Supply .............................................................................................24V DC
Dimensions (W x H x D) ....................17” x 1.6” x 5.4” (432mm x 41mm x 137mm)
Shipping Weight ................................................................................6 lbs. (2.7 kg)
Rack Mountable............................................................................... 1U rack space