Monoprice Blackbird 27842 User manual

Blackbird™ 4K HDBaseT™ 8x8 HDMI® Matrix
P/N 27842
User's Manual

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CONTENTS
SAFETY WARNINGS AND GUIDELINES.......................................................................................................................................4
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................................................................................5
FEATURES..............................................................................................................................................................................................................6
CUSTOMER SERVICE....................................................................................................................................................................................6
PACKAGE CONTENTS................................................................................................................................................................................. 7
PRODUCT OVERVIEW................................................................................................................................................................................. 7
Matrix Front Panel .................................................................................................................................................................................. 7
Matrix Rear Panel.....................................................................................................................................................................................8
Receiver Front Panel.............................................................................................................................................................................9
Receiver Rear Panel .............................................................................................................................................................................10
Remote Control........................................................................................................................................................................................11
SAMPLE CONNECTION DIAGRAM ................................................................................................................................................12
IR PASS-THROUGH......................................................................................................................................................................................12
Control Local Input Device From Local..............................................................................................................................12
Control Local Input Device From Remote.......................................................................................................................14
Control Remote Device From Local......................................................................................................................................15
BUTTON CONTROL......................................................................................................................................................................................16
Switching ......................................................................................................................................................................................................16
EDID Management................................................................................................................................................................................16
Inquiry Mode..............................................................................................................................................................................................18
Recall Preset...............................................................................................................................................................................................19
GUI CONTROL.................................................................................................................................................................................................20
Switching Screen ...................................................................................................................................................................................21
Audio Screen.............................................................................................................................................................................................22
HDCP Configuration Screen........................................................................................................................................................22

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EDID Copy Configuration Screen ...........................................................................................................................................23
EDID Setting Configuration Screen......................................................................................................................................23
HDMI Input CEC Screen ..................................................................................................................................................................24
HDBT Output CEC Screen..............................................................................................................................................................25
HDMI Output CEC Screen .............................................................................................................................................................25
RS232 Screen.............................................................................................................................................................................................26
Access Screen.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 27
Interface Screen.....................................................................................................................................................................................28
Network Screen .....................................................................................................................................................................................28
CEC BUTTONS.................................................................................................................................................................................................29
GUI UPDATE.....................................................................................................................................................................................................30
RS-232 CONTROL.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 31
Control Matrix From Local............................................................................................................................................................. 31
Control Matrix From Remote......................................................................................................................................................31
Control Remote Third Party Device From Local........................................................................................................32
Control Local Third Party Device From Remote........................................................................................................ 32
RS-232 COMMANDS................................................................................................................................................................................. 33
System Commands .............................................................................................................................................................................34
Signal Switching ....................................................................................................................................................................................36
Preset Management...........................................................................................................................................................................38
Output Audio Control.......................................................................................................................................................................38
EDID Configuration .............................................................................................................................................................................39
HDCP Compliance.................................................................................................................................................................................41
Baud Rate Setting ................................................................................................................................................................................42
CEC Control Commands .................................................................................................................................................................42
TROUBLESHOOTING ................................................................................................................................................................................ 44

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TECHNICAL SUPPORT..............................................................................................................................................................................46
SPECIFICATIONS...........................................................................................................................................................................................46
Matrix ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................46
Receivers ......................................................................................................................................................................................................47
SAFETY WARNINGS AND GUIDELINES
Please read this entire manual before using this device, paying extra attention to these
safety warnings and guidelines. Please keep this manual in a safe place for future reference.
This device is intended for indoor use only.
Do not expose this device to water or moisture of any kind. Do not place drinks or
other containers with moisture on or near the device. If moisture does get in or on
the device, immediately unplug it from the power outlet and allow it to fully dry
before reapplying power.
Do not touch the device, the power cord, or any other connected cables with wet
hands.
Do not subject the product to extreme force, shock, or fluctuations in temperature
or humidity.
Do not expose this device to excessively high temperatures. Do not place it in, on,
or near heat sources, such as a fireplace, stove, radiator, etc. Do not leave it in direct
sunlight.
Prior to operation, check the unit and power cord for physical damage. Do not use if
physical damage has occurred.
Before plugging the unit into a power outlet, ensure that the outlet provides the
same type and level of power required by the device.
Unplug this device from the power source when not in use.

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Take care to prevent damage to the power cord. Do not allow it to become
crimped, pinched, walked on, or become tangled with other cords. Ensure that the
power cord does not present a tripping hazard.
Never unplug the unit by pulling on the power cord. Always grasp the connector
head or adapter body.
Ensure that power is turned off and disconnected before making any electrical
connections.
Clean using a soft, dry cloth only. Do not use chemical cleaners, solvents, or
detergents. For stubborn deposits, moisten the cloth with warm water.
This device has no user serviceable parts. Do not attempt to open, service, or
modify this device.
INTRODUCTION
The Blackbird™ 4K HDBaseT™ 8x8 HDMI® Matrix is a professional level matrix/switch and
HDMI extender. It features eight HDMI inputs and eight sets of HDMI and HDBaseT
outputs, allowing for both local and remote displays. It extends 4K@60Hz video signals to
distances up to 131 feet (40 meters) and 1080p@60Hz signals to distances up to 229 feet
(70 meters) over a single Cat6 Ethernet cable. It supports the Power over Cable (PoC)
feature, allowing the included receivers to draw power from the matrix over the Ethernet
cables. It features a comprehensive EDID management system and is compliant with the
HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2 specifications. It supports bi-directional IR and RS-232 extension, as
well as IR, RS-232, and TCP/IP control.

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FEATURES
Supports HDMI® video at resolutions up to 4K@60Hz 4:4:4
Fully compliant with the HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2 specifications
Can transmit 4K@60Hz signals to distances up to 131 fee (40 meters) and
1080p@60Hz signals to distances up to 229 feet (70 meters) over a single Cat6
Ethernet cable
Supports the Power over Cable (PoC) feature, allowing the included receivers to
draw power from the matrix over the Ethernet cables
Features eight HDMI inputs and eight sets of HDMI and HDBaseT™ outputs,
allowing for both local and remote displays for each output channel
Features comprehensive EDID management
Supports bi-directional IR and RS-232 extension
Supports front panel, IR remote control, RS-232, and TCP/IP control options
CUSTOMER SERVICE
The Monoprice Customer Service department is dedicated to ensuring that your ordering,
purchasing, and delivery experience is second to none. If you have any problem with your
order, please give us an opportunity to make it right. You can contact a Monoprice
Customer Service representative through the Live Chat link on our website
www.monoprice.com during normal business hours (Mon-Fri: 5am-7pm PT, Sat-Sun: 9am-
6pm PT) or via email at [email protected]

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PACKAGE CONTENTS
Please take an inventory of the package contents to ensure you have all the items listed
below. If anything is missing or damaged, please contact Monoprice Customer Service for a
replacement.
1x HDBaseT™ 8x8 HDMI® matrix
8x HDBaseT receivers
2x Matrix mounting ears
6x Matrix mounting ear screws
4x Matrix plastic feet
4x Matrix plastic feet screws
32x Receiver plastic feet
16x Receiver mounting ears
16x Receiver mounting ear screws
8x IR receivers
8x IR transmitters
1x 3-pin to DB9 RS-232 cable
25x 3-pin terminal blocks
1x AC power cord
1x User's manual
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Matrix Front Panel
1. LCD SCREEN: Displays the real-time operating status.
2. PWR: The LED illuminates red when the unit is powered on and green when it is in
standby.

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3. IR: The LED illuminates red when the matrix receives an IR signal from the included
IR remote control. The IR receiver "eye" is to the right of the LED.
4. INPUT: Eight buttons for input source selection. Button 7 also serves as the UP
navigation button.
5. OUTPUT: Eight buttons for output channel selection. Buttons 6, 7, and 8 also serve
as the LEFT, DOWN, and RIGHT navigation buttons.
6. MENU BUTTONS: Various buttons for performing menu functions.
CLEAR: Pressing the CLEAR button cancels any command in progress.
EDID: Allows an input to manually capture and learn the EDID information from
one of the outputs.
LOCK: Locks and unlocks the front panel buttons.
ALL: Selects all inputs or all outputs.
ENTER: Momentarily press the ENTER button to confirm a command. Press and
hold the ENTER button for 3 seconds to enter Inquiry Mode.
RECALL: Allows selection and recall of a previously saved preset layout.
Matrix Rear Panel
1. INPUT: Eight HDMI® ports for connecting video source devices.

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2. AUDIO OUT: Eight 3-pin terminal blocks for analog audio output and eight coaxial
jacks for separating the digital audio from the HDMI inputs and HDBaseT™outputs
using the GUI.
3. OUTPUT: Eight sets of RJ45 jacks and HDMI® ports for connecting the included
HDBaseT™ receivers and/or eight local HDMI displays.
4. CONTROL: 3-pin terminal block for connecting a computer for RS-232 control, a
3.5mm jack for connecting an IR receiver for matrix control, a micro USB port for
performing firmware updates, and an RJ45 jack for connecting to a network for
TCP/IP control.
5. RS232: Eight 3-pin terminal blocks for connecting RS-232 pass-through devices.
6. IR IN: Nine 3.5mm jacks for connecting IR receivers.
7. IR OUT: Nine 3.5mm jacks for connecting IR transmitters.
8. AC100V-240V: Power jack for connecting the included AC power cord and power
switch for turning the matrix on and off.
9. GROUND: Ground connector.
Receiver Front Panel
1. CTRL/UPDATE: Switch for selecting the behavior of the RS-232 connection. When in
the CTRL position, the RS-232 connection carries the RS-232 pass-through data.
When in the UPDATE A position, you can update the Valens IC by connecting your
PC to the RS-232 connection and running a batch (.bat) file. When in the UPDATE B
position, you can update the compression IC, using the same method as for UPDATE
A.

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2. POWER: The LED illuminates red when power is applied.
Receiver Rear Panel
1. HDMI OUT: HDMI® port for connecting an HDMI display.
2. RS232: 3-pin terminal block for connecting an RS-232 control or pass-through device.
3. IR IN: 3.5mm jack for connecting an IR receiver.
4. IR OUT: 3.5mm jack for connecting an IR transmitter.
5. HDBT IN: RJ45 jack for connecting the Ethernet cable from the matrix.
6. DC 12V: DC barrel connector for connecting an AC power adapter.

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Remote Control
1. POWER: Press the POWER button to turn the matrix
on or to put it into standby mode.
2. LED: The LED flashes when a button is pressed.
3. INPUTS: Buttons for selecting the input source.
4. OUTPUTS: Buttons for selecting the output channel.
5. MENU: Buttons for menu manipulation. The ALL
button selects all inputs or all outputs. The EDID
button enables an input to manually capture and learn
the EDID of an output device. The CLEAR button
cancels a command in progress. Momentarily pressing
the ENTER button accepts the command in progress,
while holding it for 3 seconds enters Inquiry Mode.
Note that the buttons on the remote control correspond
directly to the buttons on the front panel and perform the
same functions.

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SAMPLE CONNECTION DIAGRAM
IR PASS-THROUGH
The system supports bi-directional IR pass-through, allowing you to control devices on
both the source and destination ends. This section provides several connection and
switching examples to illustrate possible configurations. The kit comes with eight IR
receivers and eight IR transmitters. Some connections require additional receivers and/or
transmitters, which will need to be obtained separately.
Control Local Input Device From Local
By default, there is a one-to-one relationship between the IR OUT port on the matrix and
the HDMI® input. When you switch an HDMI input, the corresponding IR OUT will be
switched at the same time.

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For example, if HDMI® input 3 is connected to the HDBaseT™ output 4, plug an IR receiver
into the IR IN 4 jack and an IR transmitter into IR OUT 3, as shown in the diagram below.
The same standard applies when you have one HDMI® input connected to multiple
HDBaseT™ outputs. For example, if you have HDMI input 3 connected to HDBaseT output 2,
3, and 4, plug an IR receiver into IR IN 2, IR IN 3, and IR IN 4, then plug an IR transmitter into
IR OUT 3, as shown in the diagram below.

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Control Local Input Device From Remote
The same basic principle applies when controlling the local input device from the remote
location. For example, if you have HDMI® input 3 connected to HDBaseT™ output 4, plug an
IR receiver into the IR IN jack on the receiver, then plug an IR transmitter into IR OUT 3 on
the matrix, as shown in the diagram below.
Similarly, you can control all local input devices by plugging an IR transmitter into the IR
OUT ALL OUT jack on the matrix. In this case, you must have an IR receiver plugged into the
IR IN jack on each of the connected HDBaseT™ receivers, as shown in the diagram below.

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Control Remote Device From Local
You can also control the remote display from the local end. For example, if you have HDMI®
input 3 connected to HDBaseT™ output 3, plug an IR receiver into the IR IN 3 jack on the
matrix, then plug an IR transmitter into the IR OUT jack on the receiver, as shown in the
diagram below.
Similarly, you can control all remote displays by plugging an IR receiver into the IR IN ALL
IN jack on the matrix. In this case, you must have an IR transmitter plugged into the IR OUT
jack on each connected HDBaseT™ receiver, as shown in the diagram below.

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BUTTON CONTROL
The matrix can be controlled using the buttons on the front panel. Whenever a command is
accepted by the matrix, all the buttons pressed will blink 3 times, then will turn off. If the
command fails, the indicators in the buttons will turn off immediately without blinking.
Switching
To make a single, one-on-one connection, press an INPUT button, then press an OUTPUT
button, and finally press the ENTER button. For example, to connect HDMI® input 1 to
HDBaseT™ output 2, press the INPUT 1 button, then press the OUTPUT 2 button, and finally
press the ENTER button. The indicators in the INPUT 1, OUTPUT 2, and ENTER buttons will
blink 3 times.
To make a connection between an HDMI input and multiple HDBaseT outputs, press an
INPUT button, then press multiple OUTPUT buttons, and finally press the ENTER button. For
example, to connect HDMI input 1 to HDBaseT outputs 2, 3, and 4, press the INPUT 1
button, then press the OUTPUT 2, OUTPUT 3, and OUTPUT 4 buttons, and finally press the
ENTER button. The indicators in the INPUT 1, OUTPUT 2, OUTPUT 3, OUTPUT 4, and ENTER
buttons will blink 3 times.
To make a connection between an HDMI input and all HDBaseT outputs, press an INPUT
button, then press the ALL button, and finally press the ENTER button. For example, to
connect HDMI input 1 to all HDBaseT outputs, press the INPUT 1 button, then press the ALL
button, and finally press the ENTER button. The indicators in the INPUT 1, ALL, and ENTER
buttons will blink 3 times.
EDID Management
Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) is the method by which the display
communicates its maximum resolution and audio capabilities to the source device. With
the matrix, however, there is no regular connection between a source and a display.
Additionally, a single source device can be connected to multiple displays, each of which
may have different capabilities.

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By default, the matrix will use the EDID information from the display connected to output
1, but it may have a higher maximum resolution than another connected display, which
would prevent the other display from displaying video. To overcome this problem, this
matrix includes advanced EDID management. There are two methods for setting the EDID
information for the connected source devices. The first method is to copy the EDID
information from one of the connected displays to one or more of the source devices. The
second method is to assign a predefined EDID setting for one or more sources.
Note that by default, when copying the EDID information from one of the outputs, the
matrix will copy the EDID information from the display connected to the HDBaseT™
receiver, not from the local display connected with an HDMI® cable. If you want to copy
the EDID information from the local display instead of the display connected to the
HDBaseT receiver, disconnect the Ethernet cable from the HDBaseT output.
To copy the EDID information from one display to one source, first press the EDID button,
then press an INPUT button followed by an OUTPUT button, and finally press the ENTER
button to confirm. For example, to copy the EDID information from output 4 to source 2,
press the EDID button, then press the INPUT 2 button followed by the OUTPUT 4 button,
and finally press the ENTER button. The EDID, INPUT 2, OUTPUT 4, and ENTER buttons will
blink 3 times.
To copy the EDID information from one display to all sources, first press the EDID button,
then press the ALL button followed by an OUTPUT button, and finally press the ENTER
button. For example, to copy the EDID information from output 4 to all sources, first press
the EDID button, then press the ALL button followed by the OUTPUT 4 button, and finally
press the ENTER button. The EDID, ALL, OUTPUT 4, and ENTER buttons will blink 3 times.
The following table shows the seven predefined EDID settings.
ID
Video Resolution
Audio Formats
1
720p 2D
PCM, Dolby®, DTS®
2
720p 3D
PCM, Dolby, DTS
3
1080p 2D
PCM, Dolby, DTS
4
1080p 3D
PCM, Dolby, DTS
5
4K@30Hz
PCM, Dolby, DTS

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6
4K@60Hz 4:2:0
PCM, Dolby®, DTS®
7
4K@60Hz 4:4:4
PCM, Dolby, DTS
To assign one of the predefined EDID settings to one source device, first press and hold the
EDID button for 3 seconds, then press an INPUT button, then use the LEFT (OUTPUT 6) and
RIGHT (OUTPUT 8) buttons to select one of the presets, and finally press the ENTER button
to confirm. For example, to assign one of the presets to HDMI® source 4, first press and
hold the EDID button for 3 seconds, then press INPUT 4, then use the LEFT (OUTPUT 6) and
RIGHT (OUTPUT 8) buttons to select a preset, and finally press the ENTER button. The EDID,
INPUT 4, LEFT, RIGHT, and ENTER buttons will blink 3 times.
To assign one of the predefined EDID settings to all source devices, first press and hold the
EDID button for 3 seconds, then press the ALL button, then use the LEFT (OUTPUT 2) and
RIGHT (OUTPUT 4) buttons to select a preset, and finally press the ENTER button to
confirm. The EDID, ALL, LEFT, RIGHT, and ENTER buttons will blink 3 times.
Inquiry Mode
Inquiry Mode allows you to check the connection status of the matrix as a whole or of a
single output. To enter Inquiry Mode, press and hold the ENTER button for 3 seconds.
To check the connection status, press and hold the ENTER button for 3 seconds, then use
the LEFT (OUTPUT 6) and RIGHT (OUTPUT 8) buttons to cycle through the five reports. The
following table shows examples of each of the five available reports.
#
LCD Screen
Description
1
Reports the connection status of all inputs. Y means
that there is a source connected to that input and N
means that there is not.
2
Reports the connection status of all outputs. Y means
that there is a device connected to that output and N
means that there is not.
IN
LINK 1 2 3 4
Y Y N N
OUT
LINK 1 2 3 4
Y Y Y Y

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#
LCD Screen
Description
3
Reports the signal switching status.
4
Reports the HDCP compliance status of all inputs. Y
means the input AV signal has HDCP data and N
means that it does not.
5
Reports the HDCP compliance status of all outputs. Y
means that the output AV signal has HDCP data and
N means that it does not.
You can also check the current connection status of a specific output. To do so, press and
hold the ENTER button for 3 seconds to enter Inquiry Mode, then press one of the OUTPUT
buttons. For example, to see the current connection for output 2, first press and hold the
ENTER button for 3 seconds, then press the OUTPUT 2 button. The LCD screen will show
the following display and the corresponding INPUT and OUTPUT buttons will illuminate for
3 seconds.
Recall Preset
You can create and save up to nine layout presets using RS-232 commands or using the
built-in web GUI. Once saved, you can recall them using the front panel buttons.
To recall a preset, first press the RECALL button, then use the LEFT (OUTPUT 6) and RIGHT
(OUTPUT 8) buttons to select one of the presets, and finally press the ENTER button to
confirm. The LCD screen will show the following:
OUT
IN 01 02 03 04
05 05 05 05
IN
HDCP 1 2 3 4
Y Y N N
OUT
HDCP 1 2 3 4
Y Y N N
AV
IR 01-> 02
01-> 02
PRESETLOAD:
PRESETLOAD:
PRESET 1

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GUI CONTROL
You can control the matrix using a web-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) by plugging
an Ethernet cable into the TCP/IP jack on the matrix, then plugging the other end directly
into your computer or into a switch or router on an existing Ethernet network. The matrix
has the following default IP settings:
IP Address: 192.168.0.178
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
To display the GUI, open an internet browser, then type 192.168.0.178 into the address field
and press the ENTER key. You will see the following screen in your browser.
Type the User Name and Password into the appropriate fields, then click the Login button
to log into the GUI. The default User Name is admin and the default Password is also admin.