Pragmatic communications systems Cats-hdmi-mx8 v1.2 User manual

User Guide for CATS-HDMI-MX8

8x8 HDMI over CAT5 Matrix with

IR Pass-through

User Manual

Safety and Notice

The CATS-HDMI-MX8 v1. /v1.3 8x8 HDMI over CAT5 Matrix with IR Pass-through has

been tested for confor ance to safety regulations and require ents, and has been certified for

international use. However, like all electronic equip ents, the CATS-HDMI-MX8 should be used

with care. Please read and follow the safety instructions to protect yourself fro possible injury

and to ini ize the risk of da age to the unit.

Follow all instructions and warnings arked on this unit.

Do not atte pt to service this unit yourself, except where explained in this anual.

Provide proper ventilation and air circulation and do not use near water.

Keep objects that ight da age the device and assure that the place ent of this unit is on a

stable surface.

Use only the power adapter and power cords and connection cables designed for this unit.

Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners to clean this unit. Always unplug the power to the device

before cleaning.

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The CATS-HDMI-MX8 8x8 HDMI over CAT5 Matrix with IR Pass-through provides the ost flexible and cost

effective solution in the arket to route high definition video sources plus ultichannel (up to 7.1-channel) digital-

audio fro any of the eight HDMI source devices to the re ote displays at the sa e ti e. Through low cost Cat-

5/5e/6 UTP/STP cables, not only high quality video and audio can be trans itted to the display sites, but also users

can switch a ong eight HDMI sources using the push-in button or re ote control. With single power design at the

source site, each re ote odule is easily installed without power supply. Further ore, the built-in IR extension

function let users can control the HDMI source devices such as the Blu-ray Disc player or satellite receiver at display

site directly!

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Introduction

Features

State-of-the-art Silicon I age (Founder of HDMI) chip-set e bedded for ut ost co patibility

and reliability

HDMI 1.2a/1.3c* co pliant

HDCP co pliant

Allows any source to be displayed on ultiple displays at the sa e ti e

Allows any HDMI display to view any HDMI source at any ti e

Supports 7.1 channel digital audio

Supports default HDMI EDID and learns the EDID of displays

The atrix aster can switch every output channels to any HDMI inputs by push-in button, IR

re ote control, or RS-232 control

Allows controlling local HDMI sources such as DVD and TiVo by IR extender through control

path at re ote receiver

Allows to control ain atrix center through control line at re ote receiver

Extends video signal up to 35 (115 feet) over CAT5e at 1080p and likely longer with better

HDMI source device, better grade HDMI display, and better quality solid CAT6 cable

Easy installation with rack- ounting and wall- ounting designs for aster and receiver

respectively

Fast response ti e – 2~5 seconds for channel switch

The length depends on the characteristics and qualit of the cables. Higher resolutions

and longer transmission distances require low skew cables (<25ns/100m) for best

performance. Unshielded CAT6 with metal RJ-45 connectors is recommended.

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*HDMI 1.2a for CATS-

HDMI-MX8 v1.2

Specifications & Package Contents

Model Name CATS-HDMI-MX8 v1. / CATS-HDMI-MX8 v1.3

Technical CATS-HDMI-MX8 CATS-HDMI-RX8

Role of usage 8x8 true atrix

Trans itter [TX]

Receiver [RX]

HDMI co pliance [CATS-HDMI-MX8 v1. ] – HDMI 1.2a [CATS-HDMI-MX8 v1.3] – HDMI

1.3c

HDCP co pliance Yes

Video bandwidth [CATS-HDMI-MX8 v1. ] – Single-link 165MHz [4.95Gbps]

[CATS-HDMI-MX8 v1.3] – Single-link 225MHz [6.75Gpbs]

Video support 480i / 480p / 720p / 1080i / 1080p60

Audio support Surround sound (up to 7.1ch) or stereo digital audio

HDMI over CAT5

trans ission range

Full HD (1080p) – 35 (115ft) [CAT5e] / 40 (130ft) [CAT6]

HD (720p/1080i) – 50 (165ft) [CAT5e] / 55 (180ft) [CAT6]

HDMI equalization N/A 8-level digital rotary control

Input TMDS signal 1.2 Volts [peak-to-peak]

Input DDC signal 5 Volts [peak-to-peak, TTL]

ESD protection [1] Hu an body odel — ±15kV [air-gap discharge] & ±8kV [contact

discharge]

[2] Core chipset — ±8kV

PCB stack-up 4-layer board [i pendence control — differential 100; single 50]

Input 8x HDMI

1x RS-232

1x RJ-45 [HDMI signal]

1x RJ-45 [Channel control]

1x IR socket for IR receiver

Output 8x RJ-45 [HDMI signal]

8x RJ-45 [Channel control]

9x IR socket for IR blaster

1x HDMI

HDMI Input

selection

Push-in button / IR re ote control / RS-

232

Push-in button / IR re ote control

HDMI source

control

Controllable via IR pass-through fro IR receiver at RX to IR blaster at TX

IR re ote control Electro-optical characteristics: = 25 / Carrier frequency: 38kHz 

HDMI connector Type A [19-pin fe ale]

RJ-45 connector WE/SS 8P8C with 2 LED indicators [TMDS & DDC channels]

RS-232 connector DE-9 [9-pin D-sub fe ale]

USB connector3Standard type-B [square shape]

3.5 connector Earphone jack for IR blaster

[IR Main] IR control on all source devices

[IR PASS-THROUGH1~8] IR control on

individual source device

Earphone jack for IR receiver

[IR RECEIVER] Receives IR co ands

fro re ote control

DIP switch [CATS-

HDMI-MX8]

[SW1~SW8] 2-pin for EDID & audio ode

[SW Main] 4-pin for operation & fir ware update

Mechanical CATS-HDMI-MX8 CATS-HDMI-RX8

Enclosure Metal case

Di ension

(L x W x

Model 440 x 290 x 44 [1’5” x 11.4” x

1.7”]

85 x 90 x 25 [3.3” x 3.5” x 1”]

Packa

528 x 398 x 130 [1’9” x 1’4” x

5.1”]

90 x 85 x 25 [3.5” x 3.3” x 1”]

Carton 585*242*565

Weight Model 3250g [7.2 lbs] 180g [6.3oz]

Packa

7.1 kg [15.6 lbs]

Fixedness 1U rack- ount with ears Wall- ount with screws

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Power supply AC Power 100-240V Not necessarily required1

Power

consu ption

60 Watts [ ax] 1.5 Watt [ ax] (provided by CATS-

HDMI-MX8)

Operation

te perature

0~40C [32~104F]

Storage

te perature

-20~60C [-4~140F]

Relative hu idity 20~90% RH [no condensation]

Package

Contents

1x CATS-HDMI-MX8

1x IR blaster

2x 1U rack ounting-ear

1x IR re ote control

1x User Manual

8x CATS-HDMI-RX8

8x IR receiver

16x Wall- ounting screws

1x UL AC power cord

1 The CATS-HDMI-RX8 has been tested extensivel and found that it doesn’t require

external power suppl . If in rare situation ou find it cannot work with the CATS-HDMI-

MX8, please use an +5V power adapter to plug in the power jack and see if it can work. If

not, please contact our technical support for further service.

Additional IR remote control and IR blaster cable can be purchased as optional

accessories to control the HDMI sources located separatel .

3 USB or RS-232 control must be connected either one at a time. Connecting both t pes of

cables ma cause command confusion.

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CATS-HDMI-MX8

1. Power On/Off control switch

2. LED displays for output ports and input channels

3. Front panel push buttons used to select the nu ber of input source and

display channel

4. IR SENSOR: IR sensor for receiving the IR co ands fro the IR re ote

5. RS- 3 : RS- 3 control port AC Power: 100-240V

6. SW 1–8: DIP switch (see DIP Switch section in p.8)

7. IR PASS-THROUGH 1–8: 3.5 IR blaster socket for individual HDMI

source control

8. INPUT 1 –8: HDMI inputs

9. OUPUT PORT 1–8: RJ-45 outputs for each output channel

10. IR Main: 3.5 IR blaster socket for HDMI source control on all 8 inputs

[default socket for IR blaster]

11. AC Power: 100-240V

12. SW Main: DIP switches (see DIP Switch section in p.8)

13. USB: USB control port

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CATS-HDMI-RX8

1. +5V DC: Spare power jack for over 60 trans ission when the RX ay need external

power to work*.

. A/V SIGNAL: Plug in the CAT5 connected to the respective A/V SIGNAL port on the

CATS-HDMI-MX8

3.CHANNEL CONTROL: Plug in the CAT5 connected to the respective CHANNEL

CONTROL port on the CATS-HDMI-MX8

4.INPUT CHANNEL: Display the current showing HDMI source channel

5.INPUT SELECT: Push button for switching input source channel in sequential order

6. Signal Level 0-7: Adjust the 8-level equalization control to the received HDMI signals.

The HDMI signal level varies fro 0 (strongest) to 7 (weakest) for

respective trans ission length fro longest possible range to short

distance. Please adjust the signal level fro 7 to 0 and stop turning the

rotary switch whenever the audio/video is playing nor ally. Inappropriate

signal level setting ay cause overpowering issue that would shorten

the product life significantly!

7. HDMI Output: Connect to HDTV with a HDMI cable

8. IR RECEIVER: Plug in IR receiver

*The CATS-HDMI-RX8 has been tested extensivel and found that it doesn’t require

external power suppl . If in rare situation ou find it cannot work with the CATS-HDMI-

MX8, please use an +5V power adapter to plug in the power jack and see if it can work.

If not, please contact our technical support for further service.

~ 8 ~

SW1-SW8 for EDID/Audio

Note

1 If the HDTV shows video but without audio, please tr to set audio mode to stereo.

Factor default setting of [SW1]-[SW8] is pin#1-OFF[] & pin#2- OFF[] for 1080p with

stereo.

3 If ou encounter an unsolved audio/video output problem during s stem installation,

please turn an [SW1]-[SW8] to pin#1-OFF[] & pin#2-ON[] for safe mode to enforce the

most compatible 720p stereo output for s stem check. However, the safe mode cannot

be initiated if our HDMI source is set to enforce 1080p output. In this case, please

reconfigure our HDMI source to all resolution output for troubleshooting.

4 B pass means the matrix will maintain pla ing the original format of HDMI signals in

video and perhaps audio. B setting at this mode, the users ma encounter

compatibilit issue among different kinds of HDMI sources and displa s. If ou cannot

get the audio and/or video output normall at the s stem installation, please change

the DIP switch setting to default mode or even safe mode to verif the functionalit of

the device.

5 To learn the EDID of HDMI displa for respective HDMI source devices, please see the

[EDID Learning] section in the next page for more detail information.

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DIP Switch

Position

Video Audio Description

Pin#1 Pin#

OFF

[]

OFF []Up to

1080p

Stereo1Default Mode2 – Up to 1080p & stereo audio output for

ost HDTVs

OFF

[]

ON []Up to

720p /

1080i

Stereo Safe Mode3 – Enforce the syste output at 720p/1080i

video and stereo audio for basic co patibility a ong

HDTVs

ON []OFF []Bypass4Bypass4EDID Learning Mode5 – for learning EDID fro the

display while playing any received HDMI audio for at

ON []ON []Bypass Stereo EDID Learning & Stereo Mode5 – for learning EDID

fro the display while enforcing stereo output if any

HDTV cannot play surround sound nor ally

DIP Switch

SW Main for firmware update (for technical support only)

DIP Switch Position Pin#1 Pin# Pin#3 Pin#4

Normal Operation Mode [via RS- 3

port]6

OFF[]OFF[]OFF[]OFF[]

Normal Operation Mode [via USB port]7OFF[]OFF[]OFF[]ON[]

Firmware Update

Mode8

Block A [main] ON[]OFF[]OFF[]OFF[]

Block B

[remote]

ON[]OFF[]ON[]OFF[]

Block C [HDMI] ON[]ON[]OFF[]OFF[]

Note

6 Factor default for SW Main is pin#1-OFF[], pin#2-OFF[], pin#3- OFF[], & pin#4-OFF[].

PLEASE MAINTAIN THIS SETTING AT ANYTIME FOR REGULAR USE VIA RS-232 CONTROL!

7 Factor default for SW Main is pin#1-OFF[], pin#2-OFF[], pin#3- OFF[], & pin#4- ON[].

PLEASE MAINTAIN THIS SETTING AT ANYTIME FOR REGULAR USE VIA USB CONTROL!

8 Sequence for firmware update

WARNING! [Fir ware update only can be done via RS-232 port and connection to PC set at

COM1)

1. Power off the CATS-HDMI-MX8. Execute the firmware update pro ram on your PC

via COM1 port connection to the RS-232 port of the CATS-HDMI-MX8.

2. Set the pin#1 of [SW Main] at ON[] for firmware update mode.

3. Set pin#2 and pin#3 at respective positions to assi n which Block to be updated.

4. Power on the CATS-HDMI-MX8. The firmware update pro ram should be in this

update sequence automatically. If not, please check the RS-232 connection status

between PC and CATS-HDMI-MX8.

5. After the OK messa e shows up to indicate the firmware update sequence for

desi nated Block is complete, please turn off the CATS-HDMI-MX8.

6. Repeat step 3 ~ step6 if you want to update the firmware of the remainin Blocks.

7. Set the [SW Main] switch position to Normal Operation Mode.

8. Power on the CATS-HDMI-MX8.

~ 10 ~

IR Extender

IR Blaster IR Receiver

IR Sockets

CATS-HDMI-MX8

IR Main: The default location for IR blaster to trans it all IR co and signals received fro any of

the eight re ote receivers to all of the HDMI sources.

IR PASS-THROUGH 1–8: IR blaster connected here can only trans it IR co and signals fro

the re ote receivers that are setting at respective input channel fro 1 to 8.

CATS-HDMI-RX8

IR RECEIVER: IR receiver connected here can receive all IR co and signals fro the IR re ote

controls of CATS-HDMI-MX8 and all other HDMI source devices.

Definition of IR Earphone Jack

IR Blaster IR Receiver

You can bu an IR extension cables in the market that are compatible to the definition

of the IR sockets for the matrix if necessar for replacement use.

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IR Pass-through

Supported IR Data Format

Data Format Suitable Not

Recommended

NEC 

RC5 

TOSHIBA MICOM

CODE



GRUNDIG CODE 

SONY 12 BIT CODE 

SONY 15 BIT CODE 

SONY 20 BIT CODE 

RCA CODE 

RCM CODE 

MATSUSHITA CODE 

MITSUBISHI CODE 

ZENITH CODE 

JVC CODE 

M50560-001P 

MN6125H 

MN6125L 

MN6014_C5D7 

MN6014-C6D6 

MC14457P 

LC7464(AHEA) 

GEMINI_CM 

~ 12 ~

CATS-HDMI-MX8 as master

1.Connect all sources to HDMI Inputs on the 8x8 HDMI over CAT5 atrix aster CATS-HDMI-

MX8

2. Connect each CHANNEL CONTROL output port on the CATS-HDMI-MX8 to respective

CHANNEL CONTROL port on the re ote receiver CATS-HDMI-RX8

3. Connect each A/V SIGNAL output port on the CATS-HDMI-MX8 to respective A/V SIGNAL

input on the re ote receiver CATS-HDMI-RX8

4. Connect IR blaster to the IR MAIN jack of CATS-HDMI-MX8 and direct the IR blaster to the

built-in IR receiver of the sources

5.Connect the +5V 6A DC power supply to the CATS-HDMI-MX8

6.Power on all HDMI sources

7.Power on the CATS-HDMI-MX8

CATS-HDMI-RX8 as receiver

1.Connect each HDMI output to HDMI displays

2. Connect the A/V SIGNAL port on the CATS-HDMI-RX8 to the A/V SIGNAL port on the CATS-

HDMI-MX8

3. Connect the CHANNEL CONTROL port on the CATS-HDMI-RX8 to the CHANNEL CONTROL

port on the CATS-HDMI-MX8

4.Connect IR receiver and place the IR receiver at the appropriate position that can receive the

IR co and signals sent fro the users

5.Dial the 8-level rotary control switch to adjust the HDMI signal level until the picture and sound

are clear

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Hardware Installation

Source Side

Method A: Push Button

1. Use the “+” or “—“ channel button on output port to select which port to be changed.

“+”: change selected output port in ascending order

“—“: change selected output port in descending order

2. Push the “+” or “—“ channel button on Input channel to select the HDMI input source you

want to display on this selected output port in step 1 in sequential order. Once you reach the

desired input channel you want to display on this selected output port, leave it and the setting

will be effective in a few seconds.

Method B: IR Remote Control

a. Firstly please push one of the INPUT buttons to choose which HDMI input source you are

going to setup. After that, you can have ultiple outputs playing the sa e content fro the

selected INPUT #1 - #8 by pushing the corresponding OUTPUT buttons. The setting will

be effective in a couple of seconds.

INPUT & OUTPUT MAPPING

INPUT 1 HDMI input port #1

INPUT 2 HDMI input port #2

INPUT 3 HDMI input port #3

INPUT 4 HDMI input port #4

INPUT 5 HDMI input port #5

INPUT 6 HDMI input port #6

INPUT 7 HDMI input port #7

INPUT 8 HDMI input port #8

OUTPUT 1 HDMI output port #1

OUTPUT 2 HDMI output port #2

OUTPUT 3 HDMI output port #3

OUTPUT 4 HDMI output port #4

OUTPUT 5 HDMI output port #5

OUTPUT 6 HDMI output port #6

OUTPUT 7 HDMI output port #7

OUTPUT 8 HDMI output port #8

FUNCTION KEY

FUNCTION

FN + SOURCE

SEL. 1

Escape Syste LOCK

FN + SOURCE

SEL.

Enter Syste LOCK ( ost buttons, IR control, and RS-232 control

beco e inactive, except Escape Syste LOCK co and)

~ 14 ~

Channel Control

Method C: Software Control through RS- 3 or USB port

Software Control Menu

1.Scan button:

Serial Port Scan:

Press Scan button, the achine will scan the all co port and show the .

Select the RS232 serial port connected to the achine. And set device ID 255 is for all

device.

Only the sa e device id or 255 can get the co and you sent.

Press OK. Get the new status fro the achine you select.

~ 15 ~

HDMI Input

Source Selection

Mapping Area

HDMI Output

Port Selection

Mapping Area

Status Indicator

. Setting button:

Press Get button to read back device ID.

Press Set button to write device ID.

3. Linkage button:

Press Linkage button to read back all status.

4. Open/Close button:

Press this button to close or open COM port.

5. Mapping button:

Select All Output:

Select “set all output”, then select the source on ain-

enu. You can quickly set all output to the sa e source.

Unselect All Output:

Release output selection.

Select Input1~8-Output:

Select Input Source. Then select the output port icon.

For exa ple:

Select input source 1. Then select output port 1 and 2. The video and audio will be sent to

port 1 and 2.

6. Fast Select button:

Press Fast select button for quick setting

Input one  Output Port one

Input two Output Port two

…..

Press Fast select pull down enu

Select Input Nu -Output Nu

Input source #1  Output port #1

Input source #2  Output port #2

…..

Select Input - All Output

Send the sa e source to all output

~ 16 ~

7. Output Port:

Pull down enu and select which source to be sent to this output port.

One by one setting

On ain enu screen

First select input source. Then select the output ports which you want

to send the video and audio fro this source. When you select the

input source, the source will change to gray. When you select the

output port one by one, the selected output port will change to gray.

The linking line will change to yellow.

Group setting

First select output ports one by one. Then select the input source. The selected output ports

change the setting at the sa e ti e.

By using Terminal:

Baud rate: 9600

Data length: 8bit

Parity check: No

Stop bit: 1

Command Set:

COMMAN

ACTION COMMAN

ACTION

ST Syste Status C5 Output C select Input 5 F3 Output F select Input 3

VR Fir ware Version C6 Output C select Input 6 F4 Output F select Input 4

A1 Output A select Input

C7 Output C select Input 7 F5 Output F select Input 5

A Output A select Input

C8 Output C select Input 8 F6 Output F select Input 6

A3 Output A select Input

D1 Output D select Input 1 F7 Output F select Input 7

A4 Output A select Input

D Output D select Input 2 F8 Output F select Input 8

A5 Output A select Input

D3 Output D select Input 3 G1 Output G select Input 1

A6 Output A select Input

D4 Output D select Input 4 G Output G select Input 2

A7 Output A select Input

D5 Output D select Input 5 G3 Output G select Input 3

A8 Output A select Input

D6 Output D select Input 6 G4 Output G select Input 4

B1 Output B select Input

D7 Output D select Input 7 G5 Output G select Input 5

B Output B select Input

D8 Output D select Input 8 G6 Output G select Input 6

B3 Output B select Input

E1 Output E select Input 1 G7 Output G select Input 7

B4 Output B select Input

E Output E select Input 2 G8 Output G select Input 8

B5 Output B select Input

E3 Output E select Input 3 H1 Output H select Input 1

B6 Output B select Input

E4 Output E select Input 4 H Output H select Input 2

B7 Output B select Input

E5 Output E select Input 5 H3 Output H select Input 3

B8 Output B select Input

E6 Output E select Input 6 H4 Output H select Input 4

~ 17 ~

C1 Output C select Input

E7 Output E select Input 7 H5 Output H select Input 5

C Output C select Input

E8 Output E select Input 8 H6 Output H select Input 6

C3 Output C select Input

F1 Output F select Input 1 H7 Output H select Input 7

C4 Output C select Input

F Output F select Input 2 H8 Output H select Input 8

~ 18 ~

Display Side

Method A: Push button for switching input channels

Press the INPUT SELECT push button to switch the input source on the respective output port

connected to the atrix receiver in sequential order. The selected input source will be displayed

on the LED of INPUT CHANNEL.

Method B1: IR remote control for switching input channels

Please decide which input channel to be selected by pressing Source Selection 1 to Source

Selection 8. Or you can use left — and right + button to enter IR control ode and select

the input channel in ascending and descending order respectively. The setting will be effective

in a couple of seconds.

Switch input port in descending order*

Switch input port in ascending order*

SOURCE SEL.