We have pleased to say that ready-made control system drivers available for the range of HDanywhere product listed below, natively, within the iRule software itself. iRule have built these drivers in-house and tested them internally. Drivers are accessed from within the iRule programming software. Where possible, for maximum compatibility, drivers are infrared, RS232 and IP. Products and protocols will continue to be added and this support page updated.
Using multichannel 5.1 / 7.1 amps AVR with matrix systems
Essential Knowledge
To understand how multichannel (5.1 / 7.1 etc) audio/sound is routed via a HDMI or HDBaseT matrix system, it is important to firstly acknowledge that all HDMI source devices (Blu-ray players, set-top-boxes, media servers, PCs etc) can only output a single audio format type at any one time. This is a limitation of HDMI itself.
For example, the HDMI port on a Blu-Ray player cannot simultaneously output HDMI with 2.0ch stereo as well as HDMI with 7.1 DTS Master audio. It is always one or the other.
With only displays connected to the matrix
When a matrix has only displays connected, with no AMPS/AVR in your set up, routing audio is relatively easy. This is because displays generally only have two speakers, and so a single HDMI format of HDMI+2.0ch can be routed to all displays. This gives you video and audio at every display.
Adding an AVR/AMP the matrix
When adding an AMP/AVR to the connected device mix, you are adding a component that can accept a multichannel audio format, such as 5.1 or 7.1.
You now have a situation whereby some connected devices (displays) can only accept HDMI with 2.0ch stereo and some (the AVR/Amp) can accept HDMI with multichannel audio.
What to expect in a mixed display / AVR setup
Video matrixes operate on a “lowest common denominator” rule. This means that the matrix will exchange information with your displays and AVRs to decide on the format of audio to get from the source device; choosing the format that will ensure audio is output in all of your locations.
One of two things can happen: If the AVR is turned on first and the matrix set to send a source capable of multi-channel audio to the AVR, the source will deliver multi-channel audio to the AVR. If a stereo TV is then turned on and the matrix then set to send the same source going to the AVR to the TV, the TV will be unable to play back the multi-channel audio. The result would be no sound from the TV.
In the reverse, if a TV is turned on first and the matrix is set to send one of the connected sources, the source will deliver stereo audio to the TV via the matrix. If the AVR is then switched on and the matrix set to deliver the same source going to the TV, the AVR will only receive stereo audio.
It is important to re-iterate, this is not a product limitation of HDanywhere matrixes. This is a limitation of HDMI technology itself and its specification.
A solution is therefore required whereby the source device always sends multichannel audio to the AMP/AVR and 2.0ch stereo audio to the displays.
Solution options
There are many ways to solve this problem. Some complicated, some easier. Things will depend on the location of your equipment and the number of AVRs. We are always happy to help you build a specific solution that meets your setup. Here we can only cover some of the more common setup examples and a single solution to those.
I have a single AVR located beside / local to my source devices and the matrix e.g. in a cupboard / AV rack.
In this type of setup, where the AVR for the multi-channel room is located with the sources and matrix itself, one solution is to deliver the audio to your AVR via alternative connectors to the HDMI where possible. For example, Sky HD boxes and Blu-Ray players usually have a digital audio output that can be connected to the AVR** via optical cabling. This can deliver multi-channel audio to the AVR over the optical cable, whilst the HDMI output from the source device can deliver 2.0 ch stereo audio to your matrix and therefore your other TV (stereo) locations in your setup. If this setup is located away from the room with multi-channel speakers fitted, say an under-stairs cupboard, there are solutions to keep IR control of your AVR that we can help with.
AVRs located in the room with the displays
In this type of setup, where AVR(s) are located in the rooms local to the displays, make sure the HDMI device is set to output 5.1 / 7.1 channel audio. This audio format will be sent over the Cat cable to each display location. In order to get audio out of your HDTVs (in say three rooms) and the AVR (connected to HDTV in a fourth room), some additional hardware is needed. HDanywhere sell a signal manager. Place 1 x signal manager at each TV that needs 2.0 channel audio aka. each TV that does not have an AVR. Use a HDMI cable to connect the HDMI output port of the matrix’s display receiver to the HDMI input port of the Signal manager. Then use another HDMI cable to connect the HDMI output port of the Signal Manager to the HDMI port on the HDTV. So, the Signal Manager sits in between the display receiver and the HDTV.
The Signal Manager has a box labelled “Audio”. The little switch on this audio section needs toggled to number 2: LPCM 2.0 before you connect up and turn on all your HDMI source devices and displays. Do not switch toggle the switch from no. 1 to no. 2 whilst displays and HDMI sourced devices are on. If you do so, you will need to power down the re-power all source devices and displays.
Once the signal manager is set up and in place it will take 5.1 and output it as 2.0, ready to be accepted and then output by the HDTV. This should hopefully resolve your issue and deliver 5.1 to your AVR and 2.0 to your HDTV.
Notes:
*Multichannel audio via HDMI includes the following formats: LPCM, Dolby Digital, DTS, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD,DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio, MPCM, DSD, DST
**When using alternative audio connectors other than HDMI, support for DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby True HD is lost.
Products based on HDBaseT are based on one of two groups of electronic chips. The HDBaseT-Pro and HDBaseT-Lite groups. Each has different distances over which it can extend HDMI and this also depends on the type of cable used.
Should you be experiencing difficulty with our RESW50, please read through the support notes below to troubleshoot your installation. If your issue persists and you need any further information or support, you can contact customer services here. A downloadable and printable version of these notes is available here.
HDCP indictor light – shows whether a handshake between that display and source has been authenticated
Link indicator light – confirms the TV receiver is connected to the hub
Mode indicator light – if flashing all is correct
Power indicator light – Lit when the TV receiver is on
Finding the IR window on your source device can be difficult if it isn’t mentioned in your user manual or is marked clearly on the front of your device. A very common device is Sky+HD and Virgin’s Tivo boxes. Below, we’ve marked where the IR windows are on these devices for easy installation.
Can’t find the source device that you we’re looking for? Please email us with a request and we will make it available online the next working day.
Still having problems with your IR setup?
Please check our HDanywhere IR wiring setup diagrams or have a look at our IR troubleshooting video
We have ready-made control system drivers available for the 4×4 Multiroom+ Version 3 and POE Systems for the major control systems used in the UK. These are either IP, IR or RS232 Based.
Each download package for Control4, AMX, Crestron and RTI also includes support for the 4×4 HDMI Matrix (HKM44-UK, both V1 and V2), 4×4 Multiroom+ Singlewire (HKHA414SW, V1, V2 and V3) and the Multiroom+ 8×8 System (HKHA818SW).
The Multiroom+ PoE and 4×4 V3 systems have a user accessible web page built into them. This web page has an address that you type into a web browser (such as internet explorer or Google Chrome) and it allows you to control the matrix as well as change settings to do with the central hub.
All of the multiroom+ PoE and 4×4 V3 units ship with these default network settings:
IP Address: 192.168.1.88
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway:192.168.1.1
In most cases these will need to be changed to work with the network the central hub is connect to.
To achieve this, you first need to connect the central hub LAN port on the rear of the main hub to a Lan socket on your home network hub or router. Once this has been done, you need to discover the central hub on your network.
Once this software is installed on your PC, you’ll be able to discover and set the central hubs’ network settings. Instructions on how to do so are included in the associated system manual.
Please follow the link below to download the software:
With one way IR, the IR travels “backwards” from the TV location to the location of your source device or central matrix. The addition of a “forward” IR path means that IR can be sent 2 ways along the transmission cable, known as “two way IR”.
The “forward” IR path takes IR from the central location to the location of the receiver part of the product you are using. Normally this will be the location of a display or projector.
The documents below contain the RS232 serial, IR codes and IP codes, where applicable, for our HDanywhere matrix range.
These control codes can be used to integrate our matrix devices with 3rd party remote controls and control systems where we don’t have existing drivers.
Models covered are HKM44-UK (both V1 and V2), HKHA414SW (V1, V2 and V3). Codes are broken down into separate documents, appropriately titled.
We have ready-made control system drivers available for the 8×8 Multiroom+ System (Singlewire HDBaseT) for the major control systems used in the UK.
Each download package also includes support for the 4×4 Mutliroom+ Singlewire (HKHA414SW, V1, V2 and V3), 4×4 Multiroom+ POE (HKHDA44P) and the 4×4 HDMI Matrix (HKM44-UK, both V1 and V2).
We have ready-made control system drivers available for the 4×4 HDMI Matrix + IR Passback – HKM44-UK (both V1 and V2) for the major control systems used in the UK.
Each download package for Control4, AMX, Crestron and RTI also includes support for the 4×4 Mutliroom+ Singlewire (HKHA414SW, v1, V2 and V3), 4×4 Multiroom+ POE (HKHDA44P) and the Multiroom+ 8×8 System (HKHA818SW).
We have ready-made control system drivers available for the 4×4 Multiroom+ System (Singlewire HDBaseT, V1, V2 and V3) for the major control systems used in the UK. V1 and V2 drivers are based on RS232 serial connections and V3 drivers are IP or RS232 connections.
Each download package for Control4, AMX, Crestron, Netstream and RTI also includes support for the 4×4 HDMI Matrix (HKM44-UK, both V1 and V2), 4×4 Multiroom+ POE (HKHDA44P) and the Multiroom+ 8×8 System (HKHA818SW).
Important:
In most cases, if you are experiencing green screen on your display then this is often down to the HDMI cable in between. A quick way to test to see if this is the case is to replace your existing HDMI cable with our range of 4K or 8K HDMI cables. If that doesn’t work, move your HDMI source to another display in your property (use a different HDMI cable), connect it up and observe to see if the same behaviour follows the box. This will help you determine if the issue is the cable or the HDMI source.
The article below describes how to troubleshoot a green screen when using a HDANYWHERE product, if you are having green screen issues and you do not own a HDA product then we recommend you buy our 4K or 8K HDMI cables and give that a go first – they come with free shipping!
There is no picture or maybe a green screen following standby or when switching between source devices via a matrix. Most often this problem occurs once the TV goes to standby, and when brought out of standby to an ‘on’ state, it will not handshake properly and green screen instead of video appears.
Green screen flashes generally indicate a HDCP (Digital Content Protection) handshaking issue, or a HDMI hot plug detect issue between that particular source device and display.
Sky HD and Sky+HD boxes freezing, locking up, powering themselves off etc are not uncommon. A quick google search will reveal just how many people suffer from this occurrence.
Their connection to other devices is in most cases not the cause of the Sky box fault.
In order to resolve this issue, HD Connectivity’s experience is that a full Sky system reset is the best medicine. Instructions on how to do this can be found here: Sky box full system reset