USERS GUIDE
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matrix switch with no distribution throughout the facility, then a 10GbE switch can be used just for that room. Just because
it is Ethernet based does not mean it has to be used on the main network. The Ethernet switch is simply used as the end
point for all the cables and the glue that holds everything together. In other words, it takes the place of the standard AV
matrix switch topology. If only remote control is required from the main network, then connect the 10GbE switch to the
main network and allow the control data between the 10GbE switch VLAN and the main network. Even if the VLAN is part
of the main network it does not mean you will use all the bandwidth. The purpose of IGMP is to only send the multicast
data to the ports specified, which would be where the IPX units are connected to. Non-blocking switch assures full
bandwidth is available for all ports as required.
Controlling the IPX
To simplify control of the IPX, the RXS-1 ReAX Server is available. It is a fanless i5 processor industrial grade Linux
server, which mitigates all communications to all the IPX units (devices and wall plates). The RXS-1 serves up Aurora’s
IPBaseT Manager Pro to any regular or mobile web browser. ReAX is a Javascript based IP control system as well
allowing full room/building automation or if desired a third-party control systems can be utilized with the available API. In
order to obtain the IPX Server API commands you must be dealer status otherwise an NDA is required and is at the
discretion of Aurora.
Controlling the IPX with Multiple Servers for Redundancy
Multiple RXS-1 servers can run on the same network for redundancy. It is important only one communicates at any given
time or incomplete commands may occur between units communicating simultaneously. IPBaseT Manager will only
connect to one server at a time but it is important for every PC running IPBaseT Manager they all point to the same server
at the same time. If a server losses communication, then all clients should reconnect to the same backup server.
When using third party control systems, this can be done automatically. Have the control system send a query to the
RXS-1 to receive a response through the telnet connection. If no response is received, have the third-party control device
target the backup server until the main server starts to communicate again. Do not use ping for this operation as it only
confirms a network connection but does not confirm actual IPX API Server operation. Pinging will be effective for
diagnostics to determine if the network connection to the server is lost or if there are significant delays in the network.
EDID and its Importance
One of the most forgotten setup procedures in AV systems is the EDID. The EDID comes from the destination (display,
VTC, recorder, etc.) and must be saved into the encoder and decoder HDMI input ports. This allows the source (Blu-ray,
computers, etc.) to know the capabilities of the destination. This includes the audio type if any, video resolution and
timing, color space, color depth, and more. If no EDID is present an HDMI device will revert to lowest resolution in DVI
mode which also means no audio. If the wrong EDID is used, the image may look pink, green, or have no image at all. To
make matters more complex, if different destinations/displays are in use in a matrix configuration, then it is important to
use an EDID with a common denominator or only one or the other destination may work. In an ideal installation all the
destinations should have the same capabilities for optimal performance. I this is not possible a scaler may have to be
implemented to assist in the compatibility.
For example, there are 2 displays one 1080p the other 4k UHD. If the EDID of the 4K display is used, the 1080p will not
see an image if the source is capable of 4K. If the 1080p EDID is used, then both will see the image but the 4K will never
benefit from 4K content. In a situation where this is unacceptable, a 4K scaler can be used on the 1080p screen to down
scale the 4K content so the 4K EDID can be used and the better screen can have a benefit. Note scalers do add frame
latency and can affect image quality based on the quality of the scaler. This is why it is always ideal to use destinations
with similar capabilities for optimal performance.
Audio can be impacted just as easily. If a destination is 6-channel surround sound capable and the other destination is
not, then the EDID from the 5.1 destination cannot be used, or there will be no audio on the other destination. In most
commercial installations it should not be an issue to choose the lowest common denominator, which is 2-channel audio,
but in cases where you must have surround sound then a down-mixer for the 2-channel destination must be used.
