Crestron
DM-MD8X8
8x8 DigitalMedia™ Switcher
Versatile Audio Routing
HDMI is the key to handling all the latest 7.1 surround sound formats like Dolby
®
TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Great for your high-end home theater, but how
do you share that same source with other audio zones in the house?
DigitalMedia allows for the simultaneous distribution of multi-channel surround
sound (i.e. Dolby
®
TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio) and two-channel stereo
signals from the same HDMI source. Equipped with a DMC-HD-DSP input card, the
DM-MD8X8 employs onboard DSP processing to derive a stereo down-mix from the
original multi-channel signal. Both signals can be routed separately or
simultaneously from any of the switcher’s DM outputs, allowing either signal to be
selected for output at each DM receiver location.
The switcher also converts the digital stereo signal to analog to enable sharing with
every other room in the house via an AAE, CNX-PAD8A, or other multi-room audio
distribution system. The DM-MD8X8 also allows surround sound processors and
amplifiers to be located centrally instead of at the display location using optional
local HDMI outputs.
Computer Compatibility*
Besides handling every available HDTV format supported by HDMI, DigitalMedia
also supports the distribution of DVI and RGB computer signals, and is fully
compatible with DVI computer monitors up to 1920 x 1200 WUXGA.
*
DVI connectivity is currently enabled via HDMI input/output ports using third-party adapters;
DVI/RGB input card coming soon.
Built-in Ethernet Switch
DigitalMedia also carries 10/100 Ethernet to each room controller, supporting
streaming media for multimedia devices, or providing LAN connectivity for any
room device that requires Ethernet or Internet access. Its Gigabit Ethernet connection
to the external LAN helps maximize bandwidth for each network port. Ethernet is
also utilized internally by the Crestron control bus to manage all of the DM devices
in the system and provide display control in each room.
USB HID Switch
DigitalMedia lets you centralize all HD sources – not just television receivers and
DVD changers, but also media servers, computers, and even video game consoles.
Built-in USB HID (Human Interface Device) signal routing allows USB HID
compatible keyboards, mice, and game controllers to be connected at each display
location, extending their signals through to the centralized equipment via USB HID
ports provided on select switcher input cards.
EDID Format Management
Using HDMI provides a variety of video and audio formats to keep track of, and
chances are not every device in a system supports all of the same formats. In a
typical one-room system, HDMI attempts to resolve this confusion using EDID.
When two HDMI devices are connected together, the receiving device (a display or
surround sound processor) uses EDID to announce its format capabilities to the
source device (a TV tuner or video player), which in turn configures itself to output
the most effective format that both devices can support.
However, serious conflicts arise in a facility filled with different displays and audio
systems. For instance, the Blu-ray player that’s feeding a 1080p projector in the
theater may restrict itself to a lower resolution, or even shut off completely, if
Operations Guide – DOC. 6755A
8x8 DigitalMedia™ Switcher: DM-MD8X8
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