Crestron Releases HDMI Distribution Amplifier

(I-Newswire) August 10, 2009 - ROCKLEIGH, NJ, August 10, 2009 - Crestron today announced the release of its new HD-DA-2-QUAD, which integrates four independent 1-to-2 HDMI distribution amplifiers. The HD-DA-2- QUAD is the perfect complement to the latest Crestron HD digital solutions, allowing sources to be shared between a DVPHD and an AMS, or to expand the outputs of an HD-MD8X2. All Crestron digital HD solutions, including the new HD-DA-2QUAD are HDCP compliant and are supported by powerful DM Tools software. DM Tools automatically performs HDCP and Data Rate checks and performs EDID resolution management to enable installers to configure the system quickly and reliably.
The HD-DA-2-QUAD is a single rack-space unit containing four independent 1-to-2 HDMI distribution amplifiers. It is designed to split up to four HDMI, DVI, or DisplayPort Multimode signals to feed separate displays or processors, and is ideal for adding "loop-thru" capability to the inputs of a Crestron DVPHD Digital Video Processor. The HD-DA-2-QUAD supports HDMI 1.3a w/Deep Color and HDCP, handling 1080p60 HDTV and WUXGA computer resolutions, and multi-channel HD lossless audio.
The HD-DA-2-QUAD is also perfect for presentation and home theater systems that include more than one or two displays. The HD-DA-2-QUAD expands the capabilities of the HD-MD8x2 QuickSwitch™ HDMI switcher. The HD-MD8x2 accepts eight HDMI sources (or a combination of composite, component, S-video, VGA, DVI, DisplayPort and Ethernet, using a DMCI – DigitalMedia™ Card Interface) and transmits up to two of those sources to two displays. Adding the HD-DA-2-QUAD enhances the system to accommodate more HD displays.
"The HD-DA-2-QUAD is a great product for anyone in an HDMI environment," says Vincent Bruno, Crestron Director of Marketing. "Besides handling every available HDTV format supported by HDMI the HD-DA-2-QUAD is so versatile that it also supports computer resolutions up to 1920 x 1200 WUXGA and is compatible with DisplayPort and DVI signals using a simple adaptor."
As with all Crestron digital solutions, the HD-DA-2-QUAD manages the data embedded in HDMI/DVI and DisplayPort signals, including EDID, HDCP and CEC. Without intelligently processing these data streams, systems will not function properly and may result in no display image at all. The HD-DA-2-QUAD is the only HDMI distribution amplifier that automatically handles EDID resolution management.
EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) is information sent from a display to a source about its format and resolution capabilities. The HD-DA-2-QUAD overcomes formatting conflicts associated with multi-source systems by intelligently determining the optimal video resolution, frame rate, color depth, and audio format that all of the devices can handle. HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is the digital rights management method that television and movie studios use to protect their content from unauthorized duplication. The HD-DA-2-QUAD is HDCP compliant to ensure fast, uninterrupted HD switching.
To simplify operation and troubleshooting, the HD-DA-2-QUAD provides individual sync detection LEDs on its front panel, providing a clear indication when a valid digital signal is connected to any input. All Crestron digital HD solutions are supported by powerful DM Tools software, which runs HDCP and Data Rate checks, allows installers to configure the system quickly and reliably.

# # #

Company Contact Information
Crestron Electronics