Following on the heels of the successful introduction of its cutting-edge 4K 600 MHz splitters and switcher in 2016, Gefen from Core Brands today debuted two new matrix products, the EXT-UHD600A-44 and EXT-UHD600A-88, that fully support the latest HDMI 2.0a and HDCP 2.2 standards and include multiple new features for commercial integrators. The introduction was made at ISE 2017 at Core Brands Stand 1-N53 at the RAI Convention Center in Amsterdam.
“HDMI’s recent update to the 2.0a standard is taking the AV industry by storm and catapulting the possibilities for resolution, color, contrast, and audio signals to new heights,” explained Core Brands’ Gefen Product Manager Jason Fitzgerald. “The need for products that switch, split, and extend this new signal format continues to increase as more display and source devices are created to embrace its capabilities. Gefen has added the EXT-UHD600A-44 and EXT-UHD600A-88 to the 600 MHz series to guarantee that commercial installers can fully utilize the cutting-edge signal standards available today.”
Both matrix products are compliant with the full bandwidth of the HDMI 2.0a specification and support all 4K timings and Chroma subsampling formats, meaning that features such as HDR and all aspects of Rec. 2020 are also supported.
In addition to its full HDMI 2.0a and HDR compliance, both matrix products incorporate new features that enhance the commercial integrator’s experience. Recognizing that audio is just as important as video, both matrix products incorporate analog and digital audio breakouts that de-multiplex the audio stream from each HDMI output, thus allowing the isolated audio content to be connected to external amplifiers and music distribution systems, such as those found in bars, restaurants, clubs, venues, and corporate offices.
Thanks to the independent scalers that are built into each output – the first time used in a Gefen matrix – two of the outputs on the EXT-UHD600A-44 have the ability to downscale a 4K signal to HD, while the remaining two outputs can upscale an HD signal to 4K Ultra HD, maximizing compatibility in a mixed display system. Both new matrix products include a Professional API feature that provides previously unattainable data to open the door for exciting interactions between control/monitoring systems and Gefen products. The EXT-UHD600A-44 also includes a Long Range Power (LRP) feature that eliminates the need for commercial installers to use an external power supply when using a compatible extender to increase the matrix’s output beyond an HDMI cable’s limits.
“There has been and always will be a need for external products that perform the duties of switching, splitting, and extension in the AV distribution business,” Fitzgerald said. “Gefen has always maintained a strong heritage in supplying these types of products while integrating the latest trends in connectivity technology. The introduction of these two new matrix products truly complete our 600 MHz line-up by enabling commercial integrators to fully utilize HDMI 2.0a.”
For more information on Gefen’s two new matrix products, visit Core Brands Stand 1-N53 at ISE 2017. For hi-res images, click here.