Modular AV system distributes any combo of HDBaseT, HDMI, fiber connections

Crestron Electronics' modular blade I/O expansion system, dubbed the 64X64 DigitalMedia switcher (DM-MD64X64), accepts, manages, and distributes 64 audio/video (AV) sources of virtually any copper or fiber signal type across short and long distances via both Cat 5e wire and fiber-optic cabling. Each blade provides 8 inputs or outputs of any one signal type, and integrates copper and fiber outputs on same platform.

The company says the hot-swappable modular blade I/O expansion system makes it easy to configure, modify, and upgrade a digital media (DM) system in the field, giving users the ability to make changes to the system as requirements change. Input and output blades are offered to support a choice of HDMI, DM 8G+ HDBaseT, DM 8G fiber and DM 8G single-mode fiber. The platform is billed as the only one to provide a fully integrated HDCP compliant fiber solution that also can be mixed and matched with copper on the same matrix.

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Hot-swappable redundant power supplies ensure continuous operation in mission critical applications throughout the life of the system. Each of two onboard power supplies have a MTBF [Mean Time Between Failure] of over a half million hours. In the unlikely event of an individual power supply fault, the switcher will continue to operate unhindered on only one power supply. A built-in 15" color touch screen enables complete setup and operation with button-touch simplicity. As a result, integrators and installers no longer need to setup and connect their PC to the switcher to perform configuration and troubleshooting. The DM-MD64X64 also includes an onboard Web server, enabling full operation and monitoring through any web browser without the need for custom software.

Through a user-friendly graphical interface, integrators can direct the routing of AV signals and view resolution and format information for every input and output signal, including a live video image of any input. With the press of a button, the single-file update function updates all the firmware for every connected device, saving hours of upload time. The intuitive touch screen also serves as a single point of control for diagnostic testing.

Certified DM engineers and technicians can employ many time-saving diagnostic capabilities such as monitoring each I/O blade status, fan tray and power supply, detailed troubleshooting of every signal path, loading of custom EDID settings, control of transmitter and receiver settings, and backup and loading of the entire system configuration. Learn more at www.crestron.com/digitalmedia.

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