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Signal HD converters of HDMI (or VGA) to IP interface allow users to transmit and distribute high-resolution (HD) signals via computer IP networks to HD-enabled televisions/monitors (with HDMI or VGA inputs). They also enable users to control the source devices from the remote locations of the televisions/monitors through the original remote controls or, where applicable, through USB devices (mouse and/or keyboard – e.g. in the case of STBs and NVRs).
The article presents examples of interesting installations and systems based on Signal HDMI converters using the HDbitT protocol.
HDbitT (High-Definition Digital Bit Transmission Technology) is a protocol used for professional delivery/transmission of high-quality image and audio over IP networks. The protocol supports video resolutions of up to 4Kx2K @ 60Hz, transmitted wirelessly or over network cables, electrical installations, optical fibers, or coaxial cables.
The HDbitT protocol is used for transmissions of audio/video signals over IP networks
HDbitT ensures all-in-one connectivity, enabling 4K Ultra HD audio and video distribution, as well as the transmission of RS232, IR, and USB control signals.
The main advantages of HDbiT:
- signals can be transmitted over distances much longer than 100 m,
- supports CEC, EDID, and HDCP functions,
- can work with many transmission media, such as: twisted-pair cables, coaxial cables, optical fibers, electrical networks, wireless networks,
- transmission can be secured by the AES protocol,
- signals can be transmitted using the existing computer network,
- efficient compression enables bandwidth savings,
- PnP devices,
- enables point-to-point and point-to-multipoint connections.
Devices that support the HDbitT protocol:
- H3606 HDMI to IP Converter: Signal HD (with RC extender),
- H3607 HDMI to IP Converter: Signal HD (additional receiver with RC extender),
- H3608 Signal HD HDMI to Fiber Optic Converter (with RC extender),
- H3609 HDMI Extender (RF over coax),
- H3614 HDMI to IP Converter: Signal HD (multicast),
- H3615 HDMI to IP Converter: Signal HD - Receiver (unicast),
- H3618 VGA Extender Signal HD (VGA to IP),
- H3619 VGA Extender Signal HD (VGA to IP) - Receiver (IP to VGA),
- H3624 HDMI to IP Converter/Extender (1x5e, PoE 802.3af): Signal-HD (multicast),
- H3625 HDMI to IP Converter/Extender (1x5e, PoE 802.3af): Signal-HD (multicast) - Receiver,
- H3634 HDMI to IP Converter/Extender: Signal HD 4Kx2K (1x5e).
Non-standard systems and configurations based on Signal HDMI devices:
Most commonly, converters are used to send point-to-point and point-to-multipoint signals from the HDMI source to the TV set. They also make it possible to view the HDbitT stream on PC using a special network video streaming software.
A system in which the STB image is viewed on TV and computer screens
To view the image on your PC, install a media player like VLC (http://www.videolan.org/), and open the stream under udp://@239.255.42.42:5004. Thanks to the multicast transmission mode, the number of connected devices will only affect the load of the network equipment in the system and not that of the HDMI converter CPU.
For installations where the signal source has a different multimedia interface than the TV, suitable Signal converters provide the function of an interface adapter enabling signal transmission between these devices.
Connecting a computer with VGA connector to a TV with HDMI input
In the example above, the computer is connected via a VGA cable to the Signal H3618 VGA to IP converter. Thanks to the signal transmission using the HDbitT protocol, it is possible to receive the stream through a different Signal converter (H3614) changing the IP signal to HDMI standard. Such installations are often used when the signal source is an older type DVR or a PC.
In installations with a number of TVs/monitors having different multimedia interfaces and, consequently, requiring different Signal adapters, it is still possible to effectively distribute the video signal , however with some restrictions regarding the reverse transmission of the control signals (IR, USB).
Installation with several different models of Signal converters used as HDbitT receivers
The installation shown in the diagram allows the HDMI signal (coming from the STB device) to be converted to IP (HDbitT protocol) using the H3606 converter (HDMI to IP with IR). The HDbitT signal is received by the following Signal devices:
- H3614 with HDMI output (as H3614 does not have IR extender function, the STB cannot be controlled from that location).
- H3606 with HDMI output (the device has IR extender function that can be used to control the STB).
- H3624 with HDMI output (the device has IR extender function that can be used to control the STB). In addition, this Signal converter can be powered via PoE which is convenient e.g. when the TV is hung on a wall and there is no easy access to an AC power outlet.
- H3618 with VGA output (as H3618 does not have IR extender function, the STB cannot be controlled from that location).
By default, only one transmitter/sender can be used in one network. This is due to the fact that the manufacturer installs the same network configuration on each sender. The user cannot change the addresses of the devices. Therefore, if two transmitters were used, there would be a conflict of IP addresses (which would result in incorrect network operation).
There is a workaround of this problem by using a manageable switch and dedicated VLANs. In the example above, the user can create four image display scenarios by changing the parameters on the switch.
Scenario 1 – both the HDMI receivers (#1, #2) provide the video from the STB #1 source. Required VLAN options:
- Port 1 - VID 11, PVID 11,
- Port 2 - VID 22, PVID 22,
- Port 11 - VID 11, PVID 11,
- Port 12 - VID 11, PVID 11.
Scenario 2 – the HDMI receiver #1 provides the video from the STB #1 source, and the HDMI receiver #2 provides the video from the STB #2 source. Required VLAN options:
- Port 1 - VID 11, PVID 11,
- Port 2 - VID 22, PVID 22,
- Port 11 - VID 11, PVID 11,
- Port 12 - VID 22, PVID 22.
Scenario 3 – both the HDMI receivers (#1, #2) provide the video from the STB #2 source. Required VLAN options:
- Port 1 - VID 11, PVID 11,
- Port 2 - VID 22, PVID 22,
- Port 11 - VID 22, PVID 22,
- Port 12 - VID 22, PVID 22.
Scenario 4 – the HDMI receiver #1 provides the video from the STB #2 source, and the HDMI receiver #2 provides the video from the STB #1 source. Required VLAN options:
- Port 1 - VID 11, PVID 11,
- Port 2 - VID 22, PVID 22,
- Port 11 - VID 11, PVID 11,
- Port 12 - VID 22, PVID 22.
DIPOL offers optical HDMI converter with reverse transmission of IR remote control signals (H3608), however any model allowing for the reverse transmission of the USB signal is not available. A solution for systems with long-range transmission performed via an optical network and the need for control of the source device such as an NVR, will be the application of device pairs consisting of the H3613 HDMI to IP converter and an optical media converter.
Application of HDMI to IP converters and optical media converters for long-range signal transmission, including reverse transmission of the USB control signal
The H3613 HDMI to IP converter with USB interface sends the signals (HDMI and USB) via IP network to the L10025 media converter that changes the transmission medium into optical fiber. In a remote location, the transmission medium is changed to electrical signals received and decoded by the H3613 receiver/converter.
