Specifications

DM-MD8X8-RPS 8x8 DigitalMedia
™
Switcher w/Redundant Power Supply
crestron.com
|
800.237.2041
audio formats like Dolby
®
TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio
™
as well as
uncompressed linear PCM. All signals are transported over one
8-conductor twisted-pair wire or one strand of multimode or single-mode
fiber. DM 8G enables wire distances up to 330 feet (100 m) via DM 8G+
™
(DM 8G over CAT5e)
[1,6]
, 1000 ft (300 m) via DM 8G Fiber (DM 8G over
multimode fiber)
[2,6]
, or 7.5 miles (12 km) via DM 8G SM Fiber (DM 8G over
single-mode fiber)
[3,6]
.
The DM-MD8X8-RPS provides full support for Crestron DigitalMedia 8G
devices as well as all first-generation DM CAT
[4,6]
and DM Fiber
[5,6]
products,
letting you take advantage of the latest Crestron DM technology without
compromising your existing investment.
Modular Architecture
The DM-MD8X8-RPS features a modular architecture with 8 input card
slots, and 2 quad output card slots. Each card slot on the DM-MD8X8-RPS
is field-installable, allowing for easy and flexible system configuration with
the ability to make changes to the system as needs change.
A wide selection of input cards is offered to support a complete range
of digital and analog AV signal types including HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort
Multimode
[7]
, SDI, RGB and analog video, SPDIF and analog audio, and
DigitalMedia.
One or two output cards may be installed to feed up to 8 DM Receivers/
Room Controllers using your choice of DM 8G+, DM 8G Fiber, DM CAT, or
DM Fiber. Output cards may also be used to feed additional switchers in
other rooms or buildings using any form of DM including long-distance DM
8G SM Fiber. HDMI outputs are available as well for direct connection to
centralized audio processors and video monitors.
Output Expansion
An HDMI “pass-thru” output is provided on every input card to allow the
inputs of up to 5 DM switchers to be daisy-chained, enabling the
configuration of very large distribution systems with many DM and HDMI
outputs. Using five DM-MD8X8-RPS switchers, it is possible to support an
incredible 40 separate outputs.
Computer Compatibility
Besides handling every available HD video format supported by HDMI,
DigitalMedia also supports the distribution of DVI, DisplayPort Multimode
[7]
,
and RGB computer sources, and is fully compatible with DVI computer
monitors up to 1920 x 1200 WUXGA.
EDID Format Management
With all of today’s varied AV sources comes a multitude of confusing video
and audio formats to keep track of, and chances are not every device in
your system supports all of the same formats. Such conflicts can wreak
havoc any time you route one source to more than one display or audio
component. For instance, the Blu-ray player that’s feeding your 1080p
projector in the theater may restrict itself to a lower resolution, or even
shut off completely, if someone decides to view the same signal on the
20” TV in the kitchen. And, instead of enjoying your theater’s incredible
7.1 surround sound, you may find yourself limited to 5.1 or even plain
old stereo.
DigitalMedia eliminates such conflicts by managing the EDID (Extended
Display Identification Data) that many devices use to communicate their
capabilities. Via Crestron Toolbox software, the format and resolution
capabilities of each device can be assessed, allowing the installer to
configure EDID signals appropriately for the most desirable and
predictable behavior.
A Scaler for Every Display
Scaling capability can be added to any DM system using select DM
receivers with built in high-definition scalers.
[8]
Through a distributed scaler
approach, DigitalMedia delivers an incredibly flexible and user-friendly
solution for routing multiple disparate sources to many different display
devices. By placing an independent high-performance scaler at every
display device, DM ensures an optimal image on every screen no matter
what sources are selected. Distributed scaling allows a high-res computer
source to be viewed on any display in the building. It also allows a high-
definition 3D source to be viewed on lower-resolution 2D displays without
compromising the original signal, letting you share your theater’s full HD
1080p 3D image with smaller, lesser displays in the kitchen, bathroom,
and bedrooms.
QuickSwitch HD
®
Technology
Handling high-definition digital media means handling HDCP (High-
bandwidth Digital Content Protection), the encryption scheme that content
providers use to protect their DVDs, Blu-ray discs, and broadcast signals
against unauthorized copying. Viewing HDCP encrypted content requires a
source device to “authenticate” each display and signal processor in the
system and issue it a “key” before the content can be viewed. Ordinarily
this causes a complete loss of signal for up to 15 seconds each time a new
source or display is selected anywhere in the system. To make matters
worse, every source device has a limited number of keys available, so
connect too many displays and the source will simply stop outputting a
signal without warning.
Not to worry — Crestron QuickSwitch HD manages the keys for every
HDCP-compliant device in the system, maintaining continuous
authentication for each device to ensure fast, reliable routing of any source
to any number of display devices.
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 provides the answer, allowing for the simultaneous
distribution of multi-channel surround sound and two-channel stereo
signals from the same HDMI source. Using a choice of DSP-based input
cards, the DM-MD8X8-RPS employs onboard digital 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.
Back at the switcher, the digital stereo signal is also converted to analog to
enable sharing with every other room in the house via a Sonnex
™
, Adagio
®
,
or other multi-room audio distribution system. The DM-MD8X8-RPS also