ISE Review 2020: Networking, connections and signal management

For the final part of our ISE 2020 review, we take a tour of some of the highlights fro those offering networking, connections and signal management.

See the other parts of the review here and here

Kordz

Kordz unveiled a newPRS Series CAT6A Network Patch Cord offering a slim-profile, high performance cabledesigned to deliver a strong, reliable connection for high-bandwidth AV andsmart home installations.

"On many projects, the network patch cord connection can bea common source of failure and massive frustration for professional homeintegrators," comments James Chen, Managing Director and head of Engineering atKordz. "Connectivity Assured is the principle that underpins the design andmanufacture of every Kordz product. This new CAT6A Network Patch Cord is agreat example of this commitment in practice as our patent pending designdramatically reduces any issues with the RJ45 latching tab breaking or comingfree under stress."

On display for the first time at ISE 2020, the Kordz PRSSeries CAT6A Network Patch Cord is a stranded 28 American Wire Gauge (AWG)U/FTP Category 6A shielded cable, suitable for 10 Gbps and POE++ ratednetworks. Kordz has custom-designed the RJ45 connector with a robust,anti-corrosion gold plated material.

The result is a more secure latching tab with a 15.2mm cablebend radius. The tab itself is rated to 2,000+ 180O bend cycles which willminimise the risk of connector failure, help create a tidier AV rack and saveinstallation time and cost for integrators. The 28AWG oxygen free copperconductors and solid extrusion also offer maximum twist protection for greatercord flexibility and signal integrity.

In addition, this Network Patch Cord reportedly has thethinnest and most flexible profile on the market, making installation fasterand easier whilst still fully complying with the strict CAT6A ANSI/TIA 568.2-Dstandard. The cable's 4.8mm diameter gives it a 40% reduction in area size whencompared to traditional 26AWG CAT6A network patch cords.

Every cable in the range is available in a choice of lengths up to 30m. In fact, installers can select from 16 different lengths, beginning at 15cm, to suit multiple project requirements with every Kordz PRS Series CAT6A Network Patch Cord up to 10m supplied with its own component test report available to download giving confidence to integrators that they are making the right choice for each application.

Netgear

NETGEAR used theevent to showcase AV-over-IP applications.

"We are happy to be able to accelerate the AV over IPtransition while making things easier for the integrators. Our certifiedsolutions provide valuable innovations offering an integrated solution thatworks for any AV deployment from small to extra-large," remarks Richard Jonker,VP of SMB Product Line Management at NETGEAR.

The new M4500 switches are engineered for AV over IPinstallations with NETGEAR IGMP Plus for strong ease of use. Zero-touch multicastusing Layer 2 commands without the need for more complex PIM (ProtocolIndependent Multicast) routing along with the 100G bandwidth and ultra-lowlatency, makes these switches not only a better, but also more affordablechoice than traditional data-centre class products, says the maker.

NETGEAR was also demonstrating the ability to runthird-party AV over IP control and management software directly on the M4500switch. For Software Defined Video over Ethernet (SDVoE) systems, runningDirector from iMAG systems or IPBaseT Manager from Aurora Multimedia right onthe switch eliminates the need for a separate controller unit, resulting in asimpler system design with fewer points of failure.

NETGEAR also emphasised that its switches now certified bymore than a dozen AV vendors including AMX SVSI, Atlona, Aurora, Biamp,Broadata, Christie, Crestron, DVI Gear, Just Add Power, Kramer, Megapixel,PureLink, Savant, tvONE and ZeeVee.

Another partnership was underlined, this time with automationplatform Savant. Savant has enhanced its existing partnership with NETGEAR tooffer the full suite of the company's networking solutions to technology. Thecompanies say this exclusive arrangement will make best-in-class products andservices available to integrators, enabling them to improve efficiency for anyjob size while creating new opportunities by offering superior networkingcapabilities along with exclusive, co-engineered solutions for the custominstallation market.

As audio/video, lighting and IP have come together alongwith a limitless array of IoT devices in the modern smart home, the role of thenetwork has become more vital than ever before of course.

The objective of the alliance is to create networkingsolutions that are optimised for the Savant smart home ecosystem, streamliningdesign, installation and service processes. Additionally, Savant and NETGEARare working on a strategic roadmap of new products and services exclusive toand optimised for Savant. Through this partnership, integrators will gainaccess to 24/7 system design and support services, increasing jobsiteefficiency while ensuring client satisfaction.

"Understanding the vitality of networking products andservices to our integration partners for jobs of every size, it was ourobjective to align with a highly respected provider such as NETGEAR," saidRobert Madonna, CEO at Savant. "Savant and NETGEAR are creating a hassle-free,highly streamlined infrastructure that converts the challenges of networkinginto an important opportunity for integrators."

SurgeX

SurgeX, distributed in the UK by RGB Communications, is introducing thenew Squid power management device at ISE, a product design that packs an arrayof power quality features into a single, compact chassis to fulfill the uniqueneeds of the growing number of collaborative flex and huddle spaceenvironments.

Squid is designed to streamline installation, combiningmultiple features, including boxed networked control and analytics of AC andDC, front-end protection with SurgeX's patented Multi-Stage surge suppressiontechnology, as well as monitoring and management capabilities.

Squid includes two 5V USB ports inputs for charging andnetwork troubleshooting, eight outputs, four of which are traditionalcontrolled and monitored IEC receptacles, and four are DC so integrators caneliminate the need for wall warts or a two box solution. By using a relay-basedsystem, the AC and DC ports can be controlled, the device can be monitored, andcan be easily integrated into third party control systems.

Available in three models for (2) 12V, (2) 24V, and acombination of the two, integrators can use Squid to power small spaces andkeep them running smoothly with preventative maintenance, mounting the smalldevice in the rack, behind a flat panel, mounted under a table, or integratedinto a table hatch.

With built-in autosensing, Squid is also the first SurgeX product with universal compatibility with 120V to 240V, allowing global companies to simplify installations and spec the same product worldwide. As an intelligent, and flexible power foundation, Squid offers SurgeX Axess ELITE capabilities such as sequencing, scheduling, auto-ping, IP Control, monitoring, and management, helping integrators reduce service calls through proactive management.

Squid features built-in diagnostic monitoring, similar to the popular SurgeX enVision, providing a single solution for management, mitigation and control of the system's power.

Squid measures electrical parameters, including voltage,current, power, frequency, power factor, and crest factor, and provides timestamped power quality events, and an internal storage of 30 days’ worth ofmax/min/average electrical parameters. Its maker says that Squid meets thehighest security standards, with support for all the leading network securityprotocols including 802.1x authentication and active directory.

HDBaseT

Lots of interesting stuff this year on the HDBaseT Alliance stand as the platform ismaking a strong play to fight for its place again competition from systems likeAV over IP. In the main the message was the power delivered by HDBaseT Spec3.0 which the Alliance says is the first in the industry to enablelong-distance transmission of uncompressed 4K@60 4:4:4, allowing unparalleledvalue and the best possible performance for your installations.

TzahiMadgar, the new President of the Alliance was on hand to explain the diversityof the companies involved in the technology from large to smaller, the HDBaseTfamily is growing all the time so there is increasing amount of choice for differentapplications. The Alliance underlines that interoperability is not agiven, it needs to be managed and maintained and the organisation keeps its processesvery strict to maintain reliability, last year over 200 new products werecertified.

Pulse-Eight neo matrix products contributed to a clever demoshowing how fast and responsive gaming can be over HDBaseT as two stands placeda long way apart shared the same gameplay in real time.

Other news at the show included the launch of a newPulse-Eight Ultra Receiver product, which has been officially approved by SteinwayLyngdorf to work with the Steinway & Sons P300 immersive soundprocessor.

The Pulse-Eight Ultra Receiver is a HDBaseT 4K60Type-A-compliant receiver solution, that employs DSC technology, enablinglong-distance transmission (100m/328ft) of HDMI2.0 video (4K, 60Hz with 4:4:4chroma encoding) and 100Mbps ethernet over a single category cable. ThePulse-Eight Ultra Receiver is, at only 13mm high, a good choice for a discreetinstallation behind ultra-thin TVs.

"Today's 4K video and audio extension requirements over along distance offer a technical challenge due to the immense data raterequirements over the cable," says Thomas Birkelund, CEO/CTO of SteinwayLyngdorf. "Our P300 sound processor offers the most advanced HDBaseT outputavailable, supporting HDMI 2.0 (18Gbps) extension. We are confident of thecapabilities of the Pulse-Eight Ultra Receiver which has been thoroughlyvalidated by our engineers to work flawlessly with our P300 processor at thehighest rates achievable."

Jonathan Regalado-Hawkey, Business Development Director for Pulse-Eight adds, "We are extremely proud of this endorsement from Steinway Lyngdorf, who are regarded as a standard of excellence within the AV industry for offering the finest sound systems in the market. All of our Video/Audio solutions are expertly designed and manufactured in-house so we are committed to providing the best-in-class products to our customers."

Also launched at the show from Pulse Eight was the ProAmp8, check out the video below.

The Valens Stello family VS3000 (using the latest chip set, also developed by Valens) also showed versatility and speed as a demo showed how products from the family can act as transmitters and receivers, switching between the two for installation convenience and for sharing different content from different sources around a collection of screens. The company also underlined the new chip delivers HDMI 2.0 and Dolby Vision.

Also on theHDBaseT stand, MSolutions introduced and demonstrated new AV over IPtesting capabilities that address emerging signal and infrastructure test needsin AV environments. MSolutions also showed its specialised HDMI Cable Testermodule, which allows integrators to efficiently perform bandwidth and physicallayer quality tests.

Says Eliran Toren, CEO, MSolutions, "Our new IP-capable testfeatures give installers the insight they need today to verify signal integrityand network health in AV over IP systems without having to purchase a separatedevice, while allowing them to test for HDBaseT and HDMI requirements from thesame portable platform."

The MS-TestPro is the first device of its kind to integrateAV over IP test capabilities into an HDBaseT device, eliminating the need foran expensive standalone IP tester. The software-driven capabilities, availableto existing users via a simple software update, are activated upon connectingthe device to a network switch.

Once connected, the software provides immediate, detailedfeedback on network switch information and settings, and a general overview ofIP network conditions and connections. The information received allowsintegrators to quickly confirm if the network settings fit the AV over IP requirements.This includes identifying network configuration faults, the status of networkports (open or blocked), and whether pertinent multicast settings are correctlyenabled.

MSolutions introduced its HDMI Cable Tester module last yearto provide customers with a comprehensive physical layer quality test solution.The HDMI Cable Tester drills down to each cable's conductors and shielding andprovides instant feedback on missing or defective wiring.

The module attaches to both ends of an HDMI cable, and delivers detailed information on HDMI bandwidth requirements, the presence of HDMI-standard conductors, and compatibility tests for signals up to 4K@60Hz 4:4:4 in the HDMI 2.0 specification. MSolutions is in the process of developing a special pattern generator for next-generation HDBaseT systems and HDMI specifications.

Blustream

Also delivering a busy show, Blustream offered a full run down of how the company has to to where it is today going from a relatively new entrant to a real force to be reckoned with 15 new products at this show.

HDAnywhere

HDAnywhere showcased the handy new ‘zone processors’ which take the power of the brand places it in a handy, easy to install compact box. Check out the interview below.

OneAV

Also some hot off the press info from OneAV with not just control brands, but structural changes to how the company interacts with the its install customers.

Atlona

Atlona was also keen todraw attention to the new HDBaseT extender kit that pairs two of its mostpopular HDVS Series solutions for huddle rooms and small meeting spaces.

Shipping now, the AT-HDVS-150-WP-KIT combines theAT-HDVS-150-TX-WP two-input wall-plate switcher with the AT-HDVS-150-RX scalingreceiver to provide HDMI and VGA auto-switching, integrated display control andHDBaseT signal transport in a convenient package that simplifies ordering forintegrators and system designers.

Suited for corporate, educational, and other environments,the HDVS-150-WP-KIT transports video signals up to 1080p or 1920×1200 alongsideembedded audio, power and control across distances reaching 230 feet (70meters) over standard category cable. The HDVS-150-TX-WP switcher/transmitterfeatures one HDMI input and one VGA input with corresponding analogue audio,automatically selecting between the two interfaces and powering on or offcompatible displays when a video source is connected or removed.

Front-panel input selection and display on/off buttonsfacilitate simple manual operation.

At the receiving end of the chain, the scaling capabilitiesof the HDVS-150-RX automatically transform incoming signals to the nativeresolution of an HDMI-connected display.

Two-channel audio de-embedding with stereo analogue outputsenables integration with external amplifiers and audio systems. Front-panelcontrols allow access to flexible configuration options through intuitiveon-screen menus displayed via the receiver's HDMI output.

AtlonaBluestreamHDanywhereHDBaseT AllianceKordz •MSolutionsNetgearOneAVPulse-EightSurgeX