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Help me understand HDMI matrix switch ?

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IA64
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IA64 Posted: Wed, Mar 28 2018 10:19 AM

Hi guys, my friend suggested an Atlona matrix ( UHD PRO3 ) to connect my Apple TV/BR-player/Sat box to my TVs.

 

I have a Crestron home automation, a Beovision Avant 55 NG and two Sony 75" TVs. 

 

I do understand that the matrix will allow me to pick up any input from any TV but what I don't understand is how will I be able to control the input devices ? 

 

I've been reading the Atlona matrix tutorials and documentations and it looks like the Beovision has a PUC port which is nice but what about the other TVs ? 

 

I do understand that there's a IR transmitter and receiver to each TV but does it mean that I need to have the remote control of all input devices anywhere I want to watch ? 

 

Sorry if I sound stupid but I really don't understand how I can have one remote control that controls my Apple TV, BR player and my setup box. 

trackbeo
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trackbeo replied on Wed, Mar 28 2018 7:03 PM

Atlona's diagram *implies* you will be able to control your input devices via a third-party controller -- they show Control4, so presumably your Creston controller as well.  But they also say, "Use with optional AT-IR-CS-TX IR emitter cable for AV system control", which means they have some kind of direct output also...  Regardless, the diagram shows the PRO3 hooked up to your Ethernet switch, and a Control4 processor hooked up to the same switch, with the Control4 sending out IR to the sources (AppleTV, set-top-box. Blu-Ray player):

     http://atlona.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Applilcation-Mockups-88M.png

This doesn't really fit with B&O's idea that the BeoVision is controlling an Atlona switcher itself, directly via PUC, for BV's so-called "HDMI Extender" sources.  The implication of Atlona's diagram is that the Control4 box is driving everything, including the Atlona PRO3, which merely switches input sources and talks to Atlona receiver boxes for remote video distribution -- and also forwarding IR control to the remote TVs.

The easiest way out may be to draw up your own system, and pay your Creston tech for a 1-hour consult on whether/how he can do it.  His default recipe might be making the BeoVision a dumb video monitor.  Thus the one remote you mention will be your Creston pad (i.e. same as the Control4 remote, not shown in the diagram), and yes, you will have remote control of all input devices anywhere you want to watch, but again, from your Creston pad.  Can we imagine that the Control4 box in that diagram could somehow magically be replaced by BeoVision PUC IR outputs?  And that the BeoRemote One BT could drive it?  Yes, but... the PUC outputs will not drive the Sony TVs remotely, nor select the source for the Sony TV's either.   At least not the way I remember the PUC programming state of affairs.  Hopefully someone here with more experience will chime in...

StUrrock
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StUrrock replied on Wed, Mar 28 2018 9:24 PM
trackbeo:

Atlona's diagram *implies* you will be able to control your input devices via a third-party controller -- they show Control4, so presumably your Creston controller as well. But they also say, " Use with optional AT-IR-CS-TX IR emitter cable for AV system control", which means they have some kind of direct output also... Regardless, the diagram shows the PRO3 hooked up to your Ethernet switch, and a Control4 processor hooked up to the same switch, with the Control4 sending out IR to the sources (AppleTV, set-top-box. Blu-Ray player):

http://atlona.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Applilcation-Mockups-88M.png

This doesn't really fit with B&O's idea that the BeoVision is controlling an Atlona switcher itself, directly via PUC, for BV's so-called "HDMI Extender" sources. The implication of Atlona's diagram is that the Control4 box is driving everything, including the Atlona PRO3, which merely switches input sources and talks to Atlona receiver boxes for remote video distribution -- and also forwarding IR control to the remote TVs.

The easiest way out may be to draw up your own system, and pay your Creston tech for a 1-hour consult on whether/how he can do it. His default recipe might be making the BeoVision a dumb video monitor. Thus the one remote you mention will be your Creston pad (i.e. same as the Control4 remote, not shown in the diagram), and yes, you will have remote control of all input devices anywhere you want to watch, but again, from your Creston pad. Can we imagine that the Control4 box in that diagram could somehow magically be replaced by BeoVision PUC IR outputs? And that the BeoRemote One BT could drive it? Yes, but... the PUC outputs will not drive the Sony TVs remotely, nor select the source for the Sony TV's either. At least not the way I remember the PUC programming state of affairs. Hopefully someone here with more experience will chime in...

You can have both puc control

and 3rd party control but 3rd party is generally better as it is more customisable. PUC are just what they are.

just ask your crestron, savant,Elan, RTI, demopad, c4, integrator

BUT whatever you do make demand that it is simple to work!

StUrrock
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StUrrock replied on Wed, Mar 28 2018 9:25 PM
...I would suggest get the pic working first before spending the extra £$¥€
IA64
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IA64 replied on Wed, Mar 28 2018 11:09 PM

Thanks guys for your input. There's still some confusion here as to how to control the input devices.

Apple TV has a built-in remote control learner so you can use your TV remote control for both devices. 

But let's start with the Beovison Avant. Does PUC control allow you to pause/unpause/skip forward/etc... a movie on a BR device ?  If so, how is it even possible ? 

Having said so, the only possible explanation for me is that you need to have all remote controls of the devices in each room which, kind of, defeats the purpose of having a centralized AV system. 

Back to the Crestron or Control4, I had this in mind but I still don't understand how the Crestron will be able to control the input devices unless it has an IR learner.

Now if the Crestron is capable of controlling all the input devices, then the Atlona is a waste of money ? because the only reason I was learning toward the PRO3 is the Beovision integration... but in a typical situation, you don't have only Beovision TVs as output source.... probably different brands or projectors etc... 

There's a lot of 4K matrix switches out there for half the price, please correct me if I'm wrong ? 

 

mjmedlo
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mjmedlo replied on Fri, Mar 30 2018 12:12 PM
The BV has the ability to download all of these sources in the puc database.

It will control and Apple TV just like using the Apple remote.

It sends all of the signal through the balun back to the pro3 which does all the work.

The advantage in your setup is hiding your sources away.

Otherwise let crestron control the Sony’s and BV will do it’s thing.

The pro3 will receive the commands the BV sends and regurgitate those to your sources.

The same as the crestron box does.

Crestron uses RF or Wi-Fi I presume and the BV sends the signal up the Ethernet cable
mjmedlo
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mjmedlo replied on Fri, Mar 30 2018 12:13 PM
One other thing... Atlona is more expensive but has a 10 year warranty.

And controlling the matrix is native within the BV.

The crestron should be able to control anything you can connect to it. Otherwise replace the Sony’s with BV and you don’t need a control system.
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