Despite the fact that many people, myself included, still regard HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) as a four-letter word, it is gaining wider acceptance in the professional industry. More and more, it's becoming acceptable on cameras, switchers --- pretty much any piece of video gear. The easy reason for this is because there are many benefits to using HDMI; it supports uncompressed video, audio, and auxiliary information in one neat little connector. HDMI devices are even capable of controlling each other in some scenarios.
It's certainly no silver bullet, as there are some down sides to HDMI. It's not field repairable, generally has no locking connector (though that may be changing ) , and has a very limited range, and that doesn’t even begin to cover HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Copyright Protection). If you have ever looked at an HDMI port on a switcher and thought “what a great way to get a ProPresenter computer or Blu-ray player into my signal chain” only to discover it won’t output to the switcher, then you have experienced the trouble with HDCP. On the limited range side, even though the HDMI spec gives no clarity to exact length limitations, it is accepted that 15 feet is a safe bet. You can purchase cables close to 50 feet, though they are typically considered a gamble. This is why a consistent problem for using this format has always been finding a way of extending its effective range. Opticomm-Emcore has produced an elegant solution using very inexpensive CATx cable, which can run 1080P/60 Hz virtually lossless up to 100 meters point-to-point with their new Eclipse HD.
Extending HDMI over some other medium, be it fiber or CAT5, is not really anything special. There are many manufacturers that make encoder/decoder modules that do this. In the point-to-point configuration, the application in the church market is easy to see. This is a great solution for churches that are portable, you can add an overflow or cry room with the Eclipse system, a TV and 328 ft. of CAT 5. However, the Eclipse HD system is unique for a few reasons; first, it doesn't just do HDMI, it also does USB, audio, RS-232 and IR. Making it equally good for your multipurpose rooms in your permanent facilities as well. Utilizing the RSR 232 and IR interfaces it would be possible to control a Blu-Ray, A/V receiver and TV's from anywhere on the IP network. The Eclipse HD also accepts USB for keyboard and mouse control making it an excellent KVM over IP solution as well.
The second thing that makes the Eclipse HD system unique is that it is a great option for digital signage. There are a few features that make it better suited for this application then your standard HDMI extender. First, it will support one-to-many distribution utilizing a gigabit Ethernet switch. Meaning you only need one encoder at a computer running your content supplier of choice, and you can have multiple TV's and decoders located all over your building all connected via Ethernet. Because the Eclipse HD also supports POE (power over ethernet) you don't even need power on decode side of the distribution system. Another advantage of the Eclipse HD system in digital signage is its easy solution for creating video walls. In the GUI (graphical user interface) you can simply merge two or more signals, eliminating the need for using a TripleHead2Go or similar product to distribute your signal over multiple TVs.
Network management is going to be key in utilizing the Eclipse HD system. While it can use cheaper unmanaged gigabit switch, it will tie up most of the traffic you have on that side of the network with the HD video. So you don't want put this on a switch that is also handling computers that have Internet access, or you will want to use a managed switch. That said, this system can integrate with third party systems like Crestron or AMX, utilizing a control unit which translates the controls to API commands which can be utilized by the Opticomm-Emcore Eclipse HD. This means you don't have to program every single encoder and decoder individually, you just program the control unit once.
One application that might be of interest is if you utilize multiple encoders and decoders and then script an API code that triggers an assignment change to switch which encoder the decoders are receiving from. The practical application for this is that you could set this system up for digital signage all over your building. Then, when your service starts, a separate encoder from your video control area could turn all those TV's into a live feed from your auditorium. It also means you can make easy overflow systems with a large TV on a rolling cart that could be put anywhere with power outlet for the TV and Ethernet port for the Eclipse. At a price of $464 a unit (encoder or decoder) it's one of the more flexible solutions available.
