Second part of the article on the application of the HDBaseT standard, which seeks to meet the specific needs of each use case.
Dana Zelitzki*
One of the main advantages of HDBaseT is its flexibility, it can be used in a wide variety of use cases and applications. Not all situations demand the same resolution, latency, or transmission of the same type of data: some only need audio and video, others also demand different types of controls, perhaps Ethernet and USB.
Before the creation of HDBaseT, installers were limited to what could be transmitted through a certain cable, which caused a proliferation of cables, restriction of the distances that could be covered and greater complexity. HDBaseT simplified things by enabling transmission over long distances (up to 100m) of audio and video, Ethernet, USB, controls, and power over a single Cat6 cable (or higher).
Depending on the specific needs of each customer, installers and integrators can choose the HDBaseT product with the necessary features to meet the specific needs of each application.
The HDBaseT Alliance currently has more than 200 members worldwide and there are thousands of HDBaseT products on the market, from simple extenders to projectors, switches/arrays, displays, receivers and more. In the last article in this series, we look at some of the common applications of HDBaseT and explain how the technology can optimize digital signage and educational and business facilities. In this article, we will examine additional use cases.
In transport: connectivity on the move
Whether on long or short trips, passengers can always enjoy content projected on bus or train screens. The possibility of seeing this type of material, whether purely informative, advertising or entertainment, improves the travel experience. To achieve this, public transportation systems require technology that enables a reliable and robust infrastructure for streaming high-quality content in real time across multiple screens. HDBaseT offers maximum performance even in the demanding and challenging conditions that buses and trains have.
HDBaseT is ideal for digital displays, public address systems, microphones, security cameras, stop button extensions, controls and power. Because HDBaseT enables point-to-point connection, daisy-chaining, and multiple data streams, information, advertising, and content can be cascaded simultaneously to numerous screens. Therefore, HDBaseT is ideal for connection in buses and wagons, but also for the infrastructure of the stations.
Another outstanding benefit of HDBaseT is the possibility of reducing the number of cables needed to transmit the different types of data, since installing more cables can be a challenge in this type of environment, particularly when reconditioning old vehicles. In addition, it is a very noisy environment, where several electronic systems compete for space and produce interference with each other. HDBaseT is a highly robust technology, capable of handling interference without generating much interference itself. In addition, the HDBaseT protocol can compensate for any interference and errors in the transmission.
In the health sector: optimization of operating rooms
Technology in general has been integrated into numerous aspects of our lives, from the simplest cell phone to the most advanced systems in the world. One of the sectors where technology has saved lives is clearly the medical sector, to which it has contributed equipment and systems that have optimized the way of diagnosing and treating conditions.
Audiovisual systems are one of the main technologies implemented in the field of medicine, as they can facilitate medical procedures, optimize resources and maximize results. In addition, audiovisual resources can be used as useful training tools for students, who can see in real time what is happening in the operating rooms.
Surgeons have the possibility to operate with video images of the highest quality, which accurately and clearly reflect the procedures. While the advent of medical visualization systems can help improve procedure workflow, such systems create new requirements for advanced connectivity with high bandwidth to optimize video performance. For images to be useful in medical environments, reliable connectivity solutions must ensure near-zero video latency, the highest image quality, simplicity, and complete interoperability between multiple sources and displays.
During surgical and medical procedures, the agility with which decisions are made and techniques are applied can be a decisive factor. To help maximize workflow efficiency, operating rooms need to use the most advanced digital platforms. Imaging systems and monitors must be connected easily and nimbly to enable accurate and reliable viewing. Such visualization is not only used to collect data intended for training, transmission, and analysis, but also to enable surgeons to perform minimally invasive endoscopic procedures.
HDBaseT is an ideal solution for the healthcare sector, due specifically to its ability to provide high-quality images with almost zero latency. HDBaseT offers an advanced connectivity solution that meets the high standards of medical display technologies. In addition, thanks to the inherent system interoperability of HDBaseT technology, different devices can be connected, allowing optimal video transmission, while processing different formats and types of input or output, such as 3G-SDI, DVI, HDMI and DP.
Although network cables of different categories are the simplest and easiest to use, many medical facilities require the exclusive installation of fiber optics. HDBaseT can also be transmitted over fiber cables over much wider distances, while audio and video tunneling, Ethernet, controls and USB signals continue to be done.
At home: no more cable clutter
As our lives have become increasingly digital and connected, the number of devices, both sources and displays, has multiplied in our homes. The possibility of optimizing the audiovisual system in our homes can provide a better experience to customers.
With HDBaseT, there is no need to have multiple cables to connect our TVs to various sources: Blu-ray player, computers, game console, cable boxes, etc. Even more, there is no need to double the number of fonts in our homes: the same Blu-ray player can stream the content to the living room, bedrooms and kitchen. In fact, with HDBaseT, all sources can be placed in a secluded location (for example, the basement or a closet) and then routed to the different rooms with a single cable.
Another residential application of HDBaseT is home offices. In this context, the same requirements that we talked about in our previous article about installation in enterprises also apply here, namely reliable, high-bandwidth, near-zero latency transmissions and interoperability between different devices. In this regard, all the AV functions that a person enjoys in his usual office can be found in his home.
There's more...
HDBaseT is a versatile technology that can be used in different contexts, depending on the specific demands of each installation. Other APPLICATIONS of HDBaseT include industrial PCs (embedded systems), the hotel and retail sector, houses of worship, government and military facilities, broadcast, cultural and event centers, etc.
We would like to invite you to share with us your implementation stories, we will be happy to share them with all our members. If you would like more information, you can contact [email protected] you can do it in Spanish!
In our next article, we'll explore best practices for HDBaseT installations.
*Dana Zelitzki holds a B.SC., in Computer Science and Statistics and Operations Research from Tel Aviv University. She currently serves as Associate Vice President of Marketing at Valens and Chair of the HDBaseT Alliance Marketing Committee.
