Overview - Optima Systems With Hdmi - AMX Optima Instruction Manual

HDMI I/O Board
Overview – Optima Systems with HDMI
The Optima HDMI I/O board provides true matrix switching for complete distribution of high resolution
digital video and embedded audio (cannot breakaway the audio) from 8 sources to any or all of 8
destinations. Full HDMI support allows 1080p protected entertainment content to be switched freely,
while high resolution capabilities (1900x1200) provide the advantage of being able to use this solution to
switch high resolution computer images or a combination of both.
The HDCP standard was established to prevent the unauthorized transfer of protected audiovisual
content between devices.
The Optima HDMI I/O board routes HDCP (content-protected) and non-HDCP digital audiovisual
signals. If HDCP is applied, the transmitted video is encrypted. The input connectors on the board act as
HDCP receivers (RXs), and the output connectors on the board act as HDCP transmitters (TXs). If the
content is protected (HDCP), the board acts as an HDCP repeater, allowing the source device to
authenticate each destination device (and repeater) that it is routed to. Once the authentication is
complete, the encrypted content begins to be displayed on the destinations.
Note: The Optima HDMI input/output board does not support CEC.
Optima HDMI System Conditions
Normally, all devices used in an HDMI system are HDCP compliant. Each HDCP capable device model
has a unique set of confidential keys (used to encrypt and decrypt the data).
The content protection process for the point-to-point connection between the upstream transmitter on the
source device and an Optima input connector (RX) and on through the Optima output connector (TX) to
the destination device includes five steps.
Five Steps in Content Protection Process
1.
The Optima uses an authentication protocol to verify that the display device is licensed to receive
the content.
2.
The transmitter on the source device uses authentication protocol to verify that the Optima input
(RX) and any routed downstream sinks are licensed to receive the content.
3. The content is encrypted and transmitted.
4.
The source device's transmitter periodically verifies that the Optima input is still synchronized and
capable of decrypting the protected content.
5.
The Optima periodically verifies that the display device(s) is still synced and capable of decrypting
the protected content.
Note: If the source does not support HDCP, the display device does not need to support HDCP. The
unencrypted content from the source is simply routed through the output(s) to the display device(s).
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HDCP is used only when the source content is copyright protected. Unprotected content is not
affected and may be routed as desired.
If a source device enforces HDCP compliance, only those destination devices which are
HDCP compliant (as judged so by the source device) will be capable of displaying the
source's HDCP protected content.
Each input on the Optima HDMI I/O board supports a maximum of 16 downstream devices,
which are referred to as sinks (destination devices and repeaters).
Optima Instruction Manual