Official Audio Authority AVAtrix Q&A Thread (AVX-661 and AVX-561)

I have started this thread to provide a unified location in which to locate discussion, Q and A, and information about the Audio Authority AVAtrix.

For those of you who do not know, my name is Trent Davis, and I am an Account Manager for Audio Authority Corp. I have been posting on AVS for several months, with the intent of answering questions about Audio Authority products and other issues that relate to our company.

I will monitor this thread for questions, suggestions, problems, and other random AVAtrix-related thoughts.

I have avoided creating an official AVAtrix thread until now because of the potential perception that it would be using this technical forum as a sales channel. However, there are now dozens of separate threads including information about the AVAtrix, and posters are demanding a unified location in which to talk about the product, so I feel it is warranted. Please do respect forum rules, however, by NOT posting any sales-related messages under this topic.

If you have suggestions for Q&A topics, please PM me. Please note that (unfortunately ) posting on AVS Forum is not my primary job responsibility, so if you have immediate questions or pressing issues, please email me at tdavis@audioauthority.com.

Reference Information:

AVAtrix and MainLobby Thread

Firmware Version Change Log - Information on what changes are made in each Firmware revision.

How many inputs and outputs does the AVAtrix have?
The standard AVAtrix packages can support 6 inputs and 7 outputs (6 wallplate outputs, and one "local" output on the main device).

So what if I need more than six outputs?
Using expanders (Model 1176), the AVAtrix can support up to 6 inputs and 37 outputs (36 wallplates, and 1 local output). To handle more than 3 1176 units, you will need a Model 802-568 Bus Cable as well.

How many Cat 5 cables need to be run to each wallplate?
The AVAtrix requires two Cat 5 cables per wallplate. This is because of the wide compliment of signal types supported on the AVAtrix system.

Can I use just one Cat 5 with the AVAtrix?
In short, no. Though theoretically it could be achieved, using a single Cat-5 with the system would void the system's warranty, and could cause damage. Also, not all signals could be transmitted over a single Cat 5.

Can I/should I use Cat-6 instead of Cat 5e?
The AVAtrix does not use Ethernet, so there is no real benefit of using the higher-speed data cabling standard of Cat 6. It will not impede the system's performance, but it won't help either.

Will Audio Authority be introducing an HDMI version of the AVAtrix?
It is possible - however, HDMI is still such a challenging format from a distribution perspective, and there are so many difficulties preventing significant distribution ranges with HDMI, that an HDMI AVAtrix isn't a very feasible product at this time.

I don't like the stainless steel, dual-gang wallplates. Do you have another receiver I can use instead?
A single-gang, decora-style plate (Model 9879), and a "breakout box" that can be surface mounted, hidden in a wall, etc. (Model 9880) are now available.

What Control Methods Do You Recommend for the AVAtrix?
The following are companies we are aware of, that have our codes in their databases:

• Control4
• Cinemar's MainLobby
• Universal Remote Co.
• Logitech Harmony
  

Our enclosed IR remote can be used to program any brand of learning remote. We publish our serial command database for RS232 control near the back of the manual.

What's the deal with DVI on the AVX-661? Can DVI or HDMI inputs be distributed to the component video wallplates?
The DVI switching capabilities of the AVAtrix (more accurately, of the 1166 device that makes up part of the AVAtrix head-end) are limited to the "local" output of the 1166. HDMI and DVI signals are very difficult to transmit over long distances, and Cat 5 solutions for doing so are generally ethernet, which would add a new complexity and much higher cost to the system.

Component video, which provides virtually identical (and sometimes superior, depending on the application) picture than DVI or HDMI is much easier to transmit over Cat 5, while achieving long distances.

A main concern with converting DVI to Component is that most DVI (and all HDMI) sources are HDCP encrypted. Converting a digital, copy-protected signal to an unprotected analog output like component is explicitly illegal. Making the opposite conversion is okay, but once encrypted, content must stay protected.

Where is the AVAtrix manufactured? Where do you ship from?
The AVAtrix is manufactured in Lexington, Kentucky, in the United States of America. We build, engineer, ship, and answer the phone in Lexington.

Does the AVAtrix convert audio signals to other audio formats?
The AVAtrix cross-converts digital optical and digital coaxial signals, but does not convert analog audio to digital audio, or vice versa.

Is the AVAtrix rack mountable? Are rack mount ears included?
The AVAtrix is rack mountable in a standard 19-inch AV Rack. Rack ears are NOT included, and can be purchased separately. An AVAtrix system requires (1) 1191, and (1) 1192 rack ear set. One additional 1191 is required for each 1176 or 1172 added to the system.

How can I connect a whole-house audio system to the AVAtrix?
By utilizing the Model 1172 Audio Interface, you can use a third-party whole house audio system, or dedicated AV receivers with the AVAtrix.

I want to send IR commands from the equipment closet out to the rooms through the AVAtrix's IR network. How?
The 1109 IR Injector allows the three wires that are used for the AVAtrix's IR network to be utilized for sending IR either to or from the wallplate locations. However, utilizing this IR Injector prevents signal from reaching the AVAtrix's internal IR network, meaning the IR routing capabilities of the AVAtrix cannot be utilized.

More Q&A to come.

It sounds like the AVAtrix would be almost perfect for you - your display devices all seem to be HD compatible, and your sources are all component based, so you won't need any converters.

You could use our 9870 product for some savings in cost, but you would only watch a single source at a time, and would need to add a switcher in front of the driver units.

Either the AVX-661 or AVX-561 would fit your needs and provide six source inputs and six remote outputs, plus the local output, so you'd have room for future expansion. You could watch any source in any room, without interfering with what someone is watching on another TV.

Trent

Either should work, but we recommend Cat-5e. It's pretty hard to find standard Cat 5 these days, and the cost difference is typically negligible.

Trent

You should have nothing to worry about - the system isn't ethernet based, so data speed rating of the cable isn't as important.

Hello,

Yes - using the 1108 IR routing system and IR receivers and emitters (not included), you can control the AVAtrix and your individual source devices.

Trent

AVAtrix orders placed directly with Audio Authority are generally shipping within a week of order placement. Our shipments to online resellers like SmartHome are no different. The product is still extremely popular (it's growing, really), but production is spun up to the point that we're staying even with the tide, all while continuing to build in the USA.

Trent

Unfortunately, a passive converstion, whether from s-video to SCART to Component, or otherwise, is not going to work - an active transcoder is needed.

The S-Video signal is a Y/C signal - luminance and modulated chrominance. A component video signal is YPbPr - Luminance, sync, Blue, and Red. No passive cable can achieve such a conversion.

Trent

Hi everybody,

The AVAtrix cross-converts digital audio to either Toslink or digital coax, but it does not convert to or from analog audio. That's actually a fairly complicated process, because it would require the ability to decode Dolby and DTS streams and reencode them as analog signals. I'll add this question to the Q&A.

Trent

Yes, component video, digital audio, and analog audio are all active at the same time over the Cat 5 (assuming they're all connected on the head end).

You can use both sets of audio outputs simultaneously without a problem.

Trent

I saw a first article of the 9880 and the 9879 yesterday, so that means we're progressing - no updates on a release date, though.

Trent

We have had good success with Xantech's IR receivers, especially the 291-xx series. We've also had reports of Niles receivers (without the feedback wire) working nicely.

The most compatible receivers seem to be ones that don't demodulate and then remodulate the signal upon receiving it, and instead just pass it on through to our system.

Trent