White Paper Library
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36 White Papers
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White Paper: Control and Automation for Esports Facilities
AV control and automation is a key building block for a successful esports system. It ties all the products together so that individuals can seamlessly operate, manage, and monitor the AV system. Intuitive control interfaces provide the added confidence that users can quickly perform tasks or access environmental controls and keep their focus on the esports event. This white paper examines the role of AV control within an esports venue, considerations for determining the proper control strategy, and ways to tailor functionality so you can take gaming and viewing experiences to the next level.
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White Paper: Audio in Esports
When planning or upgrading an esports facility, audio is a critical consideration for successful gameplay and audience engagement. The sometimes overwhelmingly fast action and dense graphics depend on the intricate cues provided by game audio, just as commentators provide context for the action and the gamers themselves. It is with this recognition of the importance of audio in esports that we have prepared this document. In it, we will outline the roles of audio in esports and the Extron technologies available for designing a successful esports installation.
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White Paper: Designing the Ideal Esports AV System for Your School
Whether you are planning to use an existing space for an esports program or developing a dedicated venue, a well-designed AV system and solid infrastructure are critical. The infrastructure serves as the foundation for these esports systems, which vary in scale and complexity. This white paper discusses the importance of professional AV design as well as several considerations for designing a successful AV system that is tailored for your space and delivers exceptional gaming and viewing experiences.
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White Paper: Considerations for Deploying Virtual Control Systems
As organizations look to unify their AV and IT strategies, system designers must evaluate the best methods to deliver AV over IP. These systems must be flexible and seamlessly integrate with IT infrastructure. The Extron virtual control system is a scalable, IT-friendly solution that embraces the well-known characteristics of the IP Link Pro xi Series control platform. It encompasses the VCA 100 Virtual Control Appliance and integrated Virtual Control Processors - VCPs. This white paper provides an overview of key considerations when incorporating the VCA 100 and virtual control processors into system designs. It also summarizes best practices for deploying and managing these systems.
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White Paper: Understanding Virtual Control Systems
The impact of IT in AV is growing. There is an ever-increasing demand for AV over IP as organizations look to unify their strategies. Extron offers a scalable AV control solution that seamlessly integrates with the IT infrastructure and delivers the robust capabilities of our IPCP Pro xi Series control platform. It’s designed to reduce the hardware footprint in spaces across the enterprise, shifts overall system administration tasks to a centralized model, and enables efficient deployment of control resources from a single platform. This white paper introduces our virtual control system, which encompasses the VCA 100 Virtual Control Appliance and Virtual Control Processors - VCPs that reside on this appliance.
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White Paper: Safeguarding Device Communication Using SSH
Some of the key considerations for deploying AV systems are the flexibility to choose from multiple AV control options and having methods to safeguard these systems. Many Extron AV products use the Extron SIS – Simple Instruction Set™ command protocol for AV control. This white paper provides an overview of the communication methods currently used for sending and receiving these SIS commands and responses. We also cover the transition to SIS over Secure Shell – SSH as the default protocol on new Extron AV products.
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White Paper: Securing Networked AV Products
An integral part of an organization’s security strategy is evaluating the best methods to safeguard the network, systems, and data, while maintaining functionality and usability. This white paper provides a brief overview of considerations for securing networked AV systems and the layered approach to good security. We also cover some of the benefits of leveraging built-in, device security features such as password protection and the ways in which Extron is changing the product password methodology on Extron networked products.
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White Paper: SNMP Primer
SNMP is the standard protocol for managing basic functions on a network. Many Extron products, including control products, support the SNMP – Simple Network Management Protocol standard and allow users to update basic information on the devices. This whitepaper gives a brief overview of SNMP and explains how to enable and configure SNMP using Extron Toolbelt software.
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White Paper: Encryption and Certificates
When AV system designers specify and deploy networked AV systems, security is always a primary concern. This white paper provides a brief overview of certificates and encryption, and how they ensure robust network security. Certificates ensure that only trusted parties receive information, while encryption ensures all communications are secure. This white paper also explains how Extron control processors utilize certificates and encryption, along with industry best practices, to secure the AV control ecosystem.
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White Paper: 802.1X Primer
IEEE 802.1X is an international standard for connection-based device authentication. Many Extron products support the 802.1X standard and allow users to upload digital certificates to support multiple authentication methods under 802.1X. This white paper gives a brief overview of 802.1X and explains how to enable and configure 802.1X using Extron Toolbelt software.
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White Paper: Extron Multi-Network Control Processors
Multi-network control processors enable AV system designers to balance the need for access to network resources and network security. The control processor with AV LAN ports sits between devices like video codecs and presentation computers on the corporate LAN and isolates AV devices on the segregated and secure AV LAN that do not require network resources, such as a touchpanel. This whitepaper discusses networking strategies for AV control systems and provides strategies to deploying control processors with AV LAN ports using Global Configurator Plus and Professional, Global Scripter, and Toolbelt.
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White Paper: AV LAN Best Practices
Extron Control Processors with AV LAN ports offer an increased level of network security and functionality, and there are some basic principles to follow when setting them up which will speed integration, enhance security, and provide long-term success.
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White Paper: Multicast for AV Streaming
Multicast streaming provides the most efficient method for transporting real-time video and audio to multiple endpoints. It does however require that all network devices support the required standards and protocols and are configured to efficiently transport that traffic. This whitepaper provides an introduction to required multicast technologies and summarizes best practices for video streaming and AV-over-IP deployments.
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White Paper: Video Compression Codecs
Video compression codecs have been developed to address a wide variety of applications in AV systems. They enable video conferencing, streaming video across computer networks, delivering 4K video over an existing infrastructure, extending the capabilities of a display link, and storing a full-length motion picture in HD quality on a Blu-ray™ Disc. This paper provides an overview of codecs used in AV applications.
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White Paper: Video Compression Technologies
Video compression technologies have been developed to address a wide variety of applications in AV systems. They enable video conferencing, streaming video across computer networks, delivering 4K video over an existing infrastructure, extending the capabilities of a display link, and storing a full-length motion picture in HD quality on a Blu-ray™ Disc. It is important for AV system designers and integrators to understand how the various compression techniques affect system performance. This paper provides an overview of compression technologies and how they can benefit as well as impact AV applications.
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White Paper: Understanding USB in Professional AV Environments
Like all technology, Universal Serial Bus - USB has evolved over time. Originally developed to minimize the number of peripheral ports on a PC, USB is now a comprehensive set of interface specifications for high speed wired communication between a wide range of devices, with or without a computer. USB is increasingly being used in AV systems for much more than basic keyboard and mouse connections. It is used for connecting storage devices, extending and distributing audio and video signals, and even for transmitting power. With increased bandwidth, a smaller connector format, and support from major device manufacturers, USB seems primed to act as the single connector for laptops and other portable systems in the future. AV professionals will benefit from understanding how USB works, including its advantages and limitations, in order to optimize its use in a Pro AV environment.
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White Paper: Elements of High Dynamic Range Video
Over the past seven decades, display technology has progressed to the point where 4K/Ultra HD video is now the gold standard. 4K resolution yields four times the number of pixels as HD video, but depending upon the size of the display and the viewing distance, there may be no perceptible difference between an HD image and a 4K/UHD image. Adding HDR - High Dynamic Range to a 4K/UHD image is the differentiator that takes 4K/UHD far beyond what HD can offer. HDR enhances the quality, rather than the quantity, of the pixels being displayed since it provides richer colors and greater contrast.
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White Paper: Understanding DTP Systems
The ability to transport audio, video, control, and remote power over shielded CATx cable is a growing necessity for
accommodating today’s diverse presentation environments and professional AV system applications. This guide will
help you understand how to effectively manage and integrate these signal types into Extron DTP® digital twisted pair
AV systems. An included series of best practices provides insight on how to successfully integrate DTP Systems in
your AV application, covering topics such as DTP components, the importance of digital cable quality, distributing
AV content and control, as well as HDBaseT compatibility.
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White Paper: Introduction to HDCP 2.3
Keeping pace with advancements in digital video technology, HDCP has evolved to version 2.3, with stronger encryption, dedicated protection for high value 4K content, and new restrictions on the AV distribution system. AV professionals will need to understand HDCP 2.3 to integrate protected 4K content into AV systems successfully.
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White Paper: Hitting the Moving Target of 4K
As 4K continues to gain traction in the consumer market, it is rapidly becoming a popular requirement for professional AV systems as well. But 4K is a developing technology that will eventually evolve beyond what is available today. This paper will help you understand what you need to know about 4K signals for today’s systems, and will provide you with a glimpse of the 4K features you’ll be seeing in the future.
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White Paper: Distributing 4K and UHD Signals in Professional Environments
As 4K sources and displays become popular for more applications, the next challenge facing system designers and integrators is developing systems that fully support 4K video signals. This paper provides an introduction to the technology and standards, explores the design challenges, and offers practical solutions for incorporating 4K video into an AV system design.
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White Paper: Audio Gain Structure for Pro AV Systems
Gain structure can be thought of as the sequence of level settings applied to audio signals as they pass through various devices in an audio or AV system. This Guide offers a practical, intuitive approach to establishing proper gain structure in professional AV systems with sound reinforcement.
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White Paper: Fiber Optic Cables in AV Systems
Fiber optic cables are available with a wide variety of constructions to match the unique requirements of virtually any AV installation. These cables may contain just one fiber or hundreds of fibers and may be designed for indoor or outdoor applications. This paper examines the typical fiber optic infrastructure topologies used in AV systems and outlines which cable constructions are appropriate for each topology.
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White Paper: EDID: A Guide to Identifying and Resolving Common Issues
HDMI, DVI, and DisplayPort require successful two-way EDID exchange between a display and a source to establish a connection between them. This in turn enables the flow of digital AV content from the source to the display. Problems with EDID communication are major causes of failure in digital video systems, with no image display as the typical symptom. This paper will provide a clear explanation of EDID, and identify EDID-related issues commonly encountered in the field, with suggested guidelines for successfully resolving them. With a better understanding of these issues, effective EDID strategies can be applied toward future system designs to ensure reliable and consistent system operation.
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White Paper: Multiplexing AV Signals in Fiber Optic Systems
A fiber optic AV system converts video, audio, and control signals into one or more serial digital streams of light pulses for transmission along optical fiber. Common multiplexing techniques include time division multiplexing – TDM and wavelength division multiplexing – WDM. This paper examines both methods to help designers and integrators make the appropriate decisions when selecting equipment for a fiber optic AV system.
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White Paper: Extron XTRA Series Amplifiers: Efficient Amplifier Technologies Lower Cost of Ownership
The Extron XTRA™ Series of Class D amplifiers are the commercial AV industry’s first complete family of ENERGY STAR® qualified amplifiers. While conventional Class AB amplifiers have commonly been used in commercial installations, they are inefficient and known to be one of the major sources of power consumption in AV systems.
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White Paper: Scalers: Setup and Optimization
Scalers can enhance AV system integration by streamlining system design, operation, and reliability through quick, robust switching between a wide range of video signals. They also employ high performance video processing to deliver a single, high quality video output to the display device.
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White Paper: DRM for the AV Professional
Digital Rights Management - DRM is used by owners and holders of intellectual property to enforce restrictions on the use of their copyrighted content. AV professionals and their customers need to be aware of DRM, the relevant restrictions on the playback of protected material in public and commercial spaces, and the potential impact on AV system design and operation. This paper will discuss the two prevalent DRM protocols in use, AACS - Advanced Access Content System, used to protect digital music and video content, and HDCP - High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection, for securing digital interfaces including HDMI, DVI, and DisplayPort.
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White Paper: HDCP - A Technical Overview
High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection is an encryption protocol for copy-protected video content such as Blu-ray Disc and HD movie downloads. This article describes HDCP in detail, introducing the components of an HDCP system – sources, repeaters, and sinks, as well as the three phases of the HDCP protocol – authentication, encryption, and renewability.
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White Paper: The ABCs of Digital Video Signals
Digital video signals are becoming widely prevalent throughout the AV industry. They are considerably different in comparison to traditional analog video signals, with specific performance and timing requirements that must be maintained throughout the entire signal path. This paper offers an introduction to digital video signals and the digital video formats currently in use. It also explains how eye diagrams can be used to quantify and visualize digital video signal integrity, and the importance of digital video signal conditioning when designing digital AV systems.
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White Paper: Understanding EDID - Extended Display Identification Data
The EDID data structure is used extensively to communicate display capabilities to attached computer graphics cards and other source devices. This paper offers an in-depth look into the operational process and pitfalls users may encounter when integrating EDID reliant source and display devices.
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White Paper: Extron Exclusive Flat Field Speaker Technology
Learning challenges within our school systems are exacerbated by poor acoustics and no or inadequate sound reinforcement. Current day methodologies for creating an even sound field within the classroom, conference room, or boardroom provide mediocre, uneven results. Extron invented a new, patented loudspeaker system called Flat Field® Technology that virtually solves the problems associated with designing even, predictable room sound fields.
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White Paper: Power Supply Regulation in Audio Power Amplifiers
Audio power amplifiers have typically been supplied power by the simplest possible means, usually an offline supply with no line or load regulation, most commonly based on a line frequency transformer. Even modern amplifiers utilizing switchmode power supplies are usually designed without line or load regulation. The exception has been made for high-end audiophile amplifiers. The pros and cons of a regulated power supply are investigated.
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White Paper: Power Factor Correction in Audio Applications
Switched-mode power supplies are increasingly common in audio power amplifiers, and are desired for their relatively small size and weight, as well as high efficiency. This article provides an introduction to power factor correction, which substantially reduces AC harmonics and prevents noise impact on other AV products in the system.
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White Paper: Classroom Sound Field Amplification
Classroom sound field amplification systems have been successfully used to help students with hearing impairments. Recent research has demonstrated that even students with normal hearing ability benefit when these systems are used in their classrooms. This paper describes the basic components of a sound field system and summarizes research related to the benefits that can be realized when classroom amplification is used to support the delivery of effective classroom instruction.
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White Paper: Class D Amplifier with Ripple Steering
Class D amplifiers are used for their high efficiency, but they have some undesirable characteristics, one of these being the residual switching frequency ripple. This paper shows a method of switching frequency ripple reduction by means of ripple steering. With this technique a second output is constructed, into which the switching ripple is steered, substantially relieving the main output from a major artifact of Class D operation.
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