Linear debuts new line of HD audio/video solutions

Sept. 3, 2008
New products unveiled at CEDIA Expo 2008

At this week's CEDIA Expo 2008, an innovator in home technology solutions for security, communications, and entertainment, will demonstrate the new line of High Definition Audio/Video Solutions from Linear. Linear's new line of HD signal distribution products are based on the HDMI (High Definition Media Interface) standard created to provide electronic system retailers with a comprehensive, cost-effective series of products to distribute high-definition audio and video signals throughout any home or small office.

"More than 230 million HDMI products are expected to ship by the end of this year, and we want to make sure our installer and dealer partners are able to take full advantage of the boom in HD sales," said Gary Baker, Vice President of Marketing for Linear. "With our new line of HD audio/video products, they can mix and match our products to distribute high-def signals for HD cable, HD satellite, Blu-ray and HD DVD, gaming consoles, and other HD sources. Linear's HD AV products offer a comprehensive and affordable distribution solution."

The family of High Definition Audio/Video Solutions from Linear includes distribution amplifiers, switchers, and extenders that can be assembled in any combination to wire a home or small office for HD AV signals. The distribution amplifiers and switchers make it possible to distribute one or more HD component video or HDMI AV signals to multiple independent or mirrored HD-compatible video displays. The extenders boost the HD signal over standard Cat-5 cable to reach beyond the 15-foot limit specified by the HDMI standard.

The flagship product in the High Definition Audio/Video Solution family is the HDMI-MX-4X4 HDMI Matrix Switcher, which was recently named one of the 100 Best New Products for 2008 by Professional Builder magazine. The HDMI-MX-4X4 has four selectable HDMI inputs and four HDMI outputs, so each output can select an HDMI source from any of the four inputs using an infrared remote control.

Linear also has a full line of HDMI switchers in 2x2, 2x4, 3x1, 4x1, and 4x2 configurations. The switchers allow you to choose from two, three, or four HDMI inputs and route the signal to one, two, or four mirrored HDMI outputs. Each switcher comes with an IR remote control.

The High Definition Audio/Video Solution products also include four distribution amplifiers in 1x3, 1x8, and 2x8 configurations. The COMP-DA-1X3 and COMP-DA-1X8 come with one component input and either three or eight component video outputs including analog stereo audio and coaxial digital audio outputs. The HDMI-DA-1X8 and the HDMI-DA-2X8M come with either one or two HDMI inputs and eight mirrored outputs.

The SCALER-2-1080P can scale video to up to 1080p resolution and digitize analog audio sources. It supports HDMI with optical digital and coaxial digital output, two HDMI digital audio and coaxial digital audio inputs, and composite video with analog stereo, making it an ideal solution for consumers who want to use legacy components and upgrade to HD in the near future. The unit also supports S-Video with analog stereo audio input and components video with analog stereo audio input, and features on-screen menus that let you select from five input sources and 18 output resolutions using an IR remote control.

Rounding out the new line of High Definition Audio/Video Solutions from Linear are two video extenders that can boost a signal up to 200 feet or 330 feet over Cat-5, Cat-5e, or Cat-6 cable. Linear also offers a component analog AV-to-HDMI adapter, a super booster for HDMI cables, and an IR remote control extender.

For more information about the new High Definitions Audio/Video Solutions from Linear, visit them on the web at http://www.linearcorp.com/.