Spitting Mac Mini HDMI for dual Qlab viewing

[Jason Wagner]

Hello all,

We want to setup a secondary monitor for the QLab system in order for the stage manager to see count downs. 

Late 2014 Mac Mini 2.8, 16GB, QLab 3

HDMI output-->Ocean Maxtix OMX-HDMI-1X2-4k

The two monitors are the same model: Asus VE228H, however, is in the control booth, so we are having to extend it.

We tried two different ways of extending: Kramer HDMI to SDI, then convert back with Ocean Matix SDI to HDMI. 

    The first way, the Kramer box never had a solid HDMI signal.

The 2nd way was using our Gefen HDMI/USB over ethernet extender (used for when the SM wants to run QLab remotely) 

   The 2nd way would not keep a solid signal on the screen for more than a minute. 

So I assume the problem lies with the splitter. It's supposed to support "HDMI:480I/480P/576I/576P/720P/1080I/1080P(50HZ; 60HZ); 1080P/24HZ 3D, 720P/50HZ 3D, 720P/60HZ 3D, 4Kx2K"

The Asus monitor supports "This monitor supports full HD (480p, 576p, 720p, 1080i/p) video content from game consoles, DVD players and other consumer video devices via HDMI."

Plus an entire list of resolutions from 640x480 up to 1920x1080. 

The Mac Mini supports up to 2560x1600.

I’ve recently discovered you can hold “option” to access other resolutions on the Mac Mini and will try that when the system is available again.

Any other setting I should be looking for? It seems like every device I have should be working together. Could refresh rate be an issue??

Your thoughts??

Wags

[Greg Leeper]

First try removing the splitter from the path - that will tell you if it's having an impact or not.

Next I agree on trying a lower resolution - try 720P60 as it's lower bandwidth and will determine if it's a bandwidth issue for either your SDI or HDBaseT extension workflow.

Also make sure you are using HDMI output dongles not using DVI for the mini, and that your other devices are native HDMI (not using an adaptor).

I've found some LCD"s just won't display and HDMI signal when their native input is DVI.

Try using both the built in HDMI out on the mini as well as a Thunderbolt -> HDMI output dongle.

You can also try powering on devices in this order: LCD's, then extenders, then splitter, then mini.

[Alexander (Mailing List) Taylor]

One other thing you may try, the Ocean Matrix HDMI over IP boxes can do splits while extending.  Put the transmitter off the HDMI of the Mini, then connect it to a little ethernet switch (make sure it's isolated, as it will flood the network!).  You can run ethernet cables to the receivers connected to HDMI output monitors at whatever length (up to 100m).  One transmitter can handle up to 8 receivers.  I've had good luck with them, but they're 720p only.

Alexander

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[Jason Wagner]

Got some info from Ocean Matrix:

"I believe this may be a common issue when integrating Mac Mini’s.  According to what I have read, the Mac Mini handles HDCP in a unique way.  If it detects an HDCP compliant device connected (our splitter, your monitors), it encrypts the output regardless if the content is HDCP or not. Once that happens, when you try to split the signal, the Mac Mini will only allow 1 side to come through due to HDCP restrictions.  

 

Kramer has actually written about this and they say the workaround is to buy an EDID emulator and connect it to the Mac Mini output (see the attached link)

http://k.kramerav.com/downloads/white-papers/integrate_macmini_4.pdf

 

We do offer an EDID emulator: http://www.oceanmatrix.com/product.asp?item=OMX-EDID-EM1

 

The EDID emulator is NOT HDCP compliant, so connecting this to the output of the Mac Mini will stop the Mac Mini from encrypting the content and therefore allow you to split the signal (as long as it’s not HDCP of course).

 

I believe that would fix the issue you are experiencing."

Wags

[Jason Wagner]

I did try a lower res. Been doing everything at 720p anyway. Tried HDMI and HDMI-->DVI direct to monitor, works. Both do not work through the splitter.

[Jason Wagner]

Don't have one of those, but have tried everything else we have. Seem the Ocean Matrix box is the issue. See the highlighted response.