HDMI Matrix

[RVnIt]

2021 DX3 TS
First, I apologize if this has been asked before. My search on this forum turned up nothing. I placed a Directv receiver and a blue ray player in the cramped cabinet above our entry door and successfully connected both to the HDMI matrix. Both can be played at any of the TVs. My question relates to controlling the units...that can only be achieved by pointing the corresponding remote at the receiver/player in the audio cabinet. Very inconvenient if one is in the bedroom or outside. Was there not an infrared remote control system installed at the same time, or is it necessary to go back to the cabinet if one wants to control the accessories attached to the matrix?
Thanks in advance.

[bclemens]

Most/many of the receivers have RF remotes with them or that can be purchased for them . You can also purchase wireless IR repeaters that work the same way. But no, an IR system was not installed as RF has become more popular.

[RVnIt]

Thank you. Guess we’ll look into getting an RF remote system.

[bclemens]

Originally Posted by RVnIt

Thank you. Guess we’ll look into getting an RF remote system.

We did think about an IR repeater and I think most of the TV's ship with one IR port....with CEC, you could control the device through the TV...but not sure if that will work with the Matrix.

The reason we ended up not doing that, was the vast majority of people use Dish Network (Due to it being HD vs. SD on the DirectTV). And that remote is RF OR IR and you can change that setting in the remote.

[vlamgat]

Since this is an "HDMI Matrix" thread, I would like to pose another question in the same context: Is anyone using a wireless HDMI connection with the HDMI Matrix? My experience is that whenever you switch away from the Matrix source to use the antenna/local channels and try to switch back to a Matrix source, I lose audio. Video is OK but sound - nyet! Solution is to cycle the Matrix which is a somewhat DOS-like experience as in the 3 finger reboot. It might be my Actiontec wireless hook up (only needed because the HDMI cable is u/s) but I would have expected the system to lose all connectivity not just audio?

[steadfast]

Originally Posted by bclemens

The reason we ended up not doing that, was the vast majority of people use Dish Network (Due to it being HD vs. SD on the DirectTV). And that remote is RF OR IR and you can change that setting in the remote.

Directv remote system is the same allowing you to switch between RF or IR.

[bclemens]

Originally Posted by steadfast

Directv remote system is the same allowing you to switch between RF or IR.

learn something new...good to know.

[vlamgat]

Originally Posted by vlamgat

Since this is an "HDMI Matrix" thread, I would like to pose another question in the same context: Is anyone using a wireless HDMI connection with the HDMI Matrix? My experience is that whenever you switch away from the Matrix source to use the antenna/local channels and try to switch back to a Matrix source, I lose audio. Video is OK but sound - nyet! Solution is to cycle the Matrix which is a somewhat DOS-like experience as in the 3 finger reboot. It might be my Actiontec wireless hook up (only needed because the HDMI cable is u/s) but I would have expected the system to lose all connectivity not just audio?

Asked and hereby answered: Nothing wrong with the Matrix or the Wireless HDMI. Its the TV's HDMI #1 and #2 sockets. Switching to either does not improve the functionality but at #3, all works as they should. China does it again. Good TV with lots of features, presumably sold to Dynamax at a killer price for a 100 or more. But the manufacturer has no control of its supply chain and is getting defective pirated brand name components. Been seeing this in the Automotive sector for over 5 years.

[mjbenedict]

Two things:

Some Dish and DirecTV remotes can be set to RF so they don't need line-of-sight to receiver. Some BluRay can as well.

The HDMI matrix most likely includes IR repeating function. Mine did, the IR receiver and transmitter cables were in a bag in my drawer. They plug into the matrix and I mounted the receiver (a little block with cable) just outside the frame of the cabinet with wire going behind door. Then I plugged in two IR transmitters (little round red ends on cable) and placed in front of the receiver IR port and BluRay IR port. I also have an AppleTV in the cabinet but that works with Bluetooth to the remote.

While the repeater will only work by aiming at the receiver block it still allows you to close the cabinet. You just have to remember to aim the remote at the block. Won't work in the bedroom or outside unless you add another receiver block in those locations. More work than I was willing to do.
It also allows you to use the matrix remote outside the cabinet.

Maybe Brian can add this to the wiring in the rigs

Lastly: one can purchase a kit with IR receiver that transmits to a IR repeater that is placed in the cabinet. That could be moved outside when needed or in the bedroom. Again, I'm just happy with being able to have the cabinet closed.

I'm adding another thing here: Since my matrix had an additional HDMI output (#4) I put it to use for my bose wireless bluetooth headphones. Purchased a HDMI audio extractor and a Bluetooth transmitter and whenever I select a source for a TV I select that same source on output #4. That way I can turn down the volume on the TV and listen wirelessly (outside, inside, in bedroom) to not disturb wife or neighbors. Obviously doesn't work for local channels on TV (does not go through matrix) but I rarely watch those when I need to use headphones.

[mjbenedict]

Originally Posted by vlamgat

Since this is an "HDMI Matrix" thread, I would like to pose another question in the same context: Is anyone using a wireless HDMI connection with the HDMI Matrix? My experience is that whenever you switch away from the Matrix source to use the antenna/local channels and try to switch back to a Matrix source, I lose audio. Video is OK but sound - nyet! Solution is to cycle the Matrix which is a somewhat DOS-like experience as in the 3 finger reboot. It might be my Actiontec wireless hook up (only needed because the HDMI cable is u/s) but I would have expected the system to lose all connectivity not just audio?

You might be having an issue with the HDMI (ARC) which allows HDMI to return audio to a receiver while using TV source. If you cannot turn off ARC (audio return channel) in TV settings, try another HDMI port and avoid changing to that one. I've had issues in some of the best TVs with ARC and do not use it. I just stick with optical audio even though they state more can be transmitted on ARC. ARC is useless in your RV unless you added a high end surround sound receiver.

[vlamgat]

Originally Posted by mjbenedict

You might be having an issue with the HDMI (ARC) which allows HDMI to return audio to a receiver while using TV source. If you cannot turn off ARC (audio return channel) in TV settings, try another HDMI port and avoid changing to that one. I've had issues in some of the best TVs with ARC and do not use it. I just stick with optical audio even though they state more can be transmitted on ARC. ARC is useless in your RV unless you added a high end surround sound receiver.

On a whim, I pulled the HDMI cord from Plug 1 which was marked ARC capable and moved it to Plug 3 and that returned the "switchability" function. I posted this in another thread but thanks all the same for the suggestion.