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MA-5188C
8x8 HDMI over CAT5 Matrix with
IR Pass-through
User Manual
To avoid EMI issue, complete STP Cat6 cable is strongly recommended!
Made in Taiwan
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Safety and Notice
The MA-5188C v1.2/v1.3 8x8 HDMI over CAT5 Matrix with IR Pass-through has been tested for
conformance to safety regulations and requirements, and has been certified for international use. However,
like all electronic equipments, the MA-5188C should be used with care. Please read and follow the safety
instructions to protect yourself from possible injury and to minimize the risk of damage to the unit.
Follow all instructions and warnings marked on this unit.
Do not attempt to service this unit yourself, except where explained in this manual.
Provide proper ventilation and air circulation and do not use near water.
Keep objects that might damage the device and assure that the placement of this unit is on a stable
surface.
Use only the power adapter and power cords and connection cables designed for this unit.
Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners to clean this unit. Always unplug the power to the device before
cleaning.
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The MA-5188C 8x8 HDMI over CAT5 Matrix with IR Pass-through provides the most flexible and cost
effective solution in the market to route high definition video sources plus multi-channel (up to 7.1-channel)
digital audio from any of the eight HDMI source devices to the remote displays at the same time. Through low
cost Cat-5/5e/6 UTP/STP cables, not only high quality video and audio can be transmitted to the display sites,
but also users can switch among eight HDMI sources using the push-in button or remote control. With single
power design at the source site, each remote module is easily installed without power supply. Furthermore,
the built-in IR extension function let users can control the HDMI source devices such as the Blu-ray Disc
player or satellite receiver at display site directly!
Source device’s
remote control
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Features
State-of-the-art Silicon Image (Founder of HDMI) chipset embedded for upmost compatibility and
reliability
HDMI 1.2a/1.3c* compliant
HDCP compliant
Allows any source to be displayed on multiple displays at the same time
Allows any HDMI display to view any HDMI source at any time
Supports 7.1 channel digital audio
Supports default HDMI EDID and learns the EDID of displays
The matrix master can switch every output channels to any HDMI inputs by push-in button, IR remote
control, or RS-232 control
Allows controlling local HDMI sources such as DVD and TiVo by IR extender through control path at
remote receiver
Allows to control main matrix center through control line at remote receiver
Extends video signal up to 35m (115 feet) over CAT5e at 1080p and likely longer with better HDMI source
device, better grade HDMI display, and better quality solid CAT6 cable
Easy installation with rack-mounting and wall-mounting designs for master and receiver respectively
Fast response time – 2~5 seconds for channel switch
The length depends on the characteristics and quality of the cables. Higher resolutions and longer
transmission distances require low skew cables (<25ns/100m) for best performance. Unshielded
CAT6 with metal RJ-45 connectors is recommended.
Specifications & Package Contents
MA-5188C v1.2 / MA-5188C v1.3
8x8 true matrix
Transmitter [TX]
[MA-5188C v1.2] – HDMI 1.2a [MA-5188C v1.3] – HDMI 1.3c
[MA-5188C v1.2] – Single-link 165MHz [4.95Gbps]
[MA-5188C v1.3] – Single-link 225MHz [6.75Gpbs]
480i / 480p / 720p / 1080i / 1080p60
Surround sound (up to 7.1ch) or stereo digital audio
HDMI over CAT5
transmission range
Full HD (1080p) – 35m (115ft) [CAT5e] / 40m (130ft) [CAT6]
HD (720p/1080i) – 50m (165ft) [CAT5e] / 55m (180ft) [CAT6]
8-level digital rotary control
*HDMI 1.2a for MA-5188C v1.2
HDMI 1.3c for MA-5188C v1.3
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5 Volts [peak-to-peak, TTL]
[1] Human body model — ±19kV [air-gap discharge] & ±12kV [contact discharge]
[2] Core chipset — ±8kV
4-layer board [impendence control — differential 100; single 50]
1x RJ-45 [HDMI signal]
1x RJ-45 [Channel control]
1x IR socket for IR receiver
8x RJ-45 [HDMI signal]
8x RJ-45 [Channel control]
9x IR socket for IR blaster
Push-in button / IR remote control / RS-232
Push-in button / IR remote control
Controllable via IR pass-through from IR receiver at RX to IR blaster at TX
Electro-optical characteristics: = 25 / Carrier frequency: 38kHz
WE/SS 8P8C with 2 LED indicators [TMDS & DDC channels]
DE-9 [9-pin D-sub female]
Standard type-B [square shape]
Earphone jack for IR blaster
[IR Main] IR control on all source devices
[IR PASS-THROUGH1~8] IR control on
individual source device
Earphone jack for IR receiver
[IR RECEIVER] Receives IR commands from
remote control
[SW1~SW8] 2-pin for EDID & audio mode
[SW Main] 4-pin for operation & firmware update
440 x 290 x 44mm [1’5” x 11.4” x 1.7”]
85 x 90 x 25mm [3.3” x 3.5” x 1”]
528 x 398 x 130mm [1’9” x 1’4” x 5.1”]
90 x 85 x 25mm [3.5” x 3.3” x 1”]
Not necessarily required1
1.5 Watt [max] (provided by MA-5188)
20~90% RH [no condensation]
1x MA-5188
1x IR blaster
2
2x 1U rack mounting-ear
1x IR remote control
2
1x User Manual
8x MA-5188RX
8x IR receiver
16x Wall-mounting screws
1x UL AC power cord
1
The MA-5188RX has been tested extensively and found that it doesn’t require external power supply. If
in rare situation you find it cannot work with the MA-5188, please use any +5V power adapter to plug in
the power jack and see if it can work. If not, please contact your technical support for further service.
2
Additional IR remote control and IR blaster cable can be purchased as optional accessories to control
the HDMI sources located separately.
3
USB or RS-232 control must be connected either one at a time. Connecting both types of cables may
cause command confusion.
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MA-5188
1. Power On/Off control switch
2. LED display for output ports and input channels
3. Front panel push buttons used to select the number of input source and display channel
4. IR SENSOR: IR sensor for receiving the IR commands from the IR remote
5. AC Power: 100-240V
6. RS-232: RS-232 control port
7. USB: USB control port
8. SW Main: DIP switches (see DIP Switch section in p.8)
9. SW 1–8: DIP switch (see DIP Switch section in p.8)
10. INPUT 1 –8: HDMI inputs
11. IR PASS-THROUGH 1–8: 3.5mm IR blaster socket for individual HDMI source control
12. OUPUT PORT 1–8: RJ-45 outputs for each output channel
13. IR Main: 3.5mm IR blaster socket for HDMI source control on all 8 inputs [default
socket for IR blaster]
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MA-5188RX
1. +5V DC: Spare power jack for over 60m transmission when the RX may need external power to
work*.
2. A/V SIGNAL: Plug in the CAT5 connected to the respective A/V SIGNAL port on the MA-5188
3. CHANNEL CONTROL: Plug in the CAT5 connected to the respective CHANNEL CONTROL port on the
MA-5188
4. INPUT CHANNEL: Display the current showing HDMI source channel
5. INPUT SELECT: Push button for switching input source channel in sequential order
6. Signal Level 0-7: Adjust the 8-level equalization control to the received HDMI signals. The HDMI
signal level varies from 0 (strongest) to 7 (weakest) for respective transmission
length from longest possible range to short distance. Please adjust the signal
level from 7 to 0 and stop turning the rotary switch whenever the audio/video is
playing normally. Inappropriate signal level setting may cause overpowering issue
that would shorten the product life significantly!
7. HDMI Output: Connect to HDTV with a HDMI cable
8. IR RECEIVER: Plug in IR receiver
*The MA-5188RX has been tested extensively and found that it doesn’t require external power supply.
If in rare situation you find it cannot work with the MA-5188, please use any +5V power adapter to
plug in the power jack and see if it can work. If not, please contact your technical support for further
service.
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SW1-SW8 for EDID/Audio
Note
1
If the HDTV shows video but without audio, please try to set audio mode to stereo.
2 Factory default setting of [SW1]-[SW8] is pin-1 at OFF [] & pin-2 at OFF [] for 1080p video and
surround sound audio.
3 If you encounter any unsolved audio/video output problem during system installation, please turn
any [SW1]-[SW8] to pin-1 at OFF [] & pin-2 at ON [] for safe mode to enforce the system output
up to 1080p video and stereo audio for system check. However, the safe mode cannot be initiated
if your HDMI™ source is set to enforce 1080p output. In this case, please reconfigure your HDMI™
source to all resolution output for troubleshooting.
4
Bypass means the matrix will maintain playing the original format of HDMI signals in video and
perhaps audio. By setting at this mode, the users may encounter compatibility issue among different
kinds of HDMI sources and displays. If you cannot get the audio and/or video output normally at the
system installation, please change the DIP switch setting to default mode or even safe mode to
verify the functionality of the device.
5
To learn the EDID of HDMI display for respective HDMI source devices, please see the [EDID Learning]
section in the next page for more detail information.
Default Mode2 – Up to 1080p video & surround sound
audio output up to 7.1ch (DTS-HD & Dolby TrueHD)
Safe Mode3 – Enforce the system output at 1080p video and
stereo audio for basic compatibility among HDTVs
EDID Learning Mode5 – for learning EDID from the display
while playing any received HDMI audio format
EDID Learning & Stereo Mode5 – for learning EDID from
the display while enforcing stereo output if any HDTV cannot
play surround sound normally
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SW Main for firmware update (for technical support only)
Normal Operation Mode [via RS-232 port]6
Normal Operation Mode [via USB port]7
Note
6
Factory default for SW Main is pin#1-OFF[], pin#2-OFF[], pin#3- OFF[], & pin#4-OFF[].
PLEASE MAINTAIN THIS SETTING AT ANYTIME FOR REGULAR USE VIA RS-232 CONTROL!
7
Factory default for SW Main is pin#1-OFF[], pin#2-OFF[], pin#3- OFF[], & pin#4- ON[].
PLEASE MAINTAIN THIS SETTING AT ANYTIME FOR REGULAR USE VIA USB CONTROL!
8
Sequence for firmware update
WARNING! [Firmware update only can be done via RS-232 port and connection to PC set at
COM1)
1. Power off the MA-5188. Execute the firmware update program on your PC via COM1 port
connection to the RS-232 port of the MA-5188.
2. Set the pin#1 of [SW Main] at ON[] for firmware update mode.
3. Set pin#2 and pin#3 at respective positions to assign which Block to be updated.
4. Power on the MA-5188. The firmware update program should begin this update sequence
automatically. If not, please check the RS-232 connection status between PC and MA-5188.
5. After the OK message shows up to indicate the firmware update sequence for designated
Block is complete, please turn off the MA-5188.
6. Repeat step 3 ~ step6 if you want to update the firmware of the remaining Blocks.
7. Set the [SW Main] switch position to Normal Operation Mode.
8. Power on the MA-5188.