Meridian Audio Switch User Manual

121 Extender & 421 Switch

Broadcast-quality, High­Definition HDMI/DVI
extender & four-way switch

Allows cable runs of up to 50
metres (150+ ft)

Improved image quality:
lower noise, greater stability

Automatic signal correction
4-into-1 HDMI switch box

allows simple input selection
under remote control

Carries HDMI 6-channel
24/96 & bitstream audio, and
video at up to 1080p

DVI compatible (adaptor
cables required)

HDMAX 421 Switch (top) and
121 Extender (right).
Above: rear panels showing
connections. Not to the same
scale.

Placed towards the display end of the HDMI
path, the 121 Extender allows HDMI cable runs
of up to about 50 metres (150+ feet)*. This is
particularly useful when a digital video display
device such as a projector is a considerable dis­tance from the video source driving it. The unit
is typically placed near the projector or other
display device. Proprietary active termination,
automatic cable equalisation, buffering and
de-jittering technology visibly improve image
quality, reduce noise and stabilise the video
– even on short cable runs. The automatic signal
correction allows signals between –20dB and
+6dB to be restored to perfect level, edges and
eye pattern, making the Extender an ideal HDMI
or DVI problem-solver.

The 121 Extender is a small box designed to bolt
into position unobtrusively near the display unit;
it may also be positioned part-way down the
signal path. The unit has one input and one out­put: the output is connected via a short HDMI
cable to the display while the input is connected
via a long cable to the video source component.
DVI/HDMI cables can be used with DVI sources
and destinations.

The High-Density Multimedia Interface, or HDMI, is ideal for connecting High Definition
digital video sources to digital displays such as projectors and flat panels. HDMI also allows
high-quality digital audio to be carried along the same cable.

In addition, HDMI carries digital video with definitions up to 1080p, the highest definition
currently available on display equipment and significantly in advance of the capabilities of
existing HD broadcasters (which are generally 720p or 1080i).

The latest release of the specification allows up to six channels of high-resolution 24-bit
digital audio to be carried at sampling rates up to 96 kHz, in addition to bitstream data. This
corresponds to the multichannel specification for high-resolution audio disc formats such as
DVD-Audio and DualDisc, and emerging high-density audio/video disc formats.

The HDMAX121 Extender uses active termination, automatic cable equalisation, buffering
and de-jittering to achieve extended HDMI/DVI cable runs, while the HDMAX421 Switcher
offers four-into-one HDMI switching with both local and multiple remote control capability.

The 121 Extender is powered by an external
universal voltage supply or may be operated
by any DC supply from 6 to 15V at under 2W
consumption. It can also be powered from the
HDMI cable itself in some circumstances. An in­dicator LED illuminates when lock is established;
a power indicator LED is also included.

The 421 Switch is a four input, one output
HDMI switching unit with extremely wide band­width and employing proprietary technology to
switch high-resolution digital HDMI video and
audio. Each input also includes Meridian’s HDMI
Extender technology to improve image quality
and stability and reduce noise and jitter on both
short and long cable runs.

DVI DISPLAY

HDMAX121

HDMAX421

MERIDIAN DVD COMPUTER W/DVI HD-VCR HD SATELLITE RECEIVER

UP TO 150ft

DVI to HDMI CABLE

HDMI to DVI CABLE

HDMI
HDMI from
Meridian player
DVI/HDMI
converter cable

121 Extender & 421 Switch

Common specifications

Cable lengths: 0 to 50m over 24 AWG Shielded twisted pair

0 to 36m over 28 AWG STP
0 to 30m over 30 AWG STP

Compatibility: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, and 1080p DTV resolutions

Auto correction: Signals between –20dB and +6dB are restored to

perfect level, edges and eye pattern

Construction: Mild steel finished in matte black
Power supply: Universal voltage external PSU G29043 supplied.

121 Extender Specifications

Dimensions: 73 x 30 x 130 mm/2.85 x 1.2 x 5.1 in (WxHxD overall)
I/O: One HDMI input connector

One HDMI output connector
Power input socket (barrel type, centre positive)

Indicators: Power, lock LEDs
Power: Unit accepts DC in the range 6–15V, <2VA (W)

The 421 Switch can be controlled in several
ways. For direct use, a front-panel button al­lows the users to step through the inputs. LEDs
indicate which input is selected.

For serial control, a 9600 baud serial port is pro­vided, allowing interfacing via RS232 command.
In addition, sources may be assigned to different
inputs, eg Cable = input 1, etc. This allows
the unit to be controlled via Meridian Comms
(DIN or BNC) so as to select the correct input
automatically when a source is selected in a
Meridian system. A G12 infrared sensor may be
connected via a Comms port for infrared remote
control capabilities. In this case the sources on
the remote are assigned to the following default
inputs:

Typical application using
HDMI and HDMI/DVI
converter cables.

Input MSR MSR+

4 CD CD
4 Radio Radio
3 LP Aux
3 TV TV
1 Tape1 Tape
2 Tape2 Sat
3 CDR Disc
3 Cable Cable
4 DVD DVD
2 VCR1 VCR1
1 VCR2 VCR2
1 LD Game

Input assignment can also be carried out in the
Meridian configuration application.

Switcher Input 4 automatically senses the pres­ence of a Meridian DVD-Audio/Video player,

421 Switcher Specifications

Dimensions: 220 x 44 x 120 mm/8.6 x 1.75 x 4.7 in (WxHxD inc feet)
I/O: Four HDMI connectors for inputs 1–4

Input 1 includes special sensing for Meridian player
One HDMI output connector
One Meridian Comms DIN connector
One Meridian Comms BNC connector
One DB9 RS232 interface (9600 bits/sec, 8N1)
Power input socket (barrel type, centre positive)

Indicators: Per-input LED indicates valid (solid)/invalid (flashing)

HDMI input selected

Controls: Front-panel button manually steps through inputs;

RS232 input selection; control via Meridian DVD-A/V
player; infrared control with G12 sensor (not sup­plied)

Power: Unit accepts DC in the range 6–15V, <3VA (W)

making a range of additional options available
in the player’s on-screen display allowing video
sources to be assigned to the other Switcher
inputs. (Player firmware revision 1.93 or later re­quired.) The 421 front panel button is automati­cally locked out when controlled by a player, to
avoid inadvertent operation.

The 421 Switch includes indicators correspond­ing to each input to show which is currently
selected. The selected input indicator comes on
solidly when an HDMI input is valid, and flashes
when invalid. The unit is powered by a separate
universal voltage supply or any DC supply from
6 to 15V, at under 3W. The rubber feet may be
removed to reveal holes for permanent installa­tion – mounting plates and screws provided.

Both the 121 Extender and 421 Switch pass
both HDMI audio and video and are completely
transparent to handshaking, control and data
signals, with extremely high bandwidth and
virtually zero latency.

Information contained in this data sheet is correct as far as possible, but Meridian Audio accepts no liability
for errors or omissions. E&OE. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Meridian Audio
reserves the right to amend product specifications at any time. ©Text & images 2005 Meridian Audio Ltd.

Meridian Audio Limited

Latham Road,
Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE29 6YE
United Kingdom
Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]

Meridian America Inc

8055 Troon Circle, Suite C
Austell, Atlanta GA 30168-7849
USA
Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]

Email: [e-mail]
Web: www.meridian-audio.com

HDMAXDS v1.7 • 20060203 RE