Traditionally, coaxial cable has been the medium for delivering AV around the home. However, the rising popularity of large Plasma and LCD displays means that both audio and video quality is now more important than ever. Whilst coaxial can deliver signals reliably and cost effectively, it struggles to offer quality or control versatility. This is now regarded as the domain of the superior CAT5e cable, which consists of four colour-coded twisted wire pairs wrapped in a screened outer sheath.

Improved availability

CAT5e has been found predominantly in homes for computer networking or telephone distribution. Where it has been used for AV work, it has always been an extremely expensive option because of the ancillary hardware (routers etc) that was needed for signal distribution. The challenge was to develop equipment that took advantage of CAT5e capabilities, but provided them in a cost effective package designed for AV distribution.

Which is exactly what Global Communications have now done with AVi-LYNX and launching this summer. Delivering Stereo Audio and Composite Video around the home, AVi-LYNX uses a dedicated CAT5e cable backbone, Source Kits to put signals into the network, a single Server Kit to distribute signals around the home and Viewing Station Kits which are used in individual rooms.

Existing AV equipment

With myriad AV equipment found in the home nowadays DVD players, digiboxes, DTT boxes, CD players, home cinema amplifiers the AVi-LYNX Source Kit accepts signals in two standard ways. Any AV equipment that is SCART or RCA compatible can plug into a Source Kit, delivering Composite Video and Stereo Audio.

Connections are then made by RJ45 plug and sockets into the AVi-LYNX Server via the supplied interconnecting cable. This plug and socket combination is especially robust, and “clicks” positively onto place to confirm a connection has been made. To enable control of the AV equipment from anywhere on the network, the infra red blaster supplied with the Source Kit is fitted. To keep things simple, one Source Kit is needed for each piece of AV equipment, and these can be purchased individually by the installer to suit an individual system's configuration.

Brainbox

The “brain” of the AVi-LYNX system is the Server. All Source and Viewing Station Kits are routed through this single unit, so that selected AV signals are sent to the Viewing Station, and control IR commands are returned back to the selected Source. This allows multiple sources of “like” equipment to be viewed and controlled independently. The Server is pre-programmed with a database of IR control codes, allowing conversion of incoming AVi-LYNX IR commands from each Viewing Station into commands that the AV equipment will understand. The Server can learn new IR control commands for anything not already contained in its database in a similar way to “universal” remote controllers coping with the newest DVD player.

Sources are organised on a descending priority basis, and all Viewing Stations can be independently configured. The unique me-view-only parental control function is controlled by the Server. If selected, the Server inhibits selected ports from accessing or controlling a me-view-only Source. The Server can be supplied with a framework for 4 Sources & 6 Viewing Stations, or as 8 Sources & 12 Viewing Stations.

In each room

Every room that is to be linked into AVi-LYNX will require a Viewing Station Kit. This is a composite Audio Video decoder, an IR detector module and an AVi-LYNX remote controller. AV signals are routed via the Server and fed to the AV decoder via a standard RJ45 connection. The AV decoder converts the signal back to its original Audio and Video composition, and feeds it out the viewing port via a SCART, RCA, or S-Video connector.

The IR detector module can be discreetly mounted near the viewing or listening station. Receiving IR commands from the AVi-LYNX remote controller, it feeds them back to the Server via the CAT5e network. AVi-LYNX remote controllers have buttons that access each Source with universal function buttons for features like play or fast forward. This layout will be familiar to any viewer who has an all-in-one remote controller already. Other features, such as me-view-only can be selected, with confirmation given via the Audio and Video feeds. There is a pre-programmed database that allows control of viewing equipment such as television sets, plasma screens or DAB radios from the AVi-LYNX remote controller.

Viewing Station Kits are available as separate units and can be purchased dependant on customer requirements.

Making it work

When planning an AVi-LYNX system, customer needs and system characteristics must be taken into consideration. With these in mind, installing an AVi-LYNX network can be trouble-free, profitable and flexible.

For example, the CAT5e backbone installed for AVi-LYNX is dedicated to AV signals. This means that AVi-LYNX's CAT5e cable cannot carry other data, so you can't add computer or telephone traffic into it. Proper customer consultation prior to installation is all that is required to work around this issue.

AVi-LYNX Source Kits are designed to be located in close to the Server unit. This means that all CAT5e cables need to terminate the Server itself, and each viewing room will need its own CAT5e cable. Any AV equipment that is to be made available to AVi-LYNX will require a CAT5e cable into the Server. Typically, a central location for the Server and AV equipment is recommended, which has the added advantage of moving lots of clutter out of the living room and hiding it away elsewhere. Taking the next step, this can be co-located with a DVD, CD and video library tucked away under the stairs.

Viewing Stations Kits can be placed as far as 250 metres away from the Server. When an optional Line Extender unit is used, Source Kits can be a further 250 metres from the Server. So you could watch a DVD half a kilometre away from the DVD player! This typifies the functionality that is available through AVi-LYNX!

AVi-LYNX will be available Summer 2004 through quality stockists.