Orlando, FL–July 2007–Tributaries, the acknowledged leader in “value-high-end” connectivity for home and professional A/V systems and custom installations, has applied its expertise to a pair of new, affordable, and compact remote-controlled HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) switchers, bringing the single-cable format’s full functionality to systems in a highly competitive form. The HX410 and HX410A boast value and superb performance that separate them from the crowded field of “me too” HDMI accessories.
The Tributaries HX410 and HX410A can each select from among four HDMI sources–DVD players, Blu-ray Disc or HD DVD high-definition disc players, and cable, satellite, or broadcast hi-def set-top/boxes or tuners–and output signals to a single HDMI output. The Tributaries designs do more than passively select–both models include Signal Enhancement, which engages active equalization to maintain full-integrity HDMI transmissions even over long cable runs. This feature will prove very helpful in maintaining the optimum video/audio quality that can be obtained from the customer’s equipment. In fact, each model’s built-in booster enables it to be mounted along with the other equipment and still run 30 meters of 1080p signal after the unit–a feature hard to find in this crowded product category.
The Tributaries HX410A goes even further: Though identical to the HX410 in every other regard, it also includes both optical and coaxial S/PDIF digital-audio ports for each input and at its single output, allowing the audio and video signals to be routed independently. This makes it a unique problem-solver for the many consumers who are using their new display devices with HDMI and older audio systems without HDMI. The 410A serves as the “missing link” that enables all of these components to work flawlessly together, at a similar price to products that lack this important capability.
Both HX410 models are compliant with the latest standards, HDMI 1.3 and HDCP 1.1, and thus accept and select among inputs that incorporate digital video and stereo or multichannel digital audio on a single cable, with full compatibility with even the newest components. Front-panel pushbuttons provide control over both models, while blue mini-LEDs indicate power-on, the active input, and the Signal Enhancement mode.
With ease of installation and integration in mind, the new models incorporate both wireless remote control and RS-232 serial control. Both the HX410 and HX410A are supplied with a convenient “credit-card”-style infrared remote that delivers direct-access selection among its four HDMI (or HDMI + digital audio) inputs by simply pressing numeric keys 1 through 4; the remote also provides power on/off. Both new Tributaries switchers also include an RS-232 serial port that enables them to be fully integrated into a multiroom media system or touchscreen-controlled home theater, incorporating serial commands for input select, power on/off, and signal-enhance enable/disable.
Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices:
HX410: $300, HX410A: $400.
Availability: Now shipping
About Tributaries
Established in 1991 in Orlando, Florida, Tributaries is an acknowledged leader in the design, production, and distribution of high-quality audio and video interconnect cables, speaker wires, accessories, and electronics. The company prides itself on its customer service, and has won the CE industry magazine Inside Track Supplier Loyalty Awards a total of ten times in the past eleven years.
Tributaries is a wholly owned subsidiary of Gordon J. Gow Technologies, Inc.
For more information, please visit www.tributariescable.com < http://www.tributariescable.com> .
