High-level executives from television networks, movie studios, post-production houses and corporate production departments enjoyed a seamless demonstration, as the presenters took their turns at the podium. Each speaker interfaced his or her notebook computer to the VP-728 switcher through HDMI and DisplayPort/HDMI adapters. The switcher converted all signals to 1280 x 720 HDMI output for display on the projectors. The switcher was connected to a Kramer VM-4Hxl 4×1 HDMI distribution amplifier by a 25-foot Kramer HDMI cable, which in turn was connected to each of the projectors by a pair of 50-foot Kramer HDMI cables. The system used the switcher’s analog audio connections to connect to the ballroom’s audio system.
“The transitions were quick, and there wasn’t as much as a hiccup with the system,” Putman said. “The switcher was smart enough to recognize the signal resolution and it cropped the picture beautifully. We proved the ‘set it and forget it mentality.”
Normally, a big-screen presentation in a large ballroom or auditorium would use DVI or VGA signal distribution at the podium with the signal running back to a master control system and a preview monitor prior to being shown on the projection screen. Putman said that even though his system used the more complex HDMI digital interface standard for switching and distribution, it worked because the VP-728 recognized every signal from every computer, regardless of the maker and operating system. He noted, “It didn’t matter what presenters brought in the door. The VP-728 figured it out.”