News

NEC intros new HDBaseT media switch

Display provider announced a new HDBaseT media switch designed to combine the ease of use of a push-button media switch with the robust connectivity of HDBaseT, and to give users greater control of compatible NEC displays and projectors.

February 12, 2016

NEC Display Solutions of America, provider of commercial LCD display and projector solutions, announced a new HDBaseT media switch designed to combine the ease of use of a push-button media switch with the robust connectivity of HDBaseT, and and to give users greater control of compatible NEC displays and projectors.

The NEC NP01SW1 media switch delivers video, audio, power, LAN and control over a single Ethernet cable. According to the announcement, the push-button interface allows the user the ability to easily switch among sources, and control the NEC displays or projectors. Connectivity includes three HDMI sources, a microphone, LAN and USB A/B. Control features include on/off of the projector or large-format display and volume control of the display device without needing special programming knowledge. Third-party HDBaseT compliant receivers are also supported, so the NP01SW1 can be integrated into existing HDBaseT installations.

Meanwhile, the NP01SW2 includes the NP01SW1 switch and a HDBaseT receiver module for an all-in-one solution, available for NEC devices that do not have an Open Pluggable Specification option slot, built-in HDBaseT receiver.

The NP01SW1 and NP01SW2 are the first products of this type to incorporate all of these technologies into one easy to set up and easy-to-use package, according to NEC.

"The beauty of the NP01SW1 is the elegant simplicity in controlling multiple sources and leveraging HDBaseT to send Ultra HD and 4K video over great distances," said Keith Yanke, senior director of product marketing for large-screen displays and projectors at NEC Display. "At their core, the media switches were built to make our technologies easy to use and to foster collaboration, be it in the boardroom, classroom or house of worship. They are the latest examples of NEC Display's ingenuity in the marketplace."

Key features of the NP01SW1 and NP01SW2 media switches include:

• Three HDMI, USB A/B, LAN and microphone inputs;
• Infrared window on the NP01SW1/NP01SW2, which enables control via the display devices' remote control;
• Wall-mounting bracket included;
• Pre-programmed for push-button control of NEC displays and projectors directly from the media switch;
• Volume control of media and the microphone is included; and
• Compliance with HDBaseT devices and third-party receivers.

The NP01SW1 and NP01SW2 will be available in February 2016 at a minimum advertised price of $699 and $849, respectively and come with a three-year warranty.