Extron has expanded its Quantum Ultra II video wall processor line with two new cards designed to increase HDMI input and output density. The Quantum IN8HDMI 4K PLUS input card and OUT8HDMI 4K PLUS output card each provide eight channels, twice the capacity of the platform’s four-channel 4K PLUS cards.
Higher I/O density for video wall designs
For integrators specifying large-format video walls, the added channel count is intended to reduce the number of cards and the chassis space required for a deployment. Extron says the cards can allow larger designs to fit inside a single Quantum Ultra II chassis while lowering system cost. That capacity change also affects rack planning: fewer populated slots may be needed for a given signal count, although the final system design still depends on the required mix of HDMI, twisted-pair, fiber and streaming connections.
Each channel supports resolutions up to 4,096 by 2,160 at 60Hz, with full 4:4:4 color sampling. The cards also support custom resolutions extending to 8K wide. The platform’s HDMI 4K PLUS, FOX3 and DTP3 cards use 18Gbps connections and support up to 4K/60 at 4:4:4, with HDCP 2.3 compliance.
| Component | Configuration | Published capability |
|---|---|---|
| Quantum IN8HDMI 4K PLUS | HDMI input card | Eight channels; up to 4,096 by 2,160 at 60Hz; custom resolutions up to 8K wide |
| Quantum OUT8HDMI 4K PLUS | HDMI output card | Eight channels; up to 4,096 by 2,160 at 60Hz; custom resolutions up to 8K wide |
| Quantum Ultra II | Video wall processor platform | Up to 20 canvases; 500Gbps HyperLane video bus |
Monitoring, audio and control connections
The IN8HDMI 4K PLUS adds live confidence previews of sources in Extron’s Video Configuration Software and Express Mobile Software for Quantum Ultra. The preview function is intended for setup verification and preset creation, giving the operator a view of incoming sources within the configuration environment rather than relying only on the connected wall.
Embedded audio from an input can be routed to the first output of any canvas. A system fitted with a Quantum OUT32AT can also place that audio into a full Dante framework. This gives the signal design both a display-routing path and a network-audio option, with the audio architecture depending on the cards installed and the wider Dante system.
- Eight HDMI channels per new input or output card
- 4K/60 operation at 4:4:4 on the platform’s 18Gbps HDMI 4K PLUS connections
- Custom output resolutions and output overlap for display compatibility
- Embedded audio routing and optional Dante integration
- RS-232, USB and Ethernet interfaces for connection to control systems
Quantum Ultra II uses Extron’s HyperLane video bus, rated by the company at up to 500Gbps, and supports as many as 20 canvases with mixed resolutions and screen orientations. Output overlap and custom output resolutions are included for installations where display configurations require more than a standard single-canvas arrangement.
“Our new eight-channel HDMI cards for Quantum Ultra II deliver the highest I/O density while minimising required rack space.” — Casey Hall, Extron’s chief marketing officer
The processor also provides RS-232, USB and Ethernet interfaces for direct connections to control systems. Extron says the new cards are compatible with other cards in the Quantum Ultra platform, allowing an integrator to combine HDMI with twisted-pair, fiber or streaming connectivity within the broader product family. The announcement identifies the cards and their capabilities but does not state a shipping date or price.
