Pulse-Eight Neo:8a HDBaseT 8x10 matrix offers audio breakouts and Alexa support

The new Pulse-Eight flagship HDMI HDBaseT matrix, the neo:8a, is now available through distributor Invision. 

The fixed format 8x10 matrix builds on the brand's Neo:8 but adds a dedicated audio breakout (optical and coaxial) from each HDMI source. Pulse-Eight is positioning it as a solution for integrators looking to extend into audio distribution. It also includes eight HDBaseT 70m Class B PoH receivers, for simple system building.

Supporting HDBaseT Class B, the Neo:8a can extend 4k up to 40m and 1080p up to 70m.

There’s CEC for control of all CE devices (be they set top boxes, Blu-Ray player, Apple TV 4k streamer and so on) from a standard TV remote control, as well as automatic EDID management and full HDCP 2.2 support.

Virtually all modern flatscreen support CEC, and using its own libCEC the matrix will route video automatically, even if the source device does not support CEC itself.

Ease of use has also had an overhaul. Traditionally, matrixes have offered remotes with 8 or 16 buttons, requiring multiple presses to get video to the TV being watched. To simplify use, Pulse-Eight has created Contextual IR, which reduces the number of buttons to just eight, one for each input. This allows the user to select the output number, and watch the chosen source, instantly, whatever room they are in.

Thanks to an inbuilt web page, the Neo:8a can be accessed from any device, be it smartphone, tablet or desktop PC, from any browser. With the Neo Alexa skill enabled, using a connected an Amazon Echo or Dot, voice control can also be used to turn a TV on or off, or switch source devices.

For more news stories about Invision's product portfolio and services, visit our resource page here.