HDanywhere mHub 4x4 1080p matrix review

What does this mean? Find out how we rate products.

Choosing the right level of kit is key to the success of any project. Over complication adds time and money to an install, while cutting corners can have expensive consequences. This HDanywhere mHub 4x4 matrix is, therefore, an extremely interesting and useful option, particularly for smaller (née everyday) projects.

Able to route any combination of four HDMI sources to any combination of four displays, using single wire Cat5e or Cat6 for delivery, it’s ideal for multizone entertainment systems. It’s not HDBaseT, so there’s no 5 Play frippery, but for many installers, it offers all you’ll need. And retailing for £1,000, we suspect it’ll also have breakout appeal for DIY AV enthusiasts. HDanywhere could well have a big hit on its hands with this neat box of tricks.

HDanywhere mHub 4x4 matrix: build and features
Build quality is admirable, the pressed metal chassis suggesting long term reliability. The dimensions are full width at 440(w) x 45(h) x 200(d)mm. It weighs 1.82kg. Two 19-inch rack mounting ears are provided in the pack. The fascia offers a small status display window to right, and input/output control button panel to select source and display matrix. The display is actually a lot less glaring than what we've seen in the past from the brand, and the display mutes entirely after a few minutes.

The rear panel of the mHub features four HDMI 1.3 inputs with corresponding RJ45 display outputs for the four receivers, along with mHub local HDMI outputs. There’s also a quartet of matching IR send and receive minijacks. There are also forward IR ports on the rear of the central hub, if a third party smart home system such as Crestron, AMX, RTI or Control4, is going to be used.

For system control there’s IP and RS232, while beneath the lid is a 165Mhz processor able to handle 4.95 Gbit/s throughput. Reassuringly, the12v PSU has a screw lock power supply, so that it’s not accidentally yanked from the unit.

HDanywhere seem determined to make life easy. Simple EDID management allows each output to be optimized for its display or connection, supporting everything from lossless multichannel audio, be it LPCM, Dolby TrueHD or DTS HD MA and fully featured 1080p, to stereo audio and legacy panels. The matrix has multiple EDID management modes that can control how EDID profiles froml displays and devices are handled.

In addition to the mHub matrix are four small TV receivers, each with their own 5v PSU. These receivers measure just 67 x 27 x 100 (w x h x d)mm and should prove easy to squirrel away behind displays. These sport an Ethernet connection, with TX/RX IR control, HDMI output, coaxial digital audio and short run adjustment via two dip switches. The latter can be configured to optimize for cable lengths from 1m to 20m, 21m to 29m and cable lengths longer than 30m. There’s also a manual ARC switch on each receiver, for use when any TV receiver is being partnered with a soundbar or AV receiver. The collection also comes with a credit card remote control to route sources to outputs, although this is only likey to be used in a non CI application. All power supplies and IR cables are provided.

HDanywhere mHub 4x4 matrix: performance
One of the obvious joys of the mHub is its easy versatility. The mirrored HDMI outputs on the matrix will accommodate most AV system configurations: Screen and projector, multiple screens in one viewing room, or content distribution to four remote rooms. Users can also utilize the system in a ‘Follow Me’ fashion, if they want to continue watching a show as they move from one room to another. 

Operationally, the system feel slick. The mHub makes a decisive confirmational peep when it receives a command. There’s a one button Copy all mode, to send the same feed to every display, or a Match command to put things sequentially back in order. It's all very intuitive to use.

The system supports Full 1080P up to 60HZ, 3D and up to 48-Bit Deep Colour, over a distance up to approximately 40m.  For our audition we used Cat6 and found the quality of transmission excellent; our test distance was 20m. We conducted a number of tests to challenge the system, but despite ourt best efforts we can report no artefacts. Our Blu-ray disc featuring test chart motion resolution tests looked as crisp at source as it did at the receiver end. Audio is also conveyed transparently. This mHub is, of course, a 1080p product. But there are rumours of a 4K mHub with advanced functionality waiting in the wings. Stay tuned for more news on that.

HDanywhere mHub 4x4 matrix: verdict
Overall, we rate this inexpensive 4x4 matrix highly. It's well specified and versatile, and you'll find more jobs it’ll suit than ones it won’t. The system takes no time at all to install and we would anticipate integrators will have all remote displays up and running in short order. The HDanywhere 4x4 mHub is looking like an essential addition to any custom installer’s toolkit.

The HDanywhere mHub 4x4 multiroom matrix is available now.
Price: £1,000
For more information on HDanywhere products and services, visit our resource page here.

Also read:
HD Connectivity rebrands as HDanywhere, everywhere
HDanywhere signs US distro deal, intros HDMI extender
Is this the best low cost HDMI 4X4 matrix yet