GLOSSARY
A practical technical guide to Vertex features and the HDMI concepts behind them. Select a knowledge node to understand what it is, what it does and why it matters in a real AV system.
2 × 2 MATRIX
A 2 × 2 HDMI matrix gives Vertex two HDMI inputs and two HDMI outputs with flexible routing. Each output can be assigned a source instead of simply duplicating one input.
DISPLAY CAPABILITIESEDID MANAGEMENT
EDID is the capability data a display sends through HDMI. Vertex can manage the EDID presented to a source, giving you control over what the source believes the connected system can accept.
RESOLUTIONSCALING
Scaling changes the video resolution on an HDMI path so equipment with different resolution capabilities can coexist in the same installation.
DIAGNOSTICSSIGNAL INFO
Vertex exposes useful information about the HDMI signal so you can see what is entering and leaving the device instead of troubleshooting blind.
COMPATIBILITYHDCP CONTROL
HDCP is the content-protection handshake used across HDMI equipment. Vertex provides tools for managing HDMI/HDCP compatibility inside a legitimate AV chain.
CONTROLAV INTEGRATION
Vertex can be integrated into more advanced AV systems using its local controls and external control interfaces.
HDR WORKFLOWSHDR TOOLKIT
Vertex includes tools intended for HDR signal workflows, including HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision and LLDV use cases, plus access to HDR metadata and InfoFrame-related controls.
AUDIOAUDIO DE-EMBEDDING
Audio de-embedding takes audio carried inside the HDMI signal and makes it available through a separate audio output for integration with other equipment.
TROUBLESHOOTINGHDMI DOCTOR
HDMI Doctor is the practical troubleshooting side of Vertex: tools for investigating EDID, HDMI/HDCP handshakes and difficult compatibility issues across an HDMI chain.
INTERFACEHDMI 2.0b
The HDMI signalling generation used by Vertex.
BANDWIDTH18 Gbps
What full-bandwidth HDMI 2.0 link capacity means.
VIDEO CLOCK600 MHz
Why 600 MHz describes HDMI signalling rather than a 600 Hz display.
Signal Routing
Understand 2×2 matrix routing, splitter behaviour and independent HDMI outputs.
SIGNAL LAB / CONVERTSignal Conversion
Understand how scaling, chroma, color space, color depth and HDCP tools help bridge mixed equipment.
SIGNAL LAB / INSPECTSignal Inspection
Learn how OLED and OSD information make hidden HDMI signal details visible.
SIGNAL LAB / CUSTOMIZEEDID & InfoFrames
Learn the difference between EDID capability data and HDMI InfoFrame metadata.
PICTURE, HDR & DOLBY VISION
HDR (High Dynamic Range)
HDR lets a picture show brighter highlights, deeper shadows and richer colour than normal video.
HDRSDR (Standard Dynamic Range)
SDR is normal, non-HDR video: the picture standard used for TV, DVD and Blu-ray for decades.
HDRHDR10
HDR10 is the basic, most common HDR format, using one set of brightness data for a whole film.
HDRHDR10+
HDR10+ adds scene-by-scene brightness data on top of HDR10, so a TV can adjust each scene.
DOLBY VISIONLLDV (Low Latency Dolby Vision)
LLDV is player-led Dolby Vision: the player does the Dolby Vision work and sends a finished HDR picture.
DOLBY VISIONPlayer-led vs TV-led Dolby Vision
Dolby Vision comes in two kinds: the TV does the work (TV-led) or the player does it (player-led, LLDV).
HDRPQ curve (SMPTE ST 2084)
PQ is the brightness curve behind HDR10, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision; each code value means an exact brightness.
HDRTone mapping
Tone mapping squeezes HDR brightness into what your TV or projector can really show, without losing detail.
VIDEO SIGNAL, TIMINGS & CABLES
Nits (brightness)
Nits measure how bright a screen is. HDR uses nits to describe bright highlights and what a display can show.
COLORColor space
A color space says which colors a video can use and how they are written down, for example BT.709, BT.2020, RGB or YCbCr.
RESOLUTION4K and UHD
UHD is 3840×2160 pixels, four times Full HD. In TV marketing it is called 4K; cinema 4K is 4096 pixels wide.
VIDEO TIMINGRefresh rate and frame rate
Frame rate is how many pictures per second a video has; refresh rate is how many times per second the screen updates.
VIDEO TIMINGVIC and video timings
A VIC is a code number for an exact video format, such as VIC 97 for 3840×2160 at 60 Hz, used in EDID and InfoFrames.
HDMI SIGNALPixel clock
The pixel clock is how many pixels per second a video signal carries. 4K60 needs 594 MHz; the Vertex handles up to 600 MHz.
CABLINGHDMI cables
HDMI cables are rated by the bandwidth they are tested for. For 4K60 through the Vertex you need an 18 Gbps certified cable.
HANDSHAKEHDMI handshake
The HDMI handshake is the start-up talk between source and display: connect, read EDID, agree HDCP, then show the picture.
AUDIO, DEVICES & CONTROL
HDMI 2.1 features
What HDMI 2.1 adds (48 Gbps, FRL, VRR, ALLM, eARC) and why the HDMI 2.0b Vertex does not pass these features.
VIDEO PROCESSINGPassthrough (No Scaling)
Passthrough means the picture leaves the Vertex exactly as it came in. On the Vertex this is the No Scaling setting.
AUDIODolby Atmos and DTS:X
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are 3D sound formats with height effects. The Vertex passes them over HDMI, not via optical.
AUDIOBitstream vs PCM
Bitstream sends the sound still packed, PCM sends it already unpacked. Where the decoding happens, and what it means for Atmos.
AUDIO OUTPUTS/PDIF (optical digital audio)
S/PDIF is an older digital audio link over optical or coax. It carries stereo PCM or compressed 5.1, not lossless surround.
AUDIOAVR (AV receiver)
An AVR is the box that decodes surround sound and drives your speakers. How to connect one to the Vertex.
CONTROLUSB GUI (Vertex software)
The USB GUI is the free Windows program for the Vertex: settings, EDID, scaling, HDR, CEC and signal info on one screen.
VIDEO3D video
3D video sends a separate picture for each eye. The Vertex can pass 3D, and Automix has a flag to remove it.
MORE SIGNAL TERMS
4:4:4 / 4:2:2
See visually how chroma sampling changes the amount of color data carried over HDMI.
COLOR PRECISIONBIT DEPTH
Understand 8, 10 and 12-bit video and why greater precision requires more bandwidth.
EDID ENGINEAUTOMIX EDID
See how Vertex combines sink capabilities and presents a generated EDID to a source.
TRANSPORTTMDS
The signalling layer behind the Vertex 600 MHz / 18 Gbps HDMI bandwidth class.
METADATAINFOFRAMES / VSIF
Understand the HDMI metadata packets Vertex can inspect and manipulate.
TOPOLOGYSOURCE / SINK
Which way HDMI video travels, and why EDID travels in the opposite logical direction.
AUDIOMINI-TOSLINK
The optical side of Vertex's 3.5 mm analog/digital combo audio output.
MANUAL TERMS
Hot Plug Detect (HPD)
The HDMI signal that tells a source a display is connected, and how the Vertex triggers it on demand.
DISPLAYOLED Info Pages
The five status pages on the Vertex front OLED, and how to cycle, dim or rotate them.
DISPLAYOn-Screen Display (OSD)
Signal info drawn over the picture on your TV, plus the OSD mask and custom text options.
ROUTINGSplitter vs Matrix Mode (Thru / Swap)
Splitter sends one input to both outputs; Matrix sends each input to its own output, straight or crossed.
ROUTINGAuto Switch & Input Priority
Let the Vertex jump to a live input by itself when the current source goes off or a new one appears.
EDIDFixed EDID
A basic, safe 4K60 4:2:0 stereo EDID you can fall back on when nothing else gives a picture.
EDIDCustom EDID Tables (100 banks)
The 100 selectable EDID tables of the Vertex, the ten custom slots and a separate EDID per input.
EDIDCopy Sink EDID (Copy TOP / BOT)
Present the EDID of the TV or AVR on one output to your source, or read it out and save it to a file.
EDIDAutomix Algorithms
The five rules the Vertex can use to merge two sink EDIDs into one Automix EDID.
METADATAAVI InfoFrame
The packet that tells a display the colour format and colorimetry of the video, and how the Vertex can replace it.
HDRCustom HDR Metadata
Build your own HDR10 static metadata on the Vertex and send it in place of, or on top of, the source metadata.
HDRDisable HDR (JVC PJ mode)
Strip all incoming HDR metadata, so a projector can use its own gamma curve for HDR content.
HDRMaxCLL & MaxFALL
Two HDR10 light-level values: the brightest pixel and the brightest average frame in the content.
HDRHLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma)
The broadcast HDR format from BBC and NHK, and the Vertex settings that advertise or send it.
COLOURBT.2020 / xvYCC
Wide colour gamut standards: what BT.2020 and xvYCC are and where the Vertex lets you set them.
AUDIOARC (Audio Return Channel)
Get TV sound back out of the Vertex: the Audio System w/ARC setting, the BOT output and the optical out.
SCALINGAuto Scaling & Quick Presets
Ready-made output rules for the Vertex TOP output, including ten quick presets you pick with two buttons.
SCALINGCustom Scaling
Set output resolution, colour space and bit depth yourself, per output, instead of letting the Vertex decide.
PORTSTX0 / TX1 (BOT and TOP outputs)
Which Vertex output is which: TX0 is the bottom output, TX1 the top, and why that matters.
CONTROLGoBlue & Total Control App
The Bluetooth link that lets the Android and iOS app control the Vertex, even with no signal running.
CONTROLIR Codes (NEC / Pronto HEX)
Direct infrared codes for every Vertex function, for learning remotes and home-automation systems.
SOFTWARESilabs USB Driver
The Windows driver the Vertex needs for the USB GUI and firmware updates, and which version to pick.
SOFTWAREFirmware Update (FPGA & MCU)
The two firmware parts of the Vertex, how long each update takes and what to do if one fails.
SOFTWAREConfig Import / Export
Save every Vertex setting to an editable text file, share it, and load it back after an update.
ALL TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
HDMI Bandwidth
18 Gbps / 600 MHz maximum signal class.
HDMI GENERATIONSHDMI Compatibility
Compatible with HDMI versions 1.0 and upward, subject to the Vertex 600 MHz / 18 Gbps bandwidth limit.
4K SIGNAL FORMATSMaximum 4K Formats
4K60 RGB/YCbCr 4:4:4 8-bit and 4K60 4:2:2 up to 12-bit.
VIDEO TIMINGSResolution Support
SD, HD, Full HD and UHD formats within bandwidth, including 480i/p, 576p, 720p up to 120 Hz, 1080i/p, 1440p and 2160p up to 60 Hz.
DIGITAL CINEMADCI 4K
Processing/scaling support includes DCI 4096×2160p within supported bandwidth.
SCALER ENGINEVideo Processing
Upscale, downscale, passthrough and bypass; chroma, color-space and color-depth conversion at 8, 10, 12 and 16-bit where applicable.
2 × 2 MATRIXHDMI Routing
2 inputs / 2 outputs; matrix, splitter and switcher workflows.
CAPABILITY MANAGEMENTEDID
100 EDID tables; custom upload; sink EDID sniff/save/edit/load; AutoMix; individual EDID per input.
AUTOMIX CONTROLEDID AutoMix Flags
Selectable/forceable capabilities include stereo, 5.1, 7.1, Native, BT.2020/xvYCC, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision, 3D removal and YCbCr removal.
CONTENT PROTECTIONHDCP
HDCP 1.x / 2.x source and sink interoperability with configurable output handling; HDCP 2.2 on the outputs: the manual says both outputs (p.11) and elsewhere only the top output (p.107).
METADATA CONTROLHDR / InfoFrames
Real-time HDR metadata injection/extraction plus AVI InfoFrame, VSIF and other InfoFrame manipulation.
DV WORKFLOWDolby Vision
Dolby Vision EDID/handshake workflows; Vertex can sniff the mandatory DV string from a compatible sink.
AUDIO TRANSPORTHDMI Audio
Lossless formats pass through HDMI without being compressed or downconverted by Vertex.
D/A + MINI-TOSLINKAudio Extraction
3.5 mm D/A combo jack: analog stereo or mini-TOSLINK digital audio up to 5.1 Dolby/DTS.
SYSTEM CONTROLControl
Front-panel push buttons, IR, USB and RS232; optional GoBlue for Bluetooth/mobile control.
SERIAL AUTOMATIONRS232
Vertex GUI controls are available through RS232 commands for serial-based control systems.
HDMI DEVICE CONTROLCEC
CEC command management for compatible HDMI equipment.
PROCESSING DELAYLatency
Added latency is described as only a few pixel clocks — effectively negligible for normal use.
POWER + SERVICEUSB / Power
USB is used for power and firmware upgrades. The supplied Vertex power supply is required during operation.