AliceLeaf recently unveiled its new Leaf Ultra (LU) Series, which the manufacturer describes as ‘the world’s first’ HDCP 2.2 compliant ultra high-definition (HD) matrix range.
Another exciting launch from the manufacturer is its thin, small and lightweight POH enabled HDBaseT Class A receivers range.
“A HDCP2.2 compliant matrix is essential for installers who want to deliver 4K around the home in line with the CEA core characteristics for Ultra HD installations,” says Dean Vaughan, Leaf’s CEO.
“Our new LU range is fully HDCP 2.2 compatible with 4k 24, 30 and 60 formats to meet these requirements. With the increasing convergence of audio and video in media devices, having a single switch to handle both also makes system design, installation and configuration cleaner, easier and also gives additional functionality.”
Shipping from January 2015, the Leaf Ultra HD LU range comprises both HDBaseT Class A and Class B models with PoH.
The series is made up of four models to suit different project requirements: the LU1082 is a 10×10 matrix with 10 HDMI inputs, eight HDBaseT outputs and two HDMI outputs for in rack AV receivers.
Other options include the LU862 (eight HDMI inputs/six HDBaseT outputs/two HDMI outputs), the LU642 (six HDMI inputs/four HDBaseT outputs/two HDMI outputs) and the LU642NAP – a HDBaseT Class B system that is supplied as a package, complete with four LU1 HDBaseT receivers.
The manufacturer claims that at 17mm, the LU1E (with Ethernet connection) HDBaseT receiver is ‘the slimmest POH HDBaseT Class A receiver in the world’. Using Cat-6a, 4k can be extended up to 100m on the LU 1082, LU862 and LU642 models, and up to 40m on the LU642NAP packaged version.
The three HDBaseT Class A based LU models include integrated internal Ethernet switching for improved installation flexibility. For example, the LAN port on the LU1082 can be used to switch the incoming feed and send it onto up to eight HDBaseT receivers.
Additional key features found within the LU Series models include coaxial digital audio inputs, multi-zone variable line level audio outputs with full bass and treble control and variable audio delay for lip-sync correction.
All models incorporate Leaf’s ‘EZ Calibration’ EDID management software, and Zone Lock is also included to ensure 7.1 HD audio is available in home theatre and media rooms. IR and RS232 pass-through is provided with all units for third party control integration.
“I can also reveal that we are well advanced in building on this platform and will be revealing full Dolby Digital 5.1 downmixing LU models coming in Q2 2015,” Dean reveals.