The HDBaseT standard defines a protocol for communicating 5Play over a single long distance Local Area Network (LAN) category cable or an optical fiber link. Building on the adopted HDBaseT specifications P1911.1.1.0, P1911.2.0 and P1911.3.0 this standard describes the variety of cables that the protocol can transfer over, expanding wireless compatibility, increasing power throughput over the HDBaseT link, harmonizing with Internet Protocol (IP), and adding security features.

This presentation will explore the similarities and differences between HDBaseT and IEEE 802 1000BaseT Gigabit Ethernet and 10GBaseT. We will start by answering a simple question that is often overlooked in AV training: What is in that wire? We will define Pulse Amplitude Modulation coding (PAM) and examine the differences between PAM5 as its deployed in a 1000BaseT LAN and PAM16 as it is deployed in an HDBT application.

This course will look at NEXT, PSNEXT, FEXT, ELFEXT, and AXT in order to explore the effect of various classes of crosstalk on the digital video payload under consideration in an HDBaseT installation. Additional exploration will include Electromagnetic Interference, signal attenuation and Attenuation-to-Crosstalk ratio to better understand the environment in which the HDBaseT signal exists. We will compare and contrast this environment with its closest cousin – AV over IP.

Because HDBaseT includes the ability to deliver up to 100 watts of DC power, we will examine the nature of POE, including both standardized and ad-hoc systems. We will briefly review IEEE 802.3af-2003, IEEE 802.3at-2009 and IEEE 802.3bt.

We won’t stop at copper. This presentation will also look at the emerging applications of HDBaseT solutions in a fiber channel (HDBaseO?) including a discussion of Valens Colligo optical interface.