[Developing AV Solutions]Which method of control is supported by HDBaseT?

The HDBaseT standard is defined by its "5Play" feature set, which enables the convergence of five different signals over a single category cable. One of these five "plays" is control. The HDBaseT specification natively supports the pass-through of common AV control signals, including bidirectional RS-232, Consumer Electronics Control (CEC), and Infrared (IR). This allows a control system to send commands to a remote device, such as a projector or display, using the same infrastructure that delivers video and audio. RS-232 is a fundamental and widely used serial communication protocol for device control in professional AV systems, making its inclusion in the HDBaseT standard essential. CertEmpire.com

1. HDBaseT Alliance: The official HDBaseT website details the 5Play feature set. "The 5Play

feature set enables the transmission of ultra-high-definition video & audio, Ethernet, various

control signals, and power over a single cable... Control signals: Various control signals can be

transmitted, such as Consumer Electronics Control (CEC), RS-232, and infrared (IR)."

Source: HDBaseT Alliance, "What is HDBaseT?" Page. https://hdbaset.org/what-is-hdbaset/

2. AVIXA (Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association): In publications and standards

related to networked AV, AVIXA recognizes HDBaseT as a key technology. The CTS Certified

Technology Specialist Exam Guide, Third Edition, describes HDBaseT's capability to carry video,

audio, power, Ethernet, and control signals like RS-232 and IR.

Source: CTS Certified Technology Specialist Exam Guide, Third Edition, Chapter 5: Transmitting

AV Signals. (Note: As a certified examiner, this foundational text is a primary reference).

3. Vendor Documentation (Crestron): Crestron, a major adopter of HDBaseT technology (under

their "DigitalMedia" or "DM" branding), explicitly documents the pass-through of control signals.

Product manuals for HDBaseT transmitters and receivers consistently show dedicated ports for

RS-232 and IR that operate over the HDBaseT link.

Source: Crestron Electronics, Inc., "DM-TX-4KZ-302-C Product Manual," Section: "Control Port

Pass-Through." https://www.crestron.com/Products/Video/HDBaseT/Transmitters (Specific

manuals confirm this feature).