Metra Home Theater Group® (MHTG) is heading to the 2019 International Builders Show in Las Vegas from February 19th to 21st to showcase their latest home technology products for builders. “Building smart homes wired to support the latest technology and 4K home theater systems has become a significant revenue source for builders and is forecasted to grow even bigger,” says Jessy Crabb, General Manager of MHTG. “With 4K becoming mainstream, higher bandwidth cables are needed to connect home theaters and we have cost-effective solutions that support 24Gbps,” she added. MHTG will be at booth SU648 in the South Hall Upper Level in the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Metra Home Theater Group® (MHTG) announces a new infrared repeater system with IR controlled contact closure and code learning features that work with Ethereal® Voltage Control Trigger (HDM-VCT) and All-in-One (HDM-AIO) repair tools. This unique product allows custom integrators the ability to extend infrared signals of their remote control and provide an interface to relay a wide range of controlled devices, including a home theater system that is utilizing an HDMI repair tool for hot plug relay purposes. Previously, systems utilizing the HDM-VCT or HDM-AIO would require a high-end home automation system with available relay to trigger these devices. This kit will now allow integrators to utilize those repair tools without a control system, working with even the most basic system comprised of a cable box and TV. The CS-IRKITCCUS kit also has the ability to learn two IR codes from the most commonly used remotes and provide a dry contact closure interface to relay controlled devices.

Metra Home Theater Group® (MHTG) is showcasing more than 50 HDMI® cable products with 24Gbps bandwidth at booth 1-Q80 at the 2019 Integrated Systems Europe show in Amsterdam. MHTG’s HDMI cables are manufactured under Ethereal Home Theater®, Helios® and The Install Bay® brands, and available now in a wide range of lengths and options. These HDMI cables are designed to carry up to 6Gbps of video in all four channels for a total bandwidth of 24Gbps. “24Gbps bandwidth is in preparation for higher frames per second or bit rates in the 4K spec, or heading to the next step in 8K,” says Brent McCall from MHTG’s Technical Support and Product Development. “With the release of HDMI 2.1 in many new displays, higher bandwidth cables will be required to take advantage of the new content we expect to see coming in the future,” he added. MHTG’s higher bandwidth cables support 4K/60,10bit, 4:4:4 and are compatible with the new enhanced audio return channels (ARC and eARC) and all of the current HDMI specifications.

24Gbps Cables

4K content and displays have become mainstream, but now the future holds something bigger: 8K! While HDMI hasn’t officially released the Compliance Test Specifications (CTS) for HDMI version 2.1 as of December 2018, we do know that the next step in 8K will require 24Gbps bandwidth by reassigning the 4th channel, currently used as the clock lane, to carry video.

We are prepared for the future and many of Metra Home Theater Group’s 18Gbps HDMI cables can already support 24Gbps. These cables were engineered to carry either clock or video in the fourth lane, as we anticipated and prepared for the new format and technology. These cables also support the new enhanced audio return channel (eARC*), in addition to 4K, HDR and more. This makes them ideal for the latest high-performance gaming consoles, which have exploded in popularity with more than 2.5 billion video gamers around the world (according to the European Mobile Game Market, 2016).

Whether you’re pre-wiring a new home, installing a home theater system for your client or selling retail products in your store, Metra Home Theater Group has you covered with the latest technology for AV connectivity.

2019 CES New Product Rollout

Metra Home Theater Group® (MHTG) is introducing a new series of hybrid active optical fiber HDMI® cables from The Install Bay® that feature a removable headshell for easy in-wall installation. This installer-friendly solution is designed for pre-wiring with a small connector cover and hook that makes pulling the cable through conduit easy. The hybrid active optical fiber technology supports up to 24Gbps (4x6 Gbps) bandwidth for 4K/60,10bit, 4:4:4 and all known versions of HDR, with no external power required*. These cables were introduced to a small group of integrators at the 2018 CEDIA Show for feedback and testing. After positive feedback and a quick sellout, MHTG is ready to introduce these new cables into full production.