Crestron room solution boxes are designed to provide a convenient one-box signal interface solution for the connection and control of local room AV devices as part of a complete Crestron Home® AV distribution system. The CNXRMCLV packs a ton of functionality, serving as a bidirectional CAT5 video and audio interface, matrix switcher, stereo preamp, and control module. Numerous inputs and outputs are provided to support composite, S-Video, and high-definition component video, stereo audio, and IR and serial device control. The CNXRMCLV can be installed at the display device (television, plasma, etc.) or local AV equipment location, connected to the head end by a single Cresnet cable and up to three CAT5E cables (available as CresCAT®Q, sold separately). Crestron's CAT5 video distribution technology permits cable lengths up to 750 feet (500 feet for component video).

Crestron room solution boxes are designed to provide maximum flexibility through the use of CAT5 balanced technology. The CAT5 video input port on the CNXRMCLV receives up to four simultaneous signals based upon the selected head end source. For instance, a component signal utilizes the first, second, and third pairs of the CAT5 cable to transmit the Y, Pb, and Pr components. Switching to an S-Video signal then utilizes just the first and second pairs to transmit S-Video's Y and C components. Composite utilizes only the first CAT5 pair. The fourth pair is ordinarily intended for digital audio.

To maximize the performance of video over CAT5, Crestron employs adjustable video compensation on each of the three CAT5 video input pairs. The fourth pair, which is uncompensated, is optimized for digital audio but may also be suitable for composite video.

The CNXRMCLV includes a built-in 8 X 8 video matrix switcher, accepting inputs from the four CAT5 pairs plus four local unbalanced inputs, all routed to up to eight local unbalanced outputs. Used with the CNX-PVID8X3 or CNX-PVID8X4 video distribution switchers, the CNXRMCLV automatically routes the incoming CAT5 video signals to the appropriate inputs on the local display device allowing the viewer to select any head end video source using a touchpanel, keypad, or handheld remote. In addition, the four local inputs may be used to accept video signals (typically composite or S-Video) from local AV devices (VCR, DVD, etc.) Source selection is transparent to the end-user with all switching occurring smoothly under the command of the control system.

Built-in video signal sensing is included on each local input to report the presence of video signals to the control system, providing verification of device power status and enabling auto-switching capability.

In addition to video, the CNXRMCLV also includes a CAT5 audio port to receive stereo audio from a CNX-BIPAD8 audio distribution processor at the head end. The audio switcher built into the CNXRMCLV allows selection between the head end CAT5 signal and three local stereo inputs. A built-in stereo preamp provides control over volume, bass, treble, balance, loudness, mono, and mute using any touchpanel, keypad, or handheld remote. The preamp output may be connected to a line-level input on the local television, or used to drive a local room amplifier such as the CNAMPX-2X60. A second unprocessed output fed by its own independent switcher is provided to feed a local recording device or secondary zone.

Routing of digital audio signals can also be supported by the CNXRMCLV when fed from a CNX-PVID8X4 switcher. The digital audio signal is received on the fourth pair of the CAT5 video input, passing through the CNXRMCLV's internal video matrix to a local RCA output for connection to the S/PDIF coaxial input of any local device. Local digital audio sources may also be connected to any of the CNXRMCLV's RCA video inputs. Note that digital audio signals are not converted or processed by the CNXRMCLV's audio preamp.

The CNXRMCLV also supports a "return" feed to allow the audio and video signals from local AV sources to be routed to the head-end for redistribution to other rooms. The analog audio return is handled over the same CAT5E cable that carries the analog audio signal coming from the head end, while a dedicated CAT5E cable is required to enable the video and digital audio return.

Control ports on the CNXRMCLV include four IR/serial ports and one bi-directional RS-232 port, providing a powerful interface for control of numerous devices including video projectors, plasma displays, televisions, VCRs, DVD players, and more. A single digital input port is also provided to support the optional CNXRMCS TV current sensor, or any low-voltage contact closure device.

The CNXRMCLV functions as a slave device to any 2-Series control system communicating via the Cresnet control network. Any of Crestron's touchpanels, keypads, and handheld remotes may be used to provide the user interface to control the CNXRMCLV and all connected devices. Adding an optional CNXRMIRD IR receiver affords cost-effective control from any Crestron or third-party universal IR remote.