FAQ : DIGITAL LINK
About DIGITAL LINK
1. What is the difference between DIGITAL LINK and HDBaseT™?
DIGITAL LINK is based on HDBaseT ™ technology, but it has other added features, including two-way communication with Panasonic projectors and interoperability with major AV control manufacturers (Crestron, Extron, Atlona, etc.) and also supports their control protocol.
Note: HDBaseT™ is a trademark of the HDBaseT Alliance.
2. Which models are equipped with a DIGITAL LINK terminal?
3. Which signal does DIGITAL LINK support?
It supports up to HDMI 1.4, HDCP approved, and other uncompressed video, audio, and control commands.
4. Is DIGITAL LINK compatible with CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) over HDMI?
No, it is not compatible with CEC.
5. Can a DIGITAL LINK terminal be connected to devices other than Panasonic?
Yes, it can. DIGITAL LINK is an original function added to HDBaseT™ technology used in major manufacturers' equipment, such as Crestron DigitalMedia 8G+ and Extron XTP. It allows connection with a variety of other manufacturers' equipment based on the same technology.
Note: HDBaseT™ is a trademark of the HDBaseT Alliance.
6. Can I control the projector with the remote control of peripheral equipment when connecting through DIGITAL LINK?
No, this isn't possible.
7. Does DIGITAL LINK support Emulation mode?
No, Emulation mode cannot be used due to a limitation in the baud rate. (The DIGITAL LINK baud rate is fixed at 9600 Bd.)
8. Does DIGITAL LINK support a tracking signal?
No, the tracking signal is only for analog.
About Cables and Installation
1. Should I use shielded CAT5e (STP) cable?
Yes, use shielded straight STP cable (solid wire) with a shielded plug compatible with CAT5e or higher. The official name for STP is FTP (Foiled Twisted Pair), so cable listed as FTP can also be used. And there is a cable called ScTP (Screened Twisted Pair), which is double shielded, so it can be used as well.
2. What happens if an unshielded cable is being used?
There may be a possible noise effect and audio disruption when the unshielded cable is combined tightly together with other cables. It also may affect the transmission distance and command control.
3. Should I use solid wire cable?
Yes, you should use solid wire cable. You cannot use strand wire cable.
4. Can I use crossover cable?
No, you cannot use crossover cable. Be sure to use straight through cable only.
5. Can I use homemade cable?
There's no problem in using homemade cable as long as it meets CAT5e performance requirements, but considerable skill is necessary to meet these requirements, and measurement instruments and knowledge are needed to measure and judge whether the requirements are being met. Using an existing product, or consulting a professional is recommended.
6. How long is the lifespan of the cable?
Please consult your cable's manufacturer.
7. What happens if the LAN cable is longer than 100 m (328 ft)?
If the transmission distance exceeds its maximum distance of 100 m (328 ft), you may experience image and sound disconnection as well as errors during LAN communication.
8. Is the transmission affected by the environment even when the LAN cable is 100 m (328 ft) or less?
Yes, there are some factors that may affect transmission.
Cable: Please use shielded straight STP cable (solid wire) with a shielded plug compatible with CAT5e or higher.
Layout of the cable: May get some noise if the LAN cable is laid in parallel with other cables, especially power cables.
Device: If there is equipment that emits a strong signal nearby, such as a transceiver allocated with 430 MHz to 440 MHz
(ex: Walkie-Talkie), DIGITAL LINK connection may be affected.
9. Are there any possible effects from wireless devices that could cause DIGITAL LINK disconnection?
Yes, disconnection of DIGITAL LINK may occur when you are using a wireless device with 430 MHz to 440 MHz. (Ex: Walkie-Talkie)
10. Are there any precautions when laying LAN cable?
Yes, observe the following precautions.
1) Do not place too many cables into a cable cover, duct, or other kind of cable protector. Also, do not wrap multiple cables
with a cable tie too tightly. This may tear the sheath or deform the cable, and lead to problems that will disrupt communication.
2) Do not bend or twist the cable.
3) Do not pull the cable strongly.
4) Do not wind, wrap, or tie the remaining part.
5) Do not run the cable in parallel with other cables, especially power cables.
11. Can the CAT6 cable transmit a longer distance than the CAT5e cable?
No, the maximum transmission distance is still 100 m (328 ft).
12. What should I do if I want to transmit more than 100 m (328 ft)?
Please use extenders (TX/RX)* in order to transmit more than 100 m (328 ft).
In a situation where an extender* is used in between the ET-YFB100G and the projector, the added features of the DIGITAL LINK will not be able to operate. It will simply become HDBaseT™, with simple digital transmission of video and audio over a single cable. Consequently, you will not be able to access the ET-YFB100G menu using the projector remote control unit.
* Applies to equipment compatible with DIGITAL LINK.
Note: HDBaseT™ is a trademark of the HDBaseT Alliance.
13. Does the LAN cable connection for the ET-YFB100G and a DIGITAL LINK compatible projector have to be 1:1?
Yes, the ET-YFB100G can only be connected 1:1. It is not possible to add it to an existing network. DIGITAL LINK uses a LAN cable,
but it isn't LAN compatible so it can't be added to an existing network that has devices such as routers and hubs connected to it.
14. Can the signals from the DIGITAL LINK terminal be split by using a hub?
No, the signal cannot be split with a hub. You will need switchers that support multiple HDBaseT™ out.
Note: HDBaseT™ is a trademark of the HDBaseT Alliance.
15. Can I use existing LAN devices like hubs, switchers, patch fields, and repeaters when building LAN infrastructure?
No, existing LAN infrastructure cannot be used.
16. Can the ET-YFB100G be tightly installed in a rack, behind the wall or in floor tank without overheating it?
Please ensure to keep 1.5 cm space on top of the ET-YFB100G. However, if the rack has a fan and overall system is kept under 40°C (104°F), then there are no space limitation. Also, if the temperature is higher than 35°C (95°F), please be sure to keep space
above the ET-YFB100G for 1U (44.45 mm/1.75 inches) or above.
About the ET-YFB100G
1. Does the ET-YFB100G support component (YPBPR (YCBCR)) input?
Yes, you can use it by converting to COMPUTER Input 1/2 terminal.
2. Can the ET-YFB100G scale/resize the resolution of the input signal?
Yes. The ET-YFB100G employs the same high-resolution scaling/resizing circuit as the one embedded in Panasonic projectors.
The input signal is scaled/resized by the ET-YFB100G to fit the projector resolution, to help minimize degradation.*
* The output setting for the ET-YFB100G should be set to AUTO. This scaling/resizing function does not support some formats.
The HD video format is output without resizing.
3. Is the ET-YFB100G able to transmit signals to fit the screen size?
Yes, the ET-YFB100G has a scalar function that allows it to project images that will fit the screen size.
Also it is designed with an AUTO SETUP function where you will be able to make precise adjustments*.
* For the signal from Computer1/2 terminals.
4. Can Full-HD (1080p) signals be transmitted through DIGITAL LINK?
Yes, the ET-YFB100G can transmit Full-HD (1080p) signals.
5. Can the ET-YFB100G be controlled thorough serial communication?
The ET-YFB100G input can be selected only when connecting to a DIGITAL LINK compatible projector.
Refer to the operating instructions or spec files of DIGITAL LINK compatible projectors for detailed control commands.
6. Can the projector be serially controlled via the ET-YFB100G?
Yes, when connecting to a DIGITAL LINK-ready projector, the ET-YFB100G can control with serial communication.
7. Can the ET-YFB100G be turned on/off with the projector's remote control?
No, this isn't possible.
8. Is it possible to control the projector with DIGITAL LINK interface via the ET-YFB100G by Multi Monitoring Control Software?
Yes, it is possible to control the projector, but it is NOT possible to control the ET-YFB100G from Multi Monitoring Control Software.
9. Does Crestron Connected™ operate through the DIGITAL LINK terminal?
Yes, when connected to our DIGITAL LINK-ready projector, Crestron Connected™ operates through the DIGITAL LINK terminal.
And Crestron Connected™ can also operate when the ET-YFB100G is connected to a Crestron Connected™ compatible projector via a LAN terminal of another manufacturer's DIGITAL LINK compatible equipment.
10. Can the control system manufactures' touch panel be incorporated with the ET-YFB100G?
The ET-YFB100G will not accept RS232C/control commands directly. However, if the ET-YFB100G is connected to DIGITAL LINK compatible projector, you may control the ET-YFB100G from the touch panel.
11. Can I control the ET-YFB100G directly through LAN?
No, you cannot.
12. Do the DIGITAL LINK-ready projector and ET-YFB100G support power supply through the LAN function?
No, power supply for those devices should be provided through power cords respectively.
13. Can I connect the ET-YFB100G with a device that is PoE compatible?
Yes, you may connect with a PoE compatible device, but we highly recommend that you select equipment compatible with DIGITAL LINK.
14. How does the ET-YFB100G know which IP address the projector has?
The ET-YFB100G does not have an IP address and there is no need to know the projector's IP address since it works by connecting the PC with a LAN cable to the LAN terminal.
15. The ET-YFB100G has only one Audio Out terminal with several inputs. Will audio be routed to Audio Out regardless of the input?
For HDMI1/2, the respective audio will be routed out. For other inputs, selection must be made in the audio setting of the ET-YFB100G.
16. There is only one Audio Input terminal on the ET-YFB100G. Therefore, when using 2 analog terminals (Computer1/2),
how do I connect for the audio signal?
For various audio signals, an external switcher is needed.
17. Is the audio from the HDMI terminal on the ET-YFB100G output from the AUDIO OUT terminal?
Yes, the AUDIO OUT terminal outputs the audio from the AUDIO IN or HDMI 1/2 terminals on the ET-YFB100G.
18. Are there any special settings I have to switch before connecting to a major AV control manufacturer's system?
When you are connected to either Crestron Connected™, XTP systems, or AMX Device Discovery, please be sure to turn the system "ON" accordingly in the network menu. Be sure to turn other systems "OFF" in the network menu.
19. Can the DIGITAL LINK terminal on the ET-YFB100G transfer 3D images from HDMI input?
Yes, it is possible. Please be sure to use a 3D compatible projector.
* The on-screen menu of the ET-YFB100G will not operate during 3D.
20. Does the on-screen menu of the ET-YFB100G disappear after a certain amount of time if I left it on?
No, it doesn't disappear.
21. Can I make the size of the on-screen menu of the ET-YFB100G smaller?
No, there is only one size for the on-screen menu of the ET-YFB100G.
22. Is it possible to shorten the time for switching inputs?
Change the ET-YFB100G menu as follows:
Main menu –> OPTION –> OUTPUT RESOLUTION: Something other than "AUTO"
* When set to AUTO, the optimal output resolution is automatically selected for the input resolution. With a setting other than "AUTO" the output resolution is fixed.