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4K Ultra HD movie content is encoded as 4:2:0 (as are Blu-ray and DVD discs
and Blu-ray quality and DVD quality downloads), so a 4:2:0 connection does not
compromise video playback quality.
The Kaleidescape onscreen display can be rendered with 4:4:4 chroma on
displays that support it, if the HDMI connection supports 18 Gbps. This will
produce the most detail when looking at images in the onscreen display, such
as the Movie Covers view.
HDMI Cables
Carrying an 18 Gbps signal reliably requires a good quality cable. Kaleidescape
recommends cables that meet the following specification:
•
HDMI High-Speed cable tested to at least 20 Gbps
•
Conductors that are 26 AWG or larger
•
Double Shielded
Note that conductor size (represented as AWG) can be a little confusing. As the
AWG number goes
down
, the conductor gets
larger
. A 22 AWG wire is larger
than 24 AWG, which is larger than 26 AWG, and so on. Look for HDMI cables
where the AWG number for the conductors is 26, 24, 22, or lower.
Kaleidescape has not identified any active copper cables or HDMI extender
baluns that support 18 Gbps at this point. A number of these cables do support
10.2 Gbps and may be appropriate when used with displays that are limited to
10.2 Gbps.
Similarly, when using fiber optic cables, be aware that the electronics in some
fiber optic cables can only accept 10.2 Gbps. Choose cables that have been
tested to carry the full 18 Gbps signal.
HDMI Best Practices
Best Quality, Single Connection
In an ideal installation, Strato would be connected to a display that supports
HDMI 2.0a at 18 Gbps with HDCP 2.2. If the signal is routed through an audio
receiver, it would also support both HDMI 2.0a at 18 Gbps and HDCP 2.2. Such
an installation allows for maximum video quality at all 4K Ultra HD frame rates.
Best Quality, Dual Connection
Another common situation is one in which the display supports HDMI 2.0 or
2.0a at 18 Gbps with HDCP 2.2, but the audio receiver either does not support
HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2, or supports HDMI 2.0 at only 10.2 Gbps. You can still
achieve maximum video quality in such a system by using the second (audio-
only) HDMI port.
When the display supports HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2, but the audio equipment
does not, connect the display directly to Strato’s primary (VIDEO) HDMI port, and
