HDTV Supply, Inc and VideoStorm LLC have teamed up to offer an AV over IP Home Matrix System based upon VideoStorms NetPlay Android Engine for use in residential installations. HDTV Supplys implementation of the NetPlay Home is a BYOH (Bring Your Own Hardware) network based AV over IP system that runs on either an Android or an Android TV OS (5.1.1 or later). Because NetPlay Home is a BYOH system, you can use the Android streaming media box of your choice at each TV like an Amazon Fire TV.HDTV Supplys implementation of NetPlay Home introduces a concept which enables consumers to select their own playback devices. Popular players such as Amazon Fire TVs or Sony TVs running the Android TV OS are integrated into NetPlay Home through the NetPlay TV app. HDMI sources are added using low cost WolfPack™ HDMI encoders. NetPlay Home will also connect with all your existing sources, such as IP cameras and media libraries. A NetPlay distribution system is a "virtual matrix" switch meaning you can add as many sources and displays as needed only limited by the number of ports on your Ethernet switch. Because NetPlay is a "decentralized" system, your sources do not need to be grouped together in a single location.
NetPlay also supports cloud control, has Alexa integration and IrUSB. This gives full IR remote control support including the ability to control the system and all sources with any IR remote control.
What are some of the verbal commands that can be used with Alexa?
- Power Commands:
- Alexa: Turn ON living room TV
- Alexa: Turn OFF kitchen TV
- Volume Commands: (TV speaker control)
- Alexa: Volume up 20 on Sony TV
- Alexa: Volume down in Kitchen
- Channel Commands (for source channel control)
- Alexa: Select channel 520 on Sony TV
- Alexa: Channel down on shield
- Input Selection (to select Netplay sources)
- Alexa: HDMI 1
- Alexa: HDMI 2
- Macros/Scenes:
- Alexa: Turn ON game day
- Alexa: Turn ON bedtime
AV over IP NetPlay Home Features:
- Watch all your video content (live HDMI source, network streams, file libraries, IP cams, etc) on TVs or mobile devices.
- Uses your existing home network. Uses your existing wiring in most cases.
- BYOH means you can use the latest low cost third party streaming devices. Use the latest Amazon FireTV or Sony Android TV.
- Advanced features such as SplashTiles, Video Tiling, Video Walls, Web Feeds, Graphics and Text Overlays, and many more.
- Use your remotes or mobile devices to control all your sources and TVs (channel selection, menus, on/off, volume, etc).
- DIY installation. If you have the skills, NetPlay Home gives you the right tools.
- Future proof. Always receive the best picture at each TV. Lifetime software license protects your investment.
WolfPack 4x8 HDMI AV over IP NetPlay Home System Configuration Example:
- 4 - NetPlay Mobile App Licenses - $1,300
- 4 - HDMI Encoder at each source - $250 each = $1,000
- 8 - Amazon Fire TVs at each TV - $90 each (Not Supplied) = $720
- Your Ethernet switch
- Free Android App
- Free Video Wall
- Free Video Tiling
- Audio and video streaming from the internet and NAS libraries
- Audio and video streaming from mobile devices
- Full IR, RS232, and CEC control over Ethernet
- Audio return channel that doesn′t require support via HDMI (which is uncommon)
- Full scaled video wall and digital signage capabilities
- Interactively view multiple video streams at once (dynamic selection)
- GUI and OSD for user interaction and notifications
- Easy hardware and software upgrade path
- TOTAL: Only $3,020
The network switch or switches will need 1 port for each NetPlay TV display and 1 port for each network HDMI encoder. Switches can be cascaded as needed, but make sure the interswitch connections are 1000mbps. NetPlay can use the same network as all the other devices in your home.
AV over IP NetPlay TV software application supports the following features:
- Low latency decode and display of live and recorded video streams
- Hardware video decode support for H264, H265, MPEG2, MPEG4, VP9, and others (hardware platform must also support)
- Software video decode support for most other formats
- Software audio decode support for most audio formats (Dolby, DTS, AES, etc)
- Full up/down video and audio scaling support for maximum compatibility
- HDR and deep color support in H265 (hardware platform must also support)
- 4K/UHD support
- Video Tiling with configurable grids (up to 9 tiles)
- Video PIP support
- Video Wall support (array size up to 32 displays)
- SplashTiles web source support
- Image display and/or transparent overlay with support for synchronized playlists
- Programmable dynamic text overlays
- Integrated HDHomeRun support with full channel selection
- Source selection in all modes via on screen GUI or external control
- Source IR/Ethernet control (channel/menu browsing, etc) via on screen GUI or external control
- Ability to launch external Android apps directly via source selection
- Synchronized playback of live or recorded streams across TVs and mobile devices
- Automatic detection and configuration via NetPlay Manager
Your NetPlay Cloud account adds the following features to your NetPlay or IrUSB systems:
- Alexa integration for voice control (more pre-integrated services planned in the future)
- Cloud API using the popular Google Firebase technology (same service used by Nest)
- Real time, low latency control from the cloud / internet to your NetPlay devices
- Real time, low latency event triggers from your NetPlay devices to the cloud (and other connected cloud services)
- All NetPlay and IrUSB functions and reports are available via your NetPlay Cloud account
- User accounts are fully secured by oAuth credential encryption
- Advanced users can create their own scripts / drivers using Python and publically available Firebase libraries
Why not buy this AV over IP System today?
NetPlay Mobile Streaming technology features video and audio playback synched and latency matched to displays in a NetPlay system. This is full-screen mobile streaming through the app to Android devices that users can take anywhere on a NetPlay Wi-Fi network.
NetPlay Manager Features
- Centralized web configuration for your NetPlay Home system
- Network API for connection to external 3rd party controllers (drivers downloadable from our web site)
- License management for your NetPlay Home system
- System statistics engine with email alerts
- Status and control via web interface
- Video Tiling with configurable grids (up to 9 tiles)
- Video PIP support
- Video Wall support (array size up to 32 displays)
- SplashTiles web source support
- Image display and/or transparent overlay network API
- Programmable dynamic text overlays network API
- Integrated HDHomeRun support for channel guide with favorites
- Sink IR/RS232/Ethernet control configuration and network API
- Source IR/RS232/Ethernet control configuration and network API
- Micro USB power port (2A or greater supply required)
- RS232 port. 3.5mm
- IR input and output. 3.5mm, requires external cables
- USB host port x 4
- HDMI output
- CVBS / analog audio output. Tripole 3.5mm
- TOSLINK input and output
- Digital coax input x 2. 3.5mm
- Analog stereo input. 3.5mm
- Wired 100 mbps Ethernet
- Black steel enclosure. 3.7" x 3.5" x 1"
- Low power operation. <5 W
IRUSB is a USB to IR transceiver (input & output) Specs:
- Automatic detection and configuration via NetPlay Manager (when connected to supported device)
- Network to IR output
- IR reception
- IR RX to network API
- Power supplied by USB (no external power supply)
- USB connector
- IR flasher output (bottom)
- IR detector input (top)
- 3 ft USB cable terminated with adhesive IR (16mm x 12mm x 4mm)
WolfPack™ HDMI Encoder Specs:
- Video Compression support H.264,Main Profile / High Profile / Baseline Profile
- Audio Compression support MP3 & AAC-LC/HE audio compression
- Bitrate CBR / VBR16Kbit/s--12Mbit/s
- Streaming resolution up to 720, 720P, 1080P
- GOP frame rate settings supported
- Insertable of logo and Scroll Caption(OSD)
- Adjustable of audio gain
- Capable of image parameter settings
- Support up to 3 stream at a same time
- Switchable of audio output mode: Left, right and Stereo
- Configurable of Multi-rate, Multi-resolution, Multi-protocol
- Providing RTSP / HTTP / UDP / RTMP protocol --Support ffmpeg
- Support ONVIF Network Video Protocol
- Web-based management
- Full-duplex mode 1000M / 100M
- Multiple output streams per input service to support Broadcast, VOD, IPTV and OTT, Mobile/ web, Set top box applications
- Support multiple equipment display at the same time on one computer
NetPlay TV devices with USB ports can use IRUSB to provide direct IR control of the attached TV, speakers, or AVR. CastHD can use IRUSB to provide direct IR control of your HDMI source devices. NetPlay Home can also be integrated in third party control systems using our existing drivers.
Wiring can be via any combination of ethernet technology. Cat5/5e/6 is the easiest and should be used whenever possible. For retrofit application, you can use existing RG59/RG6 coax via MOCA ethernet over coax. We recommend the ActionTec ECB2500 adapters. Wireless ethernet can be used as a last resort, since interference can degrade picture quality. NetPlay video streams are ~20Mbps each. NetPlay Mobile devices will use wireless ethernet, but at lower data rates.
See below for more details on planning your WolfPack NetPlay Home AV over IP system
NetPlay Home HDMI distribution: A NetPlay distribution system is a "virtual matrix" switch. You can add as many sources and displays as needed. Because NetPlay is a "decentralized" system, your sources do not need to be grouped together in a single location.
Live HDMI Sources: NetPlay Home uses network HDMI encoders to bring all your "live" HDMI sources into the matrix system. This will be any source device with a HDMI output that does not fall into the directly integrated categories below.
Camera Sources: IP cameras and most NVRs can be directly integrated in the matrix system without needing VTX encoders for these.
File Sources: File sources such as movie and music libraries can also be directly integrated in the matrix system. Both video and image sources or playlists can be used.
Web Sources: Web sources such as web pages or data feeds can also be directly integrated in the matrix system. Full support for HTML5, WebGL, and embedded iframes.
Streaming Services Sources: NetFlix, Amazon Video, Vudu, Hulu, and nearly all streaming services are directly supported as Apps running on your NetPlay TV devices. Any service which has an Android app is supported.
HDHomeRun Sources: Low cost HDHomeRun devices can be used to integrate over the air (OTA) broadcast and cable tv (cable card) content directly into the matrix system.
GoogleCast / ChromeCast Sources: All supported NetPlay TV devices include support for GoogleCast/ChromeCast. Either audio or Video can be directly streamed to any display from Android devices.
Android TV Displays: Sony and Sharp TVs running Android TV can integrate directly with NetPlay Home without requiring any additional equipment. NetPlayTV will run natively on these TVs.
Standard TV Displays: Standard TVs will use an external Android or Android TV device (running NetPlay TV app) to provide audio, video, and control to the TV via HDMI and optionally IR. Many popular devices are compatible with NetPlay TV, including Amazon Fire TV, nVidia Shield, and more.
Mobile players: Mobile devices (such as tablets and smart phones) can play back NetPlay video sources directly. NetPlay Home NetPlay Manager includes the required license for control and video preview on all your mobile devices. Full screen playback on mobile devices requires a supplemental license purchase.
NetPlay Home audio distribution: Your NetPlay Home display devices will receive synchronized audio via the same network stream as the video. This audio is always present on the HDMI output, but some devices may also have optical or analog outputs. Simply route the audio to your TV speakers or AVR just like any other source.
If you are using a "centralized" audio solution with in-wall/ceiling speakers that are hard wired back to a central equipment rack, please use NetPlay Pro residential guidelines.
NetPlay Home uses your standard home network for audio and video distribution: The network switch or switches will need 1 port for each NetPlayTV display and 1 port for each network HDMI encoder. Switches can be cascaded as needed, but make sure the interswitch connections are 1000mbps. NetPlay can use the same network as all the other devices in your home.
The network router will need a DHCP server enabled (this is default on nearly all routers). The network switch ports connecting to network HDMI encoder devices should be 1000mpbs capable. The ports for NetPlay TV devices should be 100mbps or higher. Most switches support both speeds. All NetPlay devices should be on the same subnet if possible. If this is not possible, routing rules must exist between the subnets. VLANs are not required or recommended. Devices should have access to the internet for app updates or cloud streaming.
1. NetPlayTV App at Google Play Store
NetPlay TV is part of the NetPlay Home whole home video distribution system. NetPlay TV transforms your Android TV into a live HDMI streamer, allowing you to watch and control all the video sources in your home at every TV!
2. NetPlay Mobile App at Google Play Store
NetPlay Mobile has the following features:
- Source and endpoint naming and customization
- Automatic configuration based on the system Virtual Matrix (apps do not need individual configuration)
- Control all NetPlay Video endpoints from a single touchscreen interface
- Video Preview of your NetPlay sources from the integrated control interface
- Full IR control of all your sources (with video preview feedback)
- Control for video Tiling on any NetPlay endpoint via a simple graphical interface
- Control for Video PIP on any NetPlay endpoint
- Control for Text OSD on any NetPlay endpoint
- Control for Graphic overlay on any NetPlay endpoint
- TV IR control (all NetPlay endpoints)
- System macros including ALL ON, ALL OFF, and save/recall states
- Source and endpoint naming and customization
- Automatic configuration based on the system Virtual Matrix (apps do not need individual configuration)
- Source selection for all audio endpoints
- Mute and volume control
- Source naming and customization
- Automatic configuration based on the system Virtual Matrix (apps do not need individual configuration)
- Easy source selection with FAST switching
- Latency exact video and audio display (matched to your
- NetPlay TV endpoints)
- IR control of all your sources
This 4K WolfPack NetPlay AV over IP Home System works with the following devices:
- Any high definition Dish Network and DirecTV receiver with HDMI outputs
- High definition TiVo's with HDMI outputs
- Any high definition cable receiver with HDMI outputs
- Canadian Rogers, Shaw, Bell ExpressVu and Star Choice receivers with HDMI out, or DVI out with a converter
- Any "Over The Air" (OTA) high definition receiver with HDMI outputs
- Any upconverting DVD player with HDMI outputs
- Any DVHS VCR with HDMI outputs
- An APPLE TV with HDMI outputs
- A VuDu with HDMI outputs
- A Roku with HDMI outputs
- An Amazon Fire TV with HDMI outputs
- Many PC video cards with HDMI outputs
- Any high definition camcorder
- Many A/V surround sound receivers with HDMI switching that include the proper chip set. Call your AV receiver supplier to discuss your application or us.
- Any HDCP compliant HDTV, monitor and projector.
- and other similar devices.
Why not buy this AV over IP System today?
Q: Where can I get on-line support?
A: These guides will help you quickly and easily setup NetPlay Home or NetPlay Pro systems, go to NetPlay Home Setup
Q: How do I setup an AV over IP NetPlay IP Camera System?
A: Your network cameras can integrate directly into NetPlay as normal network sources. It doesn't matter if you have 1 camera or more than 100! You can view them all on any of your NetPlay enabled TVs. NetPlay supports up to 4K resolution cameras for full screen display. Substreams are also supported for Tiled display and PIP overlays.
Netplay features IP control of cameras with the PTZ (pan/tilt/zoom) functions. Simply use the onscreen controls to move the selected cameras. Camera Motion controls can trigger NetPlay Macros. Pop up a PIP overlay window with the camera feed whenever the event is triggered (including automatic resume timeouts).
Click to play our NetPlay IP Camera demo video
Q: Can I use gaming boxes with this AV over IP System?
A: Xboxs, PS4s, etc would not be recommended sources because the distribution latency is impractical for gaming. A FireTV itself provides gaming options at each TV. Dedicated gaming boxes should be directly connected to the TVs or used with non-network matrix switchers.
Q: What are SplashTiles?
A: NetPlay integrates powerful digital signage and web info feeds seamlessly with network video. Easy switch between signage playlists, graphics overlays, web info feeds, and all your other NetPlay Video sources. SplashTiles brings the best the internet has to offer straight to all your TVs! Your personalized information feeds can keep you up to date at a glance. More details in our setup instructions.
SplashTiles can even pop up alerts, notifications, or weather radar as PIP windows over whatever you are watching. NetPlay Digital Signage is everything you need for commercial applications. Unlike the competition, NetPlay can transparently blend your graphics ON TOP OFF your video sources. Now you can add logos, specials, menus, and more without needing to dedicate entire TVs. Make sure ALL your customers see your message with NetPlay Digital Signage!
See the SplashTiles Video and see more at NetPlay Commercial Promo Video.
