HDS-816 Overview and Use Cases

What Is the HDS-816?

The OREI HDS-816 is a 4K@30Hz 8x16 HDMI matrix. It allows up to eight HDMI source devices to be routed to up to sixteen HDMI displays.

The HDS-816 can send any HDMI input to any HDMI output. This means each display can show the same source or a different source depending on the routing setup.

The HDS-816 supports HDMI 1.4 and HDCP 2.2, with a video bandwidth of 10.2Gbps. It supports video resolutions up to 4K@30Hz, advanced EDID management, WebGUI control, RS-232 control, IR remote control, front-panel control, up to 16 saved scenes from the front panel, round-robin scene switching, and a 2U rack-mount design. It supports HDMI audio formats including LPCM 2.0/5.1/7.1CH, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS 5.1, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X through HDMI. 

The HDS-816 is useful for commercial AV environments, digital signage, control rooms, large presentation systems, classrooms, conference rooms, sports bars, retail displays, houses of worship, and installations where multiple HDMI sources need to be routed to many HDMI displays.

IMPORTANT — HDS-816 Is a Matrix, Not a Basic Splitter

The HDS-816 is an 8-input, 16-output HDMI matrix.

This means any of the eight HDMI inputs can be routed to any of the sixteen HDMI outputs.

For example:

• Output 1 can show Input 1 
• Output 2 can show Input 4 
• Output 8 can show Input 6 
• Output 16 can show Input 2 

You can also route the same HDMI input to multiple outputs or all outputs.

This is different from a basic HDMI splitter, which only duplicates one source to multiple displays.

IMPORTANT — HDS-816 Supports 4K@30Hz, Not 4K@60Hz or 8K

The HDS-816 supports video resolutions up to 4K@30Hz.

It does not support 4K@60Hz, 4K@120Hz, or 8K.

For 4K@60Hz systems, use an HDMI 2.0 matrix.

For 8K or 4K@120Hz systems, use an HDMI 2.1 matrix.

IMPORTANT — HDS-816 Does Not Have Separate Audio Extraction Ports

The HDS-816 supports HDMI audio pass-through, but it does not include separate Optical, Coaxial, RCA, 3.5mm, or analog audio extraction outputs.

Audio passes through HDMI to the connected TV, monitor, projector, AVR, or HDMI audio system.

If separate audio extraction is required, use a matrix model with built-in audio extraction outputs.

IMPORTANT — WebGUI Requires Network Setup

The HDS-816 can be controlled through a browser-based WebGUI using the LAN port.

The default IP address is 192.168.0.100.

To access the WebGUI, the computer must be on the same network segment as the matrix.

For example, if the matrix IP address is 192.168.0.100, set the computer IP address to something like 192.168.0.120.

Default WebGUI login:

IMPORTANT — EDID Settings Affect Video and Audio Compatibility

The HDS-816 includes advanced EDID management.

EDID tells the HDMI source what video and audio formats the system supports.

If you experience no signal, audio issues, wrong resolution, or compatibility problems, changing the EDID setting may help.

Use 1080p EDID modes for older displays, 4K@30Hz EDID modes for 4K displays, and Copy Output modes when you want the source to follow the capability of a specific display.

IMPORTANT — Scene Save and Recall Is Supported

The HDS-816 can save and recall routing scenes.

From the front panel, up to 16 scenes can be saved and recalled using the SAVE + OUTPUT or RECALL + OUTPUT button combinations.

Through the WebGUI and RS-232 commands, up to 8 presets are available for video switching.

This is useful when the same routing layouts are used repeatedly, such as presentation mode, signage mode, sports mode, or classroom mode.

IMPORTANT — Round-Robin Scene Switching Is Supported

The manual lists round-robin scene switching as a feature.

This allows the matrix to automatically rotate through saved scenes at specified intervals.

This can be useful for digital signage, demonstration systems, or rotating display layouts in commercial environments.

Ports and Panel Layout

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Connect the included 12V/3A power adapter to the HDS-816. 
2. Connect your HDMI source devices to HDMI Input 1 through HDMI Input 8. 
   Examples include a DVD player, Blu-ray player, streaming device, PC, laptop, cable box, satellite receiver, set-top box, or media player. 
3. Connect HDMI Output 1 through HDMI Output 16 to your TVs, monitors, projectors, or commercial displays. 
4. Turn on the HDMI source devices, displays, and HDS-816. 
5. Use the front-panel buttons or IR remote to route each input source to the desired output. 
6. Set EDID based on your required video and audio format. 
7. If using WebGUI control, connect the LAN port to a computer or network and make sure the computer is on the same IP range as the matrix. 
8. If using RS-232 control, connect the RS-232-IN port to a PC or control system using the included RS-232 serial cable. 
9. Save routing presets if the same display layouts will be used again. 

HDMI Cable Requirement — Critical

For best performance, use Premium High Speed HDMI cables.

The manual lists the following HDMI cable length guidance:

Poor-quality or longer HDMI cables may cause:

• No video output 
• Flickering 
• Black screen 
• Signal dropouts 
• Audio dropouts 
• HDCP handshake issues 
• 4K@30Hz not displaying correctly 
• Output not detected 
• Source not detected 

For troubleshooting, test the source directly with the display, try shorter HDMI cables, and lower the source resolution.

Understanding Matrix Routing

The HDS-816 allows any HDMI input to be routed to any HDMI output.

This allows each display to show a different source, or multiple displays to show the same source.

Example:

Understanding Front-Panel Switching

To route a source from the front panel:

1. Press the desired INPUT button first. 
2. Press one or more desired OUTPUT buttons second. 

Example:

To send Input 1 to Output 1, Output 3, and Output 12:

1. Press INPUT 1. 
2. Press OUTPUT 1. 
3. Press OUTPUT 3. 
4. Press OUTPUT 12. 

The corresponding input button lights green, and the LCD screen shows the selected channel information.

Understanding One-to-One and One-to-All Switching

The HDS-816 supports one-to-one and one-to-many switching.

One-to-one example:

One-to-many example:

Using the remote, the ALL button can route one input to all sixteen outputs.

Example:

Press Input 1, then press ALL to send Input 1 to all outputs.

The PTP button switches the routing to one-to-one correspondence:

Understanding Presets

The HDS-816 supports saved routing scenes.

From the front panel:

The front panel supports up to 16 saved scenes.

In the WebGUI and RS-232 command section, up to 8 video switching presets are available.

Presets are useful for installations that need common display layouts, such as:

• Presentation mode 
• Digital signage mode 
• Sports mode 
• Classroom mode 
• Control room mode 

EDID Settings

The HDS-816 includes 30 EDID modes.

It has:

• 12 factory-defined EDID settings 
• 16 copy EDID modes 
• 2 user-defined EDID modes 

Use 1080p EDID modes for older displays or troubleshooting.

Use 4K2K30 EDID modes for 4K@30Hz displays.

Use 5.1CH or 7.1CH EDID modes only when the connected audio system supports those formats.

Use Copy Output modes when you want the source device to follow the capability of a specific connected display.

Understanding WebGUI Control

The HDS-816 supports browser-based WebGUI control.

The WebGUI can be used to:

• View device status 
• View firmware version 
• View network settings 
• Route HDMI inputs to outputs 
• Send one input to all outputs 
• Save or clear presets 
• Rename inputs and outputs 
• Check input signal status 
• Set EDID modes 
• Upload user-defined EDID files 
• Download EDID files 
• Turn input HDCP on or off 
• Check output cable status 
• Turn output stream on or off 
• Change network settings 
• Change WebGUI passwords 
• Lock or unlock front-panel buttons 
• Turn beep on or off 
• Set LCD display time 
• Change serial baud rate 
• Update firmware 
• Factory reset or reboot the device 

Understanding Network Setup

The default IP address is 192.168.0.100.

To access the WebGUI:

1. Connect the LAN port of the HDS-816 to a PC or network. 
2. Set the PC IP address to the same network segment. 
3. If the matrix IP is 192.168.0.100, set the PC IP to 192.168.0.120. 
4. Enter the matrix IP address into a browser. 
5. Log in using the default credentials. 

Default WebGUI login:

The current IP address is displayed on the front-panel LCD screen after powering on.

Understanding the IR Remote

The included IR remote can control input/output routing, EDID settings, save presets, recall presets, one-to-one routing, and one-to-all routing.

To route a source using the remote, press the input button first, then press one or more output buttons.

Example: Press Input 1, then Output 1, Output 3, and Output 12 to route Input 1 to those outputs.

RS-232 Control

The HDS-816 supports RS-232 command control through the rear DB9 RS-232-IN port.

Default RS-232 command settings:

RS-232 commands can control:

• Power on/off 
• Reboot 
• Factory reset 
• Front-panel lock 
• Beep on/off 
• Device temperature 
• Uptime 
• Control ID 
• LCD logo text 
• Input cable status 
• EDID settings 
• User-defined EDID 
• Input HDCP 
• Output cable status 
• Output enable / disable 
• Input-to-output routing 
• Preset save / recall / clear 
• Serial settings 
• Network settings 
• WebGUI admin and user passwords 

What Source Devices Is the HDS-816 Compatible With?

The OREI HDS-816 is compatible with HDMI source devices such as:

• Blu-ray players 
• DVD players 
• Streaming devices 
• Cable boxes 
• Satellite receivers 
• Set-top boxes 
• Desktop PCs 
• Laptops with HDMI output 
• Media players 
• Security DVRs 
• Presentation systems 
• Game consoles with supported HDMI output 

For 4K@30Hz, the source device, HDMI cable, matrix, and display must all support 4K@30Hz.

What Displays Is the HDS-816 Compatible With?

The HDS-816 can connect to HDMI displays such as:

• 4K TVs 
• 1080p TVs 
• Monitors 
• Projectors 
• Commercial displays 
• Conference room displays 
• Classroom displays 
• Retail displays 
• Sports bar displays 
• Control room displays 
• Digital signage displays 
• Video wall displays 

For 4K@30Hz output, the connected display must support 4K@30Hz over HDMI.

What Audio Devices Is the HDS-816 Compatible With?

The HDS-816 passes HDMI audio through the HDMI outputs to connected displays or HDMI audio systems.

It can work with HDMI audio devices such as:

• TVs 
• HDMI AV receivers 
• HDMI soundbars 
• HDMI audio processors 
• Projectors with HDMI audio support 
• Displays connected to external HDMI audio systems 

Supported HDMI audio formats include LPCM 2.0/5.1/7.1CH, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS 5.1, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X.

The connected display or HDMI audio device must support the selected audio format.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the OREI HDS-816 used for? 
A: The HDS-816 is used to connect up to eight HDMI source devices to up to sixteen HDMI displays. It can route any input to any output and supports 4K@30Hz, EDID management, presets, WebGUI control, RS-232 control, IR remote control, and front-panel control.

Q: Is the HDS-816 a splitter? 
A: It can send the same source to multiple displays, but it is more than a splitter. It is an 8x16 HDMI matrix, meaning each output can independently select an HDMI input.

Q: Can each output show a different source? 
A: Yes. Each of the sixteen outputs can select from HDMI Input 1 through HDMI Input 8.

Q: Can all displays show the same source? 
A: Yes. You can route one input to all outputs using the ALL function, WebGUI, front panel, or RS-232 command.

Q: How many HDMI sources can I connect? 
A: You can connect up to eight HDMI source devices.

Q: How many displays can I connect? 
A: You can connect up to sixteen HDMI displays.

Q: Does the HDS-816 support 4K@60Hz? 
A: No. The HDS-816 supports up to 4K@30Hz. It does not support 4K@60Hz.

Q: Does the HDS-816 support 8K? 
A: No. It does not support 8K.

Q: Does the HDS-816 support 4K@120Hz? 
A: No. It does not support 4K@120Hz.

Q: What HDMI version does the HDS-816 support? 
A: The HDS-816 supports HDMI 1.4.

Q: Does the HDS-816 support HDCP 2.2? 
A: Yes. The manual lists HDCP 2.2 compliance.

Q: Does the HDS-816 have audio extraction? 
A: No. The HDS-816 does not include separate Optical, RCA, Coaxial, 3.5mm, or analog audio extraction outputs. Audio passes through HDMI.

Q: What HDMI audio formats are supported? 
A: Supported HDMI audio formats include LPCM 2.0/5.1/7.1CH, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS 5.1, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X.

Q: Does the HDS-816 support EDID management? 
A: Yes. It supports 12 factory EDID modes, 16 copy EDID modes, and 2 user-defined EDID modes.

Q: Can I upload a custom EDID? 
A: Yes. User-defined EDID files can be uploaded through the WebGUI.

Q: Can I save presets? 
A: Yes. The front panel supports up to 16 saved scenes. The WebGUI and RS-232 command section support up to 8 video switching presets.

Q: How do I save a preset from the front panel? 
A: Press SAVE + OUTPUT n, where n is the scene number.

Q: How do I recall a preset from the front panel? 
A: Press RECALL + OUTPUT n, where n is the scene number.

Q: What is round-robin scene switching? 
A: Round-robin scene switching automatically rotates through saved scenes at specified intervals.

Q: Can I control the HDS-816 from a web browser? 
A: Yes. Connect the LAN port to a computer or network and access the WebGUI using the matrix IP address.

Q: What is the default IP address? 
A: The default IP address is 192.168.0.100.

Q: What are the default WebGUI login credentials? 
A: The default password is 1234 for both Admin and User accounts.

Q: How do I find the current IP address? 
A: The current IP address is shown on the front-panel LCD screen after the matrix powers on.

Q: What should I do if I cannot access the WebGUI? 
A: Make sure the computer IP address is in the same network segment as the matrix. For example, if the matrix IP is 192.168.0.100, set the computer IP to 192.168.0.120.

Q: Does the HDS-816 support RS-232 control? 
A: Yes. It supports RS-232 command control through the rear DB9 RS-232-IN port.

Q: What is the default RS-232 baud rate? 
A: The default RS-232 command baud rate is 19200.

Q: What is the RS-232-OUT port used for? 
A: The RS-232-OUT port is a serial control loop output port.

Q: How do I switch sources from the front panel? 
A: Press the desired INPUT button first, then press one or more desired OUTPUT buttons.

Q: What does the PTP button do? 
A: PTP switches the signal status to one-to-one correspondence, such as Input 1 to Output 1, Input 2 to Output 2, and so on.

Q: What HDMI cable length is recommended? 
A: The manual lists 10m / 33ft for 4K@30Hz and 15m / 50ft for 1080p@60Hz using Premium High Speed HDMI cables.

Q: What should I do if there is no video on any output? 
A: Check that HDMI cables are connected properly, try lowering the source resolution, change the EDID settings, and try different HDMI cables.

Q: What should I do if there is no video on only one output? 
A: Check that output HDMI cable, try lowering the source resolution, use a Copy EDID setting, route a different input to that output, and test with a different display.

Q: Does the HDS-816 need external power? 
A: Yes. Connect the included 12V/3A power adapter.