Description

Thor Broadcast H-HDMI-MX-8X8 is a professional-grade 8x8 HDMI matrix switch designed for seamless routing of up to eight 4K HDMI sources to any combination of eight 4K displays. Whether mirroring a single source or independently controlling all outputs, this rack-mountable matrix offers total flexibility and control for advanced AV environments.

It features robust control options including front panel buttons, IR remote, RS232, LAN, and intuitive Web GUI interface. It also supports 3.5mm stereo audio extraction on output 8, making it ideal for integration into professional A/V systems.

Application Examples

Broadcast Control Rooms – Route live feeds to multiple monitors
Corporate A/V Systems – Switch between sources for presentations
Digital Signage Networks – Display targeted content on different screens
Education & Training – Feed different video sources to various classroom displays
Home Theater Systems – Full 4K control of multiple source and display combinations

Drawings

Model Selection

H-8x8HDMI-4K-SW

Accessories & Upgrades

Specification

Thor Broadcast 8x8 HDMI Matrix Switch Specifications
Model	H-HDMI-MX-8X8
Input Ports	8x HDMI (HDMI 1.4)
Output Ports	8x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm Stereo Audio (OUT8)
Max Resolution	3840 x 2160 @30Hz
Control Methods	Front Panel, IR Remote, RS232, LAN, Web GUI
Audio Support	PCM, Dolby AC3, DTS 5.1/7.1, DSD
Cable Distance	Up to 10 meters (HDMI 1.4 recommended)
Power	DC 12V Power Adapter (included)
Rack Mount	1U Rackmount Kit Included
Dimensions	440mm x 150mm x 44mm (1U)
Included Accessories	IR Remote, RS232 Cable, Rack Mount Kit, Power Supply, User Manual

Question and Answers

Question:

I have a question regarding this model and the non-4K version having the ability to emulate EDID when used with a Soundbar directly via HDMI without being used with a TV.

I read the manual and it seems like the info written regarding EDID that this device should be able to emulate/learn the EDID of a TV and be able to allow a soundbar to be connected via HDMI without having to be connected to a TV in order to make the “handshake” and pass just the audio from the source to the soundbar. Could you please confirm this?

My use-case for this device is to have a Soundbar Demo in our retail music store here at Sweetwater for customers to be able to hear the difference between different soundbars with the exact same source and to be able to switch through all the models instantly. I, however, don’t want to have to to connect a TV to each soundbar for the eArc channel to output the audio - I just want customers to be able to hear the audio on these soundbars that have the HDMI inputs. (most of these soundbars don’t have an aux input audio channel.)

I will also be controlling this device via rs-232 using Q-SYS so the customer won’t actually interface with this rack mounted product directly.

Just making sure that this can accomplish what I think it can

Answer:

Yes, the H-8x8HDMI-4K-SW can emulate/learn the EDID from a connected display.

The device supports EDID management and can emulate a display device.

This allows the HDMI source to complete the HDMI handshake even when no TV is connected.

The unit can store or emulate EDID information so the source continues sending audio/video signals. In your application, the HDMI source would see the matrix as the display device, allowing the audio signal to be passed to the connected soundbars without requiring a TV.

What They Are Asking

Name: 8x8 HDMI Matrix Switch 4K Rack Mount with Web GUI, RS232, IR, LAN Control
Brand: Thorbroadcast
Price: 1695 USD
Availability: InStock

The customer wants to know if your device can emulate (pretend to be) a TV using EDID, so the HDMI source will still send audio to a soundbar, even though no real TV is connected.

This is a very common HDMI issue.

Why This Problem Exists

In HDMI systems, the source device (like a Blu-ray player, Apple TV, or media player) only sends audio/video after an HDMI handshake happens.

The handshake works like this:

Source device → reads EDID → decides what to output

The EDID is a small data block that tells the source:

I support 1080p or 4K
I support Dolby / PCM audio
I support ARC or eARC

Normally the TV provides this EDID.

Example:

Apple TV → HDMI → TV

The TV says:

Hello, I support:
1080p
Dolby Digital
Stereo

So the Apple TV sends audio/video.

The Problem With Soundbars Alone

If you connect:

Source → Soundbar

Many soundbars expect a TV to exist, especially when using ARC / eARC.

Without a TV:

No EDID
No handshake
No audio output

So the source may refuse to send audio.

What They Think Your Device Can Do

They think your device can store or generate EDID so it behaves like a TV.

Meaning your device would act like this:

Source → Thor device → Soundbar

And the Thor device tells the source:

Hello, I am a TV.
I support audio formats.
Send me audio.

Then the device passes the audio to the soundbar.

This is called:

EDID emulation / EDID learning / EDID copy

What They Want To Do

Their retail store wants a soundbar demo rack.

Example setup:

Media Player
?
? HDMI
?
Thor HDMI Matrix / Switch
?
???????????????????
? ? ?
SB1 SB2 SB3 SB4 (soundbars)

Customers press a button and switch between soundbars.

But they don't want a TV connected to every soundbar just to make HDMI audio work.

Their Question Simplified

They are asking:

Can your device emulate the EDID of a TV so that a source will output HDMI audio to soundbars even when no TV is connected?

What They Mean by "Learn EDID"

Some HDMI devices can:

Read EDID from a TV
Store it internally
Pretend to be that TV later

Example:

TV → device reads EDID
device stores EDID
TV removed
device emulates TV

Now the source still thinks a TV exists.

Their Intended Setup

Media Player
?
? HDMI
?
Thor HDMI Matrix / Switch
?
???????????????????
? ? ?
SB1 SB2 SB3 SB4 (soundbars)

Controlled via RS-232 using Q-SYS.

They want to switch soundbars instantly.

Why They Mention Q-SYS

Q-SYS is an automation system.

They will control the switch like:

QSYS → RS232 → Thor Device

So when a customer presses a touchscreen:

Play on Soundbar #3

The switch changes automatically.

Documents

8x8-hdmi-switcher-h-8x8hdmi-sw-user-manual.pdf

Availability:	In stock	Condition:	new
Shipping:	starting at $0.00	Warranty:	2Yrs