Getting Started — Neo Matrix

Modified on Tue, 28 Apr at 8:04 PM

This guide is for installers who are new to the Pulse-Eight Neo Matrix range. It covers everything from what to check before you start, through first power-on, to confirming the system is working correctly. If you have installed HDBaseT matrix systems before, most of this will feel familiar — the main differences are in how the Neo Matrix is accessed and managed over the network.

Before You Start — What You Need

In the box

Confirm you have received the following before starting:

The Neo Matrix unit
Receivers (neo:Lite, neo:Pro or neo:Ultra depending on the model ordered)
IEC power cable(s) or supplied PSU
IR accessories (emitters, receiver)
Quick start guide

HDMI cables and Cat cables are not included. You supply these on site. See cabling requirements below.

What you need on site

A network switch with a spare port (unmanaged is fine for the matrix itself — it just needs to be on the same network as your commissioning laptop)
A laptop or tablet with a browser to access the web interface
HDMI cables for sources and local monitor connection
Cat5e or better for HDBaseT runs — Cat6 recommended for runs over 30m or for 4K
An Installer ID registered at gotomymatrix.com — see How to Get Your Installer ID

Cabling requirements at a glance

Run length	Resolution	Minimum cable	Recommended
Up to 40m	4K@60Hz	Cat5e	Cat6
Up to 70m	1080p	Cat5e	Cat6
Up to 100m	1080p or 4K (neo:X+ / neo:XSR only)	Cat6	Cat6a

Do not use EZ crimp connectors. They are one of the most common causes of intermittent link quality issues on HDBaseT runs, even on short distances. Always use standard pass-through RJ45 crimps with solid core cable.

Which Matrix Do You Have?

If you are unsure which model you have, check the label on the rear of the unit. The full model range is:

Model	Inputs	Outputs	4K Range	Supplied Receivers
neo:4	4	4	40m	neo:Lite ×4
neo:6a	6	6	40m	neo:Lite ×6
neo:8a	8	8	40m	neo:Lite ×8
neo:XSR	6	4	40m	neo:Ultra ×4
neo:X+	8	8	100m	neo:Ultra ×8

For full receiver compatibility and HDBaseT range combinations, see Neo Matrix — Transmitter, Receiver and HDBaseT Range Guide.

Step-by-Step: First Install

Rack the matrix and connect power

Mount the matrix in the rack. Connect the IEC power cable but do not power on yet. The matrix is 2U (neo:4, neo:6a, neo:8a, neo:XSR) or 3U (neo:X+).

Connect HDMI sources to the inputs

Connect your source devices (media players, Sky boxes, consoles etc.) to the HDMI inputs on the rear of the matrix. Label as you go — inputs are numbered on the rear panel.

Connect Cat cable to the HDBaseT outputs

Run Cat cable from the HDBaseT output ports on the matrix rear to each room. Each output port corresponds to one zone. Connect a receiver at the room end and connect the receiver's HDMI output to the display.

Connect the matrix to the network

Plug a Cat cable from the matrix's Ethernet port into your network switch. The matrix uses DHCP by default — it will obtain an IP address automatically. Make sure your commissioning laptop is on the same network.

Power on

Power on the matrix. Allow a few minutes for the unit to fully boot.

Access the web interface via gotomymatrix.com

On your computer, open a browser and go to gotomymatrix.com. This service discovers your Pulse-Eight devices on the local network using mDNS and redirects your browser to the matrix's local web interface. You do not need to know the IP address to get started.

If multiple devices appear, select the correct one by model and serial number. If gotomymatrix.com does not find the matrix, see Troubleshooting — Matrix Not Found on Network.

Log in as admin

The default admin credentials can be found in the product manual

To change the password after first login. Go to System > Change Password.

Register your Installer ID

In the web interface, go to the Cloud Connections tab and enter your Installer ID. This links the matrix to your installer account and enables remote access and monitoring via the Pulse-Eight portal. If you do not have an Installer ID yet, see

How to Get Your Installer ID.

Check firmware and update if required

Go to the Hardware Details Tab in the web interface. Check the matrix firmware version. If updates are available, apply them before proceeding with configuration.

Configure video routing

Go to the Video Routing Tab.

Assign which source plays to which zone by clicking the intersection of the input row and output column. Test each zone by routing a known-good source and confirming picture at the display.

Set up EDID

EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) tells sources what resolutions and audio formats the displays support. By default the matrix manages EDID automatically. If sources are not outputting the correct resolution, go to Device Settings> EDID and review the EDID assigned to each input. See

EDID Handshake for detail.

Set up CEC and IR

Go to the Routing Control Tab to configure CEC and IR pass-through. CEC allows the control system or TV remote to control source devices. IR allows the matrix to pass infrared commands from receivers back to source devices in the rack. Both are configured per output zone.

Assign a static IP (recommended)

For control system integration, the matrix should have a fixed IP address. Go to the Network Settings Tab and switch from DHCP to a static IP. Make sure the IP is outside your router's DHCP range to avoid conflicts. Note the IP down for the control system driver configuration.

Run HDBaseT link quality checks

For any run approaching the distance limit, run the HDBaseT Link Quality test from the web interface. Go to the Device Health Tab and check the link quality score for each output. A score of 6 or below on any output should be investigated before handover. See

HDBaseT Link Quality — How & What Am I Looking At?

First Install Checklist

Matrix racked and powered on
All HDMI sources connected to inputs
Cat cable runs terminated and receivers connected at room end
Matrix found on network via gotomymatrix.com
Admin password changed from default
Installer ID registered in Cloud Connection
Firmware up to date
Video routing confirmed working to all zones
EDID reviewed — sources outputting correct resolution
CEC and IR configured per zone
Static IP assigned and noted for control system
Link quality checked on all runs near the distance limit
Control system driver loaded and tested

Common First-Install Issues

Matrix not appearing on gotomymatrix.com

This usually means the matrix and your laptop are on different network segments, or the network switch is blocking mDNS traffic. Try accessing the matrix directly by IP address instead. Check your router's DHCP client list to find the matrix's assigned IP. See Neo Matrix No Signal Troubleshooting.

No picture at a zone

Work through in order: confirm the source is active and outputting, confirm routing is set correctly in the web interface, check the link quality score for that output, check the Cat cable termination at both ends. The most common causes are incorrect routing, a bad crimp, or a cable run that is marginal for the resolution being sent. See Neo Matrix No Signal Troubleshooting.

Source outputting wrong resolution

This is almost always an EDID issue. The source is reading an EDID that does not accurately represent the display. Review the EDID assignment in Device Settings. See EDID Handshake.

CEC not working

Confirm CEC is enabled in Routing Control for the relevant output. Check that the display supports CEC and has it enabled in its own settings menu (TV manufacturers use different names — Anynet+, Bravia Sync, SimpLink etc.). Not all TVs implement CEC reliably.

Next Steps

Neo Matrix Local WebUI Guide — full reference for every page in the web interface
HDBaseT Range and Receiver Compatibility — which receivers work with which matrices and at what distances
EDID Handshake — understanding and managing EDID
HDBaseT Link Quality — How & What Am I Looking At?
Which Neo Matrix Do I Need? — if you are specifying the system

Need help during installation?
Contact Pulse-Eight technical support. Have the matrix serial number, firmware version, and a description of the issue ready.

UK: 01202 413 610 | US: (858) 748-8250 | support@pulse-eight.com