Plan a Just Add Power System

Oct 02, 2026

Overview

Use this guide to select the hardware, network configuration, and control solution for a Just Add Power video distribution system. It covers Omega Series, Ultra Series, and MaxColor Series systems configured with AMP.

A typical system requires:

An Encoder connection for each source.
A Decoder connection for each display.
Managed gigabit Ethernet switches with enough ports, power, and bandwidth for the installation.
A compatible IP-based control solution for source selection and any additional control functions.

Start with the required video capabilities, then select models and infrastructure that support the features needed at each location.

Choose a Product Series

Choose the product series based on the video that must reach the displays. Consider resolution, frame rate, color format, HDR requirements, and any equipment already installed.

Product Series	Video Capability	Planning Considerations
Omega Series	1080p	For locations requiring 1080p video. Plan to use Omega Series Encoders and Decoders together.
Ultra Series	Up to 4K30 output	For locations requiring 4K30 video. Supported 4K60 inputs do not provide 4K60 output; verify the accepted input formats for the selected Encoder.
MaxColor Series	Up to 4K60, 4:4:4 color, and 36-bit color depth	For locations requiring 4K60 video and the supported MaxColor Series features. Use compatible MaxColor Series Encoders and Decoders for video distribution.

Use the Product Series Comparison Guide to compare features, then confirm the required connections and capabilities in the individual model specifications.

Product compatibility: For standard source-to-display video distribution, select Encoders and Decoders from the same product series. Although Omega Series and Ultra Series devices can technically operate together, mixing them is not recommended because Omega Series devices cannot process 4K video, which can cause issues in systems combining 1080p and 4K video.

Compatible specialty devices may be used as described in the specialty-device guidance below. MaxColor Series video streams are not directly compatible with Omega Series or Ultra Series devices.

Projects Retaining 2G Series Hardware

If the project retains 2G Series devices, review 2G Legacy Mode compatibility and capabilities before selecting additional hardware.

AMP 2G Legacy Mode requires AMP 2.0.0 or later and L Series firmware. It is available only with Standardized Configuration. Compatible Omega Series and Ultra Series devices operating in this mode are limited to the capabilities described in the compatibility guide.

Select Encoders and Decoders

List every source and display, then choose a model for each location. Models within a series offer different connections and features, so the same model does not need to be used throughout the installation.

Video connections: Identify the source input type, required video format, and whether a local HDMI output is needed.
Audio: Identify HDMI audio, analog audio extraction, microphone or line input, downmixing, and network audio requirements.
USB/KVM: Identify the peripherals that must be extended and verify support on the selected models.
Endpoint control: Identify any RS232, IR, or CEC requirements for sources and displays.
Form factor: Choose standalone, wallplate, or rackmount devices to suit the installation.
Power: Confirm whether each model uses PoE or requires an external power supply.

Count independent Encoder and Decoder connections when planning switch capacity. A rackmount chassis or specialty device may contain multiple endpoints and require multiple network connections.

Product Selection Resources

Plan Specialty Devices and Accessories

Include specialty devices and accessories in the equipment list before calculating switch ports, power, and rack space.

Audio-only locations: Consider the ST1 Audio Encoder/Decoder for stereo audio inputs or outputs. It does not downmix multichannel audio; the audio supplied to it must be stereo.
Multiple sources on one display: Consider a UL-759A Video Tiling Encoder for an Omega Series or Ultra Series system, or an MC-QX for a MaxColor Series system.
Rotated video: Consider the UL-737POE Warp Engine for an Omega Series or Ultra Series system. The MC-QX provides video rotation for MaxColor Series systems.
IR control: Include the appropriate IR dongles where supported devices will use their RS232 ports for IR output.
Rack mounting: Include suitable mounting hardware, such as the RS1U Rack Shelf, for the selected devices.

Verify the operating requirements and compatibility of each specialty device, particularly when retaining older hardware or planning 2G Legacy Mode.

Choose a Network Configuration

AMP supports two configuration methods. Choose the method before purchasing switches or selecting a control driver.

Configuration	Planning Approach	Switch Requirements
Standardized Configuration VLAN Switching	AMP configures the supported switches and Just Add Power devices. Recommended for most installations.	Use models and firmware from the AMP Standardized supported switch list.
Alternate Configuration Multicast Switching	AMP configures the Just Add Power devices. The installer or network administrator designs and configures the network.	Meet the Multicast Switching network requirements, including VLAN, IGMP, jumbo frame, routing, and bandwidth requirements.

For the advantages, limitations, and use cases of each method, see Choosing Between Standardized and Alternate Configurations.

Switch Capacity and Power

Allow enough ports for all Encoder and Decoder connections, specialty devices, inter-switch links, and network access.
Check both the number of PoE-capable ports and the switch's total PoE budget against the selected devices.
Include external power supplies for models that require them.
Allow for planned expansion when selecting port capacity, power, and rack space.

Systems with Multiple Switches

Plan switch locations and inter-switch bandwidth around the sources that must reach displays on other switches. Available device ports alone do not establish whether the network has enough bandwidth.

Multi-switch Standardized systems require supported switches from the same manufacturer and supported 10Gb SFP+ interconnections. Review the multi-switch requirements and bandwidth guidance before selecting switches, DAC cables, or fiber transceivers.

For Alternate Configuration, have the network administrator verify multicast operation and sufficient capacity across every link that will carry Just Add Power traffic.

Plan Cabling

Device network connections: For copper Ethernet connections, plan a dedicated Cat5e or better cable run from the switch location to each Encoder and Decoder.
HDMI connections: Use passive HDMI cables between sources and Encoders, and between Decoders and displays. Select cables that support the signal bandwidth at each connection. See passive HDMI cable guidance.
Fiber connections: Where supported, select fiber and transceivers that match the device or switch specifications and the required distance.
Additional connections: Include any required audio, USB, RS232, IR, and power cabling.

Document cable routes, distances, terminations, and labels before installation.

Plan Control and Network Access

Select a control solution that supports the chosen configuration method and the functions the customer needs. Review the Control System Integration resources before committing to a driver.

Define which sources each display must access.
Identify additional functions such as source and display control, independent audio selection, USB switching, video walls, or tiling.
Confirm that the selected hardware and driver support those functions.
Coordinate device addressing and control access with the site's network administrator.

For Standardized Configuration, plan a permanent route from the Data Network to the Just Add Power Network. A Router Static Route is recommended; review the Static Route options when planning access. For Alternate Configuration, routing and access permissions must be included in the network design.

Complete the Plan

Before ordering equipment, confirm that the project documentation includes:

A source and display list with the selected Encoder and Decoder models.
Specialty devices, accessories, and required power supplies.
The AMP configuration method and compatible control solution.
Switch models, port assignments, PoE requirements, and inter-switch connections.
Cable types, routes, distances, and termination locations.
Network addressing and routing requirements.

When the design is complete, use the Installation Checklist to install, configure, test, and document the system. Download the software and review the setup resources from the AMP download and configuration guide.

For planning assistance, contact Just Add Power at [email protected] or 1-800-615-0206.