Annotator 401

4K/60 Annotation Processor with USB Extension
Key Features
  • 4K/60 4:4:4 hardware annotation processor with high-performance scaling
  • Dual HDMI outputs with selectable annotation, menu, and cursor visibility
  • Intuitive, graphical, and customizable annotation user interface
  • Capture and store images to a USB flash drive, internal memory, or a network location
  • Directly print captured images using a network printer
  • Integrated USB Extender Plus transmitter
The Extron Annotator 401
Model Version Description Part #
 Annotator 401 4K/60 Annotation Processor with USB Extension 60-1731-01

The Extron Annotator 401 is a high performance, hardware-based annotation processor that enables users to draw, point, or type over live presentations. Presenters can annotate using any combination of a touch display, keyboard, or mouse. An intuitive on-screen menu allows for quick and easy annotation. Annotated images may be captured and saved to internal memory, a removable USB flash drive, or a network location. The unit is HDCP 2.3 compliant and supports HDMI signals from 480i up to 4K/60 @ 4:4:4. Signal processing is performed by the Extron Vector™ 4K scaling engine. Dual HDMI outputs provide selectable annotation, menu, and cursor visibility. Compatible with the Extron USB Extender Plus Series, the Annotator 401 enables annotation with USB devices through a Gigabit Ethernet network or point-to-point over one CATx cable.

Create Real-Time Annotations with a User-Friendly Interface

User-friendly graphical icons and intuitive menus provide quick access to essential annotation tools. These include freehand or straight lines, rectangular or elliptical shapes, text, highlighting an area of the presentation, and pointing to objects on the screen, with various customization tools. A presenter can also isolate a specific area of the presentation for emphasis by creating a spotlight with the image darkened around it.

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  • Freehand draw

  • Pointer

  • Draw line

  • Draw line with arrow

  • Draw rectangle

  • Draw ellipse

  • Text

  • Highlighter

  • Size

  • Eraser

  • Color palette

  • Fill

  • Undo

  • Redo

  • Clear Screen

  • Advanced Menu

Enhance Presentations Using Advanced Tools

Additional presentation options include the ability to use a touch display as a whiteboard, zoom and pan within the image, and freeze a live image. Annotated images may be captured and saved to internal memory, a removable USB flash drive, or a network location. The images can also be printed using a network printer.

The dual HDMI outputs can be configured as main and confidence monitors simultaneously, giving presenters the ability to mute video or hide menus and annotations on either output.

USB Extension and Compatibility with Popular Touch Displays

An integrated USB Extender Plus transmitter enables remote use of annotation peripherals. Paired with a USB Extender Plus receiver, signals can be sent up to 1,980 feet (600 meters) through a Gigabit Ethernet network or up to 330 feet (100 meters) point-to-point over a CATx cable. This allows users to annotate presentations from distant locations, increasing design flexibility while reducing overall equipment requirements.

Annotating over live video or presentations is easy using common touch displays, graphics tablets, as well as any standard keyboard and mouse. A total of 32 devices can be connected via USB hubs. The Annotator 401 is ideal for collaboration applications requiring on-screen annotation from multiple users.

Advanced Vector 4K Scaling

The Annotator 401 incorporates the Extron-exclusive Vector 4K scaling engine, developed in‑house and engineered to deliver best-in-class image upscaling and downscaling. Vector 4K embodies several Extron-patented scaling technologies, plus a new set of image processing algorithms that deliver uncompromising scaling performance. This enables sharp, accurate 4:4:4 processing and scaling of video and computer video signals up to 4K, as well as downscaling of 4K source signals without losing critical image detail. It provides high performance, motion-adaptive deinterlacing of all interlaced signals up to 1080i, and Deep Color processing to deliver optimal image quality. Automatic 3:2 and 2:2 pulldown detection maximizes image quality for content sources originating from film.

The Annotator 401 accepts HDMI signals up to 4K/60 @ 4:4:4, and the output can be set for various resolutions up to 4K/60 @ 4:4:4. Selectable FILL and FOLLOW modes are available to set the preferred aspect ratio of the output. FILL mode provides full screen output, while FOLLOW mode preserves the original aspect ratio of the input signal.

Built for Streamlined Integration and Simple Control

To simplify integration of HDMI sources and displays, and to help ensure optimal system performance and dependability, the Annotator 401 features Extron-exclusive technologies, including EDID Minder® and Key Minder®. When HDCP-encrypted content is transmitted to a non-HDCP compliant display, a full-screen green signal or user supplied image can be sent to the display for immediate visual confirmation that protected content cannot be viewed on that display.

The Annotator 401 features front panel controls and intuitive on-screen menus for quick access to functions. Remote configuration and control are available via USB, RS-232, and Ethernet. They can also be configured using Extron's PCS software, a user-friendly application which expedites setup and commissioning, real-time operation and monitoring, and provides the ability to configure multiple Extron products in the same session.