Selecting the Right Matrix Switcher

To select the right matrix switcher for a specific environment, there are several guidelines to consider:

Matrix switchers route multiple audio/video sources to multiple audio/video destinations. These matrix switchers accept AV signals from a range of input sources - computers, cameras, Blu-ray Disc™ players, etc. - and route the output to different destinations, such as projectors, flat panel displays, and video conference codecs.

Below is an example of how a matrix switcher can be used for a divisible classroom at a university. Signals from two Blu-ray players and two CATV tuners, located in the equipment rack, are being sent to the Extron DTP CrossPoint 84 IPCP MA matrix switcher, while two laptop sources are connected via an Extron DTP T USW 233 switcher using category cabling from lectern locations in each room. Two outputs from the matrix switcher feed flat panel displays in each room via category cabling to Extron DTP HDMI 4K 230 D Rx receivers. In addition, the matrix switcher incorporates an audio amplifier to feed one room’s ceiling speakers and an external Extron XPA 2001-70V amplifier, fed from a matrix switcher audio output, supplies audio to the speakers in the second room. An Extron TLP Pro 720M wall mount touchpanel provides control at each lectern location for the AV equipment within that room. Using this design the touchpanel’s and AV system are configured to switch the Blu-ray player, CATV tuner, and laptop to the display dedicated to that room. Using a single matrix switcher, the rooms can operate as independent rooms or combined into a single large presentation space.

Matrix switchers are used in environments such as corporate boardrooms, command and control centers, classrooms, restaurants, home theaters, and video conference rooms.

Categories

Fiber Optic Matrix Switchers

FOX Matrix Switchers are designed for complete, end-to-end digital AV signal transmission and routing over fiber optic cable. They are available in standard sizes from 8x8 up to 320x320, and are fully compatible with the FOX Series and FOX II Series fiber optic transmitters and receivers. Large-scale matrix switchers are also available in custom sizes up to 1000x1000 and larger through the Extron Matrix 1K program. Equipped with the essential features common to Extron matrix switchers, Extron fiber optic matrix switchers deliver highly reliable, enterprise-wide switching of fiber optic AV and control signals for any mission-critical environment. View Fiber Optic Matrix Switchers

XTP CrossPoint Matrix Switchers

Extron XTP CrossPoint® Matrix Switchers are modular, expandable integrated solutions for high performance input switching and signal routing, between multiple local and remote sources and display devices within Extron XTP Systems®. Extron technologies include SpeedSwitch®, Key Minder®, and EDID Minder®. A selection of input and output boards along with extenders provide integration for a variety of signal types and formats, ensuring system customization appropriate for a wide range of applications. Enclosures are available in I/O configurations from 4x4 to 64x64. View XTP CrossPoint Matrix Switchers

DTP CrossPoint Matrix Switchers

Extron DTP® CrossPoint matrix switchers are powerful, all-in-one AV integration solutions for presentation environments. They deliver all the core functionality of an AV system including high performance 4K matrix switching, scaling, comprehensive audio DSP, a choice of energy efficient 100 watt Class D mono or stereo audio power amplifiers, a built-in Extron IPCP Pro control processor for complete AV system control, as well as integrated extension of video, audio, and control signals up to 330 feet (100 meters) over a shielded CATx cable. DTP CrossPoint matrix switchers provide many advanced audio capabilities for complete audio system design and integration, such as Extron ProDSP, digital audio expansion for larger systems, and acoustic echo cancellation on select versions. View DTP CrossPoint Matrix Switchers

HDMI Matrix Switchers

HDMI Matrix Switchers provide high performance routing of HDMI signals to multiple displays. They meet HDMI Specification features including data rates up to 10.2 Gbps, Deep Color up to 12-bit, and HD lossless audio formats. Extron HDMI Matrix Switchers are engineered with intelligent technologies that help integrators ensure reliable system operation and compatibility between digital devices, including Key Minder®, SpeedSwitch® Technology, HDCP Visual Confirmation, EDID Minder®, plus automatic input cable equalization and output reclocking. They are available in Fixed I/O and Modular & Expandable configurations, and in I/O sizes from 4x4 to 32x32. View HDMI Matrix Switchers

DVI Matrix Switchers

DVI Matrix Switchers provide high performance routing of DVI signals to multiple displays. Most Extron DVI Matrix Switcher models are HDCP compliant, and are engineered with intelligent technologies that help integrators ensure reliable system operation and compatibility between digital devices, including Key Minder®, SpeedSwitch® Technology, HDCP Visual Confirmation, EDID Minder®, plus automatic input cable equalization and output reclocking. They are available in Fixed I/O and Modular & Expandable configurations, and in I/O sizes from 4x4 to 36x36. View DVI Matrix Switchers

SDI/HD-SDI Matrix Switchers

SDI/HD-SDI matrix switchers are designed to switch multiple serial digital video signals with embedded audio that comply with SMPTE and ITU standards for standard definition and high definition video, including 3G-SDI. They are ideal for AV presentation applications, as well as small video production and post-production systems. View SDI/HD-SDI Matrix Switchers

Modular & Expandable Matrix Switchers

Modular & Expandable Matrix Switchers are designed for applications requiring integrated signal processing, the switching of multiple analog or digital signal types under a single point of control, or applications requiring future expandability. They are available in a variety of signal types, including fiber optics, 3G-SDI, HDMI, DVI, USB, wideband RGB and Sync, along with stereo or mono audio, in standard I/O configurations up to 320x320. With the Extron Matrix 1K program, you can create fiber optic, digital, or analog signal routing solutions with I/O sizes up to 1000x1000 and beyond. View Modular & Expandable Matrix Switchers

Twisted Pair Matrix Switchers

Twisted Pair Matrix Switchers work in conjunction with twisted pair transmitters and receivers to provide simplified routing and control of signals ranging from RGBHV to composite video or S-video and stereo audio using twisted pair cable. View Twisted Pair Matrix Switchers

Ultra-Wideband RGB Matrix Switchers

Ultra-wideband RGB matrix switchers are designed to deliver exceptional performance in the most demanding, very high resolution computer-video and audio routing systems. They are available in I/O sizes from 8x4 to 128x128 and offer input flexibility, versatile control, and loss-free signal distribution. View Ultra-Wideband RGB Matrix Switchers

VGA & Stereo Audio Matrix Switchers

VGA & Stereo Audio Matrix Switchers are designed for high resolution computer-video with stereo audio applications. They range in sizes from 3x2 to 16x8, and include a wide variety of features. All Extron VGA matrix switchers are also capable of switching HDTV/component analog video signals. View VGA & Stereo Audio Matrix Switchers

Media Presentation Matrix Switchers

Media Presentation Matrix Switchers combine routing for multiple formats - VGA, composite video, S-video, and stereo audio - in a single, compact enclosure. These matrix switchers are ideal for a variety of small-scale applications including classrooms, training and conference facilities, and sophisticated home theaters. View Media Presentation Matrix Switchers

Scaling Matrix Switchers

Scaling Matrix Switchers are designed for applications requiring all video input signals to be scaled to a common video output rate. They combine high performance signal processing with matrix switching to provide optimized image quality, quick and reliable switching, and routing flexibility in one box. A scaling matrix switcher is the ideal solution for multi-display videoconferencing and presentation environments such as boardrooms conference rooms, houses of worship, and auditoriums. View Scaling Matrix Switchers

Matrix Switcher Accessories

Matrix Switcher Accessories include a variety of intuitive user control interfaces designed for easy mounting in any application. From simple remote control to full X-Y input and output selection, Extron manufactures matrix switcher control options to match any system design and remote switching requirement. Additional accessory products are available to support installation and signal distribution. View Matrix Switcher Accessories

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Generally speaking, the video matrix is to realize the switching output video image from any input sources. An M×N matrix means that it can support M image input and N image output at the same time. 

In recent years, with the development of information technology, the processing ability of digital technology has been rapidly developed. So does the audio and video industry. The formats of transmission signals are becoming more varied, and the transmission ways change continuously. The traditional matrix signal switching and transmission ways no longer meet quite a lot of different needs of the users. They require not only simple and smooth operation but also the high performance of audio and video signals, device stability, and diversification of application scenarios.

Q-NEX solution adopts the digital video matrix, which integrates the video matrix module to a system – Q-NEX Networked Media Processor (NMP), which avoids complicated installation and debugging and greatly saves energy and time. NMP even has the ability to switch audio. It can synchronously switch video and audio signals to realize an audio-visual matrix. We support 3 input and 3 output video matrices with HDMI interfaces as the signal format. In the classroom, teachers can use their laptops for the courseware presentation, document camera for object demonstration, and IQVideo Lecture capture system for lecture recording, IQPoium, etc., as the input sources. The different types of displays are regarded as video output sources. Therefore, users can realize the sharing of video sources by various devices in the room according to the configuration required by their own application scenarios.

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Why Audio Visual Communication Technology is Critical for Education

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Why Screen Sharing Box is Key to a Highly Interactive and Collaborative Meeting