Of all the different types of Video Matrix units available in the market I believe HDMI and DVI Matrix Switchers are most common and very easy to use Switchers.

In this post I’ll try to take some real world scenarios to explain the usage of these 2 magnificent switching devices.

Multi-Video Matrix Switcher in a Whole Home Automation System

After years of arguing back and forth about what we wanted in our next house, my wife and I are finally in the position to build one instead of buying an older house.  Though it is a modest house for the area, I decided I wanted to go with a full home automation system.  After finding an installer in the area who could get us set up with a Control4 system, I decided I also wanted to make sure our entertainment system was up to par.  That is when I started looking into HDMI Video Matrix switching, an area I was less familiar with.

While doing some digging, a friend of mine suggested that I might actually be interested in a Multi-Video Matrix Switch as some of the entertainment equipment is high-end, but older equipment.  I finally found a switch that had support for all the standard formats including VGA, DVI, HDMI, Component  and even 3G/SDI.  The best part is that it has all of the components you would expect in an industrial grade solution including redundant power.  The input and output ports can be completely customized through the use of hot-swappable cards that can be changed as the equipment changes over time, or they can be swapped out in case of a failure without effecting the rest of the system.  The integrator seemed pretty happy with the options as it supported infra red (IR), RS232 and Ethernet TCP/IP control.  It wasn’t part of the normal system that they install, but having gone over the spec sheet he said they will probably start offering it as a part of their standard configuration.  I can’t wait to move into the new house.

DVI Video Matrix for Digital Signage Application

After the recent market downturn and a round of layoffs, I found myself pounding on HR doors looking to get back in the game.  A couple of the opportunities I applied for didn’t sound so exciting as I had spent the last several years working into middle management, but when the old savings account starts to dwindle you don’t get too picky.  I finally found a spot with a local systems integrator and am out on the road again doing the dirty work.  It’s kind of refreshing and I don’t mind, but I was surprised how much I had missed pushing paper.  My most recent assignment is to set up a relatively straight-forward monitoring system using a DVI Matrix Switch.  What I wasn’t expecting was the level of technological change in the Video Switch market.

My customer has an installation requiring 13 inputs from a variety of sources including computers, DVD players and sundry equipment all going out to 16 displays dispersed around a room.  When I showed up I expected to find a simple 16×16 DVI Matrix Switch but was greeted with a rackmount unit that looks more at home in a telecom closet.  The DVI Matrix Switch has integrated RS232, IR and TCP/IP control systems with redundant power built into a chassis that accepts hot-swappable interface cards.  Each input and output card has 4 DVI ports and the switching speeds really impressed me.  There isn’t any lag anymore as the different sources worked out the HDCP hand shaking.  Instead the image just buzzes along with the push of a button on the IR remote control.  What was equally impressive was the simplicity with which I could configure it all through the TCP/IP controllers web interface.  After checking the manufacturer’s website I was pleasantly surprised to see that they also offer 32×32 DVI Matrix units and similar products with multi-video options. It all works by simply swapping the interface cards.  Apparently, these work with HDMI, DVI, VGA, 3G/SDI, and HDBaseT HDMI.  This will be great for the customers with legacy equipment that is “irreplaceable”.  It truly is amazing what happens to technology when you are out of the loop for a few years.