See if this sounds familiar. You have a bunch of satellite or cable receivers in one location. Whenever you need to change the channel, you have to cover all the receiver but one with aluminum foil or unplug them. If you want to show the same content on multiple TVs, you end up changing a bunch of receivers or pulling wires around. Does that sound like the story at your business? If so, you should consider a matrix switch.
A matrix switch (also called a matrix switcher) is a device that lets you intelligently control what input goes to what output. You could have 16 receivers and 16 TVs, for example. A matrix switch will let you send the output from any receiver to any TV. Many matrix switches also give you some ability to control each receiver either over the internet or using IR blasters.
If you’d like to know more, here’s a video I produced a few years ago.
All the cables go into the matrix switch, which is essentially a special purpose computer. They have front panel switches for basic operations, but many matrix switches have web servers in them, too. That gives you a lot of control over a phone, tablet, or computer. Matrix switches are all digital, not mechanical; there’s not some sort of direct wire connection between input and output. When you think about it, it’s a pretty amazing little appliance.
It’s not just cable and satellite boxes that can work with matrix switches. Most matrix switches today will work with any device that has an HDMI out. A matrix switch will use a technique called “EDID management” to make sure that most of the compatibility problems with HDMI go away.
You find matrix switches most often in bars. Why? Because bars tend to have a lot of TVs in a fairly small area. Bars often need to put the same game on multiple TVs and make changes quickly. But, bars aren’t the only places where matrix switches make sense. Hotels can use them to distribute video during conventions, for example. Any time you have a lot of different video sources and a lot of TVs, a matrix switch might be a good bet.
This is a question that I get all the time. Both a matrix switch and a headend have multiple receivers going into one place. However, a matrix switch has multiple outputs, each on its own cable. A headend takes all those sources and reformats them (through a process called modulation) so all the video goes over one cable. Headends usually work with large areas like hotels and skyscrapers, while matrix switches work with much smaller areas.
That’s the real question, right? There are a lot of different choices. There are really three things you need to consider when you choose a matrix switch:
Because a matrix switch is a pretty big investment, it’s smart to ask questions before you start. It’s also really smart to work with an expert rather than just picking something at random from a large shopping web site. You deserve to have an expert on your side, right?
You need to work with a partner like Signal Connect. Signal Connect’s team has been providing the best service to businesses for over 20 years. We’re experts in all manner of audio and video products and technologies. We have engineers on staff to help design the perfect custom solution for your specific needs. When you work with Signal Connect, you’re working with the best.
Call us and find out if a matrix switch is right for you. We have all the major brands including the exciting new Wolfpack line from Sports Bar World. We’ll work with you for the perfect solution! Call us at 888-233-7563 during East Coast business hours. If it’s after hours, fill out the form below. We’ll get right back to you!
The post Does your business video system need a matrix switch? appeared first on The Solid Signal Blog.
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What is a matrix switch?
A matrix switch (also called a matrix switcher) is a device that lets you intelligently control what input goes to what output. You could have 16 receivers and 16 TVs, for example. A matrix switch will let you send the output from any receiver to any TV. Many matrix switches also give you some ability to control each receiver either over the internet or using IR blasters.
If you’d like to know more, here’s a video I produced a few years ago.
How does a matrix switch work?
All the cables go into the matrix switch, which is essentially a special purpose computer. They have front panel switches for basic operations, but many matrix switches have web servers in them, too. That gives you a lot of control over a phone, tablet, or computer. Matrix switches are all digital, not mechanical; there’s not some sort of direct wire connection between input and output. When you think about it, it’s a pretty amazing little appliance.
It’s not just cable and satellite boxes that can work with matrix switches. Most matrix switches today will work with any device that has an HDMI out. A matrix switch will use a technique called “EDID management” to make sure that most of the compatibility problems with HDMI go away.
What kind of business should use a matrix switch?
You find matrix switches most often in bars. Why? Because bars tend to have a lot of TVs in a fairly small area. Bars often need to put the same game on multiple TVs and make changes quickly. But, bars aren’t the only places where matrix switches make sense. Hotels can use them to distribute video during conventions, for example. Any time you have a lot of different video sources and a lot of TVs, a matrix switch might be a good bet.
What’s the difference between a matrix switch and a headend?
This is a question that I get all the time. Both a matrix switch and a headend have multiple receivers going into one place. However, a matrix switch has multiple outputs, each on its own cable. A headend takes all those sources and reformats them (through a process called modulation) so all the video goes over one cable. Headends usually work with large areas like hotels and skyscrapers, while matrix switches work with much smaller areas.
What’s the best choice for a matrix switch?
That’s the real question, right? There are a lot of different choices. There are really three things you need to consider when you choose a matrix switch:
- Capacity: How many inputs and how many outputs do you need?
- Fixed vs. Expandable: Is it possible to add additional capacity if you need more inputs and outputs?
- Advanced features: Does the matrix switch only allow for input and output changes, or are there other features like being able to change channels on the receivers or access the switch over a web page or app?
Because a matrix switch is a pretty big investment, it’s smart to ask questions before you start. It’s also really smart to work with an expert rather than just picking something at random from a large shopping web site. You deserve to have an expert on your side, right?
You need to work with a partner like Signal Connect. Signal Connect’s team has been providing the best service to businesses for over 20 years. We’re experts in all manner of audio and video products and technologies. We have engineers on staff to help design the perfect custom solution for your specific needs. When you work with Signal Connect, you’re working with the best.
Call us and find out if a matrix switch is right for you. We have all the major brands including the exciting new Wolfpack line from Sports Bar World. We’ll work with you for the perfect solution! Call us at 888-233-7563 during East Coast business hours. If it’s after hours, fill out the form below. We’ll get right back to you!
The post Does your business video system need a matrix switch? appeared first on The Solid Signal Blog.
Continue reading...
