Extron say that they have “immediate availability “of a new 4×4 multi-rate SDI matrix board and two new 16×16, 4-Gbps fiber optic matrix boards for the SMX System MultiMatrix, Extron’s modular, field-configurable matrix switching platform. These new matrix boards bring the total number of available SMX matrix boards to 41, covering all popular analog and digital A/V signal types from composite video and wideband RGB to 3G-SDI, DVI, and HDMI, as well as stereo audio. The SMX System MultiMatrix is ideal for use in applications that require the switching of different signal types and a cost-effective upgrade path for ongoing I/O or signal format changes.

The SMX Multi-Rate Serial Digital Matrix Switcher Boards are designed for routing multi-rate SDI and HD-SDI serial digital video signals from 19 Mbps to 2.97 Gbps. The boards are fully compliant with the SMPTE 424M standard for 3G-SDI. In addition, two boards can be used together to switch SMPTE 372M dual-link HD-SDI digital video signals. They are available in four I/O sizes: 4×4, 8×4, 8×8, and 16×16.

See the HD-SDI multi-rate board specs here.

Extron’s matrix switchers have changed the way we switch and route signals over the years, and this is no exception. With all due respect to their many competitors, the gray boxes are the defacto standard. As a modular system, MultiMatrix will probably not have the impact on the rental industry that the Crosspoint has (at least not yet) but it will certainly have its place in installations and higher-end, repeat shows.