Extron Expands SMX System MultiMatrix With New HD-SDI and Fiber Optic Matrix Boards

Anaheim, California (May 5, 2009) - Extron Electronics is pleased to announce the immediate availability of a new 4x4 multi-rate SDI matrix board and two new 16x16, 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 AV 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 System MultiMatrix has quickly become the switcher platform of choice for complex, multi-signal routing system designs," says Lee Dodson, Vice President of Marketing for Extron. "These new matrix boards are the direct result of requests for additional I/O sizes, and they provide integrators with an extra degree of design flexibility."

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: 4x4, 8x4, 8x8, and 16x16.

The SMX FOX 4G Fiber Optic Matrix Switcher Boards are designed for high speed digital switching up to 4.25 Gbps over singlemode or multimode fiber optic cables. They are fully compatible with the Extron FOX Series Fiber Optics Extender product line and are equipped with industry-standard LC connectors for integration convenience. The SMX FOX 4G Fiber Optic Matrix Switcher Boards are available in two sizes, 8x8 and 16x16, and in two versions for use with singlemode or multimode fiber.

The SMX System MultiMatrix Series of multi-plane matrix switchers combines multiple, independent analog and digital matrix switchers in a truly modular, field-configurable frame. It supports up to 10 independent matrix boards, all under a single point of control. The SMX combines the proven reliability and high performance of Extron's popular CrossPoint, MAV Plus, HDXP Plus, and MVX Series matrix switchers with the efficiency of a modular matrix switcher design.