Specifications

12 ExtroNews 11.2 May/June 2000
UNIQUE TECHNIQUES
Extron’s cutting-edge S
3
Technical
Institute Training Facility debuted during
INFOCOMM 2000. With this expansion,
Extron reinforces an ongoing
commitment to provide unparalleled
dealer support through A/V education
and training. The training center
features a comprehensive A/V training
room, a fully equipped theater, a
computer-based training room, two
state-of-the-art videoconference rooms,
and a control room.
The genius of the training center
design is connectivity; any of over 100
video sources can be switched to any
one or all outputs throughout the six
rooms. This capability allows anyone in
any room to conveniently send or
receive A/V signals no matter where the
physical A/V devices are located. The
training facility’s connectivity is made
possible by Extron Matrix 6400
Switchers, the central hub of the overall
A/V system.
CONTROLLING THE A/V SYSTEM
Each room offers a touchpanel screen
for control. Three of the rooms are
controlled by one control system and are
linked using an Ethernet/LAN
connection. The other three rooms are
controlled by a second system. The
control systems communicate with each
other via serial communications through
the control room.
MATRIX SWITCHING
The Matrix 6400 works with multiple
subswitchers: an Extron Matrix 3200
and multiple CrossPoint Matrix
Switchers. The Matrix 6400 Wideband,
Video, and Audio switchers route
RGBHV, component video, composite
video, and stereo audio. A Matrix 3200
Video routes S-video and stereo audio
signals. The Matrix 6400 and Matrix
3200 Switchers are matrix switchers
comprised of basic module enclosures
(BMEs), which enable the routers to be
expanded as needed to meet system
needs. For example, the Matrix 6400
dedicated to routing RGBHV and audio
signals is made up of three wideband
BMEs (for the red, green, blue signals),
two sync BMEs for horizontal and
vertical sync, and an audio BME. A
separate Matrix 6400 Video BME routes
composite video signals. The CrossPoints
route RGB video and stereo audio
signals.
The matrix switchers route the audio
and video together or separately using
audio follow or audio breakaway. Audio
follow allows the presenter to switch
audio and video together from the same
input source to the same output
destination. Audio breakaway allows the
presenter to switch audio from one
input source and video from a different
input source to the same output
destination. Audio breakaway is used
Making Connections in Extron’s New
Training Facility
E
xtron’s new world-class training center is the heart of Extron’s S
3
Technical Institute. The facility supports Extron’s educational efforts,
including Extron School, Extron School On The Road, Extron Distance
Learning, dealer training, and internal training.
The rack of Extron's Matrix 6400
Switchers in the Training Center.