AMX Launches AutoPatch Fiber-optic Matrix Switcher Line
Dec 13, 2006 8:00 AM
Control systems provider AMX has launched its first product in a new line of fiber-optic matrix switchers. The company demonstrated the new AutoPatch Epica Digital Generation (EpicaDG) at the Government Video Expo in Washington, D.C. this month.
Federal, state, and local government, along with private sector organizations, are increasingly adopting fiber-optic networks because of the significant advantages they offer over other paths of communication. For example, fiber optics allows highly secure, digital data transmission over longer distances and at higher data rates with no signal degradation. The new AutoPatch EpicaDG was designed specifically for large AV installations, such as command and control or network operations centers, needing to distribute highly sensitive, mission-critical information over fiber.“A very large federal agency first approached us about a need they had for incredibly secure, lightning-fast, no-fail signal switching. After determining a significant market need for such a product, we developed the underlying digital technology behind the EpicaDG, which we believe is unique to our industry,” says Robert Noble, AMX chief technology officer. “The EpicaDG is the only switcher providing common signal transport and conversion for all major video signal standards. This new product family will break all the rules of matrix switching, because it eliminates the need for individual signal paths for each video format—now it’s anything in, anything out.”
The EpicaDG converts digital and analog high-resolution video inputs out to multiple video formats simultaneously. DVI and fiber I/O boards are available today, while analog video, SD-SDI, and HD-SDI are scheduled for release in Q1 2007. All the boards will be available in custom configurations from as small as 16×16, all the way up to 144×144.
The EpicaDG offers remote front-panel control, along with an RS-232 port for communicating with an AMX or other manufacturer’s control system. Additional features of the EpicaDG include advanced system self-diagnostics, redundant power supplies, groupings, and presets.
AMX offers a full line of compatible fiber transmission modules to complete the installation package.
For more information, visit www.amx.com.
