About MVX VGA switchers and comparison with crosspoints

[oldgamer]

Hi everyone.

I'm looking to learn some facts about the Extron MVX matrix switcher series from 44 through the larger ones and have them compared with the crosspoints. This is because I'd rather get an MVX unit instead of a crosspoint given how bulky the latter are.

So, here's my questions about the MVX units.

1 - Is any combination possible as long as there is enough bandwidth?
For example, can I direct input 1 to outputs 2 and 3, and and input 2 to outputs 5 and 6?
(the manual says they do, but just looking for confirmation)

2 - Do they also work as an active splitter, for example can I direct one input to multiple outputs without losing brightness? If yes, RGBHV/S only or also component/svideo?

3 - Is there any meaningful difference in features when compared with the crosspoints?
Is there any reason NOT to get an MVX unit?

[Dochartaigh]

Hi everyone.

I'm looking to learn some facts about the Extron MVX matrix switcher series from 44 through the larger ones and have them compared with the crosspoints. This is because I'd rather get an MVX unit instead of a crosspoint given how bulky the latter are.

So, here's my questions about the MVX units.

1 - Is any combination possible as long as there is enough bandwidth?
For example, can I direct input 1 to outputs 2 and 3, and and input 2 to outputs 5 and 6?
(the manual says they do, but just looking for confirmation)

2 - Do they also work as an active splitter, for example can I direct one input to multiple outputs without losing brightness? If yes, RGBHV/S only or also component/svideo?

3 - Is there any meaningful difference in features when compared with the crosspoints?
Is there any reason NOT to get an MVX unit?

1. Yes.

2. Yes, any type.

3. Crosspoints won't transmit the data on the other non-RGB pins of VGA (if using an adapter). Crosspoints are larger but you also don't need BNC to VGA adapters like the MVX needs. I don't know if MVX can use a touchscreen to control them as easy as the Crosspoint (Ultra's) can. I don't know if there's any detriment to routing a way-lesser signal like composite through a VGA switch (where it's par for the course for the Extron).

[maxtherabbit]

Hi everyone.

I'm looking to learn some facts about the Extron MVX matrix switcher series from 44 through the larger ones and have them compared with the crosspoints. This is because I'd rather get an MVX unit instead of a crosspoint given how bulky the latter are.

So, here's my questions about the MVX units.

1 - Is any combination possible as long as there is enough bandwidth?
For example, can I direct input 1 to outputs 2 and 3, and and input 2 to outputs 5 and 6?
(the manual says they do, but just looking for confirmation)

2 - Do they also work as an active splitter, for example can I direct one input to multiple outputs without losing brightness? If yes, RGBHV/S only or also component/svideo?

3 - Is there any meaningful difference in features when compared with the crosspoints?
Is there any reason NOT to get an MVX unit?

1) yes
2) yes - they support RGBHV, RGBS, or YPbPr - svideo may be possible with appropriate dongles but I have never tried it
3) no reason not to, I love mine and it only takes up one rack unit

[samsavell]

I've been using an MVX 88 I picked up off of eBay since 2014. I highly prefer it to the Crosspoints as I can mix and match a large variety of inputs simultaneously and as long as I can get it into an HD15 plug, it works. You can also tie multiple in/outs to each other which is useful for streaming in my case.

My favorite use case for mine was to go from: DDR (RGBS over HD15) -> Input 1 -> Output 1 (GBS-8220 upscaler, 240p to 720p) -> Input 2 -> Output 2 (Startech USB3HDCAP), Output 3 (EPSON wall projector) and Output 4 (Sanyo TV just as an extra monitor).

But the nice thing is that it lets me run everything through 1 device in a clean manner and I can create some large chains of output from 1 input with the push of a few buttons. I only wish I had a nice rack to mount it in.

[Dochartaigh]

2) yes - they support RGBHV, RGBS, or YPbPr - svideo may be possible with appropriate dongles but I have never tried it

You can break-out S-Video to Y and C. I run mine on the Red and Green lines but it'll probably work on any two of R/G/B. Extron sells S-Video to 2x BNC dongles, and the Commodore (and I'm sure other retro computers) also have similar break-out cables (those usually go to RCA's though).

I've been using an MVX 88 I picked up off of eBay since 2014. I highly prefer it to the Crosspoints as I can mix and match a large variety of inputs simultaneously and as long as I can get it into an HD15 plug, it works. You can also tie multiple in/outs to each other which is useful for streaming in my case.

Maybe I misunderstood your post, but Crosspoints do these same exact things you just mentioned. On my 32x32 Crosspoint I have chains going through 3-4 different devices (upscalers to certain HDMI monitors, downscalers to SD TV's, converting to YPbPr for consumer CRT's, RGB straight to BVM's, etc. etc. etc.).

[samsavell]

I've been using an MVX 88 I picked up off of eBay since 2014. I highly prefer it to the Crosspoints as I can mix and match a large variety of inputs simultaneously and as long as I can get it into an HD15 plug, it works. You can also tie multiple in/outs to each other which is useful for streaming in my case.

Maybe I misunderstood your post, but Crosspoints do these same exact things you just mentioned. On my 32x32 Crosspoint I have chains going through 3-4 different devices (upscalers to certain HDMI monitors, downscalers to SD TV's, converting to YPbPr for consumer CRT's, RGB straight to BVM's, etc. etc. etc.).

the convenience of hd15 over bnc is the benefit for me and my hardware. functionally yes, they are much of the same

[oldgamer]

... I don't know if MVX can use a touchscreen to control them as easy as the Crosspoint (Ultra's) can.

Cool that touchscreen support is available. I'm guessing it is a fan implemented feature so probably doable for the MVX as well.

[oldgamer]

Great answers everyone, no doubt left, a MVX unit it is!