Matrix Switchers: Switching off for good? Features 07/06/2017 With content distribution moving online to IP networks, the future of matrix switchers becomes murky. Steve Montgomery and Hurrairah bin Sohail investigate.Matrix switchers, a core component of any visual system, and themselves at a crossroads. Demand for the product in Asia Pacific is high at the moment, as Bob Michaels, president and CEO of ZeeVee, states: “With the declining costs in displays, combined with the increased use of digital signage and other visual tools to transform environments, the demand for switchers will continue to grow at a rapid rate. The transition from 1080p to UHD / 4k displays will continue to fuel this market as companies compete for the attention of customers in a visually crowded environment, potentially offering integrators a growth area that offsets the overall economic slowdown in the APAC market.†At the same time however, there are those that predict the demise of the video matrix switch in professional AV installations. It is expected to be replaced in the future by online content distribution over IP networks. Michaels acknowledges: “According to a recent white paper from Insight Media ‘The Death of the Dedicated AV Network’, the value proposition for a traditional dedicated AV switcher has signi? cant competition from its IP competitors. Similar to the dedicated PBX for corporate phone system to handle voice calls was overtaken by Voice over IP (VOIP) phone systems, the ability to quickly and easily distribute audio, video, and control content over an IP infrastructure can be done faster and less expensively, while eliminating the need for traditional services such as custom programming.â€Read the full article at InAVate Active.If you are not already registered then follow the quick sign up for your free subscription and immediate access to this article and the InAVate archive.