Extron's MPX Plus 866: first matrix switcher with DSP

It's rather difficult to say whether or not DSP within a matrix switcher is -- how do you say... necessary? -- but regardless of want versus need, Extron Electronics is providing the ends. The MPX Plus 866 is hailed as a "a revolutionary new multi-format matrix switcher with integrated audio digital signal processing," the industry's first to wed VGA, video and audio signal routing with ProDSP. Said audio processing platform is based on a 32 / 64-bit floating point DSP engine, which offers up "an extensive selection of audio DSP tools designed to facilitate audio system design, configuration, and commissioning." Pricing has yet to be made public, but given how specialized this is, don't count on it being cheap.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 15th 2008 9:43AM]

Its analog only. Thus, you feed it analog, it converts it to digital, matrix-switching conducted, and the digital is converted back to analog. Hmm, are we not in the digital age?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 15th 2008 5:47PM]

This is pretty cool, but I really don't see where the market would be for this thing.

@ EngadgetHD: Thanks for covering more pro audio stuff, keep it up!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 15th 2008 6:07PM]

IMO, one of the main reasons for DSP in this product was for microphone support.

Thus, it's a drop-in for existing matrix installs that (also) require mics. Classrooms, conference rooms, etc.