AV:Extron CrossPoint

CrossPoint is a mostly-retired line of professional analog video switches manufactured by Extron. The switches are favored by retro gamers for their multi-signal capability (composite, component, svideo, RGB) and their density.

Overview

Extron CrossPoints come in a variety of flavors. Most are designed to be rack mounted in a 19" rack, with few exceptions, such as the CrossPoint 300 42 HVA. A warning: before buying, make sure that it has audio connectors included! Some units were designed only to switch video, with audio being switched using a separate Extron unit.

Each input/output has five BNC connectors. The CrossPoint switch is not a transcoder, so the output signal type will match the input signal type. For example, you cannot expect that a composite video signal routed out of the switch to component inputs on a display will function.

The density of the switches ranges from 4x2 (CrossPoint 300 42 HVA) to 64x64 (CrossPoint 450 Plus 6464). One input can be routed to multiple outputs for multiple display set ups or capture devices.

All input/output routing can be performed using buttons on the front panel. Configuring input/ouput mappings requires administrative access to the panel that is restricted by password. Should you purchase a CrossPoint that is password-locked, the password reset procedure can be easily performed by resetting to factory defaults, usually by pressing and holding the ESC button before and while applying power.

The CrossPoint line uses a proprietary operating system and development environment. The official development software must be purchased from an Extron partner. The CrossPoint series includes an Ethernet port although you will need an external device to communicate with the switch. Several unofficial options for external control exist. Additionally, the default IP address for most CrossPoints requires a computer to be able to set its own IP address.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_5YbaOE-Sw

https://github.com/munderwoods/crosspoint-pi

https://github.com/joeybaumgartner/homebridge-extron-matrix-switch

https://github.com/q-sys-community/q-sys-plugin-extron-switcher

At the time of writing, CrossPoint switches are fairly inexpensive and plentiful on the second-hand market. The CrossPoint line has developed a following in recent years that may drive up price and decrease availability. Alternatives to Extron such as Crestron that have identical functionality may be less expensive.

The manual for Extron CrossPoint switches can be found here.

Connectors

Unfortunately, most Extron CrossPoint switches come without standard audio connectors. Audio connector options include:

• Using "captive screw to phoenix connectors", which Extron sells on their website.
• RCA Phoenix connectors, from RCA Extron or a third party. Often times the third party ones will cover the vertical sync port of each input, which may or may not be an issue for your setup.
• Third party "3.5mm phono AUX to Phoenix" adapters.
• For some CrossPoint models you can also use rattboi's SCART adapters.

Before connecting your consoles, you'll need to determine a few things:

1. Does the switch require CSYNC or can it accept composite video and luma as sync? All CrossPoints require CSYNC unless sync is split out to a discreet connector!
2. Will your switch output 75 Ohm CSYNC, TTL sync, or does it have a switch for both? Check your manual to find out!
3. What size BNC switch are you using? Larger switches require cables that have longer BNC ends, in order to fit all the way across all the ports.

The best solution for CrossPoints is getting cables that connect directly from the console to the switch. Retro Console Accessories is now offering direct console-to-BNC cables and if you need a longer BNC end, just let them know when purchasing. Another (possibly more expensive) alternative would be using your existing RGB SCART cables with adapter cables for each console. You can even get a version with a built-in sync stripper, which might be the best solution for PS1, PS2 and possibly even N64 (depending on the mod).

For VGA cables with longer ends, try searching for "Extron SYM BNCM" cables. They come in sizes ranging from 6 inches all the way to 75 feet! Below is an example of VGA to BNC cables who's ends are too short for the larger Extron switches (left picture), as well as the SYM BNCM with the longer connectors on the right:

Provided you have the modding skills, another alternative would be to add a custom RGB output to your systems and use a VGA to BNC cable, such as the "BNCM" cable pictured above. An Xbox 360 component cable is a good candidate for this as there is enough signal lines to support RGBS and audio left/right.

Creating Labels

1. Download the Extron CrossPoint labels pack by cosmickatamari and extract the contents.
2. Open the extronlabels.xcf (GIMP) or extronlabels.psd (Photoshop) file.
3. Move/add/remove the console labels around as needed.
   • If you want to add an image, the max pixel size is 59 width and 43 height. For most of the logos, resizing won’t be a problem but the longer logos (ie. PS2 and PSP) they will be significantly wider and not as tall. You will want to find transparent files, which generally are available as PNG.
4. Print the label strip. For best results, print on cardstock or matte paper as plain paper is too thin.
5. Use a push pin to remove the clear cover on the CrossPoint, insert the paper slip, and put the cover back on.

Additionally, Extron has a software for creating said labels in a printable format, called the "Extron Button Label Generator."