The Gefen GEF-DVI-16416-PB is a high-performance 16-input by 16-output DVI matrix switcher designed to manage complex signal distribution in professional broadcast, control room, and digital signage environments. Its core function is to allow any of its 16 incoming DVI video sources—such as computers, media players, or cameras—to be routed to any combination of its 16 outgoing display destinations, such as video walls, monitors, or projectors, with complete independence and flexibility. This non-blocking matrix architecture enables simultaneous, high-bandwidth connections, supporting resolutions up to 1920x1200 (WUXGA) and ensuring that all source-to-destination paths are available without contention. The unit handles DVI-D signals, including HDCP content, making it suitable for both computer data and protected digital video.

Control and management are facilitated through multiple methods, including front-panel pushbuttons, RS-232 serial commands, infrared remote, and Ethernet for integration into IP-based control systems. This allows for easy integration into automated environments where presets can be recalled to reconfigure the entire display layout instantly. The switcher is built into a robust rack-mountable chassis, typically 4U in height, with redundant, hot-swappable power supplies to ensure maximum uptime for mission-critical installations. Advanced features like EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) management ensure reliable handshaking between sources and displays by emulating optimal EDID profiles, preventing compatibility issues and blank screens.

The Gefen matrix exemplifies a solution for scalable, centralized video distribution. It simplifies cabling by reducing the need for point-to-point connections between every source and display, creating a cleaner, more manageable infrastructure. By providing a reliable, high-capacity switching core, it becomes the central hub for visual information management in trading floors, security operation centers, corporate lobbies, and entertainment venues, where the dynamic and flexible arrangement of visual content is essential for operations and presentation.