Pelco Matrix End Of Life - End Of An Era

By: Brian Karas, Published on Oct 20, 2016

Pelco Matrix switchers, once the pinnacle of large SD analog installations, are now literally impossible to build.

The Matrix products were not cancelled due to simple lack of demand, customers were buying them up until the very end, the reason for their end of life is more complex.

In discussions with Pelco, we learned why these products were discontinued, and why replacements will not be offered, even though there is customer demand.

***** ****** *********, **** the ******** ** ***** SD ****** *************, *** now ********* ********** ** build.

*** ****** ******** **** not ********* *** ** simple **** ** ******, customers **** ****** **** up ***** *** **** end, *** ****** *** their *** ** **** is **** *******.

** *********** **** *****, we ******* *** ***** products **** ************, *** why ************ **** *** be *******, **** ****** there ** ******** ******.

[***************]

Key ********** ** ****** *********

***** *** *** **** to *********** *** ****** switches, *** *** ********** for ******** ** ****** signals **** ** ****** available **** *********. **** of ***** ********** **** been *********** *** ******* years, ***** ******* ** their ********* **** *** chips **** ************, *** they **** ******* *** out.

Redesign *** *********

** ******* ******* ** the ****** ****** ***** have **** ***** **** new **********, *** ***** said **** *** ****** too ****** ******** ** the ******. ********* ** effort ********, ** ***** cost ***** ******** ** thousands ** ******* ** design * *********** **** and *** ** ********* (FCC, **, ***.), * large ********** ** ***** a *** ******* *** a ****** **** **** smaller ***** ***.

Limited ************

***** **** *** **** a ****-** *********** ******* or ******** ************** *** Matrix ********* ******* ** replace ****** *********. *** most ****** ******** ** that ********* *** ***** analog ******* **** ********, and **** *** * VMS ** *** "********".

**** ** ********* ****** to **** **** ***** equipment, * ********** **** from ****** ** ****** switchers **** ******* *********** investment ** *** ********* and ******** ********.

********* ***** ********* *** available ** *** */* markets, ******* ***** ******** would ********* *** ** drop-in ************ ** ******* the **** ******** ******** that ********* *** **** to.

Why ********* *** ***** ****** ** ****** ********

********* **** ***** ************* of ****** ********* *** face **** ********** ****** in ********* ** *** products, ********* ** *****. Much ** **** ********* is ********* ** ********** buildings, *********, *** ************ facilities. ***** ******** *** have ************ ** ***** network ******* (************ **** security ********** *********, ********* *** ********** ********* have **** *******), ******* ******** ********** installed ********* (*********), ** difficulty ******* *********** ****** to ******* ******* *** infrastructure (***********).

SD ****** ***** ****** ** ******* *** * **** ****

**** ****** *** ******** like *****'* ****** ****** are ** ****** ********* new, **** *** ** found ** ******-**** *******. There ********** ** **** ************ in **** *** ****** Matrix *********, ******* **** *** be ** ********** ****** and *** ****** *** preferred ******** *** ************* that *** ********* ** these ********. *********** *********** repair ******* *** ** able ** ****** ******** related ** ******* ********** like ***** ********, *** they *** ******** ** be **** ** ****** repairs **** ******* *** discontinued *****.

***** **** ****** **** are ***** ************* ** analog ******* (***** ********** are ***** ******* **** enough ****** ** *******), and **** ******** ** do ** *** *** foreseeable ******. ******* ** this ********* *** ****** to **** **** ***** SD ****** ******* *** several **** *****.

Pelco ** ** ******

***** *** *** ******** any ** ****** ********. HD ****** *** ********* been ******* ** ***-****** mainstream *******, ***** *** not *** ******* ***** Pelco ** ******** ***** (i.e., ****** *** *********). Also, ******** ** ****** formats ** ******* ****** for *******.

Opportunity *** ***/***/*** *********

********* **** *** ******* SD ****** *********** ***** **** ****** ******* *****, but ** *** *** aware ** *** ********** SD / ** ****** switchers. ** ******** ************ that ******* * ***** compatible ***** ******** ***** be **** ** **** significant ******** *** ****-** a ******** *** ********* to ***** ** ****** offerings *** ****** ********. However **** ** ******** to ******, ***** ** and ******* **** ******* are ***** ******** *** the ******-**-******** **********, *** viewing ****** ** ****** solidified ** ** **/******** solution, *********** ******* ******* of ***** ** *** process.

Comments (17)

Eddie Perry

10/20/16 02:46pm

if Pelco Had any leadership worth anything they would have invested in HD analog for cheap and easy swap outs with all of their legacy equipment. they would have made a fortune.

but guess its about time to put the final nail in the that coffin

Undisclosed #1

10/20/16 03:09pm

Dahua looks like they have a SD/HD Matrix.

Undisclosed Manufacturer #2

10/20/16 04:32pm

One possibility for customers with large existing analog infrastructure is the Bosch Allegiant matrix system. Although I have not used it recently, and it should be verified that Bosch still supports Allegiant, they are several factors that make it a possible solution for those who wish to maintain their large analog systems.

  • They support the Pelco "P" and "D" PTZ protocols.
  • It has been a very stable product, traditionally.
  • They have a unified design such that even very old Bosch matrix systems can be upgraded with just a CPU card upgrade, ensuring future upgrades (as I said, verify with Bosch that they will still support Allegiant)
  • They have an app that allows for a VMS to access the matrix switch and add encoders to some of the monitor outputs, allowing unified access to the existing analog and any new IP cameras.
Avatar

Christopher Freeman

In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #2 | 12/01/16 04:22pm

Bosch keep s a tight reign on their support, products, and proprietary lines so as not to allow this to happen.

although i recently installed some of their burg products and noticed the change to cheaper screws and hardware, plastics. this will eventually cost them .

CCTV has always kept good product lines and QA in place.

The allegiant line goes back 30 years or so and originates from the RCA Burle line

Keeping integration at a manageable level.

I have herd of no problems with them.

Brian Tally

10/20/16 08:07pm

Pelco's 9780 matrix is the first product I learned when entering the business.
RIP

Undisclosed #5

In reply to Brian Tally | 10/21/16 10:17pm

The RGB Spectrum Omniwall 16/32 is the VGA/DVI version of the 9780, it is a video wall and not a analog camera switcher. However there are a lot of similarities.

Jordi Ibero

10/20/16 11:45pm

Simple, use encoders and a decent VMS. It's cheap, and you'll get advanced and improved functionalities.

Undisclosed Manufacturer #3

10/21/16 12:41am

Does this mean that we no longer need to carry 3.5" floppy disks anymore?

Jeffrey Hinckley

Norris, Inc., S. Portland, ME | 10/21/16 01:37am

Jordi,

I am not so sure about cheap. What is your solution for, say, a jail that has 50 plus cameras integrated with a system, such as MTI. Many of the cameras coaxitron control PTZ. I assume the 9760 translator may go bye bye. Monitors need to be replaced. Integration with spot monitors on door control screen. In some cases, the MTI system may contain its own matrix, and encoders do not have loop outputs. New multi-monitor pc based control system. Joysticks. Nothing is cheap about moving from an analog matrix system to ip for large camera count systems, especially with ptz and coaxitron.

Marty Calhoun

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Jeffrey Hinckley | 10/21/16 08:38am

Same problem if one decided to 'update' the system with TVI or CDI solution, how we gonna switch things from HMI control desk? I have the same fears with Coaxitron as there are certainly tons of that out there with no other 'reasonable' solution.

Avatar

Attila Szucs

In reply to Marty Calhoun | 10/21/16 11:52am

There is definitely a solution, as Pelco developers thought about it:

NET55XX encoders

As they supports Pelco C, you only need to buy these and you can use your tons of Pelco C cameras with any VMS or with a Pelco VMS.

Jordi Ibero

In reply to Marty Calhoun | 10/21/16 09:06pm

Update the systems with TVI... WTF!! :)

Avatar

Attila Szucs

10/21/16 06:04am

My heart is breaking...

Undisclosed Integrator #4

10/21/16 08:54pm

I get that this leaves people in somewhat of a predicament. The last time I sold a matrix switcher was 2005. If the cameras and infrastructure dates back to 2005 it's about due for an upgrade, no? Pelco, Bosch, and Panasonic have had this ongoing challenge where they continue to support legacy products under their newer flagship products. I understand it's so that they can continue to leverage their existing customer base and effectively eliminate competition who would advocate wholesale replacement. This also has several negative effects:

  • As their legacy products remain in the field so long they look like a company always behind the times.
  • Support for legacy products takes up R&D, manufacturing, and software development costs maintaining an increasingly small count of devices.
  • The legacy products being so long in the tooth results in a fairly unstable system as those devices die or the legacy infrastructure crumbles.

I'm glad to see this. Time to stop repainting that crumbling fence and build a new one.

Undisclosed Manufacturer #6

10/24/16 05:50pm

Panasonic also recently eol'd their matrix. American Dynamics continues to manufacture the MP3200 series matrix on an as needed basis.

Undisclosed Integrator #7

10/25/16 09:24pm

TVI or its equivalent is the solution ( I mention TVI as Dahua the flag-carrier for HDCI is making TVI things) . If there is a serious need the void will be filled for the Pelco protocols. I don't see this as a serious problem. It could well be less costly than pulling Cat5. Less costly better picture and by far.

I also second that Pelco was shortsighted. They should have seen the writing on the walls...

Well... another one bites the dust

Avatar

Christopher Freeman

12/01/16 04:13pm

Its all about conversion cost.

When I have Pelco installed systems and I can convert to Hd for Around 5 k per camera and 5 k for Vms upgrades , Well this gives the end user options to go elsewhere and change to Mpxl Technologies

If ? there were easy insert-able change out cameras which were designed, engineered to replace , upgrade fairly simple, w/o changing up infrastructure ,using existing housings and cost competitive , then this would justify keeping them in place.

Well ! Guess What , they took the highway, not the user friendly way.

This is what cost them thier position in the global market.

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