Indiana State University has equipped a new Esports facility with an Extron-based AV distribution and control system designed to support competitive gaming, streaming and recreational use.
The university began developing the facility in 2023 in response to growing student interest in Esports, converting an existing lounge in Jones Hall into a dedicated gaming space. The project involved upgrades to the room’s AV and network infrastructure as well as the installation of a new HVAC system.
The completed lab includes 25 gaming PCs, three consoles and a dedicated production desk for students working on broadcasting and content creation. Wheelchair-accessible gaming desks have also been incorporated, while a card swipe system enables ISU to track use of the facility.
At the centre of the AV system is an Extron DTP CrossPoint 108 4K presentation matrix switcher, providing HDMI switching, scaling, audio DSP and control within a single chassis.
Gameplay sources from the main gaming positions, coaching area and shoutcaster booth can be routed to displays throughout the facility, allowing operators to change what is shown across the room depending on whether the space is being used for training, competition or live event playback.
DTP HDMI 4K 230 transmitters and receivers extend HDMI signals between equipment and displays over distances of up to 70m. The system feeds a mixture of large-format displays and projection, with routing controlled centrally through the matrix.
A TLP Pro 1025T 10-in tabletop touchpanel provides the main user interface, working with the control processor integrated into the DTP CrossPoint system to manage sources, routing configurations and room presets.
Nick Aballi, Distance Learning Technology Specialist at Indiana State University, said: “We wanted something that was easy to use — almost does the work itself. You fire the Extron gear up, it’s already set to a baseline for the room, choose your sources, hit enter, and it does the switching. It keeps everything very simple.”
Audio equipment deployed in the room includes an Extron DMP 64 Plus C digital matrix processor with AEC, an XPA U 1004 four-channel amplifier and FF 220T ceiling tile loudspeakers.
ISU selected the Extron platform partly because the university was already using the manufacturer’s technology in other event spaces. Maintaining a familiar control and distribution environment reduced the amount of new programming and support knowledge required from the university’s AV team.
Scalability was another consideration, with the university wanting an infrastructure capable of adapting as its Esports programme and production requirements develop.
“That’s part of why I love using Extron equipment,” said Aballi. “It makes that part of my job easier and makes the system usable across a lot of different skill levels.”
The facility has been designed to accommodate both competitive esports and more general student use, while its production position gives students access to the broadcasting and streaming workflows increasingly associated with organised Esports.