Matrox’s ConvertIP has played a central role at the Trøndelag Teater, Norway’s first IPMX-based theatre upgrade with Matrox ConvertIP.
The Trøndelag Teater, founded in 1816, is the oldest theatre in the Nordic region, located in Trondheim. The theatre is home to five stages, hosting a range of productions from large musicals and contemporary plays to intimate performances.
The theatre has continuously sought new ways to enhance its production quality and backstage operations.
The theatre undertook a major AV modernisation project, becoming the first venue in Norway to implement an IPMX-based infrastructure, with the aim of replacing its aging analogue video system and avoiding the higher bandwidth and cost requirements of systems like SDVoE.
To achieve this, the theatre turned to local integration partner Holi, specifying the Matrox ConvertIP system to drive the theatre’s transformation.
The theatre required a futureproofed AVoIP workflow that could support multiple stages, with the aim of reducing operational complexity, and running on existing 1 GbE infrastructure. The new system also had to integrate with Industrial Arts’ IP-based stage management platform to centralise control for lighting, video, and audio workflows.
Holi deployed a system that is comprised of multiple ConvertIPs, installing 42 ConvertIP DRH receivers and one ConvertIP DRS unit for SDI integration.
The system transports video from 10 HDMI-based stage cameras and one older SDMI camera, along with several monitoring displays located throughout the venue. The entire setup is managed using an IP based stage management platform.
This setup is managed using an IP-based stage management platform, coordinating AV routing across the theatre using a combination of Matrox REST APIs, NMOS, and AES67 audio for interoperable IP-based control and monitoring.
ConvertIP includes IPMX and NOS support, proving a key advantage for both Holi and the end user.
An AV codec was selected for broadcast quality visuals and low latency, meeting the theatre’s requirements for both live preview and production monitoring. The team is also considering a future switch to JPEG-XS to improve switching speed and performance, obtaining interoperability.
The ConvertIP deployment gives the theatre centralised video management across all five stages, enabling stage crews to route live camera feeds, preview content, and configure salvos for specific productions.
Holi also custom built several mounting systems for the hardware, noting a preference for vertical rackmount options in future installations.
The Trøndelag Teater now plans to expand its system functionality, with redundancy planning underway for potential future projects to include Matrox Avio 2 IP KVM extenders.
Svenna Mohaugen, project manager, Holi, commented: “Trøndelag Teater needed a solution that could deliver high-quality video over a 1 GbE network, integrate easily with open control systems, and scale for future needs. Matrox ConvertIP checked all those boxes. Matrox Video Tech Support was also instrumental in getting us up and running with IPMX - quick responses, access to beta releases, and a genuine openness to our feedback made it easy to move forward seamlessly with the project”.