In an age where digital realism is in high demand, Lightware’s MX2-48X48-HDMI20-A-R matrix switcher has become a pivotal component in bringing the XROSS Theater to life. This groundbreaking immersive theater, located at TOPPAN Koishikawa – a leading global provider of integrated solutions – in Japan, is designed to transport visitors into hyper-realistic, 360º environments. With its use of XR technology, ultra-high-resolution displays, and next-generation AV integration, the XROSS Theater is a milestone in immersive experience design, made possible through a collaboration between MTC Japan, For-A Co., Ltd., and Lightware
The XROSS Theater started as a dual VR setup featuring 4K displays, but in 2022 it underwent a transformative upgrade to incorporate XR technology. The theater now boasts two 8K Sony Crystal LED screens, along with a Leyard HD ceiling LED screen and a 4K LED floor screen, designed to fully immerse audiences in striking visuals of clarity and scale. However, with such advanced technology came equally complex technical demands. TOPPAN required a system that could support HDMI 2.0 distribution across a 64x64 matrix, providing seamless 4K 60P RGB 4:4:4 video quality. Yet, as project partners quickly discovered, there were no domestic manufacturers that offered an HDMI matrix exceeding 32x32 capacity.
This limitation left MTC Japan, the project’s AV integration partner, facing a significant challenge. According to Junji Matsuoka from MTC Japan: “The lack of a 64x64 HDMI 2.0 matrix in Japan posed a serious constraint. We knew we needed a high-capacity, reliable solution that could handle the 18 Gbps data stream efficiently, and Lightware’s MX2-48X48-HDMI20-A-R was the only matrix switcher capable of meeting these requirements.”
The Lightware MX2-48X48-HDMI20-A-R matrix switcher stood out for its ability to manage an uninterrupted, high-bandwidth signal flow without compromising quality. Lightware’s equipment had been previously used by MTC Japan, and based on this positive experience, MTC was confident that the MX2-48X48-HDMI20-A-R would be the ideal choice to support XROSS Theater’s ambitious specifications.
“The high-level video distribution capability of the MX2 was a game-changer,” Matsuoka shares. “In addition to offering a 64x64 HDMI 2.0 matrix, the MX2’s seamless integration with Crestron’s control systems through Lightware’s LW2 protocol simplified what could have been an intricate setup.”
At the heart of XROSS Theater’s AV system is a PC server developed by TOPPAN that outputs eight HDMI 2.0 signals, all routed through Lightware’s matrix to multiple video wall processors. On the output side, the MX2-48X48-HDMI20-A-R distributes signals to 24 RGBlink X8 processors, which handle the stunning 16K projections on the Crystal LED screens, and to Magewell ProConvert HDMI 4K Plus, which converts HDMI signals into NDI Full Bandwidth for distribution across an NDI network. This configuration allows for easy content delivery through the VizRT TriCaster TC-1 and Killoview Multiview Pro.
The choice to implement an NDI network was strategic, facilitating smooth video routing and simplifying the process of projecting high-quality content to various displays. Matsuoka notes: “The NDI network makes it possible to route MX2 matrix sources efficiently and deliver them through the TriCaster TC-1, creating a streamlined distribution system that is essential for maintaining the theater’s high-resolution, immersive visuals.”
As with any complex installation, the XROSS Theater project presented several integration challenges. Convincing project stakeholders, such as For-A Co., Ltd., of Lightware’s suitability for the job required extensive discussions. Additionally, coordinating the MX2’s connections with RGBlink’s X8 processors, Magewell’s ProConvert devices, and various control systems was no small feat.
“The biggest challenge was coordinating all the moving parts and ensuring seamless integration,” Yu Nakamura from TOPPAN Inc. explained. “Lightware’s MX2, with its non-blocking switching and reliable 18 Gbps performance, played a key role in overcoming these hurdles. It gave us confidence that the video distribution would be flawless, which was crucial for the immersive environment we wanted to create.”
Lightware’s MX2-48X48-HDMI20-A-R matrix switcher has proven instrumental in the creation of XROSS Theater, enabling TOPPAN to achieve an unprecedented level of immersion and quality in video projection. By overcoming bandwidth and resolution constraints and seamlessly integrating into a complex AV network, Lightware has provided a dependable foundation for this state-of-the-art theater.
