Application Notes: Sports Bar & Large Venue Deployment

Overview

The KanexPro FLEX Matrix is purpose-built for high-density display environments — sports bars, hospitality venues, command centers, and large corporate or educational campuses requiring dozens of simultaneous 4K60 feeds across many screens.

Sports Bar Deployment — FLEX-MF16X20

The FLEX-MF16X20 is KanexPro’s flagship sports bar solution: 16 sources (cable boxes, satellite feeds, streaming players, game consoles) routed to 20 displays with built-in video wall and quad view.

Typical Architecture

• Sources (16): Mix of cable/satellite set-top boxes, streaming devices, and a house PC for menus/specials
• Outputs (20): Mix of HDMI direct displays (bar-top, entry) and CATx-extended displays (throughout venue, back bar, private dining)
• Cards: 2× FLEX-HDMI8IN (16 inputs), 1× FLEX-HDMI12OUT + 1× FLEX-CAT12OUT (8 HDMI + 12 CATx = 20 outputs), FLEX-CATRX receivers at remote displays
• Video wall: Configure a 2×2 or 4×1 wall on the main feature display bank using the built-in video wall processor
• Control: Staff-facing RS-232 or IP keypad to switch game feeds zone by zone

Zone Management

Use the FLEX web GUI to pre-define routing presets for common scenarios (e.g., “Game Night” routes all sports feeds; “Happy Hour” routes music video to all screens). Recall presets via RS-232, IP command, or control system.

Large Venue — FLEX-MF24X36 / FLEX-MF24X60

For stadiums, convention centers, houses of worship, universities, and corporate campuses where a single matrix must serve an entire building.

FLEX-MF24X36 — 24 Sources, 36 Displays

• 3× FLEX-HDMI8IN input cards (24 inputs)
• 3× FLEX-CAT12OUT output cards (36 CATx outputs)
• FLEX-CATRX receivers at each display location — single CAT6a run per display, up to 100m
• Ideal for campus buildings where displays are distributed across floors or wings

FLEX-MF24X60 — 24 Sources, 60 Displays

• Maximum output density: 24 inputs to 60 displays in a single 4U chassis
• 5× FLEX-CAT12OUT output cards for full 60-output CATx deployment
• PoC (Power over CATx) on all FLEX-CAT12OUT ports eliminates local power supplies at each display location
• Built-in video wall supports multiple simultaneous walls across display zones

Cabling Strategy for Large Venues

• Centralize the FLEX chassis in the main AV rack room or IDF closest to the source equipment
• Home-run CAT6a from the chassis to each display location — label each run with the output card slot and port number
• PoC on FLEX-CAT12OUT eliminates the need for local power at each FLEX-CATRX receiver
• For runs exceeding 100m, use a fiber extender between the FLEX chassis room and a secondary IDF, then CAT6a from there to displays

Routing Presets & Automation

Define named presets in the FLEX web GUI for each operating mode (all-hands meeting, sporting event, digital signage, emergency broadcast). Recall instantly via:

• Web GUI one-click preset buttons
• RS-232 command from control system (Crestron, AMX, Savant)
• TCP/IP API command from scheduling software or room automation system
• UDP broadcast command for multi-chassis simultaneous switching

Related Articles

• Product Guide: Flex Chassis
• System Design Guide: Sizing Your Flex Matrix
• Features & Configuration: HDBaseT & CATx Extension
• Features & Configuration: Built-In Video Wall