Customer Stories
Bell Media Goes Back On-Air 72 Hours After Flood with Matrox Extio 3
Rapid Shift to Virtual Production Demonstrates Resilience, Agility, and Innovation
A flash flood in downtown Montreal severely damaged Bell Media’s (Bell) primary broadcast infrastructure, bringing production operations to a halt. Within just 72 hours, Bell restored its broadcast capabilities by deploying a fully virtualized production environment. This rapid recovery was made possible by a prepared team and the strategic use of Matrox Extio 3 IP KVM extenders.
Accelerating Virtual Production
Fortunately, Bell had already invested in a VR/AR production department, giving them the tools and know-how to pivot quickly. In the immediate aftermath of the flood:
- All Montreal-based production moved to virtual sets rendered using advanced real-time graphics engines.
- Operators controlled production entirely from within the studio using repurposed spaces such as cafeterias.
The Role of Matrox Extio 3
Matrox Extio 3 IP KVM extenders were central to this transformation. The system enabled remote operation of 17 computers across four control rooms. With multiview 4K setups, operators could manage multiple servers at once, streamlining the workflow and maximizing efficiency.
The Extio 3 devices connected directly over Bell’s existing secure IP network. No additional switching infrastructure or IT security audits were required, which significantly reduced deployment time.
Key Capabilities:
- Real-time video and peripheral control via standardized multicast
- Plug-and-play configuration across existing infrastructure
- Reliable multiview support for simultaneous server operation
Deployment Overview
| Component | Description |
| Unreal Engine Servers | 16+ systems rendering virtual sets |
| Matrox Extio 3 Units | 17 units mapped across 4 control rooms |
| Operator Stations | Located in repurposed areas (e.g., cafeterias) |
| Matrox I/O Cards | Used in 6 out of 10 media servers with native Unreal Engine plug-in support |
“Once our operators started using Matrox Extio 3, there was no going back. They’ve experienced the responsiveness, reliability, and multiview flexibility it offers—and now they won’t use anything else.”
-Jonathan Fortin, CTO, Rec4Box
Benefits of Matrox Video’s Solution
IT Simplicity
Extio 3 worked with Bell’s existing secure infrastructure. There was no need to deploy additional VLANs or switch gear, reducing the complexity of the emergency deployment.
Speed and Flexibility
The system was deployed rapidly. Matrox Video’s Canadian distributor delivered the required hardware in time for Bell to restore on-air services in under three days.
Innovation at Scale
Bell is now the first broadcaster in Canada to operate a fully virtualized production workflow at this scale. This deployment sets a new benchmark for disaster recovery and virtual production in the industry.
Looking Ahead
Bell is now exploring the same technical architecture for studios in Toronto and Vancouver. While each location will undergo its own evaluation process, the success in Montreal sets a powerful precedent.
Learn more about Matrox Extio 3 and how it can transform your broadcast workflow.
