Method and apparatus for unified switching of digital or analog video and audio using an analog video switching device

A device used to facilitate switching of video signals, comprising:

• at least one first signal generator for generating a plurality of first distinguishable video probe signals that do not represent video program content;
• a plurality of first connectors for transmitting said plurality of first distinguishable video probe signals to a first video switching device;
• at least one second connector for receiving a signal from said first video switching device;
• a processor for detecting which one of said first distinguishable video probe signals was passed by said first video switching device;
• and
• a signal generator for generating a control signal for a second video switching device responsive to receiving said passed distinguishable video probe signal.

A system for coordinated switching of audio and video signals, comprising:

• a first video switching device capable of switching video and audio signals;
• a second video switching device comprising a plurality of digital video inputs;
• and
• a device comprising:
• at least one first signal generator for generating a plurality of first distinguishable video probe signals that do not represent video program content;
• a plurality of first connectors for transmitting said plurality of first distinguishable video probe signals to a first video switching device;
• at least one second connector for receiving a signal from said first video switching device;
• a processor for detecting which one of said first distinguishable video probe signals was passed by said first video switching device;
• and
• a signal generator for generating a control signal for a second video switching device responsive to receiving said passed distinguishable video probe signal;
• wherein said first video switching device is capable of switching a first set of types of video signals and said second video switching device is capable of switching a second set of types of video signals, wherein said second set of types of video signals contains at least one type of video signal not included in said first set of types of video signals.