Picked up a second-hand Gofanco Prophecy (PRO-Matrix44-SC) HDMI matrix (4 in/4 out, with Ethernet). Fired up Burp and figured out how to manage it with curl POST statements.
Syntax amounts to:
curl -d "COMMAND" -s -X POST http:///inform.cgi
Where COMMAND is one of:
- poweron - which turns the matrix on
- poweroff - which turns the matrix off
- outX=Y - which switches output X (1-4) to input Y (1-4)
Apparently, the matrix has a controller which keeps on listening, even when the matrix is disabled. This is a nice to have feature as it allows for the network-based power-on.
For now, the matrix is a bit of overkill, since I typically run just the server and the laptop, but it's nice to swap out what is displaying on which of two display. It does give root to expand.
I also picked up a couple 4-button keyboards from Amazon that I'll mix in, to provide management of each monitor's display via the above curl commands.
The matrix supposedly also has an Alexa interface. That's for later experimentation, I think.