Abstract: An audio/video/control switching apparatus comprised of a plurality of switching subsystems. Each of the switching subsystems allows an operator to select an input signal from among a first plurality of inputs, to select an output signal from a second plurality of outputs, and to couple the selected input signal to the selected output signal. In the preferred embodiment, each of the switching subsystems handles a different one of a plurality of signal types, such as composite video signals, S-video signals, audio signals, time code signals, and control signals. A control panel is coupled to the switching subsystems, so that the operator can control the selection of the input and output signals. The apparatus also includes a circuit that enables the switching subsystems only when the selected input signal is not coupled to an identical device as the selected output signal.