AVDH1 patch panel - what's the point?

Looking at the documentation here http://www.emtechelectronics.com/medias ... _v1.1d.pdf

AVDH‐1 Camera Patch Panel is to be installed with a BNC‐Male to BNC‐Male Patch Cable between INSTALLED CAMERA and AVDH‐1 CAMERA‐IN on front of panel. If there is no Installed Camera, connect the patch cable between AUX CAMERA and AVDH‐1 CAMERA‐IN

The cable with the video from the camera comes in from behind the equipment rack and is currently plugged directly into the back of the AVDH1 - what would the benefit of adding an extra piece of cable by re-routing this cable to the front of the panel, only to run that extra piece of cable back to the rear of the AVDH1?

aclawson wrote:what would the benefit of adding an extra piece of cable by re-routing this cable to the front of the panel, only to run that extra piece of cable back to the rear of the AVDH1?

You can make changes without having to mess with the cabling behind. Perhaps you might add more cameras and a mixer at a later date. It gives local users flexibility without deviating from the church standard.