In Broadcast - July 2017 - 25

25

www.inbroadcast.com | Vol: 7 - Issue 6

InTech

Trends In KVM
Contributing Editor Kevin Hilton examines
the latest advances in Keyboard, Video,
Mouse (KVM) technology being deployed
in broadcast installations...

K

VM - Keyboard, Video, Mouse -
is the most obvious indication
of how much IT technologies and
techniques have made inroads
into broadcast engineering and
operations. It is increasingly a part
of new installations and influencing
how equipment is being used for
broadcasts and programme making.
KVM is also a component of growing
networks, connecting not just studios
and facilities in the same building but
across cities and even countries.
The fundamental concept of a
KVM hardware switch - controlling
multiple computers from one, possibly
more, combinations of a keyboard,
a video monitor and a mouse - has
been adopted and adapted for both
remote operations and direct control
of broadcast and post-production
equipment. This is something of a
turnaround for a sector that always
argued it needed specifically designed,
tactile controls for each creativetechnical activity.
Such needs remain and no one - or
at least very few - is saying the old
style controllers should be thrown out
completely and replaced with KVM.

"As virtualisation grows,
KVM technology must be
able to bridge the gap
between both physical
and virtual servers...
seamlessly"
John Hickey, Black Box

But with the increasing reliance of
broadcast and post facilities on servers
and network connectivity, computer
controllers are the logical way to go,
only with some tweaks to make them
fit their new environment.
Virtualisation
"As virtualisation grows, KVM
technology must be able to bridge the
gap between both physical and virtual
servers - and it needs to be done
seamlessly," comments John Hickey,
Senior Director for KVM and Pro AV at
Black Box.
The manufacturer produces four
systems tailored for broadcast work,
with InvisaPC designed to make for a
"smooth transition to virtual machines
without diminishing performance or
resources". The Boxilla KVM and AV/
IT management package works in
conjunction with InvisaPC to monitor
and control operations along the
production chain. "It offers an instant
snapshot of the KVM picture so you
know which devices are being used,
who's using them and how your system
is performing at any given time,"
Hickey explains.
The DKM matrix switch is aimed
at post-production, allowing editors
and effects artists to swap between
HD video and other devices, with
the ability to extend remote
control. Agility is IP-based and able
to connect to remote computers
using lossless compression, which
is claimed to reduce the amount of
network bandwidth being used while
maintaining quality.

Black Box Boxilla KVM and AV/IT management package

http://www.inbroadcast.com http://ibc17.mapyourshow.com/7_0/exhibitor/exhibitor-details.cfm?ExhID=4883 https://www.blackbox.com/en-pr/store/SearchResults.aspx?term=boxilla http://www.gdsys.de http://www.gdsys.de

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