InBroadcast - InShow Guide 2017 - 36

36

www.inbroadcast.com | IBC2017 InShow Guide | 15-19 September

Adder's IP-based
KVM Solutions in
Action at IBC2017
John Halksworth, Senior Product Manager,
Adder Technology, details the benefits of IP-based technology,
and cites some of the installations in use at the show...

I

t is impossible not to observe the
continued adoption of Internet
Protocol (IP) technology throughout
the broadcast industry. Slowly
yet surely, more broadcasters are
realising the benefits it can deliver,
and are making conscious efforts to
implement IP-based technology across
their workflows and facilities.
More specifically, IP technology can
offer several benefits to broadcasters.
It is cheaper to run and maintain than
traditional baseband equipment, it
is far more flexible than rigid legacy
infrastructures would allow, and it
is far more operationally reliable
- a deal-breaker for any large
organisation. Of course, IP technology
has already been widely adopted
across the contribution side of
broadcast, but we have now reached
a point where it is being implemented
into production and distribution
workflows. In part, this is being driven
by the consumer's expectation to
receive and enjoy content anywhere,
on any device, and at any time.
There are many use cases within
broadcast where IP can prove its
worth, but one of the most valuable
is in what's known as IP-based,
high-performance keyboard, video
and mouse (KVM) technology. This
essentially enables switching and
extension capabilities for users
to seamlessly control numerous
systems and applications at a single
workstation. As a consequence,
broadcasters can enjoy increased
efficiencies as well as further
efficiencies and operational flexibility.

AdderLink Infinity

Broadcast Support
Adder Technology is an industry
leader in IP-based, high-performance
KVM switching and extension
solutions. It has worked with countless
broadcast customers to implement
KVM technology across all areas of
the workflow -from outside broadcast
trucks and studio control to postproduction suites and beyond - and
this year it has once again partnered
with IBC to support the event.
Building upon the previous success
of preceding years, IBC has chosen
a range of Adder's KVM products to
support all of the conference facilities
at the 2017 event. The solution being
used includes nine AdderLink Infinity
(ALIF) 1000 units, which are used as
point-to-point extenders, as well as six
AdderLink XDVI Pros which are used
for the extension of the presentation
computing systems.
Info Channel
Adder products are also helping
to support IBC's Info Channel, which
is broadcast throughout each of the
RAI's 14 halls on large, screen-based
digital signage systems. Distributed
over fibre, the Info Channel keeps the
thousands of visitors at IBC each day
updated on the latest goings-on, with
regular informative broadcasts, and is
driven by IP-based, high-performance
KVM technology that works in tandem
with the fibre network connecting
each screen.
For the Info Channel, Adder has
provided 22 AdderLink Infinity (ALIF)
2000R-EU units (one for each screen),

AdderLink
XDVI-PRO DL

two
AdderLink
Infinity
ALIF200T-EU units (one for each
computer controlling the broadcasts)
and one AdderLink Infinity Manager
(A.I.M.) (for switching and channel
set-up). This delivers visually lossless
video and audio, as well as full USB
extension over standard network
infrastructure.
But of course, high-performance,
IP-based KVM can deliver all these
benefits and more to environments
of all kinds. As well as the
aforementioned lossless video and
USB extension, it allows for increased
efficiency, reliability and user comfort,
with any physical machines able
to be removed from the operating
environment and located securely in
a server room - this could be a few
doors away or in an entirely different
building.
Enabling Technology
For a practical example, let's
take an environment such as the
gallery control room. The extension
capabilities of IP-based, highperformance KVM means that the
machines can be located outside of
the room itself.
More
often
than
not,
broadcasters choose to rackmount them in a centralised
location, such as a server
room. Not only
does this free
up
space
and

eliminate excess heat and noise
from the control space; it also extends
the life and performance of the
machines themselves, as server rooms
are climate controlled. Operators can
then use their single workstation to
access numerous machines but still
with an at the computer experience.
Multiple Streams
Meanwhile, in an outside broadcast
application, switching technology
can be used to enable staff to easily
switch between and manage multiple
streams. In environments such as
these, operators are responsible for
multiple things: monitoring video
feeds, previewing and ensuring the
quality of shots, guaranteeing the
playback capabilities and to then
transmit the feed back to the main
broadcasting studio, to name but a
few.
KVM technology gives operators the
ability to control the equipment that
performs these tasks by extending
and switching video signals at
optimum quality within what is often a
very confined space.
To learn even more about IP-based,
high-performance KVM, or to discuss
how Adder's products can help your
business workflow and ergonomics,
visit the stand at IBC - 7.C30. The
team will be there across the weekend
to showcase just how powerful the
technology can be.
www.adder.com
http://www.inbroadcast.com http://www.adder.com http://www.adder.com
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