In Broadcast - November 2015 - 38


38

www.inbroadcast.com | Vol: 5 - Issue 11 | November 2015

InReply

IHSE - The Rise
Of KVM Technology
Enno Littmann, the Managing Director of IHSE, examines the latest
developments and directions in KVM technology...
InBroadcast: It was clear to this
year's IBC visitors that KVM is
becoming more prominent in the
broadcast industry. Why is this?
Enno Littmann: IHSE, along
with other KVM manufacturers has
experienced rapid growth in this
market sector over the past five
years. We have been active for a
longer period, but it has not been so
apparent. This year, and to a lesser
extent last year, it was noticeable that
broadcasters and system integrators
were approaching us to talk about the
technology, whereas in the past they
would not have been so aware of the
potential.
The reasons are that engineers
in broadcast studios, trucks and
post houses are treating file-based
content and applications in a manner
similar to the way it is in commercial
data processing organisations, and
managing their assets in a secure,
controlled and flexible way. That
means locating all the servers and
computers remotely and giving

Draco tera KVM matix switch

restricted access to
users as they need it,
rather than spreading
it around a facility on
local devices.
InB: KVM usually
refers to extenders,
what is the latest
technology?
EL: Many years ago
KVM simply referred to
the, mainly analogue,
equipment
that
extended the distance
between a computer
console and the user
screen and keyboard/
mouse; allowing them
to operate a remote
computer as though it
was under their desk.
There were, and still
are valid reasons for doing this and
our extender components are still
used in a point-to-point relationship in
many situations in many industries. As
digital KVM devices
were developed new
opportunities were
opened up and KVM
matrix switches came
into being.
The inclusion of a
KVM matrix switch
creates
enormous
possibilities
by
enabling
any
authorised
user
to
access
every
computer connected
to the switch.
Matrices
are
available now in
discrete device and
modular form that
allow any number
of ports from eight
to 576, and each
can be configured
dynamically to suit
the installation as

Game Creek's multi-truck
Sprit and Riverhawk series
of OB vans utilise IHSE
technology

an input or output. Instant, latencyfree and artefact-free video is then
available to all users within a facility
using copper or fibre connection, and
even between distant sites several
kilometres away.
Multiple matrices can be connected
together in a grid which, opens
even more potential. An example
of this in the broadcast world is in
the Game Creek multi-truck Sprit
and Riverhawk series of OB vans.
Operators can sit anywhere and use a
virtual workstation, rather than right
next to the production gear. Matrix
Grid links between separate matrices
on individual A and B units allows
complete flexibility in configuration to
suit an event - whether it is a major
Nascar meeting or the US Open for Fox
Sports.

InB: I understand that the
KVM matrix switch handles
data routing in a similar
manner that the video router
handles video feeds, can the KVM
matrix also route video?
EL: That's an important point. There
are many instances where HD-SDI is
run alongside the control system - in
an editing environment for example,
an editor might switch between FX and
DX, or to a different platform and the
preview feed would need to follow.
This can be achieved simply in the
Draco tera switch with the Universal
I/O module. Basically, a video route
is assigned in parallel with the editing
control path so that the associated
preview screen switches at the same
time. Again, this is achieved with no
switching delay, latency or visual
artefacts and is a common application
in many of our installations around the
world.
http://www.inbroadcast.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoKWoxwygWY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TskN9Ae_A8A&list=PLqCFEi7WEWKHEuqtZq80ip9kRN4Y8gLiD
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of In Broadcast - November 2015
