ISE 2018: G&D Plans to Present KVM Gear for Control Room Applications

Guntermann & Drunck (G&D) will be presenting cutting-edge KVM equipment for control room applications at ISE 2018, February 6-9, 2018, the largest event for AV & system integration. At the G&D booth, everything will revolve around optimum integration of KVM technology in control rooms, pixel-perfect video quality and the extension and switching of 4K resolutions using matrix systems. Here, the German manufacturers will exhibit first-class compressing and uncompressed extender systems such as DP1.2-Vision and DP1.2-VisionXG, which can extend even 4K and 8K video resolutions at 60Hz over long distances without loss or latency.

Complex Matrix Installations Made Easy
With KVM it gets really interesting when you do not just remove computers from workstation and extend their signals to the control room, but whenever complex matrix installations need to be interconnected. Thus, several computers can be operated remotely via different, simultaneous workstations. Even high-resolution 4K video signals can be easily extended, switched and distributed through the matrix. This is where the DP1.2-Vision KVM extender shows its real value, because it is fully compatible to and can be combined with the digital matrix switches ControlCenter-Digital and ControlCenter-Compact. Therefore it can be easily integrated into complex IT installations.

Interoperability and Compatibility – Highlights for Control Rooms
KVM systems from G&D do not only offer users homogeneous access and uniform operation of different systems. KVM equipment from G&D offers so much more. For example, a KVM matrix can be quickly and easily combined with typical control room equipment like video wall controllers, multi-viewers or media controls such as AMX, Crestron, and thus control large screen walls or projection areas. This way, staff in control rooms are always able to focus on the right system, which ensures the uniform operation of multiple systems. Multi-level processes and complex procedures can be linked in a single user interface. The KVM system provides the required sources and enables their operation. In combination with the further media equipment, individual video sources can be enlarged quickly and easily over several screens, or only special image sections can be displayed if required. Various presets can be pre-configured and called up at the push of a button.

In order to further perfect the fusion of KVM and AV technology, G&D attach great importance to the simple, fast and intuitive operation of their systems and develop features that make using the devices in control room as intuitive and self-explanatory as possible.

The range of user-friendly functionalities such as CrossDisplay-Switching, the push get-function, the broadcast feature for tally lights and scenario switching make G&D systems intuitive, convenient and efficient to use. With their KVM devices, G&D are thus creating a perfect basis for the integration and interoperability with existing AV technology.

Especially when working with many different displays or operating large screen walls from different sources CrossDisplay-Switching is a perfect fit. The function allows users to switch between channels simply by moving the mouse. The mouse acts as if on a “virtual desktop” and can be moved seamlessly across the connected displays, automatically switching to the corresponding computer. The push-get function simplifies the control of video walls and improves teamwork in control rooms. With this function, users can move the screen contents of a target to (push) or get it from the display of another console. This display can be a large screen projection, for example. Now operators can work together on solving issues.

Scenario switching is particularly suitable for monitoring different computer constellations, as is often the case with day and night shifts. Scenario switching makes it possible to store predefined setups of switching conditions (e.g. day/night scenario). The selected switching status are saved in a script in the matrix system and can be called up and executed by means of a single command for the corresponding workstation or for the entire system. In order to round off this package of useful functions, the high reliability of the systems is guaranteed by integrated SNMP and the monitoring function.

In addition to all user-friendly functionalities, G&D also offer the broadest KVM portfolio available on the market, which is compatible and combinable with each other. Thus, complex requirements can be solved, especially in heterogeneous system landscapes.

A very important aspect is the expandability of the systems used. IT installations can also be retrofitted and expanded to meet future requirements, providing customers with additional investment security.