HOUSTON—G&D, a global provider of KVM solutions, will showcase its latest innovations at the 2025 NAB Show in Las Vegas, April 6-9. Partnering with VuWall, technology leader in video wall and AV management, the companies will present integrated solutions designed to enhance broadcast workflows and productivity.

G&D’s latency-free KVM solutions provide remote access, virtual source integration, and flexible remote control, trusted by broadcasters worldwide. Combined with VuWall’s intuitive video wall technology, these solutions deliver enable operators to visualize and control any source across workstations and video walls effortlessly.

“The G&D and VuWall partnership offers broadcast professionals a seamless, efficient and future-proof workflow experience to meet the wide range of needs of today’s broadcast environments thanks to the combination of G&D’s reliable, high-performance KVM solutions and VuWall’s intuitive and flexible video wall control platform,” said Andreas Gerlach, EVP Innovation at VuWall and G&D.

Designed for broadcast studios, post-production, remote production, and OB vans, these solutions enhance efficiency, real-time visualization, and collaboration.

Technology highlights include:

• PersonalWorkplace-Controller – Enhancements to the powerful product series, a flexible workspace solution supporting 5K60 resolution, consolidating multiple video signals onto a single or multi-display setup, now with fiber optic extension of source inputs including SDI, DisplayPort, and HDMI inputs with USB interactivity.
• DynamicWorkplace-Controller – Launching at NAB, a seamless multiviewer controller with zero-latency interaction on up to four 4K monitors, delivering the most dynamic, high-performance operator interactivity yet. 

• SecureCert – The industry’s most secure high-performance KVM-over-IPTM solution brings major security enhancements, providing new certifications including DODIN APL, JITC, Common Criteria EAL2+, and FIPS 140.3, delivering the highest security standards. Speak to a G&D Application Specialist to learn more about SecureCert solutions.

• RemoteAccess Product Series – Showcasing at NAB is the very popular solution for remote workflows, delivering powerful IP access to computers or servers and featuring multiviewer functionalities.

• VuWall TRx & PAK Video Wall Solutions – A user-friendly AV-over-IP platform that combines AV distribution, advanced multi-video wall management, and IP KVM control, designed for secure, scalable, and flexible workflows in control room environments. 


G&D will be in booth SL7611 in the South Hall of the LVCC.

HOUSTON—G&D North America Sept. 20 opened a new North American headquarters and state-of-the-art experience center here. 

The company, based in Siegen, Germany, specializes in KVM (keyboard, video and mouse) technology. Managing director Jon Litt, as well as colleagues, partners and visitors, attended the office’s grand opening, the company said.

The headquarters is located near Bush International Airport. It features a showroom where demonstrations spotlight the interaction of intelligent KVM systems across various applications in control room environments. The facility gives consultants, engineers, integrators and end users an immersive experience with G&D technology in a real-world setting, it said.

The new center also offers modern training rooms dedicated to product and application education. The facility has an integrated environment for sales, engineering and support as well as management of operations across North America, it said.

 More information is available on the company’s website. 

TV TECH: What do you anticipate will be the most significant technology trends at the 2024 NAB Show New York?

MATT KESKE: NAB Show New York 2024 is expected to showcase several key technology trends, with AI, hybrid work models and cloud-based production taking center stage. These trends are particularly exciting in the context of KVM technology. As the industry increasingly adopts hybrid work models, there is a growing need for secure and efficient remote access solutions, with KVM systems playing a central role in this transition. They allow broadcasters to manage multiple systems seamlessly and access powerful computer resources through a single, secure interface, regardless of their location.

The integration of artificial intelligence can enable smarter resource management with KVM solutions, optimizing workflows and improving decision-making processes, thereby making production processes more efficient and less error-prone. As production workflows continue to shift to the cloud, KVM technology will become essential for managing remote servers and workplaces. This enables broadcast studios to edit, broadcast and manage content from virtually any location while maintaining high productivity and benefiting from the flexibility and scalability of cloud-based production.

TVT: What will be your most important product news?

KESKE: One of our most exciting product announcements is the introduction of the DynamicWorkplace-CON. This innovative module is designed to seamlessly integrate with G&D's KVM matrix systems, consolidating user modules (CONs) and their associated monitors into a more efficient and ergonomic workspace. This advancement significantly enhances user comfort by reducing physical strain and streamlining the management of complex tasks, which is crucial in demanding broadcast environments.

The DynamicWorkplace-CON features advanced multiviewing capabilities, allowing users to control up to eight different sources across four monitors simultaneously, supporting impressive resolutions up to 4K60Hz. This is especially beneficial for users who require a comprehensive overview and control over multiple tasks and workflows.

Additionally, the design is optimized for integration with G&D matrix systems, improving the overall usability of KVM installations. The integrated window manager offers high flexibility, enabling users to freely position windows and customize monitor arrangements to meet their specific operational needs. Furthermore, the DynamicWorkplace-CON supports individual use of audio, serial and USB devices, allowing for seamless integration of a wide range of peripheral equipment.

TVT: How is your new product different from what’s available on the market?

KESKE: The DynamicWorkplace-CON distinguishes itself from other products on the market through its seamless integration with existing G&D matrix systems and its intuitive operation, making it an ideal tool for enhancing workflows in demanding environments. Utilizing displays with higher resolutions opens new possibilities for designing the working environment. They enable work on a larger surface area, supporting more efficient workflows and increased productivity.

he DynamicWorkplace-CON enhances flexibility in multimonitor setups by consolidating various video and computer sources onto a single monitor or across multiple displays. The intuitive window manager ensures complete control over the arrangement and management of individual windows, while the ControlPanel serves as the central interface, providing quick and intuitive access to windows, computer modules, and presets or layouts. With its user-friendly operation, the DynamicWorkplace-CON creates an environment tailored to individual needs, significantly improving efficiency and productivity.

TVT: What is it about NAB Show New York that brings you back every year?

KESKE: We are excited to attend NAB Show in New York each year because it showcases creative innovations and the latest industry trends shaping the future of broadcast technology. This event offers valuable networking opportunities, allowing us to connect with industry leaders and build partnerships crucial for collaboration and growth.

We particularly value the opportunity for face-to-face interactions with our customers and partners. This personal contact is incredibly insightful as it allows us to discuss new and ongoing projects and gain a deeper understanding of the unique challenges they face. Our participation goes beyond merely presenting our solutions; we place great importance on engaging with our partners and customers about their current challenges. This dialogue not only helps us tailor our offerings more precisely to their needs but also drives us towards continuous innovation.

Short for keyboard, video and mouse, KVM switches allow multiple computers to be controlled remotely using a single set of peripherals. In this way, one person can manage workstations in many locations from the same desktop location in a manner that is efficient, productive and (from an equipment purchasing perspective) economical.

These factors explain why KVM switches have long been popular in film and TV production as well as with IT departments, purchasing officers, support technicians and more. It also explains why the market for KVM switches is so dynamic, with many trends guiding its development.

Heavy Lifting
As broadcast television moves from HDTV to 4K and beyond, so does KVM switching technology. “The trends driving the KVM switches market include the increasing adoption of high-resolution formats like 4K and 8K in the broadcast industry,” said Jon Litt, Managing Director of G&D North America. “This adoption requires KVM switches with high bandwidth and low latency to support seamless video editing, streaming, and broadcasting processes effectively.”

The shift towards IP-based workflows is driving another significant KVM trend, namely more flexible and scalable KVM solutions that enable remote access and control over IP networks.

"Scalability is a major driver for organizations adopting IP KVM, however, functionality and performance must meet the users’ needs for it to be valuable," said Jamie Adkin, vice president of sales-EMEA for Adder Technology. "While IP offers the transport mechanism, a KVM manufacturer's design choices have the greatest impact on the user experience. Not all IP KVM solutions are born equal."

This capability is particularly important for distributed production environments and live broadcasts where remote access is essential for efficient operations, Litt added. “Moreover, automation is a crucial element shaping the KVM switches market. Modern KVM solutions are integrating features such as predictive maintenance and user workplace synchronization to enhance operational efficiency.”

In the world of KVM switches, “USB transparency” refers to a KVM switch’s ability to pass signals from a wide range of USB devices without issues occurring—even if the USB devices themselves come from various generations and use different drivers. The growing trend of USB transparency across KVM switches ensures that USB devices perform as if they are directly connected to a computer, rather than going through a switch.

“In the old days, every now and then you'd run into a USB device that wasn’t compatible with a KVM switch,” said Thomas Tang, president and founder of Apantac. “Thanks to the KVM industry’s embrace of USB transparency, this rarely happens anymore.”

This area is one that Adder has focused on as well, according to Adkin. "For media customers, the most important factors have been our USB peripheral support, tight integration with Broadcast Control Systems, and ZeroU devices that reduce power consumption and increase rack density."

Controlling Virtual Machines
A “virtual machine” is a software emulation of a physical computer that is commonly hosted in a private/public cloud and accessed via an IP network internally or externally via the internet. According to John Hickey, Black Box’s senior director of R&D and KVM, VMs are being used increasingly in broadcast production facilities.

“With this trend comes the need for a flatter learning curve for operators, who now take on expanded responsibility for more systems,” Hickey said. “By simplifying operator access to and interaction with VMs and other systems, KVM technology plays a central role in addressing this need.

"It also offers a solution for hybrid workflows, enabling secure, reliable, 24/7 access for team members working on- and off-site," Hickey added. As more and more aspects of the industry shift to IP—and particularly production facilities and OB vans—KVM solutions provide essential connectivity and control.”

Television’s move into the multiplatform universe (OTT, cable/satellite, mobile, ad streaming) has made life infinitely more complex for broadcast engineers, compared to the days when they simply had to provide a single TV transmitter with linear content. This is why an increasing number of engineers choose KVM switches to reduce the complexity of setting up and maintaining multiplatform IP-based production/playout systems.

“Smaller KVM systems can be configured easily,” said Dan Holland, marketing manager for IHSE. “Meanwhile, in larger systems such as a control room environment, the customer wants to have all the complexity of managing a KVM transparent to the end user. So push button panels, touchscreens interfaces and multiscreen support are key items that need to be supported by KVM switches.”

Don’t Just Switch, Extend!
Today’s KVM users want to be able to manage more computers over larger distances than ever before with a single set of peripherals. In response to this trend, Matrox Video focuses on high-performance KVM extension over IP via switches and extenders.

“By using an IP-based KVM extender, you can have your computers in a very far away location from where you're actually working,” said Catherine Koutsaris, product manager for KVM Extenders at Matrox Video. “So you can have a computer in another building or even in another city, and be able to access it from your desktop as if your own keyboard and mouse were connected to it directly.”

Security and Signal Latency
As they support higher resolutions, KVM switches are nevertheless being designed to be more secure than ever—and faster too. “Security and reduced latency are key factors for any KVM system,” Holland said.

In terms of enhanced security for KVM applications, Koutsaris is seeing advances in areas such as “more sophisticated network management, different user permissions, how devices are being detected and managed on their network in relation to each other, who's allowed to access their network, different types of encryption between devices, and how that's being managed in an organization,” she said. “Of course, you need to determine your security levels based on your application.”

As for the importance of reduced latency for users? “One of the first things that an experienced KVM user asks about new KVM switches these days is, ‘what is your signal latency?’” replied Tang. “They want to be able to switch between computers very fast, plus have the ability to see and control multiple screens from multiple computers on their desktop.”

According to the experts interviewed for this story, future trends in KVM switches include supporting 8K resolution, augmented reality/virtual reality control interfaces in remote control rooms, and more KVM switches that support multiple windows within a single screen for “live broadcasts and complex post-production workflows, and improves overall operational efficiency,” Litt said.

As well, “AI is leading the charge so perhaps one day KVM extenders will have integrated voice recognition or visual tracking that can be activated by the end user without having to go to a traditional keyboard and mouse,” said Holland.

For more information, download TV Tech's free "Guide to KVM."

German-based KVM provider G&D has announced intentions to grow its presence in the U.S. under the auspices of its G&D North America Inc. subsidiary by moving its U.S. headquarters from its current location in Burbank, Calif. to Houston this spring. It has also announced several promotions and new hires in a reorganization that it expects will help it achieve its goal “of revolutionizing the KVM market in the Americas, with the goal of becoming the preferred partner of KVM solutions to the control room market.”

The G&D North America team is currently headed up by President and Managing Director Jon Litt, who is responsible for the development of the regional corporate strategy and establishment, development, and management of all activities throughout the Americas. 

Jerrie Anderson, as Executive Director of Sales, is building and managing a new structure to the G&D North American sales team and Antoinette Mata, as Director of Operations, manages all operations, human relations, and business analysis and planning throughout the Americas. Karl Johnson will provide product, engineering, and training support to the team as Director of Engineering and serve as the America’s product management representative. 

The company has also made several new hires and personnel moves, including: 

• Craig Abrams, recently promoted to Director of Business Development for Broadcast & Entertainment, North America, has now expanded his regional responsibilities throughout all of North America, working with end users, consultants and key reselling integration partners;
• Steven Cruz is the new Director of Business Development for Mobility in North America and will support end users and consultants within the mobility space for air traffic control, traffic, rail, and maritime operations;
• Carlos Mira was recently promoted to Director of Sales, Latin America (LATAM);
• Pat Hart, Regional Channel Sales Manager for the US West territory, will focus on that region as well as Canada;
• Andy Cooper, now Senior Field Application Engineer, will specialize in providing both pre-sale and post-sale system design and technical support, and
• Daisy Torres, recently promoted to Sales Operations Support Specialist, will manage order fulfillment for both the reselling partners and the GDNA team.

New Focus on Industrial, Mobility, M&E  and Government
"In our new strategic vision, we will be focusing on and building our capabilities within the industrial automation, mobility, broadcast, entertainment, and government markets," said Litt. Industrial automation will include manufacturing, process control, energy/oil & gas, power generation, utilities, and telecommunications. 

The company says it will also expand its presence in the mobility market, including air traffic control (ATC), traffic management, rail, and maritime market sectors. G&D’s broadcast and entertainment sector will continue to grow and will retain a strong focus.

Another important market is government which has a particular need for security. “Our products are among the most secure in the industry,” Litt said. “Therefore, the obtainment of government certifications is a top priority for G&D North America, Inc.”    

New U.S. Home Base
The move from Burbank to Houston illustrates G&D North America, Inc.’s intent to expand its focus beyond the entertainment sector. The company said its new location “will provide an effective environment to support its regional operations, in addition to providing a highly effective facility from which to run system demonstrations, product training and solutions demonstrations. The new headquarters will be a facility that the entire G&D team will be proud of.”

"Our goal at G&D North America is to become an employer of choice in the industry, offering a family-like atmosphere and a culture that allows employees to achieve their personal and professional goals," said Managing Director Jon Litt, “The new headquarters is part of the effort to achieve that goal.”

NEW YORK-- At NAB Show New York, G&D will showcase its KVM-over-IP matrix system at the NAB Show New York. With solutions for compressed and uncompressed video and transmission over CAT, fiber and IP structures, project needs can be accommodated in a cost-effective way. The new IP series offers further flexibility as it can share network structures. Though the new ControlCenter-IP will include all the matrix features from G&D’s classical ControlCenter series, the necessary mission-critical features for maximum reliability are combined with functions for a user-friendly operation.

G&D will also feature the DP1.2-VisionXG-MC4 KVM extender for uncompressed, latency-free transmission of 8K video at 60 Hz. The dedicated transmission over optical fibers provides enough bandwidth for 4x uncompressed DisplayPort 1.2 video signals, keyboard/mouse, RS232, USB2.0 and audio.

G&D North America Inc. will be on the show floor in booth N919. Visit the NAB Show New York website to register for the show.