As broadcasters and producers deploy IP, cloud and artificial intelligence technologies to more efficiently produce and deliver content to multiple different platforms, KVM systems are helping them revamp their operations and tap into the benefits of newer technologies.

In the process, KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) systems, originally conceived of as a simple way to control multiple computers, are undergoing a rapid transformation, adding capabilities and tools designed to help producers and broadcasters manage increasingly large operations, handle higher-resolution content, control large remote productions and oversee complex arrays of devices, networks and processes relying on IP and cloud workflows.

“In both the AV world as well as the broadcast world, there is a definite move towards IP,” says Mark Hempel, head of product management at IHSE, which has launched the Draco XStreme KVM extender product line that uses the JPEG XS codec to provide cutting-edge performance.

In some cases, as they expand their footprint to play a more central role in controlling large operations, KVM tech providers are also playing in the same space as video platform providers such as Akla, which uses artificial intelligence to seamlessly merge streaming video, monetization and broadcast workflows in the cloud. This increasingly blurs the lines between KVM products and other technologies while also providing new competition for a variety of tech providers.

“We live in a SaaS world,” Matt Smith, chief evangelist at Akta, said. “All our tools are cloud-based and our customers can access them from anywhere. They can program channels, edit programs and publish FAST channels. They don’t need to remote into a box and leverage KVM technologies to monitor and manage their operations.”

IP, Cloud Imperatives
The transition to IP infrastructures continues to be one of the major trends driving many of these changes. “Everyone is moving over to IP,” says Thomas Tang, president and founder of Apantac, which offers a variety of solutions, including its openGear OG KVM over IP, for users making that transition. “Every time, there is a new facility or they are replacing the infrastructure, they are going IP.”

Adds Catherine Koutsaris, product marketing manager at Matrox Video: “The transition to IP has transformed expectations for KVM systems. Legacy KVM switchers are increasingly viewed as outdated. They’re proprietary, often expensive and difficult to scale or configure without vendor-specific training. By contrast, IP-based KVMs can run over standard network infrastructure, allowing users to scale and adapt the system as needed. This flexibility is one of the biggest drivers of growth in the market, enabling more efficient, customizable, and interoperable installations.”

Leo Bull, chief revenue officer at G&D North America and VuWall, said the move to IP is part of a larger effort by broadcasters and other M&E companies to create more efficient workflows and break down old operational silos. “There’s a lot of value in unification of disparate, formerly disparate, systems and solutions that provide an administrative team to be able to control multiple silos of equipment,” he said. “Merging that together is a big, big trend.”

KVM providers are also offering users more choices in terms of how they transition to IP.

To help smooth the upgrade path to IP while maintaining very low latency, high-quality video, IHSE has introduced its new Draco EXtreme line, including the Draco vario XS DisplayPort 1.2 Extender Series, which uses JPEG-XS.

“This gives us a very high-performance codec with regard to real-time and high-quality imaging,” Hempel says. “This will also help interconnect with IP interfaces and provide more seamless integration with broadcast signals.”

Workflow Shifts
Another major trend driving important changes in KVM technologies is the move to cloud-based workflows. “Recently, we have seen leading broadcast organizations adopting new virtual production technology to streamline workflows and reduce postproduction overheads,” John Halksworth, senior product manager at Adder Technology, says. “This change allows for real-time adaptations to occur, reducing the requirement for re-recording and improved decision-making timelines. A shift towards virtual production also sees an even bigger requirement for remote collaboration, and this is a key area that Adder continues to support its customers in achieving.”

These transitions come as KVM systems continue to be applied to a wider array of operations that connect an ever-growing amount of devices.

“KVM used to be just little desktop switches,” Tang at Apantac says. “Now, every mobile truck has a KVM switch, whether it is a physical switch or KVM-over-IP system, because more and more computers are involved with all the graphics, scoreboards and other capabilities.”

Adds Matrox Video’s Koutsaris: “KVM technologies are an increasingly essential part of control-room design, including in content-production environments. Nearly every control room can benefit from an IP KVM setup, whether to declutter operator desks by removing physical machines, reduce noise and heat, or centralize computer access for better security.”

Other use cases involve more traditional applications like postproduction, broadcast operations and remote production, making KVM widely used in TV, film and streaming industries, Koutsaris and others say.

G&D’s recent acquisition of VuWall provides a more unified hardware and software platform for managing larger, more complex operations from a simplified user interface, Bull says. “That means that the team administering this environment don’t need multiple control interfaces to manage their entire video ecosystem in this environment,” he says. “They can do that from a single interface.”

Like many parts of the M&E industry, AI has emerged as a hot topic for KVM providers, particularly in cases where such solutions are used to control and manage larger operations or distributed productions, and in cases where KVM systems are deployed in cloud-based or virtualized environments.

AI Results and Realities
This has led to KVM solutions competing with providers of AI-powered video platforms or getting integrated into operations that also use large, AI-powered video platforms.

Smith at video platform provider Akla notes that its AI-powered technologies have produced “tangible, measurable results” for clients like the NFL, Televisa­Univision’s ViX streaming platform, Fox Television Stations, Nexstar Media Group and others, producing efficiencies that have dramatically reduced headcounts. In one case, the user reduced staff from 60 people to five.

Akla has also approached AI as a foundational technology, not an add-on, for its platform, which provides centralized asset management, cloud-based processing, live channel scheduling, AI-driven video editing, server-side ad insertion, georestrictions and multiplatform capabilities. “It allows people to be more efficient than they have ever been,” Smith says.

Others highlight the promise of AI while cautioning that many existing KVM solutions provide great efficiencies.

“Adopting AI capabilities in a KVM network must drive customer value in the first instance,” Adder’s Halksworth says. “Organizations use KVM to access and control critical information, and it’s essential that any development or innovation around AI is reliable and trustworthy. AI has the capability of being very influential going forward, and we have a lot of learning to do to know how to best deploy its abilities. For example, leveraging AI in some way to detect system issues and suggest resolution paths for a user is just one example of implementing AI that adds customer value.”

Similar caution can also be seen with the transition to IP and cloud-based workflows. “There is always a little bit of a trade-off when you make these transitions,” IHSE’s Hempel explained. “There are people who’ve made up their mind and just state they want to go IP, without really knowing what the impact is. Personally, I would like to see more customers … making a decision based on what suits their requirements best. … Depending upon their needs, it can be an IP system, a proprietary system or a mix of both.”

G&D North America Inc. has announced that Matt Keske is joining its team as the subsidiary's new director of business development for broadcast & entertainment. 

G&D is a leading manufacturer of high-end KVM extenders, switches, and matrix switches. In his new role, Keske will play an important role in further strengthening G&D North America Inc.'s position in broadcast and entertainment and driving global growth. He takes over the position from Craig Abrams, who is entering his well-deserved retirement at the end of the year.

With his extensive experience and expertise in the industry, Matt Keske is well positioned to build on the accomplishments of Craig Abrams and continue to expand G&D North America Inc.'s success story in this important business vertical, the company said in making the announcement. 

“We are exceptionally pleased to welcome Matt Keske to our team,” says Jon Litt, managing director. “His vast experience and in-depth understanding of the demands of the broadcast and entertainment industry will enhance our ability to cater to our customers' needs and further solidify our position in this essential market segment.”

In his new position, Matt Keske will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to develop new business opportunities in the broadcast and entertainment industry. He will work closely with existing customers while building new partnerships and customer relationships.

G&D North America Inc. is a subsidiary of the Guntermann & Drunck GmbH based in Siegen, Germany, which has been a leading manufacturer of high-end KVM extenders, switches, and matrix switches for more than 35 years. Since its founding in 2015, the North American subsidiary's mission has been to continually grow the North American market by expanding sales and support.

KVM manufacturer G&D has added a 2-factor authorization (2FA) security feature to its KVM systems to minimize the risk of cyberattacks. 2FA for KVM systems provides access control to critical data and systems, thus offering a higher standard of security, ensuring that only authorized users can access the systems. This additional security level contributes to protecting sensitive data and significantly reducing the risk of cyberthreats, G&D said.

Until now, user authentication for KVM systems involved a password query. The optional 2FA introduces a second, ownership-based factor that provides an additional level of security. A Time-Based-One-Time-Password (TOTP) is used for this, a password that is valid for a limited time and can only be used once.

2FA can be implemented either through authenticator apps or hardware tokens, depending on the user’s individual requirements and preferences. The user can select between using the device's internal authentication server or an external directory service such as LDAP, Active Directory, Radius, or TACACS+. G&D says the 2-factor authentication option for KVM systems “represents a further step towards a safer and more secure environment for critical infrastructures.”

In matrix installations, the feature ensures increased security by providing an optional additional layer of security for access to critical data and systems. In extender applications, in which 2FA is included by default, this feature also brings significant benefits. 

Introduced to the public for the first time at ISE 2023 for KVM-over-IP systems, the feature is now being incorporated into all G&D products with a network connection. Existing customers will receive the extended system options with the next firmware release. Further information can be found at http://www.gdsys.com.

BURBANK, Calif.—G&D North America will unveil its PersonalWorkplace-Controller, a flexible multiviewing tool that displays multiple video signal on a single large monitor or multiple displays, and highlight its KVM expertise at the 2023 NAB Show, April 15-19, in Las Vegas.

The PersonalWorkplace-Controller enables latency-free operation of multiple computers from a single console to facilitate everyday work and allows users to arrange video sources as needed, the company said.

The company also will roll out a version of its VisionXS matrix-compatible extender for resolutions up to 2500x1600 60Hz. The extender incorporates the company’s lossless bluedec compression, it said.

It also will introduce a version of the VisionXS extender with two display port connectors for dual-head applications, which makes it possible to operate two monitors at the same time while saving on cabling and additional hardware, it said.

The company’s VisionXS-IP portfolio is getting bigger with the addition of new versions offering Power-over-Ethernet support.

All new products are compatible with existing models.

See G&D North America at NAB Show booth N1967.

More information is available on the company’s website.

BURBANK, Calif.—In recognition of his work over the last year as the director of sales West, G&D North America is promoting Don Hosmer to the position of vice president of sales, Americas, and general manager, effective March 1.

In his new position, Hosmer will oversee the sales operations in the Americas, while continuing to be responsible for sales in the West territory, Canada and select key accounts. The Americas sales team will be rounded out with Carlos Yanez in Miami handling the U.S. South and LATAM, and Craig Abrams in New York/New Jersey, who will manage the Northeast, the D.C. area and the Great Lakes.

As general manager, Hosmer will also be in charge of GDNA office operations.

Hosmer will be based out of GDNA’s Burbank office.

WASHINGTON-- G&D North America will showcase its latest KVM products at the 23rd annual Government Video Expo, Nov, 28-29 in Washington, D.C.

Highlighting the company’s booth is its new matrix system for KVM-over-IP. The ControlCenter-IP stands out through its high flexibility and versatile functions. Used together with IP extenders, the central module forms a powerful matrix – the connected computers can be switched as an n:m connection and operated remotely in real time. While the network infrastructure takes over the transport of KVM-over-IP by using network switches and routers, the ControlCenter-IP contributes the logic. Through the network connection and the use of standard network components, the application becomes highly flexible and cost-effective. On top of this, the systems can be easily expanded and scaled. G&D IP devices are compatible with each other and let customers optimize and expand their systems at any time.

The ControlCenter-IP switches numerous signals such as DP1.2a and DP1.1a, single and dual link DVI, audio bidirectional, USB and PS/2 keyboard/mouse and RS232 transparent. Combined with G&D’s high-performance IP extender systems, even 4K Ultra HD signals can be processed at 60 Hz via the ControlCenter-IP – pixel-perfect, latency-free and fail-safe.

G&D have taken the popular features of the classic ControlCenter series and integrated them into the KVM-over-IP matrix. The ControlCenter-IP now combines the advantages of both systems. This also includes the basic administration with extensive user and rights management. In addition, there are many helpful control room features such as monitoring, scripting, scenario switching, push-get for optimal collaboration and the integration of video walls, and CrossDisplay-Switching for absolutely intuitive operation at multi-monitor workstations. CrossDisplay-Switching has been specifically designed for multi-monitor workstations that access multiple computers at the same time. The mouse acts as if on a “virtual desktop” and can be moved seamlessly across the connected displays. When moving the cursor from the active to an inactive display, the keyboard-mouse focus automatically switches to the connected computer.

G&D North America will be in Booth 400. The GV Expo takes place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

Click here for more information on GV Expo.

G&D North America Inc. adds the DP1.2-Vision KVM extender to its portfolio, offering UHD applications the full range of the many G&D matrix functions such as CrossDisplay-Switching, the integration in media control systems or the Push-Get function. The compression used for DP1.2-Vision works without any visual losses and enables 4K/UHD video a refresh rate of 60 Hz, even at lower bandwiths.

Outside broadcasts and working across locations sometimes require the ability to access remote systems. G&D now offers a KVM extender that allows access via IP structures. The new DP-Vision-IP transmits signals via G&D’s KVM-over-IP, so users can use IP structures to access the connected computers.

Booth: 825