Creating elegant operator positions that use multiviewers to provide oversight of video assets, and KVM systems to give operators ergonomically viable physical control of multiple software systems, has long been a mainstay of facility design.

Operational teams striving to deliver greater productivity with fewer staff doing more work, IP networks enabling more flexibility and scalability, distribution of teams over multiple spaces and buildings, more virtualization of systems (both on prem in traditional machine rooms and utilizing both private and public cloud based systems)… all mean that the software stack facing operators becomes ever more complex and dynamic. With growing complexity, the need for elegant KVM and multiviewer systems has never been greater.

Among the companies exhibiting at the IBC Show that support workflows that include KVM and multiviewers, here’s a few to see. Expect plenty of innovation in KVM over IP and systems that facilitate remote production, distributed teams and cloud integration.

Apantac (Stand 10.F45) have earned a reputation for robust technology and innovation. They manufacture a range of fully featured mulitiviewer systems that are available in a range of formats that includes full rack systems, OpenGear cards and a collection of handy small format converters and extenders.

At IBC the company will spotlight its KVM over IP family. It’s billed as a cost-effective, flexible, and expandable ecosystem that can run on a managed network with inexpensive COTS GigE managed switches. They can be used in point-to-point mode (unicast or multicast) or as a matrix (multicast) when attached to a 1Gps network.

Arkona (Stand 9.D01) team up with Manifold to present a hybrid hardware/software ecosystem under the platform name ‘EASY-IP’. The system spans a number of key technology areas including SDI-IP gateways, multiviewers, keying & color correction, SDR/HDR conversion, and audio routing & processing.  Arkona provide the hardware element with their BLADE//runner rack units which are designed to provide a distributed, networked and software defined architecture. They offer modular slot based frames housing high density FPGA based processing blades with various connectivity options. Manifold provide a software suite that brings additional processing & control functionality alongside Arkona’s own control & configuration software suite.

As part of its wider capabilities EASY-IP incorporates a high density ultra-low-latency multiviewer option. With its distributed architecture any source can be displayed on any output in any size and with guaranteed sub-frame latency end-to-end. In addition, every UHD source processed by the multiviewer generates a high-quality 1080P proxy that is made available as a discrete ST 2110 source in the system.

Cobalt Digital (Stand 10.B41) will be demonstrating its UltraBlue IP-MV series of IP multiviewers, a series that can be provided as a turnkey solution with four HDMI heads, or as a software package to run on customer-supplied dedicated hardware. The multiviewers feature an intuitive web interface and are designed to grow with a customer’s needs by incorporating support for compressed and baseband (ST 2110) IP/SDI inputs and outputs. UltraBlue IP-MV can receive audio/video over IP in a variety of protocols and formats with very flexible audio routing. Mosaic configurations are easy with arbitrary sizes and orientations available on multiple screens with graphic overlays, ancillary data, and tallies.

The UltraBlue IP-MV can receive audio/video over IP in a variety of protocols and formats with flexible audio routing. Mosaic configuration are easy, with arbitrary sizes and orientations available on multiple screens with graphic overlays, ancillary data, and tallies.

Cobalt will also be showing its openGear SDI series of multiviewers which include the 9970-QS (up to 3G) and 9971 (up to 12G).

Guntermann & Drunck (Stand 8.B51) will show its full portfolio of KVM extenders, switches, and matrix systems. At IBC they will exhibit the new DynamicWorkplace-CON, a workplace module (CON) specifically designed for integration into KVM matrix installations. Its seamless integration into existing matrix applications offers the advantage of being able to flexibly arrange different computer modules (CPU) and their sources on a larger workspace. This module promotes an intuitive way of working, facilitates workflows through operation on a larger surface, and enables the creation of efficient workflows, making the DynamicWorkplace-CON ideal for complex activities and processes in broadcast environments.

The module’s multi-viewing function allows up to eight sources to be operated on four monitors simultaneously. The intuitive window manager enables easy positioning and handling of windows as well as flexible arrangement and movement across monitors, allowing ergonomic display of critical data at a central point, thereby improving efficiency, safety, and response time in control rooms.

Lawo (Stand 8.B90) will highlight its HOME “server based” processing platform of software applications.

The HOME Multiviewer app offers high-quality monitoring UHD, 3G, HD and SD video as well as audio sources, with pixel-perfect mosaics and ultra-low latency. The app generates the required number of PiPs for one multiviewer mosaic head. Spinning up additional instances allows operators to provide as many heads as are required for a given production. The app can be configured using the touch screen operated theWALL app and its wealth of widgets for level metering, clock, tallies, etc. The input and output formats can be specified independently (SMPTE ST2110, SRT, JPEG XS or NDI). It includes frame synchronization, audio processing, widgets for a variety of elements to be displayed, and destination tally.

Matrox Video (Stand 7.B15) are using IBC to present a technology preview of the Avio 2. They say it is the world’s first open standards-based, IPMX/ST 2110 IP KVM extender. Avio 2 is a single output IP KVM extender that provides fast switching and lag-free operation, with support for up to 4K60 4:4:4 resolution on 10GbE networks, and support for 1G networks with optional JPEG XS codecs. IPMX is an open standard that builds on SMPTE ST 2110 as a foundation but adds AV/IT friendly specifications including support for NMOS device discoverability & routing, interoperable USB, JPGXS and HDCP security.

Matrox will also show its fully featured Extio 3 KVM system. Extio 3 is a secure, high-performance IP KVM system that supports 4Kp60 or quad 1080p60 video, keyboard, mouse, USB 2.0 and audio at low bitrates over 1 GbE networks.

Extio 3 is suitable for sophisticated distributed teams and remote operations. Controlled and configured via its comprehensive Central Manager Software it enables deployment over a private WAN, with excellent security and a suite of tools to streamline multi-site administration. For users, it’s Tile View software provides an elegant environment capable of controlling up to four systems simultaneously.

Other articles in this IBC 2024 'Show Focus' series:

The Broadcast Bridge will be at the IBC Show – on stand 8.A52. Please come and see us and share your thoughts on what we do and what you would like to see from us in the coming year.