The core function of KVM and multiviewer systems remains the same – how to create 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.

The challenges facing system designers however become ever more complex. Multiviewers need to accommodate a proliferating world of different sources with an abundance of formats and resolutions. The array of systems and the software stack that needs to be called and controlled encompass an increasingly diverse portfolio of software systems running on a combination of dedicated hardware and compute resource that might be located anywhere, from in a rack next door to a datacenter across the street to a hyper scaler that is who knows where. Thankfully vendors are keeping pace.

Among the companies exhibiting at the NAB 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.

Vendor Focus

Apantac (Booth SL 4110) 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 NAB they will expand their range of ‘Crescent’ SDM modules which use the Intel Smart Display Module format to provide a range of different options that elegantly integrate directly within compatible displays.

At NAB the company will also show their 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 (Booth N 307) will show their ‘EASY-IP’ system that spans a number of key technology areas including SDI-IP gateways, multiviewers, keying & color correction, SDR/HDR conversion, and audio routing & processing. They offer modular frames housing high density FPGA based processing blades with various connectivity and control options that work well in data center model architecture. 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 (Booth SL 51123) will once again 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.

Lawo (Booth N 622) Lawo’s head first dive into migration to software defined hybrid infrastructure takes another great leap forward at NAB. Amongst a number of releases covered in other articles they will show a new and significantly enhanced version of their HOME App multiviewer.

Paired with Lawo’s .edge SDI-to-IP gateway and edge processing solution, the new HOME Intelligent Multiviewer minimizes bandwidth and CPU usage by intelligently selecting optimal downsized video proxies for its mosaic layouts. The HOME Intelligent Multiviewer – based on Lawo’s server-based processing platform for on-prem and cloud production – is an extremely versatile and efficient monitoring solution for UHD, 3G, HD and SD video as well as audio sources.

The multiviewer is suited to high-bandwidth/low-latency ST2110 broadcast environments, SRT stream workflows in the cloud, NDI devices, and compressed formats like JPEG XS. Multiviewer layouts – complete with customizable tallies, alarms, clocks, level meters, OSDs, UMDs, and metadata – are created with Lawo’s intuitive theWALL app, which sits inside the HOME cluster. All settings can be stored as user presets and applied to other HOME Multiviewer instances for a unified look. Most importantly, users don’t need to be engineers – nor have a scripting background – to spin up and configure a HOME Multiviewer. The HOME management platform makes this plain, simple, and intuitive.

Another NAB introduction is the Home Video Monitor App. One of a trio of new Apps that utilize a new responsive GUI engine called ‘Lawo Workspaces’. This app for laptops, mobile devices, and AR headsets is a lightweight solution for mobile video and audio monitoring on the move. HOME Video Monitor can show between one and nine concurrent video streams, with and without audio metering. It can also integrate a VSM browser – bringing the power of the Broadcast Controller to your phone or tablet.

Matrox Video (Booth SL 4511) say their current core focus is IP-based live production and they will present a strong portfolio of products to facilitate various aspects of the media production chain.

Focusing on KVM, Matrox will show Avio 2 which they say is the world’s first NMOS-aware, open standards-based ST 2110/IPMX IP KVM extender. Avio 2 supports up to 4K resolution, while providing ultra-low latency, secure remote access, and seamless integration across diverse systems. At NAB, Matrox Video will demonstrate how Avio 2 natively shares KVMA signals with other ST 2110 devices and integrates seamlessly via NMOS.

Matrox are also expanding the ConvertIP range which provides a ST 2110 and IPMX bridging solution to HDMI and SDI for flexible and future-ready AV deployments. The latest addition to the series is to be demonstrated at NAB, is Matrox ConvertIP SDM, an Intel® Smart Display Module (SDM) that supports ST 2110 and IPMX inputs, delivering ultra-low latency 4K video over IP while ensuring compatibility across diverse systems.

Other Show Floor Activity

As you would expect Grass Valley, Ross and Sony all have fully featured multiviewers that can be deployed as part of their wider technology platforms so any new enhancements will be part of a customer booth visit. EVS also offer powerful multiviewer capabilities within their Neuron system with Neuron View, which they will show at NAB with an improved web-based multiview editor, allowing users to easily modify their layouts on the fly and in real time.

Other articles in this NAB 2025 'Show Focus' series:

The Broadcast Bridge will be at the NAB Show – in the West Hall on booth W 3932. 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.