A monitor switch enables multiple computers to share either one or multiple display devices with VGA ports. These devices may either be monitors or projectors. The numbers of displays which can be shared depend upon the number of ports which the switch has. It can share 2, 4 or 8 displays as the device is available in 2, 4 or 8 port versions. Rackmount options are also available for some of the larger units. For more connections, one can use the video matrix switcher which is a combination of the video splitter and switch in one unit. These devices can also be classified on the basis of the video signals they support such as HDMI switches, DVI Switches, Composite switches and CAT5 audio video switches.
A single keyboard, video monitor and mouse can be connected to more than one computer using the KVM Switch. The number of computers which can be connected to s single set of peripherals depends upon the ports that the switch has. Available in 2, 4, 8 and 16 ports, these units can also be daisy chained together to control an even greater number of computers. Connections between the peripherals and the host computer can be secured using either CAT5 or VGA cables. Some models are also connected via IP and are known as IP KVM Switches or KVM over IP Switches. Peripherals supported can be either PS2 or VGA with the respective models being known as PS2 KVM switch and USB KVM Switch. Another classification is analog or digital on the basis of the type of connection. The high end model of all these versions are known to support audio and are known as an Audio KVM Switch.
A keyboard, mouse and monitor combined with a KVM switch in a 1U drawer are referred to as a Rackmount KVM Console. A space saving and cost effective solution, this device saves space in the compact environment rack. Available in many models such as PS2 monitor keyboard drawer; Sun Rackmount LCD monitor keyboard drawer, composite video KVM Drawer, KVM Drawer with DVI video, sunlight readable LCD KVM Drawer, KVM Drawer with IP KVM switch, KVM Drawer short / shallow depth, USB KVM drawer, Rackmount keyboard monitor with built in KVM switch, dual slide KVM drawer, Rackmount keyboard, and ANSI / Console Terminal monitor keyboard Drawer. All these models fit into a 1U or 2U rack mountable space and connect with KVM cables.
Multiple DVI source can relay signals to a single DVI output with the help of a DVI Switch. Available in 2 and 4 port versions, it has the ability to create greater configurations by daisy chaining a number of switches. Easy to install, it works on simple plug and play functionality by connecting the sources to the input ports on the switch and the display with the output port. Connections are secured using DVI cables and once the devices are connected and powered on, they are ready to function. This device is equipped with an in built in Amplification circuitry which ensures that the signal doesn’t degrade even when extended to long distances thereby maintaining video integrity and providing clear & sharp images. This video switch makes it appear as though the display is directly connected with the source.
A Matrix switch is a device that allows video from multiple sources to be displayed on multiple displays with any combination of inputs connected to any outputs. It also allows a single input to be connected to multiple displays. Due to these features it creates a web or matrix like pattern of interconnection possibilities and hence derives its name. The resultant images however are such that it appears as though each display is directly connected with the source. The display devices can be LCD’s, projectors or CRT monitors. Available in many models which are differentiated on the basis of the signals they relay, they are classified into Component matrix switch, composite matrix, S-Video and DVI matrix switches. The models which are connected using category cables are referred to as CAT5 video matrix switches and have the ability to relay signals up to a distance of 1000 feet.
Digital Signage technology is the fastest growing medium of advertising being recognized and used globally. Also known as an out of home medium of advertising, it is associated with a high return on investment and is dynamic in nature as changes to the information being relayed can be made in real time and without any additional investment. Unlike static means of advertising like print media etc. where the changes to be made require time and money, this technology allows content to be updated manually as needed, through a scheduling system, or by linking in with an outside feed so that appropriate messages are displayed and that too in real time. The solution itself is an amalgamation of digital signage software, hardware and content. Continue reading »
A Video Screen Splitter is a device which is used to relay images from multiple sources simultaneously on a single display device. Alternatively known as a distribution amplifier, this device transmits images without data loss and it appears as though the source is directly connected to the display. Consisting of two units, a local transmitter placed next to the source and a receiver placed next to the display, this device has the capability of splitting and boosting the signals. Available in 2, 4, 8 and 16 orts, they can also be cascaded or daisy chained together to achieve a greater configuration. Amongst the various models of the screen splitter available in the market, the most common ones are the DVI Splitter, the VGA Audio video splitter, VGA Video, S-Video, Component Video, HDMI Video and Composite Video splitter. All these models are classified on the basis of the video signals that they relay.
An industrial grade cost and space saving LCD monitor which is a solution to space constrained server racks is known as a Rackmount LCD monitor. Housed in a metal casing, this device is available in sizes such as 15”, 17”, 19” and 20”. Depending upon the size of the rack, these devices can be 1U, 2U, 6U, 7U, 8U, 9U or 10U. Classification is also done on the basis of type of video supported or on the features of the device. While the former categorizes them in VGA, DVI, HDMI, S-Video, Composite RCA and Composite BNC, the latter separates them into Sunlight readable LCD, Short or shallow depth LCD, Quad screen LCD etc. While the short depth LCD is for smaller than normal depth server rack environments, the Sunlight readable LCD is for ambient lighting conditions.
A space saving solution for compact server rooms, the Rackmount LCD KVM is a combination of a keyboard, LCD and mouse integrated into a drawer. These drawers can be 1U or 2U depending upon the size of the rack. Classified on the basis of the type of video supported, these drawers are categorized as VGA, DVI, HDMI, Composite RCA or BNC and S-Video. They can also be classified on the basis of features into sunlight readable KVMs, short depth model, SUN KVM and Dual slide KVMs. While the Sunlight KVM drawers are used in high brightness environments, the short depth model is used in server rooms where rack depth is shallow. The SUN KVM is designed specially to work with SUN servers and the Dual slide KVM has two separate slides; one housing the keyboard / mouse and the other housing the LCD.
Video from multiple sources can be routed to multiple displays with the help of a Matrix Switcher. The name of this device is derived from the ability to connect any combination of inputs with any outputs or a single input with multiple outputs creating a web like pattern of interconnection. The switches range from 2×2 to 16×16 models and some variants can also be daisy chained for achieving a greater configuration. Available in various different models depending upon the type of video signals supported, these units can be classified into VGA video switches, HDMI switches, Cat5 Video Router, Cat5 Audio-Video Switcher, S-video matrix, DVI Video matrix, Composite and Component video matrix switch. While the DVI switch is the latest model available, the most popular one is the HDMI Matrix Switch.
