Asia-Pacific Broadcasting (APB) October 2017 Volume 34, Issue 8 | Page 25

October 2017 MANAGEMENT 25

KVM switching offers more flexibility and efficiency

Keyboard , video and mouse ( KVM ) solutions are gaining popularity and visibility across the broadcast and postproduction sector , according to Terence Teng , managing director , IHSE APAC .
He explained to APB : “ Looking back , perhaps one of the most relevant factors was , in fact , the general change from VGA to DVI and DisplayPort displays . That change not only called for new devices to handle digital KVM extension , but kicked off the rapid development of large-scale , fully-featured , digital KVM switches .”
IHSE , for instance , manufactures digital KVM switches that can accommodate between eight and 576 ports in a single unit . These , Teng noted , are “ very appealing ” to the broadcast sector because they allow all the broadcast devices located in centralised equipment rooms to be accessed from operators ’ own workstations — regardless of their location .
“ This system topology delivers enormous flexibility and efficiency ,” Teng continued . “ It means that operators and editors can access any machine from their own desk , or wherever they choose to work from , and instantly switch between them .
“ It also makes their environment quieter and less clustered , thus yielding greater efficiency . It enables machines to be shared and allocated to users as and when needed , which reduces the number of devices and user licences required .”
Live broadcast environments can also benefit greatly from KVM switching solutions , as NEP Australia is finding out . IHSE ’ s Draco tera KVM switch is connected to a vast range of on-board equipment via control interfaces in
IHSE ’ s Draco tera KVM switch is connected to a vast range of onboard equipment via control interfaces in NEP Australia ’ s new 4K / UHD outside broadcast truck .
NEP Australia ’ s new 4K / Ultra HD ( UHD ) outside broadcast ( OB ) trucks , allowing operators to connect all computers and devices across all trucks to their individual work station using simple keyboard commands .
When taking into consideration the layout and operations within an OB van or temporary studio , where there is often no room to add dedicated terminals , the benefits of KVM switching is clear , said Teng . “ The ability for producers , editors and engineers to be able to reach and manage any desired device from a single workstation — with a monitor , keyboard and mouse — is a huge benefit .”
Another critical point to note , he added , is how KVM switches fit into the workflow , rather than change it . “ Other than removing excess monitors and keyboards to simplify the internal layout , there are not really any adjustments or modifications that need to be done in a live environment ,” Teng said . “ KVM switches enhance flexibility by allowing mobile studios to be configured to meet the task in hand , rather than modify the workflow by imposing restrictions .”
KVM switches should also not be seen as a replacement to traditional production switchers , because they do not sit within the traditional broadcast chain or handle broadcast images . Rather , KVM switches manage the devices that are responsible for those images , Teng related .
For instance , IHSE ’ s partnership collaboration with EVS permits EVS server operators to control their devices from any location , while the video streams are handled by the production server as they normally are , without passing through the KVM switch .
Teng , however , was quick to add : “ Having said that , the Draco tera compact hybrid switch is capable of switching a few SDI streams in parallel with KVM data connections , which is useful in small configurations such as edit suites in which a live video preview stream is available from an editing tool .”
With KVM switching systems in broadcast offering instant switching , zero ( or negligible ) latency and high quality of image , Teng is convinced they will be here to stay . “ The ability to interface the KVM switch to the local broadcast content system is also a major benefit , as this eases the integration process and ensures that the system fits cohesively into the workflow ,” he concluded .
ratio and colourspace conversion issues with precision in the background .”
FormatFusion4 , Tasker continues , allows Kahuna switchers to evolve to address new video standards , formats and challenges . New formats , he points out , are often deployed on the highest value content and , thus , it is paramount that creative talent is able to focus 100 % on the job of storytelling , without having to concern themselves with the technical issues of bringing all the formats together . “ That ’ s where FormatFusion4 continues to uniquely and seamlessly deliver with the utmost precision ,” says Tasker .
Whether it is a high-profile sporting event or a prime-time news programme , multi-format is typically the name of the game . He explains : “ The production switcher is required to accurately stitch together , say , 4K / UHD main stadium cameras , HD studio cameras , relay server feeds , special interest cameras , inserts from yesteryear archives and the rapidly becoming ubiquitous , mobile phone feeds .
“ Kahuna , powered by Format- Fusion , takes all the thinking and guesswork away from the creative talent , allowing them to focus on what they do best — making great productions for viewers to enjoy .”
And while Kahuna production switchers support a pure IP ( SMPTE 2022-6 / 7 and 2110 ) approach , they also continue to support SDI ( 3G and 12G ), or a
hybrid approach of SDI / IP , where input and output ports can be independently configured to meet the precise needs of any given production .
IP is a “ great technology ” that is able to robustly take over the familiar SDI flowing through coax and BNC connectors , says Tasker . However , he is quick to point out how IP is currently presenting a huge industry-wide learning curve , as standards continue to be developed and practices honed .
More pertinently perhaps , technological evolution and the ensuing challenges do not always align with business needs . Tasker highlights South Korea ’ s hosting of the 2018 Winter Olympics , where the decision had to be made on whether IP or SDI systems should be built . He details : “ While the Games are to be originated in 4K / UHD , they determined that IP was still in its infancy and that the
Grass Valley has now shipped more than 100 units of the GV
Korona production switcher , which was launched only last year .
likely engineering and operational challenges were too great for the event , given that the world will be watching .
“ The 4K / UHD requirement also drove the decision to adopt SDI-12 , thus avoiding the need to provide four 1080p , 3G circuits in place for each and every 4K / UHD signal path .”
For Grass Valley , the company recently celebrated the milestone of shipping more than 100 units of the GV Korona production switcher , which was launched only last year .
GV Korona was developed to meet the needs of customers who do small to mid-sized productions , and who need to operate in tight spaces , reveals Tim Walker , product manager , switchers , Grass Valley . Able to work with any GV K-Frame processing engine , including the new K-Frame V-series , GV Korona offers a
built-in colour touchscreen inter face that enables operators to work “ quickly and intuitively ” to produce compelling content for a variety of applications .
For the Fellowship Bible Church in the US , GV Korona checked all the right boxes , as Kirk Meyers , the church ’ s broadcast director , explains : “ It has the right balance , and has enough features to do what we need , without being overloaded with functionality that we ’ ll never use .
“ GV Korona K-Frame V-series has the small form factor but still provides big production . Plus , being built on the K-Frame brings a scalability for the future as our needs change .”
In the live entertainment marketplace , the challenge lies in consistently providing cost-effective , reliable and powerful video solutions that work day after day in some of the most “ gruelling , tech-unfriendly environments ”, according to David Lemmink , director of engineering , Solotech , and audio-visual equipment supplier based in Canada .
“ Our track record with Grass Valley ’ s line of analogue and digital switchers made the choice to go with Grass Valley a no-brainer ,
especially as the new V-series offers the power of the K-Frame in a cost-effective and compact format , without sacri ficing power and functionality .”
For TV3 Lithuania , the decision to purchase the GV Korona stemmed from the TV station ’ s search of solutions to cover the 2018 Winter Olympics . Dalius Kazlauskas , CTO , TV3 Lithuania , says : “ We found that the GV Korona K- Frame V-series offers high-end features and functionality with no restrictions , as well as the famous GV ergonomics and modular design , combined with outstanding build quality and a path beyond HD , with 4K and IP interfacing .”
Because of its built-in touchscreen menu , M / E status and ability to perform signal conversions inside the switcher , the GV Korona has also offered TV3 Lithuania a new and easy way of working , Kazlauskas adds . “ We now have the ability to produce shows with high-end features , including real 3D DVEs , which is unique for video switchers in this price range .”
The GV Korona supports SDI and IP , is 3G / 4K / UHD-ready , and supports both quad-split and 2SI , as well as HDR with 10-bit processing . GV adds that at only 3RU , the V-series frame is an “ ideal complement ” to the GV Korona switcher panel , offering “ powerful and flexible ” production options with a small footprint and modularity for easy field reconfiguration and serviceability .