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IP-linked Video Control

The latest IP-controlled video hardware units.

IP-linked Video Control

Jan 5, 2010 12:39 PM,
By Bennett Liles

The latest IP-controlled video hardware units.

AMX Octaire Distribution Matrix

While over the past few years much has been written about IP conveyance of video signals, the technology surrounding IP-linked control of video devices is more mature and it has spread into a wide variety of players, switchers, scalers, and servers. Here, we will have a look at video hardware units that use a direct IP link for control and in some cases, setup and configuration as well. To keep the number manageable, we have excluded those many devices that use outboard IP/RS-232 translation as well as video server products with internal storage and playback, concentrating on video control devices such as routers, switchers, and scalers with direct connection through RJ-45 control ports.

The Octaire Distribution Matrix from AMX can switch video in several formats, with or without audio, in matrixes up to 64×64 and can configure as one or more enclosures. The Octaire is controlled in a number of ways including TCP/IP through the APWeb application using the APWeb server. Through this link, functions of control, diagnostics, and third-party access can be performed using HTML pages and Java applets.

Analog Way designed the Opus OPS300 multilayer scaler and seamless switcher for presentation mixing and switching in rental and staging applications. The unit can use up to 12 inputs with two DVI and two fitted with SDI. The Ethernet connection can be used for control and for uploading logos, still frames, and software upgrades from a computer to provide new functions and features. The Opus outputs digital and analog video in DVI and VGA simultaneously with a selection of many formats.

Atlona Technology AT-PROHD88M-SR

The AT-PROHD88M-SR from Atlona Technology is an 8×8 HDMI matrix switcher that can route any of its eight inputs to any combination of its eight outputs either using its IR backchannel, RS-232, RS-485, LAN, or the supplied remote control. As a handy feature, the unit also has IR control emitters for the video source devices near the switcher and an IR emitter for each of its eight twisted-pair receiver devices. The unit can reclock, equalize, and amplify the HDMI signals to assure quality reception at the other end of long cables.

Aurora Multimedia V-Tune Pro HD

Aurora Multimedia designed the V-Tune Pro HD to provide a variety of tuning solutions including NTSC and ATSC/QAM. Capable of decoding MPEG-2, MPEG-4, and H.264, the unit can handle two-way RS-232 and IP-based control traffic for networking arrays of these tuners. Output ports support composite video, component, RGB, and HDMI along with analog audio on RCA connections and SPDIF coaxial digital audio ports.

Avocent Emerge VSM2000

The AvocentEmerge VSM2000 multifunction video scaler works with analog or DVI computer or HDTV video and supports both NTSC and PAL standards. It can input two composite, two S-Video, and one YUV component or YPbPr; in addition to the panel buttons and serial interface, the unit can be controlled over IP using a Windows control panel GUI. Setup is made with a front-panel LCD, and there is also variable zoom and shrink for video windows.

Barco MatrixPro

The MatrixPro digital series matrix switchers from Barco come in three models: 8×8, 16×16 HD-SDI, and 16×16 SDI. The input can be switched to any one or group of outputs, and all inputs meet SMPTE 259M requirements. The HD-SDI model meets SMPTE 292M. The three control modes include front panel, external remote (optional), and IP link via MP software GUI program. The IP connection uses 10/100 Base-T half/full duplex with autodetect.

The Black Box AC1123A matrix switch sends 16 VGA or HD video and audio signals to any combination of outputs for digital signage and multimedia distribution applications. The switching can be front-panel controlled, preset by time sequence, or IP-operated with the Ethernet 10/100 port using either telnet or the virtual serial port driver. All VGA models work with the Black Box mini Cat-5 extenders for extending VGA for longer distances.

Communications Specialties Fiberlink Matrix

The Fiberlink Matrix from Communications Specialties is a SMPTE-compliant 32×32 optical router for which the inputs and outputs can be ordered in quantities of one for precise customization. Equipped with LC or ST connectors, the Fiberlink can work with single-mode and multimode fiber. It can be controlled by front-panel, RS-232, or an Ethernet web-based GUI, which also serves for firmware upgrades.

The CrestronMPS-300 is a complete video and audio switching solution for a wide variety of applications with composite, S-Video, and RGB capability along with 8-channel microphone matrix switching. The unit’s control options include front panel, RS-232, and Ethernet by means of its built-in e-Control2 web server built on a Microsoft Com/ActiveX foundation for browser access customized with Crestron’s VTPro-e GUI design software.

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IP-linked Video Control

Jan 5, 2010 12:39 PM,
By Bennett Liles

The latest IP-controlled video hardware units.

DVIGear DVI-488-MX-HD1

The DVIGearDVI 4000 Series matrix router offers a fixed array of eight inputs and eight outputs (scalable up to 32×32) with any source capable of being switched to any output with seamless integration of DVI and HDMI sources. The unit can be controlled through RS-232, LAN connections, or a built-in web interface. HDMI source signals are reclocked and support cable lengths up to 197ft.

The EQT-3232 from Evertz is a front-accessible 32×32 SD/HD/3G router designed for mission-critical applications, and it supports digital signals from 3Mbps all the way up to 3Gbps in all three of these SDI formats and DVB-ASI and SMPTE 310. A standard feature is the internal frame controller that includes a serial port. It also has Q-Link and Ethernet ports through which the unit may be controlled using the entire range of Quartz remote control panels.

Extron FOX 4G Matrix 7200

Extron’s Fox 4G Matrix 7200 fiber-optic matrix switcher is available in sizes from 8×8 to 72×72 and can use single and multimode I/O boards in addition to a multirate SDI board. It handles a variety of video formats at rates up to 4Gbps. Along with front-panel and serial control, the switcher can be monitored and controlled via Ethernet with Extron’s familiar IP Link control structure widely used in its other hardware and applications.

FSR Pathfinder

The Pathfinder matrix switcher from FSR comes in sizes from 8×4 to 32×32 and handles composite, S-Video, component, and RGBHV in addition to a new feature called Split Mode Switching that allows each color channel in the RGBHV signal to be switched independently. Equipped with serial and Ethernet ports, the switcher can be controlled over IP Link by setting it up with the Eagle controller using menu-driven configuration software.

Available in a wide variety of customized configurations, the Genesis AV matrix switchers from Hall Research allow crosspoint switching of PC and HD video along with audio using front-panel, RS-232, and IP control as an option. The units with an “I” in the control block of the part number are controllable through IP and RS-232. The IP port is accessed via telnet and two ports are available, one to control the matrix and the other to set IP parameters.

Harris Panacea

The HarrisPanacea P16x4HSRIE is a compact routing switcher designed as an affordable solution for high-definition video broadcast and AV switching. It features 16 inputs capable of accepting standard-definition, high-definition, and 3Gbps video signals. Each input is available to four reclocked outputs providing clean, stable digital video signals. The Panacea line supports any combination of internal or external AC or DC power. The P16x4HSRIE is equipped with an internal AC power supply. It can be fitted with a local control panel or can be controlled remotely using XY (coaxial) or Ethernet connectivity. A wide range of hardware- and software-based control surfaces are available to meet the needs of any application.

IHSEusa Draco Major

In 2009, IHSEusa introduced the Draco Major matrix switcher, which can support DVI-D displays at resolutions up to 1920×1200 on single-link DVI, USB, and KVM-over-Cat-5/6/7, single-mode, or multimode fiber. Configured in crosspoint mode for digital signage applications, the unit can provide a 32×16 switching matrix, offering control and configuration by the front panel, serial, or through a web-based graphical interface.

For smaller high-definition video and audio matrix switching applications, Intelix offers the DIGI-HDMI 4×4 with four HDMI 1.3b inputs and outputs along with four twisted-pair extender outputs for carrying the HDMI signals up to 150ft. The unit also provides four IR pass-through ports for extending infrared commands to devices. Control options include front panel, RS-232, IR, and Ethernet.

Intelix DIGI-HDMI

The Key Digital Hercules line of matrix switchers includes the KD-MSCAT 40×40, the largest in the line. It is composed five of the base 8×8 units. The switcher can work with component, RGBHV, S-Video, or composite signals and stereo analog or PCM digital sound. Connection capability includes bi-directional RS-232, serial IR, and Cat-5/6/7. Among the remote control options is TCP/IP with a static IP address updatable via menu control setup function.

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IP-linked Video Control

Jan 5, 2010 12:39 PM,
By Bennett Liles

The latest IP-controlled video hardware units.

Kramer Electronics VP-437xl

Made for routing RGBHV video and balanced or unbalanced audio, the Knox Video TechnologiesRSIII series of routing switchers includes units from 4×8 to 12×8 in capacity. These can also handle RGBS, RGsB, HDTV, component, S-Video, and composite video signals with volume and tone attenuation on the matrix outputs. The RSIII is controllable through RS-232 and Ethernet ports on the rear panel.

Housed in a compact 1RU enclosure, the VP-437xl seven-input scaler/switcher from Kramer Electronics handles composite, S-Video, component, computer graphics video, and HDMI with unbalanced stereo and S/PDIF audio. It outputs to RGBHV, HDMI, and VGA. HDCP capability allows the HDCP content at the input to pass only to the HDMI output. Control is done through front-panel, RS-232, IR, or Ethernet interfaces.

Miranda Technologies Nvision

The Nvision compact routers from Miranda Technologies can switch 3Gbps HD/SD, SDI, analog video, AES, and analog audio and machine control in matrixes from 16×4 up to 32×32. They can be used as standalone devices in broadcast, mobile, and postproduction, needing no controller but can be combined with controllers into larger systems. The control panels, sold separately, can communicate remotely via Ethernet.

MultiDyne EOS-4000

MultiDyne designed the EOS-4000 series optical routing switchers to handle single- and dual-link DVI, RGB-HV, SDI, HD-SDI, 3G HD-SDI, and future standards up to 10Gbps over fiber optics using 850 nanometer, 1300 nanometer, and 1550 nanometer wavelengths. The units can be controlled via Ethernet with AMX or Crestron controllers along with WebX, an embedded web GUI for remote control from a browser using SSL for security. The units also have hot-swappable fans, port cards, and power supplies.

For high-bandwidth optical video switching, Opticomm offers the OptiLynx OLX-3000. Available in several sizes, the OLX-3000 uses small form-factor pluggable (SFP) connectors and can switch digital signals up to 4.25Gbps. The unit’s 10/100 Ethernet connection enables switching control along with automatic and remote reconfiguration and fault emulation. It can also provide remote dynamic device testing along with cable and hardware diagnostics.

Thinklogical VX160

The Cheetah 144NE fiber-optic router system from Pesa Switching Systems is intended for pro AV or broadcast in dual-link DVI, HD-SDI or 3G-SDI applications. Available in sizes from 36×36 up to 144×144, the Cheetah 144NE uses I/O cards allowing expandability in groups of 36×36 using standard LC type fiber SFP modules. The unit can be controlled over Ethernet using third-party controllers or on the Web using the Pesa Clikcontrol network software.

Thinklogical designed the VX160 6.25Gbps router and non-blocking matrix switch to carry video and peripheral signals on single-mode or multimode fiber in configurations from 20×20 up to 160×160. For mission-critical applications, the unit has hot-swappable power supplies, cooling fans, and pluggable optics. The VX160 can be controlled via RS-232 with third-party control systems or on Ethernet with two RJ-45 ports. One of these is dedicated to maintenance and the other is for VX160 control.

TVOne Cs-7110

The C2-7110 nine-input video processor from TVOne is intended to switch video signals between a variety of formats in a small 1RU enclosure. With two independent video processing and scaling engines, the unit can input composite, S-Video, and DVI-I along with reference genlock signals and output all of these in many combinations among three operational modes. Also available are chromakey, edge blending, transcoding, gamma correction, logo insertion, scaling, and proc amp adjustments. Control options include front panel, serial, and an RJ-45 IP port.

Utah Scientific Utah-100

The Utah-100 family of routing switchers from Utah Scientific are available in boxed-frame and modular units for handling all video signal types in configurations from 8×8 all the way up to 32×32. Supplied with a built-in Ethernet control interface, the Utah-100/X switcher can be controlled through a browser interface or with optional built-in or remote control panels. A wide variety of signal handling options are available depending on the specific type ordered.

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