Monitor Switch: Space Saving Solution Allowing Sharing of Display Devices

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.

The VGA Monitor Switch maintains video integrity and provides clear & sharp images making it appear as though each display device is directly connected to the source. Supporting resolutions up to 1920 x 1440 @ 60 Hz, these units consist of a pixel frequency of 250 MHz. Supporting DDC1, DC2, DDC2B, DDC2B+, and DDC2AB protocols, they are also equipped with agency approvals from CE as well as FCC and are RoHS compliant. Hot pluggable, one can add or remove the connected devices for maintenance without powering down the system. Amongst many benefits of this switch, the most important one is the elimination on unplugging and re-plugging the displays.

The VGA Switch is easy to setup and operates on simple plug and play functionality. By connecting the video source and the display through standard VGA Cables to the inputs and outputs of the switch and powering it on, it is ready to operate. It does not require any additional software or device drivers for operation. These switches can also be cascaded for larger applications where required. Control over this switch is exercised using push buttons in front of the unit and some models use TCP/IP or Infra red remote control. The high end models also have the option of a wireless remote for port selection, on screen display and auto scan mode. PCs, MACs and SUNs with VGA video along with VHS or DVD players support all models of these switches.

In areas where switching between multiple video sources is necessary, the Monitor switch plays an important role. It is designed for applications used in educational institutions, training and remote monitoring facilities, and commercial establishments and in Graphic Designing fields.

Audio KVM Switch: Share a Single Set of Peripheral between Multiple Computers

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.

Compact desktop models, they are also available in rack mount versions. These units are easy to install and work on simple plug and play functionality. They do not require any additional software or device drivers for operation. Hot pluggable, the switches are so designed that it is not necessary to shut down computers while maintenance operations are being performed. Offering multi platform support, they are compatible with SUN, IBM, HP, Dell, Solaris, and Mac, and Windows Vista/2003/XP/2000, Netware, UNIX and Linux operating systems and have optional 12, 24 and 48 volt DC power.

Supporting Microsoft Intellimouse, Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer, Logitech Net Mouse, the KVM Switch with audio is equipped with a LED display for easy status monitoring. Control can be exercised using front panel push buttons or hot key combinations. High end models also use RS232 or Infra red remote control. Supporting resolutions of 1920 x 1440, it has a bandwidth of 400 MHz. The key features of the audio switches are: ability to switch audio from each PC and transmit to a set of peripheral speakers, multi lingual on screen display menu (OSD), auto scan mode for monitoring PCs at regular intervals, advanced user profiles, complete keyboard and mouse emulation for simultaneous boot up of all PCs and configurable OSD hot key combinations.

Since the Audio KVM Switch offers flexibility and range of control, it is widely deployed in server rooms and data centers as well as remote monitoring facilities where it is used by network administrators.

HDMI Splitter: Great Choice for Maximum Users

If you are worry about the DVD players, D-VHS players, set-top boxes and other HDMI devices and want to connect to two or more HDTV display, the HDMI Splitter will be the great choice. This HDMI splitter sometimes also called HDMI distribution amplifier. These are divided in 2, 4, 8 etc according to the functionality of splitting the signals. It supports various kinds of resolutions like 720i, 720p and 1080p and also the HDCP complaint. It is easy to use and there is no requirement of addition software to use it. The HDMI Splitter is widely used in classrooms, training purpose, conference room, digital signage application etc.

Matrix Switch: Web like Interconnectivity between Various Sources and Displays - SmartVM Blog

» Matrix Switch: Web like Interconnectivity between Various Sources and Displays - SmartVM Blog: "- 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.

Digital Signage Software: Dynamic Advertising Medium offering Increased ROI

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.

Compatible with all industry standard file formats, such as Flash files, Video, HTML, QuickTime, Microsoft Office, and JPG, most of these solutions are built on Microsoft technology and do not require and proprietary hardware. Content can be in the form of data, animations, video or text and is all high resolution. These software solutions create signage networks that make dynamic, targeted messaging easy allowing the content to be created and scheduled so that it is made available to target audience at the right time and appropriate location. This can then can be distributed to the server and relayed across a network or via IP. While some solutions are stand alone and can be plugged into existing television sets and played others allow the users to create customized content that includes video and audio through a computer program.

The electronic displays which depict the information are called digital signage hardware devices. They can be in the form of Video Walls, LCD or Plasma display, Multimedia Kiosks and Projectors. The user requires a thorough understanding of the network and bandwidth availability in order for successful deployment of this signage network. The system which is being used for this technology should be able to operate on the network without affecting normal operations. The costs and the benefits of deploying this medium in respective sectors should be evaluated before implementation of the signage solution. The selected solution should have the capacity to accommodate growth irrespective of how diverse or complex the future requirements may be.

A digital signage software solution influences customer behavior, enhances the customer experience, lowers production costs, provides cost efficiency, reliability, faster deployment and generates greater revenue. Due to all these key benefits, it is a widely used solution adopted in financial, educational and commercial institutions along with healthcare, travel, government and military sectors.

Video Screen Splitter: Transmission of Signals from Multiple Sources to Single Destination

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.

Some key features common to all these models are easy installation, plug and play functionality, no requirement of additional software or device drivers and long distance transmission of the video signals while maintaining signal integrity. While the DVI and HDMI splitter are highly demanded models, the most basic one is the VGA splitter.

On the other hand, the Quad Video Splitter is the most innovative device in the KVM industry as it simultaneously displays signals from four analog or digital sources on a single display device. This unit has numerous display modes such as the Quad mode wherein the screen is split into four fields of equal size with each field displaying content from one source respectively. The PIP mode is one in which up to three video sources is displayed as thumbnails on the right hand side of the full screen image. The dual mode allows the left halves of the full screen images from two video sources to be displayed side by side at full size and the full screen mode allows one of the four video sources to be shown at full screen size and maximum resolution.

All the different types of the Video Screen splitter are FCC and CE certified as well as RoHS compliant and allow switching between sources through front panel push buttons and RS232. High end models enable switching through IR and TCP/IP control as well. Ideal for situations where images from various sources need to be replicated on a single screen, they find usage in remote monitoring and surveillance facilities, financial, commercial, educational, government and military environments.

Rackmount LCD Monitor: Industrial Grade Monitor used by Network Administrators

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.

The Quad Screen Rackmount LCD on the other hand is one of the latest models which have the ability to monitor four video feeds simultaneously on a single screen. Available in two models, one with standard 4:3 video resolution and the other with wide screen 16:9 video format, these devices are perfect for CCTV and Surveillance monitoring, Data Centers, Control Rooms and Mission Critical Monitoring configurations. The most important feature of this device which is also common to all models is the unique flip up design which allows the unit to remain open even when the rack door is closed for easy viewing.

Other key features of the Rackmount monitor are easy installation, simple plug and play methodology, no requirement of additional software or device drivers, hot plug ability and an on screen display that controls Brightness, Contrast, Color, Clock, H. Position, V. Position, Phase, Scaling, Auto config, Input select, Multi window, Clear EEPROM, OSD adjust and Save. Equipped with LEDs that indicate the power connection status, these units offer multi platform support and can work with IBM, HP, Dell, SUN Microsystems. Optional DC power 12V, 24V and 48V, analog to digital signal converter board, Standard D-sub 15-pin VGA input connectors are some additional features of these monitors. They support resolutions ranging from 1024 x 768 up to 1600 x 1200 and have all necessary agency approvals from CE, FCC, TAA and RoHS.

Due to all these features, the Rackmount LCD monitor provides effective assistance to network administrators to monitor PCs. They are widely used in commercial, military, and government as well as industrial applications.