Black Box to present KVM solutions for cloud and centralized AV management at IBC 2017

With these new solutions, Black Box aims to help broadcast professionals deliver content and distribute signals for live broadcast and post-production over proprietary networks and via IP.

Black Box will present at IBC 2017 high-performance KVM solutions, audio and video over IP and video wall solutions that offer reliable signal distribution and network management for live broadcast (live broadcasts and virtualized playback), as well as technology improves post-production workflows.

With these new solutions, Black Box aims to help broadcast professionals deliver content and distribute signals for live broadcast and post-production over proprietary networks and via IP.

John Hickey, Senior Director of R&D and KVM Systems at Black Box, acknowledges that "IT professionals want to operate in a cost-effective and flexible environment that requires virtualized server infrastructures and cloud-like production. Managing this, as well as having increased security requirements to prevent fraudulent copies and intrusions into IP infrastructures, puts a lot of pressure on them from an operational perspective."

“Our high-performance KVM solutions, such as InvisaPC and the Boxilla management platform, help customers develop effective and efficient operations from the point of view of content acquisition to playback,” adds Hickey.

Distribution and control in broadcast environments

The solutions that Black Box will exhibit in Amsterdam allow reliable distribution and control of signals for live broadcast. Secure and reliable KVM switching and extension technology for physical and virtual servers enables physical separation between user stations and servers.

Its proposals also allow the distribution of audio, HD video and peripheral signals over an IP network in critical environments such as master control rooms (MCR) and production studios. Furthermore, KVM switching and installations simplify content acquisition and broadcast through the efficient management and distribution of audio, video and peripheral signals at all stages of the broadcast workflow.

As a notable example in this range of solutions, InvisaPC stands out, an IP-only KVM system that bridges the differences between IP-based KVM extension and switching and access to virtual machines, offering real-time remote access to physical or virtualized CPUs.

On the other hand, at its stand it will showcase the possibilities of Boxilla. This centralized KVM and AV management platform, which will feature its first integration, InvisaPC, allows users to centrally manage access rights, configure endpoints, allocate bandwidth to devices and monitor network activity, all through a secure local network or even over the Internet.

To control multiple KVM systems, Black Box features ControlBridge, a touchscreen control system that offers custom user interfaces to control various KVM systems and room automation systems in control centers.

Especially suitable for television studios, the Radian videowall processor also stands out in the Black Box solutions portfolio. Its modular design facilitates the arrangement of multi-screen canvases of any size or geometry for broadcast control rooms and includes support for all the most common video interfaces, IP video transmission and various video walls.

The Radian video wall processor allows you to compose multiple video walls with up to 64 displays of any size and is designed for fast switching and 24/7 operations. Drag and drop content from hundreds of different sources (DVI, HDMI, IP...) anywhere on the video wall, in real time. The chassis-based system supports 4K and is compatible with Ultra High Definition displays.

Post-production

Another solution aimed at improving workflows in post-production environments is offered by the modular matrix switching provided by the DKM 4K60. This high-performance KVM matrix switch connects hundreds of workstations and servers, providing real-time access to up to 4K60 resolution video, audio, and peripheral signals. It is an ideal connectivity solution for high-performance broadcast applications such as color grading, video editing and audio production.

Regarding post-production, also review other solutions from the manufacturer that facilitate multi-user collaboration in real time for video editing and grading, CGI, VFX, audio... It also has systems that prevent the theft of copyright-protected content, limiting direct access to computer hardware and network.