KVM extenders

The starting point for any selection is the video interface on your computers. Depending on the interface type, different performance classes are available for transmitting high-resolution to ultra-high-resolution video signals.

DisplayPort: DisplayPort 1.2 and 1.1 offer two performance classes. Embedded audio is included in both.

• DisplayPort 1.2 supports resolutions up to 4096 × 2160 at 60 Hz (4K) or 5120 × 2160 at 50 Hz
• DisplayPort 1.1 supports resolutions up to 2560 × 1600 at 60 Hz (2K) or 4096 × 2160 at 30 Hz

USB Type-C: Uses DisplayPort 1.2 Alt Mode. Embedded audio is included.

• Supports resolutions up to 4096 × 2160 at 60 Hz (4K) or 5120 × 2160 at 50 Hz

DVI: DVI is available as DVI-D and DVI-I. DVI-D transmits digital video signals, while DVI-I additionally supports analog signal components. Performance classes differ between SingleLink and DualLink.

• SingleLink supports resolutions up to 1920 × 1200 at 60 Hz (Full HD)
• DualLink transmits video signals up to 2560 × 1600 at 60 Hz (2K) or 4096 × 2160 at 30 Hz

HDMI: Uses the HDMI 1.4 standard. Embedded audio is included.

• Supports resolutions up to 2560 × 1600 at 60 Hz (2K) or 4096 × 2160 at 30 Hz

Mix & Match: All modules with bluedec™ compression can be combined freely – even across different video signal types. Standardized, mutually compatible building blocks give you exactly the solution your infrastructure calls for – used on their own or integrated seamlessly into a matrix.

The transmission path determines the entire architecture:

• Dedicated uses a direct point-to-point connection over the G&D protocol. The result is the lowest achievable latency, independent of any network infrastructure, with plug-and-play commissioning and automatic device detection. The first choice when no network dependency should arise.
• KVM-over-IP transmits the same signals over standard networks – pixel-accurate and with no perceptible latency. This opens up flexible, scalable, cross-site infrastructures with secure, encrypted transmission. Ideal when distance, network integration and scalability are the priority.

Alongside the video interface, distance determines your choice. How far a connection reaches depends on the medium and on the transmission route.

Dedicated transmission — these figures apply to the entire link between computer and console module:

• CAT 5e cable and above: up to 140 m
• Multimode fibre: up to 400 m
• Singlemode fibre: up to 5,000 m

KVM over IP — these figures apply between two active network components:

• CAT 5e cable and above: up to 100 m
• Multimode fibre: up to 550 m
• Singlemode fibre: up to 10,000 m

Across the network, the total distance is therefore practically unlimited: sites can be connected as far as the network reaches. With dedicated transmission, greater distances are achievable by exchanging the SFP transceivers.

Which medium for what: CAT cable covers short to medium distances within a building and uses cabling that is often already in place. Fibre bridges long distances and galvanically isolates the computer and console modules — in environments with strong electromagnetic interference, it is the more robust route. Both media are available for both transmission routes.

Another important selection criterion is the type of video compression. With bluedec™, G&D relies on a sophisticated, multi-stage, lossless compression that delivers high video quality with efficient use of bandwidth. Transmission is virtually latency-free.

Systems with bluedec™ compression are matrix-compatible and support Mix & Match. End devices can therefore be combined freely – even when they process different video signals. This considerably increases flexibility when planning, expanding and modernizing KVM infrastructures.

Almost all extenders work with bluedec™ compression – over KVM-over-IP as well as dedicated. The exception is DP1.2-VisionXG: this extender transmits uncompressed, but is not matrix-compatible and not Mix & Match capable. It is used where a point-to-point connection without matrix integration is sufficient.