By: Héctor Gómez Pérez
Mauricio Bolaños, SALES Engineer at TV Magic*
Multi-signal display processors are used in control rooms to present visual elements and data, as well as facilitate group decision-making. This solution can be a multiple viewfinder with a single screen or a multi-screen video wall. The processor supports the selection of the inputs, the size and position of the windows in which they are displayed.
To facilitate understanding, greater emphasis can be achieved by adjusting the size and position of windows, as well as by juxtaposing related information. The cursor on the screen allows you to control the processor and can also be used as a pointer. However, conventional systems offer limited mechanisms for the control of source images; what is needed is an application that combines control of the display space and source inputs without interruption. The techniques described in this article represent a solution to this problem.
As described below, a complete system consists of a control computer, image sources, and display processor connected over a network or networks. Image sources can include computing devices, as well as keyboard- and mouse-controlled video sources, such as PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) cameras or digital video recorders (DVRs). A source computer can be any computer-based device that provides video, including data, images, or streaming from live sources. In each of the control equipment a remote data access agent configured to communicate with the control computer through an IP network is installed, the latter is used to configure and manipulate each of the connected devices.
Let's look at some of the most common monitor, keyboard, and mouse (KVM) applications, such as GoToMyPC® and pcAnywhere®. Such applications rely on IP networks for video transport and control. However, the low video resolution and slow response time are typically due to the limited bandwidth available on IP networks. This, on the other hand, is not a problem for the transmission of keyboard and mouse input signals, since the bandwidth requirements for keyboard and mouse control are minimal. However, for optimal video quality, remote computers can connect to the display processor through a video interface, such as a digital visual interface (DVI).
Multiple images, a single screen
RGB Spectrum has developed a solution that can be used with its multiple viewfinders and display wall processors, called the KvM Integrated Control System. This system is a hybrid that combines direct video connection and IP connection for keyboard and mouse; hence the change in the nomenclature of the KVM industry standard to "KvM". Video inputs are routed directly to the processor and synchronized with control signals transmitted over the IP network. This hybrid solution provides high bandwidth for video signals and flexible data transfers for keyboard and mouse signals. Video over IP technology may also be used in cases where direct video connection is not possible due to distance or other reasons.
Figure 1 is a graphical representation showing an example of an integrated visualization and control system. The control of IP networks can be one of the many possibilities, with Ethernet being the most common.
The display processor, control computer, and source computers have unique IP addresses. A Remote Data Access Agent (RDA) is installed on each of the control computers. To create a secure session, passwords and encryption systems for private keys and public keys are used between the source computer and the control computers. Mechanisms such as Transport Layer Security (SSL), Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), and Secure Shell (SSH) can also be used to provide greater security.
A complete system also requires an effective user interface to control the display processor and source computers. A particularly suitable system would offer:
In the implementation of the KvM-integrated control system, switching between the video processor control and the source computers is as simple as clicking the mouse.
1. The on-screen cursor allows you to control the video processor and the source computers.
to. Switching between the video processor control and the source computers is simple.
b. Optical nuances on the screen: The size and shape of the cursor indicate whether it controls the video processor or a source computer based on the position of its X and Y coordinates. For example, at first the cursor is activated in video processor control mode and appears on the screen as a large arrow.
2. A single mouse controls the display processor and source computers without the need to use other devices and without requiring a screen space dedicated to icons or menus.
to. The mouse controls a source computer when the cursor is located inside the window in which the images are displayed. Outside the window the mouse controls the display processor. The operating mode changes depending on the position of the mouse.
b. When the mouse is in display processor mode, the cursor can also be used as a pointer and/or to control the size and position of the screen windows. For example, when the cursor is located inside a window, you can click the left mouse button and hold it down to drag the window to a new position on the screen. If you locate the cursor on the edge or corner of the window, you can resize the window.
c. When the cursor is placed inside a window, just click with the mouse to change control mode and display the computer in the window. A smaller cursor indicating the mode change will now appear. In addition, the keyboard functions of the control computer can be used. It is also possible to operate multiple computers: when the cursor moves to a window, it controls the computer displayed in that window.
d. Moving the cursor out of a window reverts to display processor mode, which allows you to control how the source images are displayed. (Figure 2).
3. A single keyboard is sufficient for all source computers. This keyboard also allows you to track the status of the mouse. In short, the user interface is very simple and intuitive. A single mouse and keyboard is all you need.
In short, the RGB Spectrum solution offers a unified system for viewing and controlling computers and devices operated by a computer. By using a direct connection for video in addition to IP control, the hybrid solution allows you to benefit from the advantages of both types of connectivity and high-quality video transport and flexible control. The video quality, as well as resolution, response time, and frame rate, are noticeably superior to those of other video-over-IP based solutions. The system works with a single mouse that controls the on-screen cursor and an optional keyboard for data entry. This hybrid system is complemented by the user interface for uninterrupted, real-time control and unmatched response time.
The KvM-integrated control system is an option available for MediaWall® multi-display video walls and RGB Spectrum SuperView® multi-signal display processors.
* RGB Spectrum® designs and manufactures videographic and multimedia hardware subsystems.
by Garth Powell*
When one talks about the dangers of AC energy, usually the first thing that comes to mind is lightning. In reality, lightning is a serious danger to electronic equipment, especially in many regions of Latin America. In fact, some equatorial regions of South America experience the highest annual lightning strikes of any place on the planet.
Lightning can cause catastrophic moments on voltages (jolts) that will pass over wiring, wires, pipe or any other conductive material, and can be devastating to electronic equipment. Because lightning charges an incredible amount of energy, damage can occur to equipment that is a mile away or even farther from the place where the direct impact occurred. Even if the current from a lightning strike does not lead directly to a site, the electronics can be damaged by a nearby impact because the wires pick up the electromagnetic field that is generated when the impact occurs.
A properly installed structural lightning protection system composed of bar lightning rods and conductors ranging from the building's grounding system will protect the building itself; however, the electronics that are inside are still at risk. A protector on the service panel can be an effective first line of defense, but because there can be many shocks inside a building (after the panel), protection must be employed at the point of use at each site where the equipment is located. Such protection should cover not only AC lines, but also any coaxial or telephone lines, since a damaging jolt can pass through signal lines as easily as power lines do. The technology in today's most advanced power management components can protect against almost anything, plus a direct lightning strike on the incoming line or service panel (thank Goodness this is an event that happens very rarely).
However, the dangers of AC power are by no means limited to lightning strikes. The AC power infrastructure was built more than 100 years ago, and although the technology in our equipment has evolved, the basic system for powering equipment is still outdated, outdated and in many areas poorly maintained and has many problems.
For example, in many parts of Latin America, the transmission of AC energy that is consistent (i.e., constant energy, no blackouts) or that does not present voltages that fluctuate dramatically in the day or during the week (constant AC voltage – regulation) is very rare, unfortunately. Users are generally forced to resort to rudimentary industrial voltage regulators, dieses generators, gas or ferro-resonant AC devices, simply to maintain their basic services. In addition to this, there is the fact that most of its sensitive electronic components were created for an average of 120VAC (not the 127 that we normally find in many areas such as Mexico) or 220V-240V, and at most you only have a notebook of annotations to malfunction the electronic circuits, and to make matters worse they have a limited life and the permanent need to have to recharge or repair.
With this in mind, the best you can expect for some challenging installations is to use whatever you have on hand in order to keep the appliances running. However, the AC power management device that is suitable for electric lighting or cooling may NOT be appropriate for today's sensitive microprocessor circuits (i.e., computers, server systems, automation, audio-video processors, projectors, and security equipment).
For example, yesterday's active devices (such as vacuum tubes and transistors) could handle large temporary voltage pulses without any problems, while current densely packed circuit boards and critical microprocessors are highly susceptible to voltage tonnage. Three volts are enough to cause permanent damage to many connections.
By design, your local power services or substation send countless pulses through AC wiring every week. In fact, it could be between dozens and hundreds of impulses daily. This is due to the necessary change from one transformer (or substation supply) to another during the day, thus adjusting high demands. This hidden danger is the cause of many seemingly inexplicable problems and many erratic behaviors in today's electronics, and without proper protection the problems will manifest themselves more frequently over time (increased digital errors, data loss and distortion, just to name a few).
In addition to temporary impulses, another substantial hazard to equipment is sustained overvoltage conditions. Sustained overvoltage can be caused by many reasons: a wiring failure in a building's electrical system can lead to the loss of a neutral line, a storm or accident can cause a high-voltage power line to come into contact with a low-voltage distribution line, or a malfunction in power services that can lead to a catastrophic overvoltage condition, with the consequent immediate destruction of equipment that is connected without protection. Many pulse protectors and power tapes do not offer protection against these conditions and may in fact involve a fire hazard. To properly protect yourself from sustained overvoltage, make sure your power management device has an extreme voltage shutdown circuit that constantly monitors the incoming voltage and instantly disconnects power when there is an external rated range.
Finally, it should be noted that electronic equipment is designed to run on either 120V or 220V-240V power, depending on the country where we live. A voltmeter should always be loaded and the incoming voltage checked at each installation site before specifying the equipment. Although each power service will do its best to supply a rated voltage, load conditions, line resistance, or poor regulation in the main transformers can cause the voltage supply to occur above the rated range. In this situation, a voltage regulator must be installed.
For A/V installations, a regulator that offers solid-state interrupting should be sought to eliminate noise while regulation is being performed. This ensures that sensitive components that require high current and low noise regulation perform optimally.
There are clearly many considerations to consider in relation to AC power and how to best deliver high performance and protection to customers. In future articles, we will delve into problems such as unstable voltages and AC line noise, and how to best fix them.
*Garth Powell is the Senior Product Designer and Senior Sales Engineer at Furman, a leading global provider of energy management solutions. It can be contacted at: [email protected].