Author Archives: Steve

Things to Consider Before Buying a Rackmount Monitor

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The first thing to do is clear the air as to what we mean by Rack mount Monitor. Though it can be used to describe any display that can be mounted into a server rack, for the purposes of this discussion, it will be confined specifically to a LCD display and keyboard combination that is fitted into a 1U or 2U rackmount enclosure. These displays slide out of the enclosure and open up to allow a user to manage other equipment in the server rack.

1. What type of rack will the monitor be installed in?
There are two prevailing types of server racks and what type of rack is used will often depend on where the rack is being installed. The most common racks are 4-post server racks. They are found nearly everywhere that servers and related equipment are installed including as mobile carts for test equipment in different indoor and outdoor environments as well as in vehicles. The second type of rack is a 2-post rack, which can be found in all of the same locations as a 4-post rack, but are most commonly located in telecomm closets and other areas where space is at a premium.

2. What is the available Rack Depth?
Most server racks will range in depth from 19 inches up to 29 inches depending upon the type of equipment being used. For shallower depth installations or where a 2-post rack is used; a shallow depth or Short Depth Rackmount Monitor will be necessary. Because of the loss in depth and depending on the configuration, some Short Depth Rackmount Monitors may require 2U of rack space.

1U 17" Rack Monitor Keyboard Drawer Short Depth with combo USB and PS2 Interface Touchpad

1U 17″ Rack Monitor Keyboard Drawer Short Depth with combo USB and PS2 Interface Touchpad

3. What type of keyboard is preferred (Touchpad or Trackball)?
Rackmount Monitors that include an integrated keyboard will also feature an integrated mouse option. These options are either a touchpad similar to what is available in laptop computers, or they may include a trackball option much like what was common in earlier laptops. Many times the type of interface is determined by environmental factors. Trackballs are frequently necessary in environments where gloves are a necessity.

4. Will the display be used independently from the keyboard on occasions?
If the Rackmount Monitor is being used primarily as a monitoring device with occasional user interaction, a dual-slide Rackmount Monitor may be preferred. Dual-slide units allow the display to be used without the keyboard interfering with server doors or walkways. Because of the extra hardware necessary for dual rails, it is not uncommon for Short-Depth Dual-Slide Rackmount Monitors to require 2U of rack space.

5. What type of video connectors (VGA, DVI, HDMI, Composite, S-Video)?
Rackmount Monitors are available with a widely customizable selection of video connectors. When choosing which type of connectors to select it is important to answer the following question.

6. What type of device will the monitor be attached to?
Rackmount monitors are most commonly used to administer servers. However, they are not limited to servers. Other areas where they are frequently used include render farms, surveillance installations, and testing facilities. Each of these installations has their own special set of requirements and the video ports on the monitor will change appropriately (HDMI for video rendering, composite or s-video for security cameras, and DVI or VGA for older servers).

7. What video resolution will it need to support (1920×1200, 1920×1080, 1600×1200, 1280×1024 or other)?
Many early Rackmount Monitors did not keep pace with the resolutions common in the high end graphics arena. This was driven by the fact that they were largely used to administer servers somewhat infrequently and rarely needed to display much high end graphics. This has changed; however, as the modern video interfaces have become more pervasive and more powerful integrated graphics chips have become available. Now, widespread DVI-D and HDMI adapters are causing HD resolutions to become a cost effective option.

8. How many devices will the monitor be attached to?
Because the point of having a Rackmount Monitor is to save space, it makes sense to have as few as possible in a server rack. This means that they are often accompanied by a KVM Switch. To further reduce rack clutter Rackmount Monitors can be configured to include a KVM Switch ranging in size from 8 ports all the way up to 32 ports. Rackmount Monitors with integrated Cat5 KVM Switches can support cascading KVM Switches to administer entire server farms from a relatively small number of consoles.

9. How far away will all the devices be located?
Because a standard rack maxes out at 42U, it is not uncommon for a Rackmount Monitor with Cat5 KVM Switch to be controlling servers in multiple server racks. Of course there are limitations and all the servers must be connected with a maximum cable length of 40 meters (132ft).

10. Will the monitor require remote access?
Once a Rackmount Monitor has been installed to manage multiple devices, users frequently find that it is inconvenient to constantly administer them from within a secure, climate controlled server room. For installations that require remote monitoring it becomes necessary to install a Rackmount Monitor with secured IP Access. Quality Rackmount Monitors with Integrated Cat5 KVM over IP will also feature multiple users so that the activities of each administrator who accesses the monitor can be logged.

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Long Range Cat5 HDMI Extension up to 330ft with IR, RS232 and 3D Support

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More and more HDMI electronics are purchased and set up in various rooms at home and offices. HDTV, Blue-ray and similar HDMI devices are being discounted by as much as 50%. This makes buying a new 52-inch 3D HDTV really affordable. The one thing missing from the mix is the ability to remotely control a television when it is more than a few feet from the HDMI source. A long range HDMI Extender up to 330ft solves this problem. The good news is that these devices are also very affordable.

HDMI Extender up to 330ft with Multi-channel Audio, IR & 3D over a single Cat5e/Cat6 cable
It’s not an unusual request to want to watch 3D movies on your new high-definition 3D compatible television set that you just brought home. Complicating the situation is that you want to set up the TV in your bedroom, but the Blue-ray player is in the home entertainment area which is several hundred feet away. That’s when you use a long range Cat5 HDMI Extender to make the connection.
These devices use Cat5e/6/7 network cable that is very cheap and also very flexible. That flexibility makes it easy to run from one room to another through the ceiling or floor space. Once you have the HDMI Extender devices in place, powered and connected to each device you can watch your 3D movies in one room while leaving the DVD player in the other room. Problem solved!
Well, the problem is solved as far as watching movies run on the DVD in the other room, but how do you remotely control the DVD player while you are in a different room? The answer is to be sure you get an HDMI extension device that supports bi-directional infra red remote control.
Not every digital extender is designed to support infra-red remote control of other devices. If that sounds like what you need, then shop for one that does. This HD Cat5 Extender offers IR functions from as far away as 330 feet as well as resolutions of 4K x 2K and Blu-ray 1080/60p. It can be used with an assortment of high-def devices including monitors, projectors, HDTV, DVD-players and flat panels. So if you are looking for a remote capable long range extender for the office projector, this unit will do the trick.
Some of the other features provided include support for screen resolutions up to 1920×1080 at any refresh rate as well as 7.1-channel surround sound audio dts-HD Dolby TrueHD. If you want to watch 3D movies, then you’ll need a 3D enabled HDMI extension solution.
Now is the time to take advantage of KVMSwitchTech‘s electronics and appliance price drops in the HDMI category.

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HDMI Splitter- Grocery Store Kicks in Media Blast Using HD Splitters

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Have you noticed your local grocery store getting into more advanced technologies? Many have implemented the self-checkout aisles where busy shoppers can check out their own groceries without having to wait in long lines. Another marketing method uses video or television broadcasts to catch the eye of shoppers. A HDMI Distribution Amplifier makes this possible – even in 3D!
Businesses are on the lookout for ways to get top of mind with their customers. Grocery stores usually have a hungry audience browsing the aisles searching for items to stock for the week’s meals. Some savvy grocery managers are pinching a marketing idea from caterers and restaurants and having in-house demonstrations presented by local chefs.
These mini cooking lessons are a big hit, so it only makes sense to record the session for future use. The next trick is to get the recordings out in front of shoppers in the area where produce used in the demonstrations are available. That’s where the 2 port hdmi splitter or 4-port or 8-port HDMI Video Splitter comes into the picture.
High definition televisions are very affordable. Even the 3D models are reasonably priced. To make the most of these recorded demonstrations an HD television, 2D or 3D, needs to be mounted so that it is easily seen by shoppers. It also makes sense to put the sets in the fresh produce, meat or even the bakery sections. However, these sets came with a 10 or 15 foot HDMI cable used to connect the display to the cable table-top set or satellite receiver. Now you need a way to distance the HDTV display from the broadcast source. You can use HDMI Splitters to do this.
Depending on how many displays, you will need a 2, 4 or 8-port HD splitter. These devices distribute a single HDMI source to two or more HDMI display units simultaneously. The resolution is as if the display was connected using the manufacture’s cables and there is no loss of quality. Resolutions of up to 1920×1080 (1080p) are supported.
You will need to purchase a transitional HDMI cable for this solution. They are available up to 50-feet. If the distance you need to go is greater than 50 feet you will need a different solution. KVMSwitchTech provides HDMI Extender Splitter over Cat5e/6 devices that will go distances up to 1,000 feet.
Once the displays are in place, use the cable that came with the HDTV set and connect it to the cable/satellite receiver output and the splitter input port. Next, connect the longer HDMI cable to the splitter output port and the HDTV display input. Plug power into the HD splitter and you are in operation!

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DVI Extenders– Inexpensive Solution to Extend Digital Video DVI Signals

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There are dozens of applications for using DVI over Cat5 to set up a digital monitor up to 300ft away from the controlling computer. Military, financial, health care and entertainment centers need to be able to send digital signals to monitors installed in distant secured locations in a facility. Until recently, buying a DVI Extender put a pretty good sized dent in your budget. Here’s news on how you can get two of these devices for the price of one so you can outfit your location for half the price.

CAT6 DVI Extender

CAT6 DVI Extender

Unlike the adapters and cables that were packaged with your digital monitor, these units extend the distance a digital signal can travel without degradation. The extenders are easy to install, compatible with all operating systems and digital monitors. They are an optimal solution for long range digital broadcasting.
Businesses which use digital projectors for presenting sales information and proposals to clients often do so in a large conference room. Sometimes the distance between the projector and controlling computer is just a few feet, but a more common practice has the computer located quite a distance away from the projector. This is a perfect example of where a Cat6 DVI extender is the solution to sending the presentation images down a network cable tens or even hundreds of feet to the projector. Compared to a standard DVI-D cable, a Digital extender can reach distances of up to 100 meters (or 330 feet with resolution up to 1920x 1200.
Components
The DVI over Cat5 kit includes transmitter and receiver providing easy plug and play installation. Be sure the product you purchase has FCC, CE and RoHS certifications to ensure there are not conflict with broadcast stations and internal communication devices. The transmitter and receivers are relatively small, less than 5 inches.

These extenders we reviewed provide distance and resolution of
• 1920×1200 (35 meters)
• 1280×1024 (60 meters)
• 1024×768 (70 meters)
• 800×600 (100 meters)
The power consumption is DC 9V, 500mA. This Cat6 DVI extender has a magnetic bottom which attaches firmly to a metal surface. This helps keep the device from disappearing behind desks or from becoming accidentally disconnected.
Perhaps you have been seeking a solution for providing high resolution digital transmissions over more than just a few feet so that the hosting computer can be positioned a distance away from the monitor. Typical scenarios requiring this configuration include computer rooms, test labs, large classroom and seminar areas, in restricted rooms in hospitals and even retail stores often need to keep a display in the main shop with the computer in a back office area. Check into a Digital Video Extender to get connected!

Take advantage of close out deals and inventory price cuts on DVI extenders at KVMSwitchTech. Call the support team Toll FREE and get your questions answered before you spend money on any other product.

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Rackmount LCD- Save Big On Ultra High Resolution 1920×1200 Rack LCDs

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Gadget geeks everywhere are lining up to buy the latest OS release from Microsoft, Windows 8 and the latest iPad from Apple, the iPad mini LTE. Of course, with every new software release there are implications for the technology team. However, there is a tried and true appliance flying under the radar that requires no additional tweaking and provides peak performance right out of the box. Prices are slashed in half on Rackmount LCD Drawer units. If you have a bit left in the hardware budget for your team, now is a great time to opt for a new energy saving rack mountable LCD.
The prices on these Rack LCD monitors have held steady for several years at between $2,000 and $2,700. This month there has been a tremendous drop in prices across the board on the 1U 17” Rackmount LCDs. In fact, these ultra-high resolution monitors that fit neatly in a server rack can be found for half price at select distributors.

1U 17" Rackmount LCD Monitor Drawer

1U 17" Rackmount LCD Monitor Drawer

These LCD monitors ship complete with rack mount kit and power supply. The entire package only occupies 1U of space in the server rack or cabinet. That’s why some technicians refer to them as the 1U LCD monitor. The monitor lays flat to stow away and then is tilted upright to by the administrator when performing system maintenance or administration.
No longer does that bulky, electricity sucking CRT or desktop LCD has to occupy several server positions in the rack. Replace that old dog with a Rack LCD and free up space for 2 or 3 more servers. Those are your money makers and the more you have in service, well, the more money you are making. You’ll also enjoy a reduction in energy usage by the 1U LCD devices as compared to older displays. That adds up to some significant savings when replacing multiple displays with a Rack mount monitor with integrated KVM Switch.
If you want to maximize the investment further, take a look into KVM switches that mount in racks. These are even more of a benefit because you can daisy chain as many as 256 servers and control them from a single location. Of course, you may not have that many servers and there are switches that support 8, 16, and 32 servers. The net result is more space freed up for the money making devices.
Energy savings, price cuts, and room for more billable servers are pretty strong arguments for refreshing hardware in the server room with new Rackmount LCDs. These LCD’s are ideal for applications used by the military, financial industry, surveillance, broadcast and even for controlling and managing digital signage.

Rackmount LCD Clearance Prices! Take advantage of close out deals and inventory price cuts on all 1U LCD units at KVMSwitchTech. Call the support team Toll FREE and get your questions answered before you spend money on any other product.

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Instant Access using HDMI Matrix Router

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The purpose of an HDMI Matrix Switcher is to allow several high-definition sources to be switched onto one or multiple HDTVs. HDMI Router Switches are available in 4×2, 4×4, 8×8 or even 16×16 port configurations. All the switches support the latest trend in high-definition television sets, 3D.
On a 4×4 HDMI Matrix, there are four HDMI connections for inputs and four HDMI connections for outputs. Look for an HDMI Router device that has EDID management and EDID memory.

Why is EDID important?
EDID stands for Extended Display Identification Data.
When a source such as a DVD player or cable set top box is switched on and it has something connected to the HDMI port the source will request information about the display. The display will then respond with a manufacturer identifier and capability information. This capability information defines what resolution the screen can support 720p or 1080p and other display information.
HDMI also contains audio support so the EDMI management gathers that information too. For example, is your set configured for Dolby surround sound or does it only support 2-channel / speaker audio?
EDMI is what allows you to quickly switch between devices without long pauses using an HDMI matrix. Some units support switching and device recognition in as little as 2 seconds.
Important 4×4 HDMI Matrix Features
• 4 HDMI digital source devices matrix switched to 4 HDMI devices
• HDMI digital video with audio
• Worldwide EDID modes for HDTV resolutions
• Link speeds of up to 6.75 Gbps (link clock rate of 225Mb Hz), Support HDMI 1.4a 3D formats.
• Wide range of HD resolutions from PC XGA to WUXGA 1920×1200 and HDTV/DTV resolutions 480i/480p, 576i/576p, 720p, 1080i & 1080p
• Compatible with all HDMI source devices including computer monitors, Plasma HD display, HDTV and audio receivers/amplifiers.
• Digital Video TMDS formats with resolution up to 1080P-60
• Digital Audio Support: – Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plug/ex, – DTS, DTS-HD, DTS-HD Master, DTS-EX – PCM, PCM2, LPCM2.
• Various User Interface control:
o Windows based GUI control via RS232 port
o Front Panel push button
• Infra-Red Remote wireless remote
• Consumer Electronic Control (CEC) switches all open or OFF. The Switcher remembers that last state during a power cycle. System recalls the last device in use and recognizes it first.
• Fast Speed Switching (Less than 2 seconds)
You may need an Infra-red remote extender to control devices beyond 300 feet. The HDMI Matrix Switch is the answer to never having to re-route connector cables between devices again.

Get near wholesale prices on a 4×4 or 8×8 HDMI Matrix Switch at KVMSwitchtech. Call the support team Toll FREE and get your questions answered before you spend money on any other product.

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Rackmount Monitor with TCP/IP to Monitor and Control Multiple Servers

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A friend recently commented that his company is building a new office and has tasked him with determining all of their technology needs for the new building. He asked us to go over the list of requests that he was planning and it was pretty comprehensive. The things that he was asking for were absolutely necessary and ranged from proper network cabling in oversized conduit all the way up to a dedicated server room with ample space for racks and an independent power and climate control systems.

1U 17" Rack Monitor with Integrated CAT5 KVM over IP Switch

1U 17" Rack Monitor with Integrated CAT5 KVM over IP Switch

He also had a budget allocated for server equipment and that is where we noticed the item he had missed. He had a vast range of servers for applications, web content, storage, email and even some health redundancy. He had not, however, included any local or remote administration capability. To remedy this we added a Rackmount Monitor with an integrated IP Cat5 KVM Switch. This Rackmount Monitor Keyboard with KVM will allow him to administer all of his servers locally, but it also allows him to access it from a remote location and still control each server without having to remember individual server addresses or names. Now I have to go home and lick my wounded ego because I have never had the opportunity to purchase new equipment.

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Sending KVM Signal Thousands of Feet Using Fiber Optic Extenders

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What do you do when you have to send a video signal from a computer located in one building to a 60-inch high definition LCD monitor in a building across the parking lot? As a technology solution provider, our company gets this question asked a lot. Companies want to incorporate video based monitoring solutions within their campus. They are running fiber optic cables and using a fiber optic extender to extend the distance for video signals.

It’s not unusual to have to send a digital video signal from one building to another. As long as the distance is under 3,280 feet you run a fiber cable the distance and use a fiber optic extender to push the signal down the cable to the monitor. The fiber optic extender has been a solution for more companies that are using high-end video displays located in buildings remote to the controlling computer system.

These units are packaged with transmitter and receiver units. The transmitter part of the fiber optic extender connects to the controlling computer while the receiver unit connects to the Rackmount LCD display.

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Using an 8X8 HDMI Matrix Switch as an Information Command Center

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We recently had a customer call with a request for a new installation. They were going to be setting up an entertainment room with a combination of HDTVs and projectors. Each input had to be able to show the same image on all outputs, but they also needed to be able to display different information from different HDMI sources. The solution that we provided was an 8×8 HDMI Matrix Switch.

8x8 hdmi matrix switch

8x8 HDMI Matrix Switch

This 8×8 HDMI Switch was ideal because it supports eight HDTV inputs to be switched to eight HDTV outputs independently. It also allows an administrator to configure each source to be shown on any of the displays simultaneously. Configuration can be managed with either an IR remote control; with push buttons on the front of the switch; or through a computer using either the RS232 Port or an optional TCP/IP Ethernet converter. Now the customer is able to administer their collection of devices including Apple TVs, computers, video cameras, and 3D HDTVs and projectors from one convenient location.

If you have a similar application for a 8×8 HDMI Matrix Switch or any type of HDMI Splitter or HDMI Extender solution, contact KVMSwitchTech at (866) 865-7737 and they’ll get you set up with a great deal.

Get some amazing deals on hdmi matrix switchers:
1. 4×4 hdmi matrix switch
2. 4×2 hdmi matrix switch

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Dramatic Price Drop in Rackmount Keyboards Make Them a Wise Choice

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It’s hard to believe that we used to pay over $1,000 for a Rackmount Keyboard and an 8 Port KVM switch box. Even at that price it was well worth it as the KVM switch box meant that we could control several servers with a single monitor, keyboard and touchpad or trackball mouse. Of course, the industry kind of threw us a curve ball when they started shipping computers with USB ports instead of PS2 connections. But KVMSwitchTech came through with devices that supported USB and PS2 connections. Now they’ve dropped prices by nearly 50% on their Rack mount Keyboard products.
Then they went above and beyond making it easy to cascade KVM Switches so you could control up to 128 servers through a single keyboard, monitor and mouse. Unbelievable! This really changed the face of the server room once we were able to remove all those bulky monitors. We started offering these “new” used monitors to the users who thought they were getting something high powered because it came out of the server room. We didn’t tell them the monitors were useless to us now.
The rack keyboard with an integrated 8-port KVM switch have really come down in price, almost half of what they were 5 years ago. Find them at KVMSwitchTech or call (866) 865-7737 and they’ll get you set up with the right Rackmount keyboard and equipment for your specific application.

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