Thinklogical Launches System-Management Portfolio, Demos 4K Postproduction

The demonstrations highlight how the company’s fiber-optic-based video and KVM switching and extension solutions address many of the complex signal-management challenges facing today’s broadcast and video postproduction professionals. Signal-management products from Thinklogical are optimized for broadcast, mobile-production trucks, and postproduction applications where quality, performance, and security are paramount.

System Management Portfolio
To help users easily manage and maintain Thinklogical deployments of any size, the System Management Portfolio encompasses four specialized software packages. Its remote-management and -maintenance capabilities make it easier for users to set up, configure, operate, and update a Thinklogical signal-extension and switching system.

A standard software package included with every Thinklogical MX and VX matrix switch, the Configurator features an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI), enabling faster router setup and helping simplify defining users, groups, stations, and macros.

The Premium Configurator offers synchronized system management for use with redundant routing systems, enabling automatic configuration synchronization. It also provides users with premium tie-line management for bidirectional tie lines, with no restrictions for video-path direction over tie lines. Included with the Premium Configurator is a drag-and-drop GUI, which allows users to easily model the physical system layout on-screen and quickly switch sources and destinations by simply moving the content-source icon to the desired destination. As room configurations evolve over time, users can easily add or remove icons representing sources and destinations from the layout as required, making it simple to adapt to changing requirements.

The Hot-Key Manager provides control access from workstations, granting any authorized receiver on the router the ability to make a switch. Users define a set of keystrokes to deliver routing control to the desktop, all managed through an easy-to-understand on-screen display. With a simple keystroke or movement of the mouse, multiple users in different locations can easily exchange a single source’s keyboard and mouse to more efficiently collaborate and share resources.

The System Management Interface introduces system diagnostics, remote-monitoring, and software-updating capabilities to Thinklogical system administration. The Interface monitors the connection and the system hardware and software, providing such details as product type, serial number, power-supply status, board temperature, optical-module status DDC mode, and software version. The included System Update software allows users to remotely update their KVM system hardware over a fiber connection up to 80 km (50 miles) away.

The new System Management Portfolio from Thinklogical improves overall system performance and value by reducing support effort, lowering total cost of ownership, enhancing productivity and maximizing system uptime.

Digital Cinema 4K Products
Thinklogical’s modular 4K SMPTE Digital Cinema signal management solutions is in action at NAB 2014. The product line includes 6.25-Gbps extenders and matrix switches supporting four single-link DVI signals, two dual-link DVI signals, four 1.5G SD/HD-SDI signals, and two 3G SDI signals.

File-Based Video-Editing Workflows
The collaboration and productivity of video and KVM extension and switching capabilities are showcased in the Postproduction suite demonstration. Users can sit at a typical postproduction editing desk and assign and switch HD and 4K video and audio signals from multiple sources to different destinations with no latency or loss of quality.

Modular System Design
The Q and T-Series modular-system designs support a breadth of video, audio, and peripheral data connections and formats in a flexible, space-saving configuration that accommodates current system requirements while allowing for expansion and implementation of requirements that may develop in the future. Highlights include the new eSATA extender module and compact 4200-Series chassis, which holds four modules and is suited for use in mobile-production trucks.