Avocent LV3500W LongView
Wireless KVM Extender
The name Avocent may not be
familiar to single-computer system users and smaller production
facilities, but you can be sure IT departments in larger production
facilities and broadcast corporations (including Fox, ABC and CNBC) are
quite familiar with the company's products. Formed in 2000, the Avocent
Corporation has quickly become one of the leading suppliers of
enterprise-level remote access and centralized server control
solutions.
The core of Avocent's product base is its network-based KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) switching, which provides direct control over a large number of servers and other computer-based assets from remote locations. For those of us with only a few computers to manage (as opposed to a few thousand), Avocent also makes several useful remote access products suitable for more moderate needs. Two such products are the network-expandable AMX5130 User Station, and the LongView LV3500W Wireless KVM Extender, the later of which is reviewed here.
Features
The LongView LV3500W Wireless KVM Extender ($695) connects a local keyboard, monitor, mouse and stereo speaker set to a remotely located PC-compatible computer via RF transmission. According to Avocent, LV3500W system can transmit and receive data at distances up to 100 feet through walls and other obstructions and up to 300 feet within an unobstructed line of sight. The system utilizes the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to securely transmit data using a proprietary data processing and compression process based on the 802.11a wireless networking standard.
The LongView Wireless system is comprised of two paperback book-sized units labeled "transmitter" (computer-side) and "receiver" (remote-side), though communication between the units is actually bi-directional. The units are powered via 12-volt wall wart-style switching power supplies (included).
The transmitter and receiver are essentially identical in appearance, each boasting dual swivel-mount omnidirectional antennas, a set of three LED status indicators on the front, and a set of female KVM (PS/2 and 15-pin RGB) connectors plus audio and power jacks on the rear. The transmitter unit also has a permanently attached 3.5-foot cable that breaks out into male KVM connectors for connection to the host computer's keyboard, video and mouse ports. The set of KVM ports mounted on the rear chassis of the computer-side transmitter unit are for connecting an optional keyboard, monitor and mouse set for local operation of the computer in addition to the remote wireless set.
The LongView wireless system is capable of transmitting up to 30 frames per second of VGA-compatible analog RGB video at resolutions of 640 x 480, 800 x 600 and 1024 x 768 at refresh rates up to 60 Hz. Audio is connected from the computer's headphone or speaker output to the transmitter via a supplied 1/8-inch (mini) stereo cable. A corresponding mini jack located on the rear of the receiver provides the remote audio connection to phones or powered speakers. According to the manufacturer, audio is resampled from the analog input and transmitted at CD quality.
Avocent also makes a more powerful wireless system called the LongView LV4500W ($995). This system has the same feature set as the LV3500W system, though its internal high-output directional antennas are capable of transmission distances from up to 300 feet (obstructed) to 1000 feet (unobstructed). The larger-footprint LV4500W offers several mounting options (including a desktop stand and in-wall).
In Use
For this review, Avocent supplied the LongView LV3500W Wireless KVM Extender system. The LV3500 package is self-contained, providing all the necessary cables and power supplies to get connected in a matter of minutes.
Though the wireless KVM system has several potential applications in the A/V world, I decided to try it out first in a typical studio/machine room setup. In my edit suite, I have three video monitors (not including the HD video display): two are attached to the video editing computer and one off to the side for a dedicated audio server. The computers are located in an audio-isolated room about 15 feet away from the edit desk and connected to the monitors via high-quality 20-foot video cables. While this setup is not exactly screaming out for a wireless solution, it provided a stable test bay for the Avocent product.
I first hooked up the LV3500W system to the audio server since it is a single-monitor setup and its display resolution does not require anything above the wireless system's maximum of 1024 x 768. Set up was straightforward: I simply detached the existing keyboard, mouse and video cable runs, connected the transmitter unit to the computer via the attached cables, and connected the receiver unit to the keyboard, mouse and video monitor located in the studio. One thing to note is that the transmitter unit must be powered on and the middle status light ("S2") must be illuminated before powering up the computer.
An on-screen display (OSD) initially indicates a connection is being established, and once the unique MAC ID of the units is recognized, the monitor resumes its normal display information. A more comprehensive OSD is available during regular use to fine tune video settings and check wireless signal strength. The OSD menu includes an auto setup mode as well as manual video setup controls including horizontal and vertical position, brightness, contrast and clock phase. By default, a dynamic auto setup is performed upon each boot-up or screen resolution change. This function can be defeated by turning the "Set Auto" button to off, thereby retaining the last used settings.
Also accessed in the OSD setup screen is the overall video compression mode used by the system. The two modes use algorithms that take into account inter- and intraframe changes (Computer mode) or intraframe-only changes (DVD mode). Computer mode proved the most useful for typical applications, as it provided the smoothest mouse response and keyboard tracking, with decent video-playback quality. Changing to DVD mode definitely enhanced DVD and MPEG-compressed video playback compared to the Computer mode, but at the sacrifice of smooth mouse tracking.
I also tested the LongView system in real-world applications (PowerPoint remote operation and display to an LCD projector, and video-only transmission from a DVD player to a plasma monitor) at the National Press Club in Washington DC.
In general, when the transmitter and receiver were in close proximity (for instance, on a straight line with only a door between them), the system proved to be stable with almost no negative effects from the compression and wireless transmission. At greater distances (for instance, across a ballroom floor, or through two walls) the video display degraded, and mousing became more sluggish, which resulted in the occasional overshoot of the target. Video degradation first manifested itself in scan or "shimmy" effects, even on static graphics, and at greater obstruction amounts and distances (yet within the LV3500W's stated ranges), scan glitches worsened and an occasional blanking and redrawing of the screen occurred. For professional uses where distance and/or obstructions are a potential factor, it seems the more powerful LV4500W should be strongly considered.
One other thing I should mention is that both the transmitter and receiver are cooled by tiny fans. While not noisy by most standards, the receiver will make itself known in a quiet control room.
Summary
The Avocent LongView LV3500W Wireless KVM Extender system provides a unique and useful solution for quick and mobile KVM access to a remote computer. While I found the video display/mouse motion synchronization a bit too sluggish for precise editing applications (and its maximum video resolution too low for graphic work), there are many applications where the LongView system is just the ticket.
For example, the LV3500W system is perfect for remote server access and maintenance, streaming video and audio from a computer to an overflow or auxiliary video monitor (e.g., clients seated in the lounge), mobile signage, podium-to-projector PowerPoint presentations and any application where direct cable connections are not possible or prohibited.
Stephen Murphy is a video editor and audio engineer with over 20 years of broadcast and production experience.
Key Features:
Wireless remote keyboard, video and mouse transmission; supports 30 fps RGB video at up to 1024 x 768/60 Hz; CD-quality audio; PC compatible; 24-month warranty, 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
Price: $695
Contact: www.avocent.com
The core of Avocent's product base is its network-based KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) switching, which provides direct control over a large number of servers and other computer-based assets from remote locations. For those of us with only a few computers to manage (as opposed to a few thousand), Avocent also makes several useful remote access products suitable for more moderate needs. Two such products are the network-expandable AMX5130 User Station, and the LongView LV3500W Wireless KVM Extender, the later of which is reviewed here.
Features
The LongView LV3500W Wireless KVM Extender ($695) connects a local keyboard, monitor, mouse and stereo speaker set to a remotely located PC-compatible computer via RF transmission. According to Avocent, LV3500W system can transmit and receive data at distances up to 100 feet through walls and other obstructions and up to 300 feet within an unobstructed line of sight. The system utilizes the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to securely transmit data using a proprietary data processing and compression process based on the 802.11a wireless networking standard.
The LongView Wireless system is comprised of two paperback book-sized units labeled "transmitter" (computer-side) and "receiver" (remote-side), though communication between the units is actually bi-directional. The units are powered via 12-volt wall wart-style switching power supplies (included).
The transmitter and receiver are essentially identical in appearance, each boasting dual swivel-mount omnidirectional antennas, a set of three LED status indicators on the front, and a set of female KVM (PS/2 and 15-pin RGB) connectors plus audio and power jacks on the rear. The transmitter unit also has a permanently attached 3.5-foot cable that breaks out into male KVM connectors for connection to the host computer's keyboard, video and mouse ports. The set of KVM ports mounted on the rear chassis of the computer-side transmitter unit are for connecting an optional keyboard, monitor and mouse set for local operation of the computer in addition to the remote wireless set.
The LongView wireless system is capable of transmitting up to 30 frames per second of VGA-compatible analog RGB video at resolutions of 640 x 480, 800 x 600 and 1024 x 768 at refresh rates up to 60 Hz. Audio is connected from the computer's headphone or speaker output to the transmitter via a supplied 1/8-inch (mini) stereo cable. A corresponding mini jack located on the rear of the receiver provides the remote audio connection to phones or powered speakers. According to the manufacturer, audio is resampled from the analog input and transmitted at CD quality.
Avocent also makes a more powerful wireless system called the LongView LV4500W ($995). This system has the same feature set as the LV3500W system, though its internal high-output directional antennas are capable of transmission distances from up to 300 feet (obstructed) to 1000 feet (unobstructed). The larger-footprint LV4500W offers several mounting options (including a desktop stand and in-wall).
In Use
For this review, Avocent supplied the LongView LV3500W Wireless KVM Extender system. The LV3500 package is self-contained, providing all the necessary cables and power supplies to get connected in a matter of minutes.
Though the wireless KVM system has several potential applications in the A/V world, I decided to try it out first in a typical studio/machine room setup. In my edit suite, I have three video monitors (not including the HD video display): two are attached to the video editing computer and one off to the side for a dedicated audio server. The computers are located in an audio-isolated room about 15 feet away from the edit desk and connected to the monitors via high-quality 20-foot video cables. While this setup is not exactly screaming out for a wireless solution, it provided a stable test bay for the Avocent product.
I first hooked up the LV3500W system to the audio server since it is a single-monitor setup and its display resolution does not require anything above the wireless system's maximum of 1024 x 768. Set up was straightforward: I simply detached the existing keyboard, mouse and video cable runs, connected the transmitter unit to the computer via the attached cables, and connected the receiver unit to the keyboard, mouse and video monitor located in the studio. One thing to note is that the transmitter unit must be powered on and the middle status light ("S2") must be illuminated before powering up the computer.
An on-screen display (OSD) initially indicates a connection is being established, and once the unique MAC ID of the units is recognized, the monitor resumes its normal display information. A more comprehensive OSD is available during regular use to fine tune video settings and check wireless signal strength. The OSD menu includes an auto setup mode as well as manual video setup controls including horizontal and vertical position, brightness, contrast and clock phase. By default, a dynamic auto setup is performed upon each boot-up or screen resolution change. This function can be defeated by turning the "Set Auto" button to off, thereby retaining the last used settings.
Also accessed in the OSD setup screen is the overall video compression mode used by the system. The two modes use algorithms that take into account inter- and intraframe changes (Computer mode) or intraframe-only changes (DVD mode). Computer mode proved the most useful for typical applications, as it provided the smoothest mouse response and keyboard tracking, with decent video-playback quality. Changing to DVD mode definitely enhanced DVD and MPEG-compressed video playback compared to the Computer mode, but at the sacrifice of smooth mouse tracking.
I also tested the LongView system in real-world applications (PowerPoint remote operation and display to an LCD projector, and video-only transmission from a DVD player to a plasma monitor) at the National Press Club in Washington DC.
In general, when the transmitter and receiver were in close proximity (for instance, on a straight line with only a door between them), the system proved to be stable with almost no negative effects from the compression and wireless transmission. At greater distances (for instance, across a ballroom floor, or through two walls) the video display degraded, and mousing became more sluggish, which resulted in the occasional overshoot of the target. Video degradation first manifested itself in scan or "shimmy" effects, even on static graphics, and at greater obstruction amounts and distances (yet within the LV3500W's stated ranges), scan glitches worsened and an occasional blanking and redrawing of the screen occurred. For professional uses where distance and/or obstructions are a potential factor, it seems the more powerful LV4500W should be strongly considered.
One other thing I should mention is that both the transmitter and receiver are cooled by tiny fans. While not noisy by most standards, the receiver will make itself known in a quiet control room.
Summary
The Avocent LongView LV3500W Wireless KVM Extender system provides a unique and useful solution for quick and mobile KVM access to a remote computer. While I found the video display/mouse motion synchronization a bit too sluggish for precise editing applications (and its maximum video resolution too low for graphic work), there are many applications where the LongView system is just the ticket.
For example, the LV3500W system is perfect for remote server access and maintenance, streaming video and audio from a computer to an overflow or auxiliary video monitor (e.g., clients seated in the lounge), mobile signage, podium-to-projector PowerPoint presentations and any application where direct cable connections are not possible or prohibited.
Stephen Murphy is a video editor and audio engineer with over 20 years of broadcast and production experience.
Key Features:
Wireless remote keyboard, video and mouse transmission; supports 30 fps RGB video at up to 1024 x 768/60 Hz; CD-quality audio; PC compatible; 24-month warranty, 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
Price: $695
Contact: www.avocent.com