Direct Connections: Recent Episodes
IHSE USA
Welcome to Direct Connections, where we explore workflow effectiveness through optimized information sharing and collaboration across robust real-time distribution technology.
In this episode of Direct Connections, presented by IHSE, host Ben Thomas and his guests Dan Holland, a Marketing Manager with IHSE, and Dan Gundry, the Senior Director of LVX Sales at Barco, shed light on the expanding applications of IHSE's technologies beyond the broadcast world into security, command, and control room environments. The discussion underscores how the integration and adaptation of KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) systems facilitate seamless operations across various verticals, illustrating a notable convergence. This conversation, occurring at a security conference in Dallas, TX, highlights the evolving role of integrators in bridging the gap between traditional and novel applications, ensuring operational efficiency amidst diverse technological demands.
In this episode of Direct Connections, presented by IHSE, host Ben Thomas and his guests Dan Holland, a Marketing Manager with IHSE, and Dan Gundry, the Senior Director of LVX Sales at Barco, shed light on the expanding applications of IHSE's technologies beyond the broadcast world into security, command, and control room environments. The discussion underscores how the integration and adaptation of KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) systems facilitate seamless operations across various verticals, illustrating a notable convergence. This conversation, occurring at a security conference in Dallas, TX, highlights the evolving role of integrators in bridging the gap between traditional and novel applications, ensuring operational efficiency amidst diverse technological demands.
IHSE’s partnership with VuWall revolutionizes how KVM systems and video walls interact. As Nick Mathis, Director of Business Development at VuWall, explains, this collaboration allows for control of KVM routing and integrating KVM streams onto a video wall. This unified system eliminates the need for separate equipment for KVM networks and video walls, reducing confusion and enhancing efficiency. The partnership’s continuous innovation aims to add value to existing and new user locations, making IHSE and VuWall a powerful duo in the KVM and video wall space.
As IHSE looks to the future, sustainability and innovation are at the forefront of its strategy. CEO Enno Littmann highlights the company’s commitment to environmental responsibility, demonstrated by the sustainable practices implemented during the reconstruction of their headquarters. These efforts include energy-efficient systems and a natural garden, contributing to employee satisfaction and retention. Acquiring kvm-tec has also significantly enhanced IHSE’s capabilities and proprietary KVM solutions, including its latest offering, KVM, over IP. These solutions cater to a broader market, ensuring IHSE remains a one-stop shop for reliable and future-facing KVM needs.
In the fast-paced world of eSports, IHSE’s KVM solutions prove to be a game-changer. As highlighted by Bryan Hollis, an eSports enthusiast, and Shoutcaster production staff member at NAB 2023 Las Vegas, the technology ensures instantaneous response times and optimal information delivery for gamers. The KVM system, described as the “brain” of the setup, computers are securely tucked away while gamers experience zero lag and 240Hz extenders at their stations. This innovative setup enhances the gaming experience and facilitates live broadcasting on platforms like Twitch, making IHSE’s KVM technology a critical component in the eSports arena.
At NAB 2023 in Las Vegas, NV, Julia Baumgartner, Sales Manager for IHSE’s KVM-Tec Brand, and Enno Littmann, CEO for IHSE Group Globally, showcased IHSE USA’s KVM-Tec solutions. Baumgartner highlighted the KVM over IP products, including the scalable multi-view commander and Media4K Connect with a new HDR feature set. These products allow one screen to display up to 16 sources, controlled by a single keyboard and mouse and easily set up over a standard network switch. Littmann emphasized IHSE’s ability to offer the best of both worlds - a rock-solid, secure, and high-performing proprietary KVM product and the flexibility of KVM over IP. IHSE USA’s hybrid solution caters to traditional and future-focused needs, making it a one-stop shop for KVM solutions.
Broadcasting and managing studio setups can be a real headache, especially when it comes to handling broadcasting and studio environments. However, IHSE, a leading provider of KVM solutions, has developed Draco Con App, an innovative software-based tool built on IP gateway technology. The app simplifies management of KVM signals by allowing users to control target devices seamlessly from any PC running the app. Consequently, technicians can efficiently handle multiple site installations without breaking a sweat, making it an ideal solution for broadcast studios. Mark Hempel, Head of Project Management for IHSE, discusses the features and future developments of this groundbreaking technology, including integration with existing systems and the introduction of the cutting-edge JPEG XS codec that IHSE has co-developed with the Fraunhofer Institute.
NEP Broadcast Services, a global leader in outsourced technical production services for major live TV and event productions, has been leveraging IHSE’s KVM extension and switching solutions to enhance its operational flexibility. In a recent testimonial by Dan Turk, Chief Engineer and Vice President of NEP Broadcast Services, he highlighted the importance of IHSE’s KVM systems in their mobile units and production facilities. As the industry shifts towards software solutions and virtualization, the ability for any operator to work from any location has become crucial. IHSE’s KVM systems provide this flexibility, enabling operators to perform any job from anywhere, a feature that Turk emphasizes is vital for meeting their customers’ needs.
For a show of as vital importance for Vizrt as NAB 2023, they needed the right partner to keep it all connected. IHSE USA’s KVM systems provided Vizrt with what they needed to make a splash in Las Vegas. Chris Black, Global Head of Branding Communications at Vizrt, shared the stakes of such an essential show as NAB.
Chris’ Thoughts
"Mistakes are not possible. You can’t make a mistake. The same thing with trade shows like here at NAB. We have to have a lot of systems that are all part of a network and be able to access them from a single workstation. We’re able to go into very high-stress, high-performance environments.
At NAB, Vizrt Experience Las Vegas is our main show that we’re doing on the stage here. And there are a lot of different components that all must come together to do that. There are multiple graphics engines. There are the processors we’re using for the camera tracking, the video wall, and something that we call a ghost frame. And all these systems have to be something we can easily access from a single workstation in our mini-control room on the booth. We know we can be on the air with no problems at any given time."
In a recent chat at NAB 2023, Chris Black, Global Head of Branding Communications at Vizrt, lauded the company’s partnership with IHSE USA to power seamless visual storytelling. Vizrt, a leading provider of innovative visual storytelling tools, relies on IHSE’s KVM systems for high-stress, high-performance environments like live broadcast centers and trade shows. Black emphasized the importance of error-free, real-time access to multiple systems from a single workstation, a capability made possible by IHSE. The partnership has been instrumental in the successful execution of Vizrt’s main NAB show, the Visrt Experience Las Vegas. Looking ahead, Black expressed excitement about future collaborations with IHSE, appreciating their solid and reliable system provision.
Nicolas Smith, VP of Technology at JB&A, and Manny Patel, President and CEO of IHSE USA, discussed their companies’ strong partnership. JB&A, a distributor in the media entertainment space, has chosen to work with IHSE, a tech solutions manufacturer, due to their extensive solution stack and unique feature sets. Smith highlighted that IHSE’s product line, which includes built-in features that other manufacturers lack, offers the perfect solution for various problems in post-production, broadcast, and pro AV markets.
On the other hand, Patel expressed IHSE’s enthusiasm for the partnership, praising JB&A’s technical expertise and nationwide presence. He believes the collaboration between the two companies, focusing on KVM Tech IP line distribution, is a win-win situation. This partnership promises to bring innovative and efficient solutions to customers in the media entertainment industry.
IHSE caught up with customer David Dowling, COO of Block by Block Solutions. He had much to say about why IHSE solutions make sense for his company.
David’s Thoughts
Hi. My name’s David. I’m the COO of Block by Block Solutions. And I oversee our project management and engineering team for our design-build team.
So, our client had an older IHSE system circa ten years ago. It was mainly running their pro tools rig and their resolve machine. And so, as a part of this build, they were upgrading there for a part of their growth. They added about twenty edit bays over twenty edit bays. And so, what we did was we integrated the existing pro tools system with a new resolve system and their new edit base kind of brings everything together.
The features and benefits we like the best about IHSE is support for legacy products. We were able to upgrade the firmware from products that were ten years old and make it work with current stuff. That was incredible. Also, the API is very intuitive. Our programmers could easily pick up what they needed to control and seamlessly make it work.
One of the great things about IHSE is you plug stuff in and it just works. You know, there's indicators on the boxes to let you know what status things are in. The TerraTools® software works great. It’s super easy to use. And from a, you know, a technical perspective from our team implementing, I mean, it's very easy to do.
Who better to guide Direct Connections host Daniel J. Litwin through IHSE USA’s history with KVM technologies, and their years of success, than Manny Patel, IHSE USA’s President, and CEO? Patel joined Litwin for a lively, informative, and engaging discussion that not only looked at IHSE’s past and present but gave a glimpse of some exciting things coming soon.
“The journey has been a long one,” Patel said. “We started IHSE in 2009 in the United States, but before that, we were already selling IHSE through distribution arrangements, through OEM accounts, through white-labeling products. We were already in the country four or five years before we actually started selling in the US. The company was founded in 1984 by the three founders in Germany. And in 2009, we formalized the relationship of opening up IHSE in the US.”
The beginnings of IHSE were not in KVM solutions but industrial hardware and software for the manufacturing industry. Patel said there was no KVM requirement in those days as computers were new to the market, and remoting a keyboard wasn’t even an option. “But as time progressed, KVM played a role in making the technology what it is today.”
One of the secrets of IHSE’s success is their devotion to the continual development and improvement of KVM solutions, which Patel said keeps them well-positioned as market leaders. “When a new technology, new product, new resolution, high-frame rates; all these buzzwords come into play, we’ve already anticipated that and that gives us an edge when the new technologies come into the market. We always have a better-offered product for new upcoming technology in the labs all the time before the technology is released out for commercial or industry.”
Who better to guide Direct Connections host Daniel J. Litwin through IHSE USA’s history with KVM technologies, and their years of success, than Manny Patel, IHSE USA’s President, and CEO? Patel joined Litwin for a lively, informative, and engaging discussion that not only looked at IHSE’s past and present but gave a glimpse of some exciting things coming soon.
“The journey has been a long one,” Patel said. “We started IHSE in 2009 in the United States, but before that, we were already selling IHSE through distribution arrangements, through OEM accounts, through white-labeling products. We were already in the country four or five years before we actually started selling in the US. The company was founded in 1984 by the three founders in Germany. And in 2009, we formalized the relationship of opening up IHSE in the US.”
The beginnings of IHSE were not in KVM solutions but industrial hardware and software for the manufacturing industry. Patel said there was no KVM requirement in those days as computers were new to the market, and remoting a keyboard wasn’t even an option. “But as time progressed, KVM played a role in making the technology what it is today.”
One of the secrets of IHSE’s success is their devotion to the continual development and improvement of KVM solutions, which Patel said keeps them well-positioned as market leaders. “When a new technology, new product, new resolution, high-frame rates; all these buzzwords come into play, we’ve already anticipated that and that gives us an edge when the new technologies come into the market. We always have a better-offered product for new upcoming technology in the labs all the time before the technology is released out for commercial or industry.”
In the blink of an eye, workers across the United States went from commuting to an office every morning to not even leaving their homes making a much shorter trip to their homes. This rapid shift to remote work caused many companies to rush plans for remote work solutions. But did those plans include protecting company data? How companies can protect themselves from cyberattacks in this new remote working environment is a critical conversation, and one Direct Connections took on with Dan Holland, Marketing Manager at IHSE.
“Having the right hardware and software in place is only part of the solution for safety measures, securing computers and intellectual property,” Holland said about in regards to protection against cyberattacks and malware. “As more and more companies are allowing these work-at-home options for the employees, these attacks are just increasing dramatically.”
Cybercrimes are up because the criminals know that remote workers are not cyber professionals. There is a strong likelihood home desktops and laptops will not be protected at the same level as a company office. And the best thing companies can do is develop a plan to protect themselves at a remote and local level.
“You need to come up with a cybersecurity awareness and training plan that you can educate your employees on all of these common threats,” Holland explained. Threats such as email phishing scams are essential for employees to understand and recognize. “Roughly 91% of all cyberattacks right now are coming through emails.”
Sometimes even simple preventive measures can provide security. When not in use, Holland said he unplugs his desktop computer from the internet connection or turns his computer off.
When editing hundreds of sounds across Pro Tools, and often across multiple instances of Pro Tools, having efficient switching does wonder for a quality, frictionless edit. On today's episode of Direct Connection, an IHSE podcast, host Daniel Litwin sits down with Dennis Sands, Head Scoring and Re-Recording Mixer at Sound Waves SB, a mixing and engineering studio out of Santa Barbara, CA. The two dive into KVM technology in the context of film and content creation.
With over 40 years of experience, including the work of 350 films with leading composers like Alan Silvestri, Danny Elfman, John Williams, and Hans Zimmer, as well as receiving 4 Academy Award Nominations for his work on Polar Express, Cast Away, Contact, and Forrest Gump, Sands offers endless industry knowledge and workflows.
Sands started off in the record world, working with many reputable artists at a fairly young age. However, things changed for Sands when he met and partnered with an engineer, with who he later opened a recording studio within Hollywood. This is where he made the transition into working on television and film projects.
“As time went on technology expanded greatly in good and challenging ways,” Sands explained, “ I’ve evolved into what was originally an all-analog world into an all Digital world and as a result, I’ve transitioned into working with digital work station, in particular with pro tools.”
However, working with all these systems at once became challenging for Sands, as they were at different alignments, and performed different functions in the process of creating a final music mix. This caused a lot of stops in his work, interrupting workflow significantly.
“I reached out to an equipment vendor with which I do a lot of business with and he said ‘look there is another system that's vastly superior,’” Sands noted.
It was here that he was introduced to the IHSE Draco system. “It's such a refreshing way to work it's completely reliable and is almost invisible in my workflow which is a great compliment to the structure and engineering and design systems.”
Tune in to hear more about Dennis’ Sands journey with KVM technology as used in film and content creation.
KVM, or ‘keyboard, video, mouse,’ allows for the control of multiple computers from a single keyboard, mouse, and monitor station. John Jensen, Senior Sales Engineer at IHSE USA, spoke with Tyler Kern about the benefits of KVM extension and switching on the working environment.
“Some things are very simple and common to all KVM systems,” Jensen explained. “The first is the basic back racking story where we remove the computer, its hard drive, and all of the cable clutter out of the creative environment, and into a back room somewhere where it can be secure and can have sufficient air conditioning.” This approach makes servicing equipment easy.
Collaboration is something businesses need more and more of, and KVM streamlines this with its switching functionality. “KVM matrix switching allows you to hit a hotkey on your keyboard and be able to switch or select from a menu to any number of computers that you have rights to access,” Jensen noted. These switching features can eliminate the need for joining video conferences via web applications between collaborating co-workers.
Jensen provided an excellent scenario for the benefits of KVM systems. “A lot of radio and television stations, each of their producers can have a KVM user station on their desk. They have access to a computer that’s running media composer, they have another computer that’s running Pro Tools, and another computer that’s doing the show run down, rather than have all these applications that have extensive and expensive licensing requirements. You can have a dedicated computer that has Pro Tools and all the interfaces connected to it, and each individual producer can have access to that computer at a scheduled time.”
Media post-production has undergone many transformations in its storied processes. In an industry where latency, resolution, and massive file size are factors, technology has to keep the pace. But how can workflows improve to reduce time but not quality? Direct Connections host Daniel Litwin welcomed Jim Pace, Owner of Audio Intervisual Design, an AV reseller providing tools for the creative community, to discuss the topic on the premiere episode.
“The industry has gone from analog to digitization to a video audio platform,” Pace said. “The concept that you could share storage became the changeover to machine rooms. In addition to sharing storage, these post-production spaces began to share processing power, as well.
Post-production spaces have to be specific and advanced, so managing distributed networks were no longer a necessity. “In post-production, you sell time in a space. Once it passes, it’s no longer sellable,” Pace added.
Post-production facilities moved to multiple rooms that could work as a pod. “Localization is a good example,” Pace said. “For a film distributed in 32 languages, you need multiple rooms with the same lock picture. With the advent of streaming sources, it’s a very specific opportunity for shared resources to expand capabilities.”
During the pandemic, there has been a shift to remote work in the industry. That kept things moving as consumers were hungry for content. It also made security a lesser priority. “If feature films can extend security, it can be as much as 50% of the box office. It’s not as tightly managed, but it likely will again if something catastrophic occurs,” Pace explained.
Pace also shared that a systematic approach is necessary for making post-production spaces both productive and reliable. “Everything’s going to break; it’s about how fast you can recover. Anticipate it in design and planning.”