New Products | 17 Sep 2009 :
Adder Technology specialises in KVM switches, devices that enable the user to control several computers with just one keyboard, monitor (aka video) and mouse. More importantly, Adder's new AV4PRO-DVI allows the use of high-resolution images (up to 2560 x 1600) using true USB emulation technology.
Wonderful! But who needs such technology? Quite a few professions, as it turns out. The list includes animators and high-end graphic designers, architects, movie post-production editors, those involved in medical imaging, and others demanding so-called absolute signal quality.
On a slightly less exotic level, a typical user these days would just as likely be a data centre, or a business running multiple servers under the watchful eye of an in-house IT guy. Slotted into a single rack, these servers could be controlled from just one monitor with a single keyboard and mouse, all hooked up to Adder's KVM switch by a single cable, enabling the IT guy to connect to any server in the rack at the flick of a switch.
However, some home enthusiasts could also find a use for these devices - and Adder's price puts its latest model, the four-port AV4PRO-DVI, fairly comfortably within reach of Joe Six-pack's pocket. This particular model handles up to four PCs at a time, though other models in the Adder range can cope with many more. A typical home scenario might be a couple of desktop computers running in tandem with a laptop - or, say, a Windows PC connected to another machine running an alternative operating system (Mac or Linux, for example).
Early KVM switches were mechanical devices harnessed to multi-pole switches, later superseded by a system known as enumerated USB switching. Ah yes! Anyone who has ever encountered the problems associated with the old systems may be delighted to know that these bugs are now history. Adder's newest technology, called true USB emulation, takes the concept to a higher level, giving the user two independently switchable USB 2.0 channels, an audio channel, and USB keyboard and mouse.
This means being able to attach and control selected peripherals to different computers using available USB ports - thus being able to work with enhanced keyboards having additional function keys, mice with programmable buttons, and joysticks. It also enables instant hotkey switching.
Unpacking our review model told us that the AV4PRO is no toy. It's a robust tool and our four-port model arrived with a hard copy quick-start guide. In addition, the set-up CD contains an exhaustive PDF manual which includes FAQs.
Setting up the device initially seemed daunting, but follow the illustrated manual and the process should go smoothly. Cliff Hutton
www.adder.com