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Emerald® - 4K and HD KVM over IP Matrix Switching and Extension

Introducing Unified KVM

Emerald® is an award winning KVM matrix switching system that delivers pixel-perfect HD or 4K video over a dedicated or existing IP network. It allows reliable extension and switching of video (DisplayPort or DVI), transparent USB 2.0 and bi-directional analog audio signals across any combination and number of physical and virtual desktops and servers. Easily access both physical and virtual servers with support for VMware® and Microsoft® virtualization solutions, using PCoIP, RemoteFX and RDP 8.1. The Emerald Remote App turns any Windows 10 device into a software KVM receiver - without the need for additional hardware. Emerald delivers superior value, lowering your costs of ownership and saving your IT investments.

Emerald Unified KVM Features

  • Remote Computer and Server Access

    Access and manage an unlimited number of servers, PCs, and virtual machines from any location and share resources such as hardware and licenses across a dedicated KVM network, an existing IP network, or even the internet.

  • 4K over IP KVM Matrix Switching

    High performance, secure extension and switching of 4K60 (DisplayPort 1.2) and HD (DVI) video, transparent USB 2.0 and bidirectional analog audio.

  • Remote BIOS-level Access

    Benefit from BIOS-level access to troubleshoot, reconfigure, reboot and power cycle servers remotely.

  • Remote Virtual Machine Access and VM Sharing

    Provide access to virtual machines, such as Vmware® and Microsoft® over RDP 8.1 or PCoIP (Ultra), to lower IT costs. Let multiple users access simultaneously the same virtual machine.

 

Emerald Unified KVM Benefits

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Futureproof and
Scalable KVM

Start with HD and add 4K at your own pace. Scale a small point-to-point extension up to an enterprise KVM matrix of unlimited endpoints by adding additional receivers/transmitters.

Network
Resilience

Designed with 24/7/365 critical applications in mind, Emerald 4K and Emerald PE are configurable with redundant network paths via SFP(+) ports (fiber or copper) for fail-safe operation. Supports complete switchover to a backup control room location.

True-USB-Emulation

True
USB Emulation

True USB emulation, supporting USB HID devices, X-Keys, USB push buttons, Wacom® tablets, USB mass storage, and other high-speed USB 2.0 devices.

Remote Access to
Virtual Machines

Enable multiple users to access any number of physical and virtual servers and desktops. Support for VMware® and Microsoft®, using PCoIP Ultra, PCoIP, RDP 8.1, and RemoteFX.

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Pixel-perfect 4K
and HD Video

Extend and switch HD and 4K video. Adjust compression in five steps up to pixel-perfect image transmission — every pixel visualized at 60 fps with 10-bit color depth.

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KVM Software
Receiver

Use the Emerald Remote App to turn any Windows 10 device into a software KVM receiver. Connect to multiple transmitters and virtual machines simultaneously and from everywhere.

Emerald Remote App For Microsoft Windows® 10/11

The Emerald Remote App is a new KVM software receiver that enables remote computer access to both physical and virtual machines from any Windows 10 device. The Remote App increases mobility, device access and monitoring on your Emerald System and delivers a full HD video desktop experience up to 40 fps from multiple connections that can be launched simultaneously. This facilitates device management and access to your Emerald KVM network from anywhere you want.

  • Supports HD video up to 1920 x 1200 and provides access to both physical and virtual machines over an IP network or WAN connections
  • Open connections to multiple devices simultaneously
  • Licence-based access authenticated by the Boxilla® KVM Network Manager in real time, ensuring the Emerald administrator has full control (view licence options)
 
 

(1) Boxilla KVM Manager is required for demo purposes

Emerald GE PCoIP Ultra Gateway

Emerald® GE is a new unique solution, which leverages cutting-edge PCoIP® Ultra technology to enable users to access the cloud or a virtual machine just as they would a physical system. Because the gateway can be implemented across multiple receivers, users can access virtual machines in a shared model rather than a conventional single-user (point-to-point) model.  With extremely low bandwidth requirements, the system supports secure, high-definition, and highly-responsive remote access over a LAN or WAN.

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Industry Applications

Case Studies Featuring Emerald KVM

Sabesp Selects Emerald and Boxilla KVM over IP Matrix System for Its New Control Room
Sabesp launched a public bid to build its new command operation and control room from scratch, and a large engineering integrator won the project as a whole. Sabesp reached out to Black Box after the integrator encountered difficulties finding a solution that meets all requirements for the KVM matrix system.

Philadelphia Eagles Use Black Box Emerald KVM for Flexible, User-Friendly Virtual Access to Production Systems
Philadelphia Eagles Use Black Box Emerald KVM for Flexible, User-Friendly Virtual Access to Production Systems

KVM Over IP Brings Ultimate in Flexibility to Public Broadcaster
A technical service provider for a large public radio and television broadcaster with multiple sites oversees a comprehensive array of day-to-day technical operations, including device/technology procurement, project planning for broadcast technology, system administration, replacing and upgrading systems, and training operators and employees.

Coachella Valley Water District Builds State-of-the-Art Control Room With Black Box and Integrated Media Systems
When updating their more than two decade old control room, the California’s Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) turned to Black Box to implement a flexible, secure, efficient, ergonomic, and intuitive solutions for signal extension and switching. Discover how our Emerald KVM over IP helped provide seamless communications and control.

Emerald KVM Optimizes Workflows and Increases Productivity at Swiss Broadcasting Company
With the new Emerald KVM-over-IP solution installed, video and graphic editors can access all of the critical computers stored in the building’s data centers from their workstations, which has optimized workflows and increased productivity.

Emerald Use Cases

Network Application

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Application diagram: Emerald IP-based KVM matrix switching application.

Multiple Site Application

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Application diagram: Emerald KVM matrix connecting a control room and a backup site.

Resilient KVM Networks

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Application diagram: Emerald KVM transmitters and receivers providing redundant network paths in case of failure.

Virtual Machine Connectivity

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Application diagram: Remote, high-speed access to virtual machines, supporting Vmware®, Microsoft® and Citrix®.

Emerald Remote App

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Application diagram: Emerald Remote App installed on a laptop connected to Emerald Transmitters and a virtual machine via Boxilla.

Emerald Product Comparison

FeatureEmerald 4KEmerald PEEmerald SEEmerald ZeroU TXEmerald Remote App
Max Video Resolution4096 x 2160 at 60Hz (DisplayPort 1.2)1920 x 1200 at 60Hz (DVI)1920 x 1200 at 60Hz
Video QualityPixel perfectVisually losslessHigh quality ~35fps
Dual Network PortsYes, (2) SFP+Yes, (1) SFP, (1) CATxNo, (1) CATx-
Peripheral SupportAll USB 2.0 devicesUSB HID only
VM SupportPCoIP, RDP/RemoteFXRDP/RemoteFXRDP/RemoteFX-RDP/RemoteFX
Bidirectional Analog Stereo Audio(Speaker only)-
System ScalabilityPoint-to-point extension up to unlimited KVM matrix

Emerald Product Portfolio

Associated Products

While Emerald is a one-of-a-kind solution that opens up the revolutionary new world of Unified KVM, the platform builds upon time-tested KVM technology evolved by Black Box since the early 1990s. Emerald works flawlessly with many popular Black Box product families, including: the DKM proprietary direct-connect KVM system; the Freedom II KM Switch for easy switching just by moving a mouse between screens; the ControlBridge® system for one-touch, multisystem control; and the award-winning Boxilla® KVM Manager.

Freedom-II

Freedom II
KM Switch

This 4 or 8 port USB KM Switch allows switching between up to 8 connected PCs by just moving your mouse from one screen to another. Compatible with all Emerald products.

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Controlbridge
Room Control Automation

Versatile touch-based multisystem room control processor. ControlBridge allows control room operators to switch between sources or whole room setups.

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