Extio Editorial Coverage
Virginia County's New Emergency Communications Center Simplifies Operations
By Adam Stone - Emergency Management
September 15, 2009
At the core of the new solution are Matrox Extio F1400 remote graphics units, which provide as much as 820 feet of fiber-optic cable to separate user devices from the computer. Computers have been relocated away from the operator area to a separate space where they are all within an administrator's easy reach.
By removing PCs from the work area, the system allows IT staff to remediate problems more easily. "The biggest thing from my perspective as a CAD systems manager is not just the fact that you are creating more room," Waller said. "It means that if we have a problem, I don't have to crawl under desks, trace wires and things of that nature."
Remote location of PCs also lets administrators access and maintain these systems without intruding on dispatchers' work environment, a potentially significant benefit in an atmosphere already buzzing with urgent activity.
"We knew from day one it was going to be better," said Roger Waller, computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system manager and technology specialist for the Arlington County Office of Emergency Management. "Functionality is much better, reliability is much better, and that makes it a better place to work because everyone feels they can count on their system."
Read Matrox Extio Simplifies Virginia County Emergency Center Operations
Dynamax Delivers
Malls and airports: Dynamax POV, through Clear Channel, seems to be going down a storm in Norway
Digital Display for Retail Magazine
August/September 2009
"Because Clear Channel Norway provides turnkey solutions - including hardware, software, copy and creative needed to drive their digital signage, they needed to find a graphics card solution that could power this challenging multi-screen setup. To reduce the number of components for each configuration, Clear Channel Norway decided to use the Matrox quad-analog upgradeable graphics cards (M9120 Plus and P690 Plus). This simplified the installation process for each individual shopping mall, and reduced the number of components required for each multi-display setup ultimately ensuring a smoother rollout."
"Clear channel set up 42 computers throughout Oslo airport, each connected to a Matrox TripleHead2Go Graphics eXpansion Module outputting to three 40" monitors. An external box, the TripleHead2Go was simple to install and allowed the total number of computer systems required for this project to be reduced. On some of the triple screen set-ups, content was designed to stretch across all three screens whilst on others, each screen displays independent content such as local, international, and translated newscasts."
Arlington County, VA 9-1-1Center Meets Workspace, Heat and Noise Level
Objectives with Matrox Extio Remote Graphics Units
By Matrox Graphics – Emergency Communications Professional
January/February 2009
Ergonomics and overall comfort for the 30 emergency communications operators in this new facility were among the priorities held by technology specialists at the Arlington County ECC. In order to reduce the amount of heat generated by each CAD system at the operator consoles, and to increase space, a solution that would enable them to completely remove the CAD systems from the control room was sought. Upon learning about the Matrox (Dorval, QC) Extio F1400 remote graphics unit (RGU), tests were performed and it was confirmed that it was the perfect fit. The Extio F1400 could not only power the four monitors, keyboard and mouse needed at each operator console several hundred feet away from the CAD systems, but it could do so with no impact to graphics performance. An operator could work just as seamlessly as though the PC were right under the desk.
The Extio F1400 unit's compact design made it easy to be mounted under the desks, out of the operator's way. These remote graphics made it possible to eliminate a potentially hot, noisy PC, and operates silently itself, featuring no fan or other moving part. This was another key consideration in the selection of this technology. Using standard, multi-mode fiber-optic cabling, the technology specialists were able to securely place all the CAD systems on racks in a dedicated, temperature controlled room down the hall. System administrators now have much easier access when they need to perform system maintenance. They no longer have to disturb the dispatchers' work environment.
Read how Matrox Extio helps Arlington County's Emergency Communications Center
Empowering Multi-Display Technology
By John Taylor
Digital Display for Retail Magazine
December 2008 - January 2009
"In our fast-paced world of retail, compelling messages with striking visual clarity to stand out from the crowd are certainly the order of the day. Dynamic retail signage on video monitors, plasma screens, and LCDs are the tools to grab attention, inform and entice audiences. Matrox multi-display graphics solutions [Veos, graphics cards, Graphics eXpansion Modules, and Remote Graphics Units] deliver targeted, noticeable and powerful customer communications in malls and other retail applications that include PoS, kiosks, self-service check-out and more."
Yokogawa Technology Fair & User Conference 2008 Review
By Bill Lydon - Contributing Editor, Automation.com
Interesting Control Industry Products
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Remote Displays over Fiber Optic Matrox displayed the Extio Series of remote graphics units enabling one to power up to 4 displays, 6 USB ports and audio functionality up to 820ft away from the host PC via multi-mode fiber optic cabling. |
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Control room: Users, designers benefit from remote graphics hardware validation
December 13, 2007
Remote graphic units (RGUs) enable a control room computer to be located in a secure, temperature-controlled environment while the necessary user peripherals–keyboard, mouse, monitor and speakers–are where they can be most useful in the plant. Matrox Graphics Inc., a manufacturer of specialized graphics solutions, announces that its Extio RGUs have been certified for use with control systems and software from ABB, Emerson Process Management, Foxboro, GE Fanuc, Honeywell, and Wonderware. Matrox hardware is also enabling multi-screen operator stations, which provide greater visual real estate for more information-rich displays.
The Extio unit allows the control systems companies' HMI components to be connected to a host computer up to 820 ft. (250 meters) away via multi-mode fiber-optic cable. Control room operators benefit from increased space at the operator stations, a reduction in heat, and the removal of potentially noisy computers from the control room. IT managers are able to maintain security by moving the critical parts of a computer like the disks, memory, and processors into a separate room.
"Each operator also has the ability to connect up to four monitors to the Extio unit, which is equipped with a Matrox-designed graphics chip that offers unparalleled performance and image quality over a great distance," said Liv Stewart, sales representative for Critical Decision Systems at Matrox Graphics. The multi-display capabilities help increase productivity and reduce errors by allowing more information to be viewed at once, she said.
Matrox Extio - Remote Multi-Display System
By Riyad Emeran - TrustedReviews.com
July 10, 2007
"If ambient noise is a major enemy to your business, the Extio provides the solution. If you want all your PCs in a secure room instead of on your employees' desks, the Extio provides the solution. If you have a floor full of users that need high-end PCs, but don't have the space, the Extio provides the solution."
"With all of the graphic rendering being done by the Extio box, it really does feel as if your keyboard and mouse are connected directly to the PC - in fact if you didn't tell an end user any different, that's exactly what they'd think.
Even if you're not obsessed with data security, the fact that the Extio is a completely silent solution will make it potentially attractive in environments where noise is an issue. Recording studios for example could use high powered PCs without having to put up with the constant drone of cooling fans - an Extio installation would give you all the power of a high-end workstation, while the noisy hardware whirs away in a soundproof room in another part of the building.
Another thing that the Extio has going for it is the fact that Matrox is good at multi-monitor configurations, very good in fact. You can configure the Extio to create four discrete desktops on your four displays, or you can stretch your desktop across them all. I hooked up our Eizo 1,600 x 1,200 displays, creating a total desktop area of 6,400 x 1,200, which is pretty impressive to say the least. But even with the desktop stretched across all the displays, you can apply some pretty neat options via the Matrox tools. For example, if you want to maximise a window, rather than it expanding to the whole, massive desktop area, it will expand to fill a single screen - it's even smart enough to fill the screen that's displaying the most pixels at the time."
"The Matrox Extio is a very targeted product that addresses very specific users. If however you or your company falls into that target area, you'll probably see the Extio as a revelation - a solution to a problem that you thought was insurmountable."
Projections of productivity
An operator's dream: Ergonomics for the control room
By Per Lundmark - ABB Review
First Quarterly Issue - 2007
"The stability, distance—using very little cabling, multi-display support, and image quality provided with Matrox Extio products were key determining factors in our decision to incorporate this technology into the 800xA Extended Operator Workplace. Using a single fiber-optic cable we can now connect up to four monitors, as well as a keyboard and mouse to each certified Operator Workplace computer with perfect quality over a long distance. The unique Matrox Extio feature set has helped us to offer such a comprehensive productivity-enhancing solution to our customers."
Providing workers with the right tools augments their ability to produce efficiently. […] A good tool is defined not only by the scope of its functionality, but also by the ease with which it can be used. The operator needs rapid and intuitive access to relevant information at all times. A delay in obtaining information or a confusing format for its presentation increase the risk of misjudgment and lost production. ABB has taken on this challenge, taking control room ergonomics and interactivity to new heights, permitting operators to interact with all displays presented to them.
The System 800xA Extended Operator Workplace […] builds on ABB's unique System 800xA software and continuing technical progress.
Most [halts in production] can be traced to operators not being able to access vital information sufficiently and quickly. The ABB Extended Operator Workplace, integrated with the Matrox Extio™ remote graphics unit, aids in minimizing production downtime and ensuring high-quality output.
Read how ABB System 800xA Extended Operator Workplace benefits from Matrox Extio technology.
