SEPTEMBER 28, 2009--The VGA2LAN development kit is a standalone open-source VGA capture Internet appliance intended for developers who plan to create their own VGA capture-based solution. It features a fully open-source architecture, a custom Linux build environment, and access to all drivers and ports. The kit comes packaged with the VGA2LAN Internet appliance, active Kramer splitter, passive Y-splitter, and all associated cables. The VGA2LAN device measures 7.95x 4.13 x 1.38 in. and weighs in at 1.4 lb. Hardware includes an Epiphan Systems VGA frame grabber, a Motorola PowerPC processor, and a separate FPGA for VGA signal processing. It uses Gigabit Ethernet and features a built-in dual RJ-45 port network hub.
Epiphan Systems
Ottawa, ON, Canada
www.epiphan.com
-- Posted by Carrie Meadows, Vision Systems Design, www.vision-systems.com
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PRESS RELEASE
Epiphan Systems releases revolutionary VGA Capture Product for Developers
Intended for developers who desire to create their own VGA capture-based solution, the Epiphan Systems VGA2LAN Development Kit is the first stand-alone open source VGA capture internet appliance on the market.
Solutions for the capture, broadcasting and recording of presentations and seminars are often ridiculously expensive ($10 000+ per unit), bulky, hard to transport, and require constant licensing, support, and maintenance costs. Not only did this make VGA capture-based solutions unaffordable to some, it also meant that educational institutions such as schools and colleges had to spend an arm and a leg in order to outfit every their classrooms with such devices.
In order to solve this problem, Epiphan Systems has announced and is now shipping a new product aimed at capturing the market of developers, power users, and integrators - the VGA2LAN Development Kit. With a fully open-source architecture, a custom Linux build environment, access to all drivers and ports, the VGA2LAN is poised to create a revolution in the industry.
The VGA2LAN Development Kit comes packaged with the VGA2LAN internet appliance, active Kramer splitter, passive Y-splitter, and all associated cables. Physically, the VGA2LAN device is roughly the size of a paperback book, measuring 7.95" x 4.13" x 1.38". Enclosed in a sleek and rugged metal casing, it weighs in at a mere 1.4lb.
From a hardware standpoint, the VGA2LAN is packed with the most powerful Epiphan Systems VGA frame grabber, capable of capturing resolutions up to 2048 x 2048 and achieving capture rates of 120 frames per second in some conditions, all at 100% lossless quality. Overall, the VGA2LAN is able to acquire VGA signals at a rate of up to 270 Megapixels per second, or 532 Megapixels a second for an interlaced image grab. Four USB 2.0 ports provide plenty of room for expansion and allow the user to connect external devices such as DVD burners, hard drives, printers, and AMX/Crestron control units to the VGA2LAN. Furthermore, an internal USB port is used to connect flash memory in the form of a USB drive. As an internet appliance, the VGA2LAN uses the Gigabit Ethernet interface, and features a built-in dual RJ45 port network hub.
At the core of the VGA2LAN are a Motorola PowerPC processor and a separate FPGA for VGA signal processing. A custom open source Linux-based build environment and all associated drivers are provided, meaning that third party applications and devices can be used with the VGA2LAN platform without any restrictions. VGA2LAN drivers and sample applications are also provided for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux operating systems, allowing easy access to the VGA2LAN from any of these OS.'
The combination of extremely high signal acquisition quality, a virtually unlimited feature set, a fully open architecture, and no ongoing support or maintenance costs make the VGA2LAN Development Kit a perfect base for organizations developing classroom and conference capture solutions.
Overall, the VGA2LAN Development Kit is a great way to build, use, and sell hardware products for a company or organization that doesn't have the resources, finances, or expertise to manufacture their own capture hardware. And, at a price of $999 US, it is most definitely a bargain. To find out more about the VGA2LAN Development Kit, visit Epiphan Systems website at www.epiphan.com or call 1 (877) 599-6581.
