Matrox unveils Extio F1220 remote graphics extender

Although it's not likely that you'll want your optical drives to be 820 feet away from you at all times under normal circumstances, we're sure we could envision a few scenarios where it'd be beneficial (or at least rather nifty). Matrox is adding another unit to its Extio lineup with the F1220 (closeup after the break), which gives users the ability to extend up to two displays, audio, twin FireWire connections, and up to six USB devices 820 feet from the workstation. Marketed for use in "mission-critical systems, media creation, broadcasting, control rooms, and digital signage applications," this remote graphics unit (RGU) supports resolutions up to 1,920 x 1,200, 128MB of graphics memory, and features fanless operation and a Matrox-designed graphics chip within. The unit it connected to a Matrox PCI or PCI-Express Extio adapter and the data is transferred over a "standard multi-mode fiber-optic cable with Dual-LC connectors." As for availability, the firm's latest RGU won't land until sometime in Q2, and while pricing is currently unlisted, you've got a few months to save up for this presumably costly piece if you so desire.

[Via PCLaunches]

[asdf @ Jan 25th 2007 1:38AM]

No Lo Olividar. Che Guevara must be remembered, and we must all strive to be as much like him as possible. A new man must be created, with only a deep love for his fellow man. This new man will be created out of the ashes of the old. (I just wanted to put something I care about as the first post...)

[ttv @ Jan 25th 2007 1:45AM]

It has a USB2, so you can put a USB2 optical drive in it...

This could be very interesting in HTPC use, one could use a over clocked performance moster CPU(with any cheap enclosure), and not worry about it making any noise(or being bulky), as it could be tucked away in a another room.

If the price is under, let's say 400 - 300$, then I'm in, as a good looking, silent yet powerful HTPC's cost about 500$ more, than a normal enclosure with the same HW...

[Babau @ Jan 25th 2007 1:46AM]

They stole my idea!

I came up with a concept a few years ago for this kind of thing for home use. The purpose being to be able to have a fully fledged PC in a noise-sensitive area like a bedroom, without having to mess about with low-power processors and fanless heatsink solutions.

I propse that Matrox is in posession of a mind-ray of some kind. Where's my tinfoil hat?

[Balzac2m @ Jan 25th 2007 3:14AM]

"Although it's not likely that you'll want your optical drives to be 820 feet away from you at all times under normal circumstances"
Who the hell uses optical drives anyway? In my opinion, a software who demands me to use an optical drive is a bad software.
If you need it anyways you can always stick to external Drives.

[Francky @ Jan 25th 2007 3:27AM]

If this supported 30" monitors and 3D capabilities I'd buy this in an instant :|
I would love to have my work station in another room to finally have some peace and quiet while working.

As ttv mentionned, since it has usb 2, it simple to plug in a usb optical drive. Thats what I already do now, just for the ease of use (and lasiness, I admit it :p) to have the dvd drive sitting on the table, for easy access.

[DigitalFury @ Jan 25th 2007 4:21AM]

Not a bad idea, but no 30" support means no go for me.

[T221 @ Jan 25th 2007 4:44AM]

Will a dual-link 3840x2400 version be coming out soon? Pretty please with sugar on top!

[Argot @ Jan 25th 2007 6:06AM]

So this is pretty much an ordinary KVM-extender? What kind of delays in terms of graphics and such do you get on one of those, or any kvm-extender for that matter?

[edugas @ Jan 25th 2007 9:09AM]

Not exactly a KVM.. Think of an external GPU with 128MB of RAM coupled with an adapter to receive the data on the workstation.

I really wonder how it performs.. 820 feets is kind of lenghtly (more than any USB/FW/Ethernet limits). I also wonder the price of a 800 feets cables! My aunt works at Matrox.. maybe i'll have a look when it's out.

[Rob @ Jan 25th 2007 11:17AM]

Balzac2m, many users receive large amounts of data on a CD or DVD... Or maybe they want to install new software... or maybe burn a disc to bring a large job to a printer, or backup a project... Or even just listen to a CD or watch a DVD... You might be the only person who doesn't use an optical disc!

[blore40 @ Jan 25th 2007 1:26PM]

Here is how to keep the PC close by so that you can access the optical drives easily:

1. Rip out the cooling fan and toss it away.
2. Connect your PC to your central AC which can be 820 feet away.

I am sure some decently competent HVAC guy can do this pretty easily.

[SKO @ Jan 25th 2007 7:28PM]

I work in post production. All of our bays already have accomplished this. Dead quiet with no noisy computers. This is what I paid:

DVI/HDMI extender from monoprice: $25

Generic USB to Cat5 Extender: $30

Gefen Firewire Repeater: $70

So that's $125. Somehow I don't think this Matrox device will cost less than double what I paid. And I get to use a normal graphics card.