IOGEAR's DVI Net ShareStation networks one display for multiple users

While we imagine that some folks are sick and tired of fighting over the sole display in the house, some people out there are looking for a reason to quarrel over the biggest one. IOGEAR's DVI Net ShareStation is here to help, providing one display with an Ethernet connection so that any and all computers on the same network can battle for it share. Debuting at CEDIA, the tiny box includes a DVI / VGA adapter and an Ethernet jack, and it supports streamed resolutions up to 1,600 x 1,200. Furthermore, users who just want to add an external display to their system can do so by simply connecting the device to a USB port. It's available now for $199.95, and the release can be seen in full by clicking through below.

IOGEAR's New DVI Net ShareStation Enhances Digital Signage and Networking Display Needs

IOGEAR also announces availability of Powerline Stereo Audio System

Denver, Colorado – CEDIA – September 2, 2008 – With IOGEAR's DVI Net ShareStation, multiple users on a network can now share information, such as work presentations or signage displays, using one monitor. The product will be on display at the CEDIA EXPO, September 3-6, 2008 at booth # 468.

Users simply connect the DVI Net ShareStation to the desired monitor with the included DVI / VGA adapter, and plug the device into an Ethernet network to establish communication with other computers on the network. Reducing cable clutter and eliminating short distance limitation, the product allows digital signage professionals to share displays from a central location without installing expensive wiring. The device is a cost-effective solution for expanding networking video while maintaining high-quality resolutions (up to 1600 x 1200). Installers can use this device to outfit a small office or home to allow up to six users on a network to access one monitor for viewing work documents or family video. Users can also add an external display to their system by connecting the product to a USB port.

IOGEAR is also announcing the availability of its Powerline Stereo Audio System, a cost-effective solution to stream music through the household via powerlines. The product consists of a docking station, which can play CDs, cell phones, iPods and MP3 players, and a receiver to place anywhere throughout the home. By connecting the receiver to an independently-powered speaker, individuals can distribute lossless audio to any desired location in the house or even to an outside patio, up to 990 feet, to entertain guests.

"At IOGEAR, we recognize the need for innovative tools that simplify work spaces and enrich new-age homes at a low cost," said Miranda Su, executive vice president at IOGEAR. "Our DVI Net ShareStation and Powerline Stereo Audio System are great additions to our product family and further our commitment to excellence for
consumer-friendly digital solutions."

The products are available immediately from all major catalog and online resellers, as well as select retail outlets. The DVI Net ShareStation ($199.95 MSRP) comes with IOGEAR's three-year warranty. Consumers can pick up the Powerline Stereo Audio System for $379.95 with a standard three-year warranty. These products and more innovative A/V solutions from IOGEAR will be on display at the CEDIA EXPO 2008 at booth # 468.

[Viaono @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:05AM]

Do we have to battle for a mouse (and a keyboard)?

[Stephen @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:08AM]

Probably, nothing is thought out THAT well.

[dreamscape86 @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:10AM]

Whoa, this could be incredibly useful... I could finally put my HTPC and TV in separate rooms without quality loss. Of course, then what would I do with a 30' DVI cable and DVI signal amp? Hmm...

[Serial 8-Ball Mouse @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:34AM]

Definitely not the way to go when running a HTPC.

[brandon @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:18AM]

VNC???

[Mehdi Cheddadi @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:19AM]

I prefer tightVNC

[CubeGuy @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:19AM]

Pop one of these behind my 32" LCD and we may have something here...

[andres @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:32AM]

pop a 32'' LCD in my house and then we may have something there

[andres @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:32AM]

oops, supposed to reply to above

[Aarun @ Sep 2nd 2008 1:29AM]

Your comment was funny until you killed it by saying "oops, supposed to reply to above"

[andres @ Sep 2nd 2008 1:54AM]

well its even worse now isnt it

[Tyson @ Sep 2nd 2008 1:14AM]

Nope, this is a DisplayLink adapter, or an actual Networked Video Card with it's own resources, no matter how minimal they may be.

~Tyson

[closures @ Sep 2nd 2008 1:28AM]

Thanks for the great post. It really gives us something meaty to chew on.

[Unknown @ Sep 2nd 2008 4:23AM]

I'd rather put the $200 toward another display. Besides, my two monitors at home and my two monitors at work are 1920x1200 anyway. The two at work (Dell 2408WFP) have two DVI inputs, HDMI, and DisplayPort, so I just need to figure out what to do at home. Probably buy another monitor...

[mattkenny @ Sep 2nd 2008 5:19AM]

I see this more as a way to share a plasma/LCD/projector for group presentations, not a way to connect a monitor to just one computer. Sure a monitor may have 3 or 4 different inputs, but that means each computer has to be next to the monitor (and have the correct type of connection).

This device allows a team to have a big screen display that is connected to all their workstations/laptops for presentations, etc. It's like the way they do it on NCIS and other TV shows...

[Djarum @ Sep 2nd 2008 6:15AM]

Is there a spec sheet for this anywhere? Networked display solutions I have implemented in the past tend to only get about 16-20 frames per second, which while decent enough for animation/desktop application use would be clearly noticeable when playing back full motion video.

To put the fps in to perspective;
Traditional film movies in your local theater = 24 fps
Standard def PAL Television (for those outside the US) = 25 fps
Standard def NTSC television = 29.97 fps
And the ATSC Hi Def television = 59.94 - 60 fps

I'd be interested to see if this can hold up to the videophile standards of todays HTPC geek.

[Evan @ Sep 2nd 2008 8:20AM]

Absolute failure. The difference between 1600x1200 and 1920x1200 will make or break this product! People don't need to share a 22" monitor. But there is a market for sharing large screens (plasma screen or projector), except those displays tend to be 1920x1080.

[Christopher @ Sep 2nd 2008 8:46AM]

This will not be a failure. The digital signage industry is large and continually growing. This device will explode on this market if it works as advertised. Most of these types of setups do not even utilize the device's maximum resolution (800x600 to 1360/66x768), so hopefully there is enough overhead for a lower resolution for good quality, full-motion video to be had here.

Has anyone found anywhere to purchase online yet? Nothing on IOGEAR's store or any other reseller, yet.

[Christopher @ Sep 2nd 2008 8:47AM]

This will not be a failure. The digital signage industry is large and continually growing. This device will explode on this market if it works as advertised. Most of these types of setups do not even utilize the device's maximum resolution (800x600 to 1360/66x768), so hopefully there is enough overhead for a lower resolution for good quality, full-motion video to be had here.

Has anyone found anywhere to purchase online yet? Nothing on IOGEAR's store or any other reseller, yet.

[Christopher @ Sep 26th 2008 8:18PM]

Well, I did get ahold of one of these and it is a great little device. It is basically their regular, USB ShareStation except with a builtin NIC/server.

IOGEAR has finally put up a product page, but you still can't find it on their site unless you know the model of the device to search for - well, here it is: http://www.iogear.com/product/GDIP201/

...anyways, how does it handle? Great for sharing a monitor between several users...displaying presentations...digital signage, etc. The resolution, right now, will not go up to 1600x1200 - as the press release and other literature states. Even the box (which I have since thrown way) stated something smaller, like 1280x1024. It would be nice if it could hit that 'magical' mark of at least 1365/68x768, or higher, for native resolution of digital signage...but depending on your signage software, should look just as good at any resolution.

As said, the display is great and will work for most all applications of use...but I was really curious to see how it handled video...

Well...not so good for the present anyways. Very choppy...and not necessarily due to any network lag - although I am sure that could contribute to just a 'touch' of degradation. Lowering the resolution all the way down to 640x480 and 16-bit color did help and was more smooth, but still a little jaggy. All of this testing was done with small, windowed and full-scrreen modes.

If the full-motion video could be bumped up to at least an acceptable level, and it could also send audio to the monitor...then this would really be a game-changing device in a few areas. Perhaps a firmware update in the future to help this (although audio could be possibly be sent...there is no way physically to output it to the monitor or additional speakers).

Overall this is a great product and definitely worth the ~$150 right now, and just like their USB-only version (which this will also perform in that manner to if a network connection is not needed), the price should drop to around $100-$120, or even lower much later.

Even with a couple little wishlist items for a future upgrade or generation of the product, there shouldn't be much hesitation on this purchase if it can fill the need (minus quality video).