KVM peripheral maker Gefen Inc. has introduced the ex-tend-it DVI Detective, a new device that makes it possible to disconnect and reconnect digital or plasma displays without rebooting the computer.
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Physically disconnecting and reconnecting a digital display to a computer can require the computer to be reset, as the monitor’s Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) is no longer provided. EDID describes how the monitor works and is configured. The DVI Detective works around that by continuously providing EDID information to the computer, tricking it into thinking the monitor is still attached. As long as the DVI Detective remains attached to the computer and powered, you can disconnect and move the monitor then reconnect it and expect it to work.
This comes in handy in environments where users may need to disconnect their digital or plasma displays, place them in a remote location, then reconnect them. The DVI Detective itself weighs about two pounds, measuring 2 x 1.75 x 1.75 inches. It rests in-line between the computer and the display, using fiber optics to transmit its signal. What’s more, Gefen said that it would work with all displays equipped with the Digital Visual Interface (DVI) connector and Apple’s flat panel displays equipped with Apple Display Connector (ADC).
The new DVI Detective costs US$69.