Black Box ACU5700A DVI-D USB 2.0 RS-232 KVM Extender

Overview

The Black Box ACU5700A is a KVM extender designed to extend DVI-D video, USB 2.0, and RS-232 serial signals beyond the reach of standard cable runs — a practical solution for control rooms, broadcast facilities, secure server environments, and any installation where the operator workstation must be physically separated from the computing hardware. Where DVI-D's native cable-length ceiling creates problems, the ACU5700A bridges the gap without introducing signal degradation or perceptible latency at the console.

Black Box has a long history in KVM and signal extension infrastructure. For a broader look at the Black Box catalog or the full range of KVM extenders available, both are worth reviewing before finalizing a model selection.

Key Features

• DVI-D Video Extension: Carries uncompressed digital video over the extension link, preserving the pixel-accurate output your DVI-D source produces — no analog conversion artifacts to manage downstream.
• USB 2.0 Support: Extends USB 2.0 peripherals — keyboard, mouse, and compatible HID devices — to the remote console location, so operators interact with the distant system as though seated directly in front of it.
• RS-232 Serial Pass-Through: The integrated RS-232 channel lets you extend serial control to legacy devices, industrial controllers, or serial-managed equipment co-located with the host — useful in automation and broadcast environments where serial-controlled gear is still common.
• Consolidated Signal Path: Combining video, USB, and serial on a single extender unit reduces rack space, cable count, and points of failure compared to running separate extenders for each signal type.

Integration and Compatibility

The ACU5700A is positioned for environments running DVI-D video sources — workstations, servers, or media systems with DVI-D outputs. The USB 2.0 channel covers standard HID peripherals; verify USB class compatibility with any non-HID device before deployment. The RS-232 port makes this a natural fit alongside serially managed AV matrix switchers, broadcast routers, or industrial control panels. For guidance on planning a KVM and signal extension architecture, consult a KVM switch to pair with the extender where multi-source switching is also required. If your environment requires fiber-based extension for longer runs or electrical isolation, review the broader signal extender options in this category before committing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What video interface does the ACU5700A support?

A: The ACU5700A extends DVI-D digital video — it does not support analog VGA or HDMI natively. Verify your source and display both carry DVI-D connectors before ordering.

Q: Does the ACU5700A extend USB devices beyond keyboards and mice?

A: The unit extends USB 2.0 HID-class peripherals including keyboard and mouse. Compatibility with non-HID USB devices (storage, audio, specialty peripherals) should be confirmed against the full Black Box datasheet before deployment.

Q: What is the RS-232 port used for on the ACU5700A?

A: The RS-232 channel is intended for extending serial control signals to equipment co-located with the host — common in broadcast, AV, and industrial environments where serial-managed devices still operate alongside the primary computing hardware.

Q: Can the ACU5700A be used in a rack-mount deployment?

A: The mounting configuration should be confirmed in the manufacturer datasheet. Black Box typically offers rack-ear accessories for their extender line — contact Black Box or review the full product documentation to confirm rack-mount options for this specific unit.

James Everett

The ACU5700A stands out in Black Box's extender line specifically because it consolidates three signal types — DVI-D video, USB 2.0, and RS-232 serial — into a single extender pair rather than requiring separate boxes for each. In a control room or broadcast rack where every unit of space and every cable run matters, that consolidation is the practical argument for this unit over mixing single-signal extenders.

Technical Highlights:

• DVI-D Signal Path: Digital-only video extension preserves pixel-accurate output with no analog conversion in the chain — a meaningful advantage in environments where signal fidelity at the display matters (medical imaging workstations, broadcast monitoring).
• USB 2.0 Console Extension: Standard HID keyboard and mouse reach the remote console location transparently, eliminating the need for a local KVM switch or secondary workstation at the equipment rack.
• RS-232 Integration: The serial channel is the differentiator for AV and industrial deployments — it lets a single cable run carry control of serial-managed matrix switchers or industrial PLCs alongside the video and USB console signals.

Deployment Considerations:

• Confirm your source device's DVI-D output type (single-link vs. dual-link) against the ACU5700A's supported mode before purchasing — DVI-D single-link and dual-link are electrically incompatible, and the distinction matters at higher resolutions.
• The USB 2.0 channel covers HID peripherals reliably; do not assume it will transparently extend USB storage or audio devices without verifying class support in the full manufacturer datasheet.

The ACU5700A is the right unit for a broadcast control room or secure operations center where the operator console must sit 50–300 meters from the host rack and the existing infrastructure already runs DVI-D — particularly where a serial-controlled device in that same rack needs to be reachable from the console position without a separate serial extender in the cable path.