Black Box ACX1MT-DHID-2C Modular KVM Extender Transmitter

Overview

The Black Box ACX1MT-DHID-2C is a transmitter module for the Black Box Agility modular KVM-over-IP extension platform, purpose-built for secure, high-performance desktop extension over fiber or CATx in government, broadcast, and enterprise control room environments. This module handles the local (transmitter) end of a point-to-point or matrix-switched KVM extension link, encoding DisplayPort 1.0 video alongside USB HID peripheral data and CAC (Common Access Card) reader pass-through — a combination that satisfies both physical security and smart-card authentication requirements in a single slot-in card.

The ACX1MT-DHID-2C slots into the modular Black Box Agility chassis (ACX series), giving integrators the flexibility to mix and match transmitter and receiver modules for different signal types within the same hardware frame. This chassis-based approach means you can expand a control room KVM matrix without forklift upgrades — add a module, assign it in the management interface, and the new extension path is live.

Key Features

• DisplayPort 1.0 Video Extension: Carries full DP 1.0 signals — up to 1920×1200 at 60 Hz — over the extension link without signal degradation, keeping workstation desktops sharp at the remote operator station even across long fiber runs. No analog conversion means no color shift or softening at the receiver end.
• USB HID Support: Passes keyboard and mouse (HID-class USB) data alongside video in the same link. The HID path is low-latency and transparent to the OS — drivers see a directly attached device, so there are no compatibility issues with specialty input devices or biometric readers that use HID.
• CAC Reader Pass-Through: The integrated CAC support extends a smart-card reader from the remote operator position back to the host — critical for DoD, federal, and cleared-facility deployments where PIV/CAC authentication is mandatory at every workstation. This removes the need for a separate USB extender just for the card reader.
• Modular Chassis Architecture: As a plug-in module for the Black Box Agility platform, the ACX1MT-DHID-2C lets you build a KVM extension infrastructure that scales by slot rather than by appliance. Mixed-signal environments (some stations needing CAC, others not) can be addressed in the same chassis.
• Point-to-Point and Matrix Operation: The module supports both direct point-to-point extension and integration into a managed matrix switch fabric — useful when operators need to switch between multiple sources or when a control room requires any-to-any connectivity.
• Secure Signal Handling: Designed for classified and sensitive compartmented information facility (SCIF) adjacent deployments where signal integrity and access control are non-negotiable. CAC pass-through ensures authentication stays in the chain from card to host.

Integration and Compatibility

The ACX1MT-DHID-2C is designed to work within the Black Box Agility KVM-over-IP ecosystem. It pairs with a compatible Agility receiver module (ACX1MR series) at the remote end. For KVM matrix switching environments, the module integrates with the Agility Manager software platform for centralized connection management, user permissions, and session logging — relevant for multi-operator control rooms where access audit trails are required.

Consult the KVM extender buying guide when scoping fiber run distances, chassis slot counts, and receiver-side module selection to ensure the full signal chain is matched before deployment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What video resolution does the ACX1MT-DHID-2C support?

A: The ACX1MT-DHID-2C supports DisplayPort 1.0 video, capable of carrying resolutions up to 1920×1200 at 60 Hz over the extension link.

Q: Does the ACX1MT-DHID-2C support CAC (Common Access Card) authentication?

A: Yes. The module includes CAC reader pass-through, extending smart-card authentication from the remote operator position to the host — a requirement in federal, DoD, and cleared-facility environments.

Q: What chassis does the ACX1MT-DHID-2C install into?

A: The ACX1MT-DHID-2C is a plug-in transmitter module for the Black Box Agility modular KVM extension platform (ACX series chassis). It is not a standalone appliance.

Q: What receiver module pairs with the ACX1MT-DHID-2C?

A: The ACX1MT-DHID-2C transmitter pairs with a compatible Black Box Agility receiver module (ACX1MR series) at the remote/operator end to complete the extension link.

Q: Can the ACX1MT-DHID-2C operate in a matrix switching environment?

A: Yes. In addition to point-to-point extension, the module supports integration into a managed Agility matrix fabric with centralized connection management via the Agility Manager software.

Eden Phillips

The ACX1MT-DHID-2C is the transmitter half of a purpose-built KVM extension chain — and the CAC pass-through is the spec that separates it from generic DP extenders. If you're deploying in any environment where smart-card login is enforced at the workstation, this module keeps that authentication path intact all the way from the remote operator desk back to the host, without bolting on a separate USB extender for the card reader.

Technical Highlights:

• DisplayPort 1.0 Signal Carriage: Handles up to 1920×1200 at 60 Hz natively — appropriate for most dual-display command station monitors and broadcast confidence displays without requiring DP 1.2 overhead.
• USB HID Pass-Through: Keyboard and mouse data rides the same link as video, presenting as a directly attached HID device to the host OS — no special drivers, no compatibility surprises with specialty input hardware.
• CAC Integration: Smart-card reader is extended transparently to the host, satisfying PIV/CAC authentication requirements at the remote position — the key differentiator for cleared or federal deployments.

Deployment Considerations:

• The ACX1MT-DHID-2C is a module, not a standalone unit — verify chassis slot availability and chassis model compatibility before ordering; you cannot use this card without a supported Agility chassis.
• CAC pass-through requires a compatible reader at the remote end and correct driver/middleware stack on the host; test with your specific CAC middleware (ActivClient, etc.) during pilot before full rollout.

This module is the right fit for a secure government or defense control room where operators authenticate via CAC, run DP-connected workstations, and need centrally managed KVM extension without running separate signal paths for video, HID, and smart-card — all three ride a single Agility link.