Vertiv LV5520R-400 4K Dual-Head KVM Extender Receiver
Overview
The Vertiv Avocent LV5520R-400 is the receiver unit of the Avocent Longview 5520 high-performance KVM extender system, designed to push 4K video, USB peripherals, audio, and serial control from a remote workstation to a local operator console — across copper or fiber — without compromising resolution or responsiveness. Where operators need full 4096x2160 at 60Hz on dual displays simultaneously, this is the unit that terminates at the desk.
Broadcast control rooms, defense command centers, industrial HMI stations, and enterprise data center KVM deployments all share the same constraint: the compute hardware must live in a secured or climate-controlled location, while operators sit elsewhere. The LV5520R-400 solves exactly that problem. It delivers two DisplayPort outputs (the second port mirrors the first as a duplicate display), four USB 2.0 Type-A ports for keyboard, mouse, and peripheral connectivity, plus analog audio I/O — all housed in a compact 186mm × 148mm × 39mm desktop form factor.
Key Features
- 4096×2160 @ 60Hz Resolution: True 4K at 60 frames per second means no perceptible lag or frame drop for users running high-resolution CAD, video production monitoring, or security VMS consoles. This isn't scaled or interpolated 4K — it's the native signal at full pixel count, which matters when you're reading alarm state from a dense PSIM layout or reviewing 4K camera footage remotely.
- Dual DisplayPort Outputs: Two DP outputs let you run a second monitor directly from the receiver — useful for operators who need a primary work display plus a dedicated alert or map display. Note the second port is a duplicate of the first (mirrored), not an independent extended desktop; plan your console layout accordingly.
- Four USB 2.0 Full-Speed Type-A Ports: Four local USB ports cover the standard console peripherals (keyboard, mouse, CAC reader, USB headset) without a hub. Full-speed USB 2.0 is sufficient for HID and audio devices; don't expect USB 3.0 throughput for storage.
- Analog + USB Audio: Mic in, headset out, and speaker out connectors support operator voice communication and two-way intercom integration. Audio can run over USB or analog stereo — useful when the transmitter end is connected to IP intercom or VOIP hardware that expects a specific audio path.
- RJ45 and SFP+ Network Ports: Both copper and fiber uplink options are present, giving installers the choice to run Cat6A for shorter distances or fiber for longer runs or electrically isolated environments. SFP+ support also enables higher-bandwidth fiber links where needed.
- RJ12 Serial Port: The serial interface supports RS-232 peripheral control — KVM matrix integration, serial console management, or legacy industrial devices that haven't moved to USB. This is frequently overlooked in AV-over-IP deployments but critical for broadcast and industrial HMI applications.
- 18W Power Supply, 100–240 VAC: The unit accepts universal AC input (100–240V, 47/63Hz) and runs on a 12VDC 18W supply — low enough draw that it doesn't add meaningful load to a UPS or PDU. No separate high-capacity power infrastructure is required at the console end.
- Operating Temperature 0°C to 40°C: Rated for standard indoor office and control room environments. The storage range extends to -10°C to 50°C, so the unit can be staged in a warehouse or unheated space before deployment without issue. This is not a ruggedized unit for harsh industrial floors or outdoor enclosures.
- 0–80% Non-Condensing Humidity: Standard HVAC-controlled environment assumption. Control rooms with active climate management will have no issue; avoid deployments where humidity swings are likely (e.g., near loading dock doors without environmental separation).
- Four Tri-Color Status LEDs: Local visual feedback on link state, signal, power, and USB activity means a technician can diagnose connection issues at the console end without logging into a management interface — a practical time saver during commissioning and troubleshooting.
Integration and Compatibility
The LV5520R-400 is the receiver unit and pairs with a compatible Avocent Longview 5520 transmitter (sold separately). The system operates as a point-to-point KVM extender — it is not a matrix switch and does not support multicast to multiple receivers from a single transmitter in standalone configuration. Verify your transmitter SKU and cable plant (Cat6A vs. fiber) before ordering. The RJ45 and SFP+ ports on the receiver correspond to the matching ports on the transmitter; you do not need both populated simultaneously.
USB device compatibility follows standard USB 2.0 HID and audio class specifications — most enterprise keyboards, mice, CAC readers, and USB audio devices will enumerate without additional drivers. The KVM extender and switch category includes compatible transmitter units and related Vertiv Avocent infrastructure for building out full extender systems. For power protection at the console end, review UPS and power conditioning options appropriate for desktop AV equipment. Integrators deploying over fiber should reference the SFP+ transceiver selection to match the fiber type and distance of the cable plant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the maximum resolution the LV5520R-400 supports?
A: The LV5520R-400 supports 4096×2160 (4K) at 60Hz on its DisplayPort outputs. This is the native signal resolution — not upscaled.
Q: Does the LV5520R-400 support dual independent displays or mirrored only?
A: The unit provides two DisplayPort outputs, but the second port is a duplicate (mirror) of the first — not an independent extended desktop. Both displays will show the same image.
Q: Can I use fiber instead of copper to connect the transmitter and receiver?
A: Yes. The LV5520R-400 includes both RJ45 (copper) and SFP+ (fiber) ports, giving you the option to run either cable type depending on distance requirements and site infrastructure. You do not need to populate both simultaneously.
Q: What USB devices are supported at the receiver?
A: The receiver provides four USB 2.0 full-speed Type-A ports suitable for HID devices (keyboard, mouse, CAC readers) and USB audio. USB 2.0 full-speed is the maximum; USB 3.0 storage transfer speeds are not supported.
Q: What power supply does the LV5520R-400 require?
A: The unit accepts universal AC input (100–240 VAC, 47/63Hz) and operates at 12VDC with an 18W output from the included power supply unit. No specialized PDU or high-capacity power infrastructure is required.
Q: Is the LV5520R-400 the complete KVM extender system, or do I need additional components?
A: The LV5520R-400 is the receiver unit only. A compatible Avocent Longview 5520 transmitter must be purchased separately to complete the point-to-point KVM extender system.
The LV5520R-400 is one of those units that looks straightforward on a spec sheet until you start scoping a real deployment — at which point the dual-port mirror constraint and the USB 2.0 ceiling become the two design decisions that drive the rest of the console layout. Running 4096×2160 at 60Hz over a KVM link is genuinely useful for operators on dense PSIM or VMS consoles; the question is always whether the cable plant and the transmitter end are matched correctly before the receiver goes in the rack.
Technical Highlights:
- 4K @ 60Hz via DisplayPort: 4096×2160 at 60 frames per second is the ceiling for this receiver — enough headroom for 4K security monitoring software or broadcast-grade video review without perceptible motion blur at the console end.
- Dual-Path Uplink (RJ45 + SFP+): Having both copper and fiber options on the same unit means you're not locked into a single cable plant design. Longer runs or electrically noisy environments (near generators, UPS systems) benefit from the fiber path; shorter in-building runs can use Cat6A and skip the fiber budget.
- 18W at 12VDC, Universal AC Input: The 18W draw across 100–240V input keeps this receiver compatible with any regional power standard and easy to put on a standard APC or Vertiv desktop UPS — no special outlet planning needed at the console position.
Deployment Considerations:
- Confirm the transmitter SKU before ordering — the LV5520R-400 is the receiver only, and the system is point-to-point. Matrix or multicast configurations require additional switching infrastructure not included with this unit.
- The second DisplayPort output mirrors the first — not an independent desktop. If operators need extended (not mirrored) dual-monitor layouts, this receiver cannot deliver that natively; review the full Avocent Longview line for models that support independent dual-head output.
This receiver is well-suited for secure operations center builds where the workstation must be physically separated from the operator position — government, defense, broadcast master control, and enterprise data center console deployments where 4K fidelity at the desk is non-negotiable and the compute hardware stays behind a locked door.
