Case Study: Bridge Visualization Upgrade and simplification with 4KColibrí KVM

Overview
Onboard vessel bridges traditionally rely on multiple displays of various sizes for navigation, monitoring, and control. In this case, the vessel’s bridge was equipped with seven older displays of various sizes handling different control and monitoring tasks. Over time, this setup led to:

- Increased complexity for operators, who had to switch focus between multiple screens.
- Limited visibility and ergonomics, as information was spread across displays of different sizes.
- Higher maintenance demands, with aging monitors of different brands and resolutions.

The shipowner required a modern, streamlined and robust visualization layer that would simplify the operators’ view while reducing hardware footprint and power consumption.

Supporting this transformation is the deployment of 4K Colibrí Mini Quad-Split KVM, a professional compact AV processor with KVM functionality that consolidates selected operator feeds onto fewer, larger screens alongside the crew’s primary systems.

The Solution: 4K Colibri Mini Quad-KVM Integration
The bridge was upgraded with two large 43” UHD displays combined with our 4K Colibrí HDMI Quad-Split KVM units connected in cascade. This setup replaced the seven old displays, consolidating the selected operator feeds into two large, high-resolution screens.

The 4K Colibrí Quad-Split KVM allows operators to:

✅ Display up to four independent Full HD sources on a single UHD screen.
✅ Switch seamlessly between Full Screen or Quad-mode layouts and different inputs.
✅ Control all sources via KVM functionality, reducing the number of keyboards and mice on the console.
✅ Unlimited Cascade capability, 1 Set of Mouse and Keyboard can surf through all your 4K Colibri units connected on the cascade.
✅ Benefit from low-latency and high-quality image processing, supporting at-a-glance monitoring of the consolidated view.

This solution not only optimized space on the bridge but also improved ergonomics and operator efficiency by presenting all the selected feeds on fewer, larger and sharper displays.

Why This Matters
The modernization project delivered significant improvements:

- Ergonomics: Operators now enjoy a simplified visual environment with two large UHD monitors instead of seven mismatched screens.
- Efficiency: Quick access to multiple sources through the Colibrí KVM system reduces operator workload.
- Reliability: All our professional-grade Video Processors provide robust and durable performance for demanding installation environments.
- Future-proofing: The new setup is scalable, allowing easy integration of additional video sources as needed with the unlimited cascade capability of 4K Colibri.

This case demonstrates how our 4K Colibrí Quad-Split KVM solution provides a compact, reliable and operator-friendly bridge AV upgrade, helping ship operators improve ergonomics, efficiency and overall on-board workflow.

Looking Ahead
As marine vessels continue to evolve into floating data centers, solutions like 4KColibri, ScreenBridge KVM, Bridge4U, Core and OCTO are proving valuable as centralized AV visualization layers that complement the vessel’s primary systems. With full customization and intuitive control, Craltech positions itself as a partner for centralized AV consolidation on board, in both fishing fleets and commercial shipping.