Add a blog, with content from the Discord channel (#1565)

docs/blog/posts/2024/2024-02-03/index.md

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+---
+title: "KVMD 3.301: Generated Nginx configs"
+date: 2024-02-03
+slug: kvmd-3-301-generated-nginx-configs
+description: >
+    Starting from this version, the /etc/kvmd/nginx.conf config will be replaced
+categories:
+    - Releases
+authors:
+    - mdevaev
+links:
+    - PiKVM: https://pikvm.org
+    - Discord: https://discord.gg/bpmXfz5
+    - KVMD release: https://github.com/pikvm/kvmd/releases/tag/v3.301
+comments: true
+---
+
+Starting from this version, the `/etc/kvmd/nginx.conf` config will be replaced with the `/etc/kvmd/nginx.conf.mako` template, which will be rendered to `/run/kvmd/nginx.conf` taking into account the `/etc/kvmd/override.yaml` parameters and network configurations.
+
+<!-- more -->
+
+This will make it very easy to turn off IPv6, HTTPS on and off and change ports using the standard override mechanism, like this:
+
+```yaml
+nginx:
+    https:
+        enabled: false
+```
+
+If you had any changes in nginx.conf (for example, you previously disabled HTTPS manually), your Nginx configuration will roll back to the default, and HTTPS will be enabled again. To disable it, use the snippet above.
+
+This will not affect the settings of certificates and Letsencrypt, nothing will break here. If you have not changed Nginx configs, you have nothing to worry about at all and the migration will be seamless.
+
+To update:
+
+```console
+$ curl https://files.pikvm.org/update-os.sh | bash
+```

docs/blog/posts/2024/2024-02-15/index.md

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+---
+title: "KVMD 3.304: Video quality and compatibility improvements"
+date: 2024-02-15
+slug: kvmd-3-304-video-quality-and-compatibility-improvements
+description: >
+    Now you can disable the blue mouse dot, although we do not recommend it
+categories:
+    - Releases
+authors:
+    - mdevaev
+links:
+    - PiKVM: https://pikvm.org
+    - Discord: https://discord.gg/bpmXfz5
+    - KVMD release: https://github.com/pikvm/kvmd/releases/tag/v3.305
+comments: true
+---
+
+In this release, you will get many improvements regarding video quality and EDID.
+
+<!-- more -->
+
+## PiKVM V4
+
+- Default resolution is 1920×1080@60Hz.
+- Added native support of 1920×**1200**@60Hz!
+- Fixed broken audio on Linux hosts.
+
+## PiKVM V3
+
+- Default resolution now is 1280×720@60Hz, it should improve BIOS compatibility.
+- Supported resolutions up to 1920×1080@**50Hz**.
+- Fixed broken audio on Linux hosts.
+
+## For V4 + V3 + DIY based on CSI bridges
+
+- The color rendering quality has been significantly improved. Now the colors are bright and juicy, and not overexposed, see the attached picture.
+- Presumably, this release should put an end to shamanic dancing with EDID settings for different BIOSes.
+- Added several new supported resolutions like 1600×YYYY.
+- kvmd-edidconf --set-audio=1 now allows you to automatically add audio blocks for PiKVM, which are required by some particularly finicky OS.
+
+To update:
+
+```console
+$ curl https://files.pikvm.org/update-os.sh | bash
+```
+
+Important: if you are using a custom EDID, you will need to manually replace it with a new one after update. For example: rw; kvmd-edidconf --restore-default=v4plus; reboot (available: v0, v1, v2, v3, v4mini and v4plus)
+
+![Before/After](before-after.webp)

docs/blog/posts/2024/2024-02-16/index.md

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+---
+title: "KVMD 3.305: New option to hide the blue dot"
+date: 2024-02-16
+slug: kvmd-3-305-new-option-to-hide-the-blue-dot
+description: >
+    Now you can disable the blue mouse dot, although we do not recommend it
+categories:
+    - Releases
+authors:
+    - mdevaev
+links:
+    - PiKVM: https://pikvm.org
+    - Discord: https://discord.gg/bpmXfz5
+    - KVMD release: https://github.com/pikvm/kvmd/releases/tag/v3.305
+comments: true
+---
+
+Now you can disable the blue mouse dot.
+
+<!-- more -->
+
+![New display orientation options](hide-blue-dot.webp)
+
+But I still don't recommend doing this, because using the blue dot you can not wait for the real cursor. Click events are instantly transmitted to where the blue dot points, not the lagging real cursor.

docs/blog/posts/2024/2024-02-23/index.md

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+---
+title: "HDMI passthrough on PiKVM V4 Plus"
+date: 2024-02-23
+slug: hdmi-passthrough-on pikvm-v4-plus
+description: >
+     We promised it at the start and finally it's almost done. The V4 Plus will get an HDMI passthrough on one of its outputs
+categories:
+    - Development
+authors:
+    - mdevaev
+links:
+    - PiKVM: https://pikvm.org
+    - Discord: https://discord.gg/bpmXfz5
+comments: true
+---
+
+We promised it at the start and finally it's almost done. The V4 Plus will get an HDMI passthrough on one of its outputs. Right now It's working on my desk, and it's pretty good: 1080p 60 fps with vertical sync, perfect 24 bit color and zero-latency.
+
+<!-- more -->
+
+The first versions will pass the video if the online stream in the Web UI or VNC is not active. This is necessary to reduce all possible delays. I will finalize this in the future. I plan to release a public beta in the next week or two. In fact, it might happen sooner if I catch a wave.

docs/blog/posts/2024/2024-03-06/index.md

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+---
+title: "KVMD + uStreamer performance update"
+date: 2024-03-06
+slug: kvmd-ustreamer-performance-update
+description: >
+     After few weeks of research, I managed to increase the video performance slightly reduce the latency for all CSI devices
+categories:
+    - Releases
+authors:
+    - mdevaev
+links:
+    - PiKVM: https://pikvm.org
+    - Discord: https://discord.gg/bpmXfz5
+    - KVMD release: https://github.com/pikvm/kvmd/releases/tag/v3.310
+    - uStreamer release: https://github.com/pikvm/ustreamer/releases/tag/v6.0
+comments: true
+---
+
+Today I have prepared a great update for you. After few weeks of research, I managed to increase the video performance slightly reduce the latency for all CSI devices (PiKVM V4, V3 and CSI-based V2).
+
+<!-- more -->
+
+In H.264 mode (WebUI and VNC), you will get stable 30fps on 1080p and 60fps on 720p
+In MJPEG mode it just works a little faster.
+
+To update:
+
+```
+# pikvm-update`
+```
+
+If this command is not available, please use:
+
+```console
+# curl https://files.pikvm.org/update-os.sh | bash`
+```

docs/blog/posts/2024/2024-03-17/index.md

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+---
+title: "KVMD 3.319: Display orientation options for H.264 stream"
+date: 2024-03-17
+slug: kvmd-3-319-display-orientation-options
+description: >
+    For the H.264 stream, there are now options to rotate the virtual screen
+categories:
+    - Releases
+authors:
+    - mdevaev
+links:
+    - PiKVM: https://pikvm.org
+    - Discord: https://discord.gg/bpmXfz5
+    - KVMD release: https://github.com/pikvm/kvmd/releases/tag/v3.319
+comments: true
+---
+
+For the H.264 stream, there are now options to rotate the virtual screen.
+
+<!-- more -->
+
+Rotation is done in 90° increments. The toggles are in the System menu in the web UI.
+
+![New display orientation options](display-orientation.webp)
+
+To update:
+
+```
+# pikvm-update`
+```
+
+If this command is not available, please use:
+
+```console
+# curl https://files.pikvm.org/update-os.sh | bash`
+```

docs/blog/posts/2024/2024-04-16/index.md

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+---
+title: "KVMD 3.333: HDMI passthrough now available on V4 Plus"
+date: 2024-04-16
+slug: kvmd-3-333-hdmi-passthrough-now-available-on-v4-plus
+description: >
+    Thanks to the work of the Raspberry kernel team, a bug related to incorrect colors in H.264 was finally fixed while working with passthrough
+categories:
+    - Releases
+authors:
+    - mdevaev
+links:
+    - PiKVM: https://pikvm.org
+    - Discord: https://discord.gg/bpmXfz5
+    - KVMD release: https://github.com/pikvm/kvmd/releases/tag/v3.333
+comments: true
+---
+
+After a long and thorny path of research, we are pleased to present the promised HDMI passthrough feature for PiKVM V4 Plus.
+
+<!-- more -->
+
+![type:video](./hdmi-passthrough.webm)
+
+The new feature allows you to connect PiKVM between the host and local display. PiKVM will not interfere with the normal operation of the display and passes the video signal through itself until you need remote access. In this case, PiKVM will copy the video stream to the Web UI or VNC.
+
+But the most important thing is that the video will still be available on the local display at the same time as the stream! And of course it's zero-latency for the local display, with VSync support.
+
+How-to: https://docs.pikvm.org/pass
+
+Also, I'm glad that this release got a beautiful number, and I was finally able to make the Evangelion reference, which I forgot to do for 3.33 :)

docs/blog/posts/2024/2024-08-19/index.md

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+---
+title: "KVMD 4.4: HDMI passthrough on V4 Plus is stable now"
+date: 2024-08-19
+slug: kvmd-4-4-stable-hdmi-passthrough-on-v4-plus
+description: >
+    Thanks to the work of the Raspberry kernel team, a bug related to incorrect colors in H.264 was finally fixed while working with passthrough
+categories:
+    - Products
+authors:
+    - mdevaev
+links:
+    - PiKVM: https://pikvm.org
+    - Discord: https://discord.gg/bpmXfz5
+    - KVMD release: https://github.com/pikvm/kvmd/releases/tag/v4.4
+comments: true
+---
+
+Thanks to the work of the Raspberry kernel team, a bug related to incorrect colors in H.264 was finally fixed while working with passthrough.
+
+<!-- more -->
+
+With the new release, this feature is now enabled by default, and you will get great juicy colors both in the stream and on the external physical monitor. See [the documentation](https://docs.pikvm.org/pass) for details on setting this up.
+
+![Updating PiKVM OS](pikvm-os-update.webp)
+

docs/blog/posts/2024/2024-12-20/index.md

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+---
+title: "Announcing PiKVM Switch Multiport Extender"
+date: 2024-12-20
+slug: announcing-pikvm-switch-multiport-extender
+description: >
+    The PiKVM team is excited to present its new PiKVM Switch Multiport Extender - the most full-featured switch for PiKVM devices
+categories:
+    - Products
+authors:
+    - mdevaev
+links:
+    - PiKVM: https://pikvm.org
+    - Discord: https://discord.gg/bpmXfz5
+comments: true
+---
+
+The PiKVM team is excited to present its new PiKVM Switch Multiport Extender - the most full-featured switch for PiKVM devices. After much anticipation, the PiKVM Switch is now available for order! The switch allows you to connect up to four target hosts to a single PiKVM and provides full control over them.
+
+<!-- more -->
+
+![PiKVM Switch](pikvm-switch.webp)
+
+- ATX control on each port.
+- Per-port EDID configuration.
+- HDMI dummy plug functionality.
+- True Plug-n-Play with no need for override.yaml setups and complete control via Web UI.
+- Multifunctional RGB LEDs with beacon mode and customizable color schemes.
+- Firmware update directly from PiKVM and ready for future hardware extensions.
+- Compatible with V4 Plus, V3 and DIY devices based on Pi2-Pi4 except Zero and V4 Mini.
+
+And now the best part: **the switches can be chained**! Need four ports? Get a PiKVM Switch Multiport Extender. As your server fleet expands to eight, simply add another switch and link it to the first one. Need even more? No worries — **connect up to five switches and enjoy 20 fully functional ports on your PiKVM**. Say goodbye to replacing your entire KVM system!
+
+You can order PiKVM Switch Multiport Extender from our [international store](https://shop.hipi.io/product/pikvm-switch-multiport-extender).
+
+Canadian customers can place an order at [PiShop.ca](https://www.pishop.ca/product/pikvm-switch-multiport-extender/).
+
+See also the detailed technical descriptions and documentation on [docs.pikvm.org](https://docs.pikvm.org/switch/).
+
+The first batch will start shipping at the end of December 2024, and the second batch will be at the end of January 2025. 

docs/blog/posts/2024/2024-12-25/index.md

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+---
+title: "KVMD 4.29: H.264 over HTTP"
+date: 2024-12-25
+slug: kvmd-4-29-h264-over-http
+description: >
+    Starting with KVMD 4.29, in addition to WebRTC, a new method of direct transmission of H.264 over HTTP will be available to you
+categories:
+    - Releases
+authors:
+    - mdevaev
+links:
+    - PiKVM: https://pikvm.org
+    - Discord: https://discord.gg/bpmXfz5
+    - KVMD release: https://github.com/pikvm/kvmd/releases/tag/v4.29
+comments: true
+---
+
+I know that some people have a problem using H.264 and WebRTC with firewalls, NAT, Tailscale and other things. Until recently, the only alternative was MJPEG, which consumes a lot of traffic. So I was constantly researching whether something could be done about it, and finally found a way.
+
+Starting with KVMD 4.29, in addition to WebRTC, a new method of **direct transmission of H.264 over HTTP** will be available to you. Is the Web UI working? Then direct video transmission will also work. This completely solves the problem of WebRTC unavailability.
+
+<!-- more -->
+
+**This new feature is available for free not only to PiKVM V4 and V3 users, but also to all DIY users with HDMI-CSI devices**. Merry Christmas to everyone! 🥳 
+
+A little tip: use **H.264 gop 0** in settings.
+
+To update just run `pikvm-update`. As usual, I advise you not to upgrade without physical access to the device. Also, you should not update PiKVM if the amount of alcohol in the blood on the occasion of the holiday is not zero or at least does not correspond to the level of the peak Ballmer.
+
+PS: Our work on the open development of PiKVM is possible only through sales of hardware and donations. So if you want to support us, please consider [buying(https://pikvm.org/buy/) our official PiKVM or a Switch.
+
+![H.264 over HTTP](h264.webp)