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[Wednesday at NAB]
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Offering Scalability, Affordability, Compact Sizes
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by Claudia Kienzle,
~ April 16, 2008
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TV TECHNOLOGY
This year’s NAB Show offers a wide array of next-generation video production, master control, and routing switchers that promise unprecedented scalability, affordability, and compact sizes. The trend is towards enabling high-performance, 3-Gig (3 Gbps) processing throughout the workflow to support resolutions of high-definition and beyond.
PRODUCTION SWITCHERS
Analog Way is debuting the Tetra-VIO A/V switcher/converter/interface with three universal inputs and one SD/HD-SDI input and support for computer, analog, digital and HDTV formats.
Brick House Video is showcasing its Callisto range of switchers and its VTB-2A standalone four-channel composite field switchers.
Broadcast Pix is unveiling three new Slate HD integrated live video production systems that each include a production switcher with up to six keyers and DVEs, multiview monitoring, Harris Inscriber CG and a clipstore. Both 16:9 and 4:3 content can be mixed while preserving the native aspect ratio of each element. Models include the cost-effective Slate 100 HD, the Slate 1000 HD with professional switcher control panel, and the Slate 3000 HD, which includes a Harris router. It provides up to 18 live inputs and enhanced redundancy. New software for the Slate series includes alpha wipes with audio, support for four LCD multiview monitors, play-out of MPEG-2 clips and control of Harris Nexio video servers.
Echolab is showing its new Overture1 (1 M/E) and Overture2 (2 M/E) switchers in SD and multidefinition (MD) with internal conversion and synchronization, key layering, special effects, stinger keys, SuperSource keys; and MegaKeyMD clip player, mixer and keyer for expert transitions. EchoLab is also highlighting the Conductor control integration system, a touch screen computer that automates complex live and pre-production tasks with user-configurable features, recall M/E presets, still store, and device control.
Focus Enhancements is featuring its HX-1 portable HD video switcher and HX-2 HD/SD video switcher.
For-A Corp. of America is demonstrating its HANABI series of HD/SD production switchers, including the HVS-600HS (1 M/E) and HVS-600HS economical, compact HD/SD switcher. For-A is also showing its HVS-1500HS HANABI (1.5 M/E) HD/SD switcher for live production, with a compact chassis suitable for mobile, remote and fly pack applications.
Knox Video Technology is showing its RSII series switchers which accept up to 16 Y/C, HD component or SDI video sources and connect to one or more of 16 outputs with optional volume and tone control.
Ross Video Ltd. is introducing its Vision 1M, Vision 2M, and Vision 2X control panels that expand its Vision MD/X SD/HD production switchers. M-series control panels have 24 crosspoint buttons and the X control panel has 32. Ross is also releasing Version 7.0 of its OverDrive automated production control system, which adds MOS integration for graphics and video servers for news, sports, worship, and live event production.
Sierra Video, a Kramer Electronics company, is highlighting its 1602HD monitoring switcher series, for monitoring or maintaining multiple HD/SDI or SDI video sources. It has 16x2 HD/SDI-SDI signal routing with optional AES/EBU digital audio or analog stereo audio in a 1 RU frame. Sierra is also showcasing the expansion of its Ponderosa multiformat routing switcher family to include I/O sizes up to 128x128, digital-to-analog conversion boards, and analog and digital audio options. The HD-SDI/SDI video routing switcher family has fully modular design and features tailored to applications with critical video needs.
Snell & Wilcox is unveiling several major enhancements to its Kahuna SD/HD multiformat production switcher, including new DVE capabilities for creating fluid effects and applying any real-time source onto any 3D model preloaded in the switcher.
Sony Electronics is highlighting its production switcher lineup, including software upgrades to the MVS-8000G. The upgrades feature full 1080p/59.94 and 1080p/50 production support using dual-link input/output, dual M/E link, and dual M/E CH Link capability.
Thomson is showcasing its Grass Valley Kayak HD family of multiformat video production switchers, available with from 1 to 4.5 M/Es and switchable between HD (1080i, 720p, and several 1080pSF formats) and SD (525-line and 625-line) formats. The switcher offers four keyers per M/E, up to 96 mapable SDI inputs, 48 mapable SDI outputs and up to 16 internal video source scalars for up, down, and cross-conversion.
ROUTING SWITCHERS
Analog Way is debuting the Broad Scan HD computer-to-video-and-HDTV scan converter and Optimizer HD universal up/down/scaler with realtime TV-to-widescreen HDTV conversion.
Evertz is unveiling its next-generation EQX 3 (Evertz-Quartz-X-Point) format-agnostic router with 576x576 in a single 26 RU frame, and up to 1152x1152 in multiple frames. It supports signals from 3 Mbps to 3 Gbps as well as four independent timing planes, providing independent SMPTE-compliant switching for up to four digital video signal formats. Its internal frame controllers provide complete connectivity to third-party control devices such as automation systems via multiple links and ports. Also look for the VIP-X system, which combines a router (up to 288x288) and multiviewer with up to 72 displays.
Gefen is bringing out a new 1:10 HDMI 1.3 distribution amplifier that sends one source of digital HD video to multiple displays simultaneously. The company is also showcasing HDMI RS232 CAT-5 extenders. Plus, Gefen has brought its HD-SDI-to-HDMI scaler box and VGA-to-DVI Scaler Plus to connect analog video graphics cards (VGA) to DVI-compliant digital monitors.
Harris Corp. is displaying its Platinum and Platinum MX router product lines, which now offer 3 Gbps routing throughout the core processing workflow, including new distribution amplifiers in the modular core processing platform. Also on display are the 3 Gbps X3G all-in-one converter and synchronizer.
Isis Group is introducing the Innovation SuperSwitch 16x16 RGBHV routing switcher. Designed for multimedia, it offers BNC connectors, wide bandwidth, and support for all formats from VGA (640x480) to QSXGA (2560x2048).
JLCooper Electronics is unveiling the Bridge CX eclipse bridge controller/expander which adds four additional banks of VF displays, with three high-resolution encoders per bank and eight global function keys.
MultiDyne is showcasing the EOS-4000 family of scalable electro-optical switches for transparent, point-to-multipoint high-speed switching of digital signals up to 4.25 Gbps, from 32x32 to 288x288 matrix sizes.
Network Electronics is unveiling the FRS-HD-DMUX electrical/optical frame synchronizer, and its established line of routers including the VikinX Modular, VikinX Compact and VikinX sublime.
Nvision is launching an advanced, scalable router technology platform, including the NV9000 router system controller, which controls up to 250 routers, 400 control panels, up to 250 physical and 512 virtual levels. Also on display is a new cost-effective, compact router series with 3 Gbps HD-SDI operation and dynamic port routing. Nvision is also debuting a large-matrix, multichannel router in which two frames replace what used to require four. It’s highly scalable, reprogrammable and expandable.
Pro-Bel is displaying its flexible family of routers, including Pyxis, Cygnus and Sirius, with a range of control options and panels. The Pyxis range of cards in 1 RU and 3 RU frames is available for all common broadcast formats. Cygnus is 1080p 3 Gbps native with up to 576x576 routing in a single 26 RU housing, or 288x576 in a 21 RU housing. Sirius Fusion provides new flexibility, allowing multiple crosspoint routers to be connected together.
QuStream is showing four new video interface modules for its Cheetah family of routers, including the QuStream CH-ADSDI-In video input card with composite A-to-D decoder input. The CH-Input-3GB-BNC video input card has 16 individual source channels for up to 3 Gbps. The CH-Output-3GB-BNC multiple bit-rate video output card enables up to 3 Gbps. The CH-HDSDI-Out-BNC video output card has HD-to-SD downconversion.
Snell & Wilcox is introducing new products for its IQ modular intelligent infrastructure system, including the IQDSK00 HD/SD downstream keyer; IQSP100 interfacing with custom control; and IQSDA2 single- and dual-channel SD/HD/3G distribution products.
Sony Electronics is debuting its new BKS-R6010 universal LCD remote panel for its Sony S-bus routing switcher that features TFT LCD buttons, cable controls, and effective status displays. It can be used as an AUX bus remote panel for the MVS-8000G.
Thomson is unveiling the optical switch router (OSR), the latest member of its Grass Valley Acappella family of small routers, for high-bandwidth fiber-based inter- and intra-facility transport of broadcast traffic, in configurations ranging from 8x8 to 32x32.
TV One is debuting the Corioflex switcher/scaler system, a flexible, scalable switcher; C2-2000 Series universal converter; IT-C2-511 HD-SDI-to-DVI converter; and TV One edge blending for effects like PIP.
T-VIPS America is showing the TVG420i FEC inserter for its T-VIPS video gateway products for realtime contribution and distribution of video over IP; and other video transport products.
Utah Scientific is introducing new frames for its Utah-400 routers, including a new frame for large routers up to 528x528 with fully automatic internal crosspoint redundancy, and a second new frame that extends the UTAH-400’s functionality to even larger matrix sizes.
MASTER CONTROL
Burst Electronics is showcasing the HDLG for HD/SD SDI full-bandwidth, 24-bit logo/color image insertion for placing IDs, logos, and images anywhere within active video; and the GPI 20 GPI-to-RS232 converter.
Dayang is introducing the RedBridge SD video and audio I/O card for OEMs and developers.
Miranda Technologies is launching new HD audio capabilities for its Imagestore 750 master control switching and branding graphics processor, including Dolby E/AC-3 encoding/decoding. Imagestore 750 is designed for the playout of sophisticated channel branding graphics and can offer dual DVEs, automated CG, EAS support, and four independent keyers.
Nvision is showcasing the NV5100MC Series multichannel master control switching system with a modular architecture, increased audio and video processing, field programmable processor for SD or HD, choice of four control surfaces and full video preview including effects.
Pixel Power is highlighting graphics-oriented master control solutions, including its LogoVision automated channel branding device for inserting HD and SD static and animated logos, clocks, crawls and other graphics elements; and PixelPromo DJ for channel branding automation.
Pro-Bel is debuting a new, enhanced version of its Masterpiece software-upgradeable SD/HD master control system with up to four DSKs, 16-level audio mixing, Dolby E mixing, bug inserter, frame delay, and more. Pro-Bel is also launching a new version of Morpheus Control and Monitoring (MCM) for master control.
Wohler is unveiling its new openGear line, which uses a standard card and IP core applications, including an HD dual-channel logo keyer; HDVANC data inserter/extractor, and dual channel closed caption encoder/decoder bridge.
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