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Posted by Rick Merrill on 03/01/07 19:12
blackburst@aol.com wrote:
> Just a note for any other pros who do a lot of live production:
>
> I'm all jazzed about a new switcher I bought for my TV studio. This is
> not a commercial, almost a test report.
>
> It's called Broadcast Pix Slate 2100, and it's part of a new breed of
> devices called "IPS" - integrated production systems. It's basically a
> switcher, but it integrates a whole bunch of things that used to
> require peripherals.
>
> It can be bought in different configurations. Mine has 8 inputs. It
> can be SDI on all 8, but 1-4 also allow composite, y/c, or y/pb/pr.
> Outputs are also SDI or the usual analog selections. It is comprised
> of a workstation, tactile panel and break-out box. You add a VGA
> monitor (or two) and a blackburst generator. I opted to add a Planar
> touchscreen monitor.
>
> The switcher is pretty straightforward. It looks like one m/e buss,
> but by giving the controls multi-uses, one can do several layers of
> effects. Lke most digital switches, you can pre-program all sorts of
> effects or even entire panels for instant recall. Cuts, a zillion
> wipes, dissolves and several types of keys, including a very crisp
> chromakey.
>
> In conjunction with the switcher are built-in DVEs, so you can do
> double- or triple-boxes and the like (2D, not 3D). Up to three live
> sources on the screen at any given time.
>
> But there are also the internal sources: This thing has a built-in
> Inscriber Title-Motion CG, which can include animated graphics. It
> also has DDRs or clip store: You ingest your clips and they go into
> the play mode when you transition to them - 2-4 hours of storage of
> uncompressed video, for stings, opens, closes, commercials, PSAs, roll-
> ins, B-roll and the like. Or even animations to use under double boxes
> or CGs. Did I mention the still store? It can store many pages of
> JPGs.
Wow, sounds great - we've just ordered one!
> You usually send sync to your sources, but this unit will also resolve
> unlocked sources like remote feeds or consumer DVD players (as long as
> you preview them first.)
Say you have 2 unsynched sources: each is buffering its own frames, you
start switching back and forth - the switch only happens when ch1 frame
ends whereupon an already completed (buffered) ch2 frame is used - won't
the system eventually add or loose a frame?
- theoretically?
> Redundant power supplies on both the panel and break-out box, and a
> failsafe connection between the panel and BoB, bypassing the
> workstation. Razor-sharp video, which looks MUCH better on a WFM/VEC
> than my older Panasonic switcher, even with my old cameras.
>
> A very nice piece of gear, and the company was very helpful anytime I
> phoned in setup questions. One thing we really needed here was eye-
> candy, a "look" similar to broadcast TV networks, and now we have it,
> and at a scant cost. This unit alone cost half of what I would have
> paid for traditional components. A bit of a learning curve, but I'm
> catching on very quickly.
>
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