Carolina Panthers roar with new Ross Switcher

By Andrew Lippe

The Carolina Panthers will use the first Ross Vision 3 MD-X (multi-definition) production switcher for its game operations next season. As the Carolina Panthers franchise makes the transition to HD it needed a production switcher that suited their multi definition needs. Ross Video,who has a history in the sports market, demonstrated their new multi-definition production switcher live at the NAB show in Las Vegas and thoroughly impressed the Panthers.

“We chose Ross because of our transition to high definition,” says Kyle Ritchie, Director of Entertainment & PantherVision, for the Carolina Panthers. “As we move to HD we needed to replace our equipment in our control room. We had been sitting on a Grass Valley 4000 switcher for the last 11 years.”

Kyle and Greg Brannon, executive producer on their TV network both attended live demos of the Vision switcher at NAB and were thrilled to work with Ross. “The product is very client friendly,” says Ritchie. “Ross talks our language.”

The 5 new models of the Vision series include: the Vision 1 MD, Vision 2 MD, Vision 2 MD-X, Vision 3 MD-X and Vision 4 MD-X. The Vision panel offers a variety of features. They include a new DualDispla color touch screen, numerous colorized buttons, built in manuals; Linux based OS, and integration with the OverDrive control system.

Ross has a history with the NFL and offered a model with stunning new features that the Panthers couldn’t resist. “Colorized buttons, easy to swap pieces, this product fits well with our programming,” adds Ritchie.

The Panthers know that HD is where everyone eventually needs to be and they are well on their way. “When all said and done, the Ross switcher was the best fit for us,” says Ritchie.