Broadcast Pix Introduces Slate G Series

Broadcast
Pix is now shipping the Slate G Series, a system that enhances and replaces
its current generation of live integrated production systems at the same price points.
The Slate G Series has a new Intel quad workstation that houses the Slate video-processing boards and is upgradable to future 3-Gbps 1080p boards.

The quad
workstation also boosts the Slate’s built-in clip and graphics stores to HD and
upgrades its built-in Inscriber CG to HD. New workflow software
streamlines the flow of clips and graphics from edit stations into Slate, even
during the middle of a live production.

The Slate G
Series is currently shipping. Its 3G upgrade is expected later this year, with
the upgrade priced at $11,900 for 1 M/E models and $18,900 for 2 M/E
models. Both the Slate G Series and its 3G upgrade will be on display at
NAB, in Broadcast Pix’s booth SU2617.

“In these
challenging economic times, you don’t need to sacrifice great-looking live
video for cost,” says Ken Swanton, president of Broadcast Pix. “A single
operator on a $14,400 Slate G system can create amazing HD television. And
soon, with the 3G upgrade, Slate will leapfrog conventional HD equipment in
picture quality, too. It’s live production with no compromises.”
3G refers to the data rate, 3-Gbps 1080p, which is twice that of conventional
HD. Compared with conventional HD switchers, 3G provides higher-quality
pictures and effects and superior multi-definition support and adds 1080p
I/O. Routers have already transitioned to 3G, and Broadcast Pix’s is one of
only two 3G production switchers or video-production systems currently planned
for a 2009 debut.

The
fundamental problem with conventional multi-def HD switchers is that they lose
image quality, such as when using a mixture of 720p and 1080i cameras and other
sources or providing outputs in different formats. Upscaling 720p cameras to
1080i means that the final output will not have all of its spatial resolution. In
the other direction, de-interlacing 1080i sources to output 720p creates
artifacts. A 3G 1080p switcher solves both of these problems, providing a
superior multi-definition switcher, with lossless use both in mixing of 1080p,
1080i, 720p, and SD inputs and in simultaneous output of all.

1080p
progressive processing is also inherently less prone to motion artifacts than
conventional interlaced HD switchers. Progressive processing improves picture
quality whenever the switcher processes motion, which includes transitions,
picture-in-picture boxes, and 4:3/16:9 aspect-ratio correction.

3G
switchers will also take advantage of all the emerging 1080p equipment. In
addition to 3G routers and terminal gear, there are now affordable 1080p LCD
and plasma monitors, computers with 1080p outputs, projectors with 1080p
inputs, and 3G cameras are rapidly emerging.