Broadcast Pix Hits InfoComm 2010 with Three New Products

Broadcast Pix will showcase three new products at InfoComm 2010 in Las Vegas on June 9-11 in booth N2662. Granite, the company’s new flagship product line, is an HD, 1080p-ready live video production system. The iPixPanel application allows an Apple iPad to control any Broadcast Pix video production system. Finally, Slate Portable provides the productivity of a control room in a briefcase-sized package.

“Our new products at InfoComm provide solutions for AV professionals who need to create compelling live video cost effectively,” says Ken Swanton, Broadcast Pix President. “Granite is a true milestone – an HD video production system that easily combines video and files and to create compelling live video. Slate Portable brings the power of a Broadcast Pix system to field productions in a rugged, transportable package. And iPixPanel turns an iPad into a fully functional wireless control panel.”

Granite

Granite combines a new 1080p-ready HD Granite switcher with an HD Granite server running the company’s Fluent workflow software, enabling users to create engaging live HD video at a price point. It excels in live event production, as it has very low overall constant system delay of just 33ms, including format and aspect conversion, picture-in-picture, and graphics.

The Granite Switcher provides simultaneous multi-definition SDI I/O for 1080i, 720p, and SD sources – and is upgradable to 1080p. It offers 11 HD/SD-SDI video inputs (expandable to 22), plus the equivalent of 14 more inputs, including a clip channel (with key), two animation channels (with key), and four graphic channels (with key).

The companion Granite Server completes the system by running Fluent workflow software, which provides up to 120 hours of clip store, a graphics system with a new Inscriber CG, a multi-view that displays video and file sources, watch-folders that streamline file import from editing systems, and macros for file-based effects. The server also offers optional software to control other studio devices, including audio mixers, robotic camera control systems from Panasonic, Sony, Telemetrics, and Hitachi, streaming appliances from ViewCast, and video servers from Harris, 360 Systems, and Omneon.

Available in three models – the 1 M/E Granite 100 and 1000 and the 2 M/E Granite 5000 – the new product line provides an easy upgrade path between models. Customers can also upgrade to Granite from current Broadcast Pix Slate hybrid HD/SD/analog systems, which use the same control panels and Fluent workflow software.

Slate Portable

Slate Portable provides all the power and reliability of a Slate video production system in a compact, cost effective, all-in-one unit. The system includes an HD/SD production switcher, multi-view monitoring, five channels of graphics, an Inscriber CG, Fluent workflow software, two channels of clip store with up to 200 hours of clips, and format and aspect conversion for 1080i, 720p, SD, and analog.

Built for easy transport, Slate Portable has a carrying handle on top, and comes in a padded carrying case with wheels. It features rugged aluminum construction, measures just 17x14x12 inches (44x35x25 cm), and weighs 45 pounds (20 kg). The cover folds down to reveal the built-in monitor, keyboard, and touch-pad.

iPixPanel

With its classic switcher layout, the iPixPanel can control every aspect of a video production from an iPad, including switching cameras, adding graphics and clips, controlling robotic cameras, and creating special effects like an interview with dual picture-in-picture. The control panel includes auto transition and cut buttons, plus eight-input program and preview busses with shift for 16 inputs, device controls for the graphics system and clips store, and PixButtons that