NAB 2011: Ross Video Offers Wealth of Improvements to Switchers, Graphics and More

Ross Video will hit NAB with a wide range of new products and features including the debut of an internal multi-viewer for its Vision QMD & Octane production switcher lineup.

In other switcher news, Ross’ compact switcher line-up adds the new CrossOver Solo, a 1 M/E production switcher. Standard features include 12 HD/SD inputs, internal multi-viewer, 2 channels of 2D DVE, synchronization and up/down conversion, and 4 internal channels of Media Store for instant stills, keys and media wipes. Pricing is just $9,995.

Also expect the release of version 4.0 software for all members of the CrossOver switcher family; adding a number of highly desirable features such as animated graphic transitions. This software update is free to all existing CrossOver users and can be downloaded from the Ross Video website.

NAB also marks the North American introduction of the NK Series Routing Systems. The NK Series is a family of router and control products ranging from fixed sizes of 16×4 1RU routers to 320×320 19RU utility routers. The NK Series are fully modular and redundant facility routers with a variety of levels and matrix types including 3G, HD and SD SDI, balanced and unbalanced AES/EBU digital audio, analog video, stereo analog audio and RS-422 data/machine control.

Control of the router matrices are handled using a selection of extremely flexible control panels, from simple button panels to panels with reconfigurable LCD buttons. All panels are fully programmable and can operate as a cut bus, multi-cut bus or XY control panels. Two panels or more can be tied together to operate as one, enabling users to access more selections using fewer buttons. In addition, the router system can be controlled using RS422 or RS232 serial automation interfaces, 10/100 Ethernet or GPI.

For those looking for production control systems, version 10 of the OverDrive Automated Production Control System introduces automated content preparation for the Web along with enhanced CG timing controls and GlobalView personality settings.

The Ross graphics line also gets a lift as the XPression 3D HD Character Generator & Graphics Platform adds XPression Prime, a lower-cost version of XPression Studio with a streamlined feature set designed to fit into tight budgets.

Also the new XPression Remote Sequencer controls multiple XPression systems from a single location to make it easy to control a large number of channels in a live environment and XPression Project Server provides a collaborative creation environment for project sharing and media distribution.

Those looking into storage will want to check out the SoftMetal 3000 Series product line, targeted at production playout of clips and graphics and also used for commercial playout under automation control. New features include VDCP control protocol over Ethernet and AMP automation control support.

The Ross openGear terminal equipment platform is also undergoing some changes as  Ross will introduce a whole range of data/metadata solutions, closed captioning monitoring and transport stream conversion and monitoring. The new data/metadata products allow insertion, extraction and monitoring of data in the HANC/ VANC space, such as SCTE-104 triggers, CC, AFD, GPI and Timecode. Transport stream products offer ASI-310 conversions, monitoring and reporting of ASI stream health and SCTE-35 trigger detection. Caption monitoring with the CDP-100 verifies CDP’s for compliance to SMPTE 334 with error reporting and logging of any variances.

Additionally, Ross now offers a range of 1RU solutions for HD/SD data and closed captioning insertion. The TES series have the ability to insert and extract several data services simultaneously, such as CC, audio metadata, subtitling, and OP47. A transparent mode of operation is offered for the insertion of other data types into an HD/SD signal.

The Ross Fiber line will also showcase a new DWDM system, setting a new standard by doubling the current capacity available on the market. The combination of a C band MUX and an L band MUX / Combiner offers a total combined capability of 80 signals on a single fiber.