SAM’s New Kula Switchers Serve SD, HD, and 4K With a Single Unit

SAM has unveiled the new Kula range of multi-format production switchers, combining SD, HD, and 4K capabilities. Built on the heritage of SAM’s Kahuna switcher, Kula uses FormatFusion3 technology to seamlessly mix any format, up to and including 4K, eliminating the need for external conversion equipment.

KulaThe new Kula switcher, which will ship in May 2016, offers a powerful feature set with easy installation and setup priced from just $17K USD. Ideal for multiple applications, from live events (flyaway packs, OB vehicles), broadcast production, sports and house of worship to entertainment and conference/events, Kula has been designed to meet a wide range of production needs.

Capable of handling 4K/1080p/HD and SD in 1M/E and 2M/E versions, Kula can handle multiple formats making it both future-proof and adaptable for today’s production environment. The 2M/E HD/SD version can be switched to 1M/E 4K mode, allowing users to benefit from higher production values.

Kula provides a choice of three easy to operate control panels for maximum flexibility and these are in turnexpandable with additional control modules from the Kahuna Range. Kula also delivers up to five key layers per M/E, 20 channels of DVE and floating/auxiliary keying resources and up to 36 inputs and 18 assignable outputs, plus an extensive internal clip and still store to guarantee high impact productions.

“Today’s broadcasters face a situation that can only be described as challenging; content is being captured and delivered in a wider range of formats than ever before and all of it within the same production workflow,” says Tim Felstead, Head of Product Marketing at SAM. “Kula addresses this need by drawing on the heritage of Kahuna – namely its ability to handle any format. Added to this, we’re seeing content creation explode beyond the traditional broadcast sphere, so there are a growing number of organizations that want to benefit from high production values in order to achieve the flexibility and onscreen result they desire. Kula is an ideal solution for any of these applications, offering market-leading features at a remarkable price point.”

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