Digital SwitcherSwitchers have evolved over the years. In the
beginning, they just switched between cameras. Then they added keyers,
special effects and memories. In the 90s they went digital and added
DVEs.
Now, Broadcast Pix is taking switchers to a new level, with integrated
multi-view monitoring, graphics, clips, networking and more. The
cornerstone is still a great switcher, but now a solo operator can
create great looking video that used to require a team. When teams are
still needed they can be networked in from inside the studio or a
remote location.
 Classic Panel Layout
Production
switcher operators will feel at home on a Broadcast Pix control panel
on every Slate 1000 - 5000 Switcher. Slate 100 switchers can
add a panel as an option, and come with an intuitive interactive
monitor wall, keyboard shortcuts and a browser based SoftPanel with the same classic layout
as the physical control panel. On the 1 M/E panel, the preview, program and source rows
have 9 direct access input buttons. Shift provides access to 18 total
inputs. The 2 M/E panel has 16 source buttons, and 32 with shift. A classic next transition section enables any of the keyers to
be tied to a background transition. (for Panel close up - click here)
 Only Broadcast Pix has the Content on the Button
Broadcast Pix is the only panel that shows you at all times what content is active on every source and keyer. Unique PixButtons
show an icon of the tool assigned to the source, and the name of the
active content. Green is off, orange is preview, red is on-air. For
example, in the 9 sources shown here, the icons at the top show that
the 9 sources have been assigned to: 3 cameras, 1 tape recorder, and
from inside the system's workstation: 2 channels of Clips, a still
store, Character Generator and Logo generator. The Still Store is
on-air and red. The PixButtons also tell the exact content, such as the
River clip and Mens Fours clip are now in the two clip stores, and the
CG is Mens Double.
Up to 6 Keyers and DVE Boxes
The Slate 100 - 3000 each come
with 3 keyers with DVEs and a chromakey. They can add three more optional keyers, each wiht a DVE. The Slate 5000 has 6 keyers standard.
Each DVE can do a compression, also known as a DVE box or a picture in picture. For
example, 3 DVE boxes create a 3 camera interview. Each DVE box can have a colored border and may be sized and
cropped. Use memories to Squeeze- back from full frame to a box.
Broadcast Pix is the only switcher that tells you at a glance what is
on a key, thanks to PixButtons, as shown below. PixButtons
tell what is on each key, at a glance, as shown below, which has Camera
1 on-air on key1, Clip store 1's River clip on preview on key 2, and a
Pinnacle Logo on key 3. Key 4 is for an downstream external key source
on the Slate 2100 and 2000 Switcher, source as an older CG or other
studio device. It accepts a video and key signal (fill and cut).
Over 100 Wipe and DVE Effects
The switcher has over 100 special
effect transitions, many of which use an additional standard
DVE. These include fades, wipes, clock wipes, push-offs and squeezes.
The active effect is always shown on the effects PixButton with its
built-in display.
New effects can be rapidly selected from the PixButton library.
The Most Comprehensive MemoriesSnapshot memories can recall a
panel set-up, or the set up for a DVE or chromakey. Timeline memories
recall a series of timed steps, and are great for sequences like
lead-ins. Unlike conventional switchers these memories, called scripts, recall not just
switcher functions but all the tools in the system. Now a switcher
memory can not only recall keyer, DVE and other switcher functions, but
also roll a specific clip, select and start a specific crawl or
graphic., and graphics can role a clip, add a title and switch to a
camera.
Watch a Demo of the Broadcast Pix Switcher in Action Click here to reach the demo clips page, and then select from four segments.
Digital and Analog InputsBroadcast Pix Slate 1000 and 1000 switchers handle 16 inputs as standard
equipment, including 4 live inputs for cameras or tape deck, 2 for a
clip with key, and 10 more for stills and graphics. The 6 provide 3
video and key pairs for 3 channels of graphic stores with key. The 4
live inputs can all be SDI digital (either HD/SD or SD only), or all 4 be analog composite, Y/C
or component. Four more live inputs can be added as an option, either
SDI or analog. For outputs, the system has 3 program and preview
outputs, and can have 1 more to provide auxiliary outputs of any live
or internal source or clean feed. More on Slate 1000 I/O.
Slate 5008 switchers have 8 live inputs plus 2 clips and 5 graphics, and the live inputs can be HD/SD or SDI only, analog or hybrid. Slate 5016, 5032 and 3000 models include integrated routers for even more I/O.
Broadcast Pix Slate 2100 Switchers handle 22 inputs as standard equipment,
including 8 from traditional video cables, such as a camera or tape
deck, and 14 more from the system's hard drives, such as a clips,
stills and graphics. The 14 provide 7 video and key pairs for 1-2 clip
stores with key and up to 6 channels of graphic stores with key. The 8
traditional inputs can all be SDI digital, or up to 4 can be analog
composite, Y/C or component. Six more inputs for a total of 14 live
video inputs (or more) can be added as an option, in either digital or
analog. For outputs, the system has 4 program and preview outputs each,
for 2 SDI, one composite and one component. The 2100 can also be expanded from 8 to 12 live inputs.
Both Timed and Untimed InputsLike other broadcast switchers,
the system handles synchronous sources, such as broadcast cameras and
VTRs, that are genlocked to a house black reference source. In
addition, the Broadcast Pix switchers accept asynchronous sources from a DVD player or
other untimed source.
Rugged for Live ProductionBroadcast Pix switchers are built to
handle the stress and pounding of live production. They are designed
for many years of aggressive use. The push buttons, knobs, fader arm
and joystick are of the highest quality. The board inside the
workstation has a secure hold down bar to work in demanding
environments like mobile production.
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The switching package has been rock solid, and we've thrown a few curves at it and it kept on ticking.