Great SwitcherThe Granite Switcher runs 1080i HD end-to-end. It's true multi-definition, so you can run a mixture 1080i, 720p and SD inputs, in both 16:9 and 4:3, both sync and async. It has up to 22 HD SDI inputs, plus 7 channels of file inputs from Granite server. There are up to 12 HD SDI and 2 DVI outputs. Granite ships with 3 or 6 keyers. Low delay makes it exceptional for live events. And in the future, you can easily upgrade to 1080p, insuring your investment is future proof. The upgrade increases processing to 1080p at 3Gb/s, twice the data rate of conventional HD, for even better picture quality, and it will add 1080p I/O.
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Granite Switcher and Server
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Granite Server with Fluent Workflow
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The Granite Server turns the Granite Switcher into a complete video production system. The Server runs Fluent workflow software, the ultimate workflow software, which enables a solo operator or small team to create high impact productions that have traditionally required a large control room and team. Every Granite Server includes Fluent: Clips Store, Graphics Store, Animations Store, Watch-Folders, Macros and Multi-View, plus a Harris Inscriber CG.
The Granite Server turns the Granite Switcher into a complete video production system. The Server runs Fluent workflow software, the ultimate workflow software, which enables a solo operator or small team to create high impact productions that have traditionally required a large control room and team. Every Granite Server includes Fluent: Clips Store, Graphics Store, Animations Store, Watch-Folders, Macros and Multi-View, plus a Harris Inscriber CG.
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Cost-Effective |
With Granite there are no compromises on your budget. A limited budget and staff no longer means a boring production. Granite systems are a fraction of the cost of a legacy control room. With Granite a single operator can create live video that is compelling and memorable. It gracefully expands to a team or larger system, meaning no compromise in flexibility. Enjoy thoughtful and knowledgeable Broadcast Pix technical support. More on support
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Create Compelling Live Video
Cost-effectively
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Granite 100 Features
Switcher Features Included
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● Easy, Intuitive Control - You can choose any of 5 easy ways to control the Granite 100, or different operators can use different ones depending on their personal preference.
The most intuitive is to control it from the multi-view. All of the cameras, clips and graphics are displayed. Just click on a camera to bring it to preview, and then click on preview to bring it to air. To add a graphic, just click on a keyer. To change a graphic, just open the PixPad for the graphic or clip store you want, and click on the graphic. It is so intuitive and easy to learn, that a novice can be creating compelling control in minutes. More
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You can test drive the Granite 100’s multi-view control in a fun, interactive web demo, by clicking here .
For a tactile feel, add a touch-screen monitor. Now rather than click on the multi-view, you can just touch it with your finger.
Or use the keyboard, on which there are keyboard shortcuts for all switcher operations. In addition to the standard keyboard, you can also order an option custom keyboard where the switcher actions are lettered on the keyboard.
Or open a SoftPanel on the GUI, and control it with a mouse. The SoftPanel has the exact same operation and layout as the Broadcast Pix 1 M/E control panel, so switcher operators will feel at home.
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Use a Touch-screen
Custom Keyboard 
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You can add a revolutionary control panel to a Granite 100 with an Apple iPad. This powerful wireless device has a touchscreen. Just download the Broadcast Pix iPixPanel from the Apple application store and you have a powerful 1 M/E control panel. It even has the PixButtons from the Granite 1000 panel which tell you what device and file name you will get when you push a button. Add a wireless router to the Granite 100, and iPixPanel provides the freedom of wireless control. For a free tryout, download the iPixPad to an iPhone or iPod Touch and control a PixPad. Available for download now!
And in the future, you can always upgrade to a Granite 1000.
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Optional iPixPanel for Apple iPad
Close-up
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| ● Keyers and DVEs – Three keyers are standard with pristine key edges, and 6 more are optional. Each key has a DVE for up to 3 picture in pictures. The DVEs can also be squeezed, flown in, and have borders. Enjoy the exceptional chromakey for green and blue wall sets, as well as luma key support. The chromakeyer gives you control over key softness and spill suppression.
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Many powerful keys
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| ● SDI Inputs - Granite 100 has 11 live SDI HD/SD video inputs for cameras and other external sources. This expands to 22 inputs and 12 outputs on the 100+ and the 1000+ models which add the second I/O board. Each set of 4 can be , HD/SD SDI, SD SDI, or Analog. Models configured with HD inputs can add optional DVI inputs. And you do not need nearly as many inputs as conventional switchers, as the clip store, animation stores, still stores, and CG are integrated inside and do not consume SDI inputs.
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● Extreme Multi-Definition - Each SDI input and output can be individually set to 1080i, 720p or SD, to mix and match I/O. The 1080p upgrade adds 1080p I/O. Just attach a cable and Granite auto-detects the format and the indicator light tells what format is connected – by the color, and it blinks if it’s asynchronous, as those are accepted too. One SDI input can be a cut signal from an external CG or other device with key. The SDI outputs can be: program, preview, clean feed, auxiliary of external sources, or an optional PowerAux (#120) to output the built-in clip or graphics store and add keys to it.
● Files - Granite features a revolutionary way to provide inputs of clip and graphic files. A high speed PCI Express cable ties together the Granite Switcher and Server. Seven channels of clips and graphics, with key, simultaneously flow through it, which would require 14 SDI inputs on a conventional switcher.
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Format Indicator Lights
Granite High Resolution Monitoring
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| ● Outputs – The Granite 100 has 6 SDI outputs. The SDI outputs can be: program, preview, clean feed, auxiliary of external sources, or an optional PowerAux (#120) to output the built-in clip or graphic store and add keys to it. There are also DVI-D outputs are great for sending 720p or 1080i to a projector or DVI/HDMI monitor. The DVI outputs use standard HDMI cables, or optional locking cables available from Broadcast Pix. Each SDI output can be set to different format (1080i, 720p or SD) to simultaneously output different formats.
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| ● AutoAspect - Granite solves the many challenges of mixing 4:3 and 16:9 content by maintaining the native aspect ratio of each element, while conventional switchers stretch video when crossing aspect ratios. With AutoAspect you can use a mixture of 16:9 and 4:3 inputs, and each input, output, clip and graphic can be set to one of 4 aspect treatments: box, crop, 14:9 or none (anamorphic). More
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● Exceptionally Low Delay for Live Events - Excellent picture quality and exceptionally low delay make Granite ideal for live events. Granite features a constant low delay of just one frame, which is only 33ms (40ms at 50Hz in “PAL”) with genlocked cameras. Other solutions typically have variable delay where delay is added when performing functions, such as converting an input format, converting an output format, converting an aspect ratio, creating an effect like picture-in-picture, or adding clips or graphics. Granite does all of this in just a single frame, and only adds a second frame for asynchronous inputs. |
Live Events
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Fluent Features Included |
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● Granite Server - The Granite Server turns the Granite Switcher into a complete video production system. The Server runs Fluent workflow software, the ultimate workflow software, which enables a solo operator or small team to create high impact productions that have traditionally required a large control room and team. Every Granite Server includes Fluent: Clips Store, Graphics Store, Animations Store, Watch-Folders, Macros and Multi-View, plus a Harris Inscriber CG.
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Granite Server runs innovative Fluent file-based workflow software.
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| ● Fluent Clip Store - The Granite Server has a clip store that plays up to 120 hours of HD clips (.mov files in H.264 format) or animations. Clips can move directly from editing systems into Fluent Watch-Folders, even during the middle of a show to streamline workflow. The standard Granite Server holds up to 30 hours of clips, which can be increased to up to 120 hours (option 320). The premium server holds up to 60 hours of clips , which can be increased to up to 120 hours (option 319). The Fluent Clip Store can also hold long animations with key, in addition to the shorter ones in the Fluent Animations Stores.
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● Fluent Animations - In addition to playing animations in the Fluent Clip Store, there is also a dedicated Fluent Animation Store, with 2 channels. The Fluent Animation Store can hold HD animations with key of up to 1000 frames. It is a great place to hold animated backgrounds, logos or transitions. Animations are played from a folder of image sequences (.tga, .bmp or .png) created on any popular system including Adobe AfterEffects, Artbeats, Apple, Digital Juice, Avid, Motion, etc., and are easily moved into the Granite system using Fluent Watch-Folders. Operators can then access animations with the PixPads on the panel and multi-view.
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| ● Fluent Graphics - The Granite Server also has a 4 channel HD graphics store, which accesses a huge library that holds thousands of graphics. Two channels are named CG, as they typically hold titles, crawls and rolls created on the built-in CG. Two are labeled stills, and typically hold stills and logos imported into the system, although all four stores can hold imported graphics. All four support keys and a wide variety of file formats including .tga, .bmp, .gif, .jpg, .tif, and .png. As with the Fluent Clip Store, the names of the graphics show on the panel’s PixButtons and the names, attributes and thumbnails show on the multi-view. Fluent Watch-Folders streamline the import of graphics from your favorite graphics system.
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| ● Fluent Watch-folders – Fluent Watch-Folders greatly streamlines your live production workflow by enabling clips and graphics to be sent over a network from your favorite edit stations and graphics systems. For example, a Final Cut operator can send a clip into a Fluent Watch-Folder for the 6 o’clock news program, and it will automatically appear in the Granite System’s Fluent Clip Store for the 6 o’clock news. Late breaking news can even flow into Watch-Folders during the middle of a live show. When it arrives the status bar on the multi-view lets the operator know it has arrived, and it shows up on the PixPad on both the multi-view and the control panel. A recent red carpet show broadcast to millions of people had seven editors simultaneously feeding clips and graphics into Watch-Folders during the event. More
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● Fluent Multi-View – Like conventional Multi-Views, Granite displays windows for program, preview and sources, with tally. But Fluent Multi-View provides workflow tools that go way beyond conventional multi-Views, to provide you with unprecedented feedback. More
File-based workflow tools feature: libraries of clips and graphics, with thumbnails, file-names and properties like whether clips are set to auto-start or loop. Clip counters show clip time-code and progress bars. Status of incoming files coming into Fluent watch-folders is shown as well.
Only a Fluent Multi-View shows Key source windows, and they also list attributes such as whether a DVE, crop or reposition is applied to the key. There safe zones displayed on preview and program.
You can customize a layout, by resizing and aligning each window. Dual monitor support is standard using DVI connectors and including VGA adapters. You can have independent multi-view layouts on each monitor. And you can increase to four monitors with an option.
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● Fluent Macros – Fluent Macros compromise one of the most powerful parts of the Granite system. They enable highly complex moves and sequences to be set up in advance and executed flawlessly. And unlike conventional switcher memories that can only recall switcher moves, Fluent Macros have access to all the devices in the Granite System, including specific clips, animations and graphics, as well as control of robotic cameras, audio mixers, etc. For example, a single macro can bring on a dual box, start the animated background file behind it, fade on the CG title file, zoom one of the cameras, and then take one of the DVE boxes to full screen. More
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● Inscriber CG – Every Granite Server includes an Harris Inscriber CG which creates stunning graphics, and is very easy to use.
Broadcast Quality HD Graphics - Create broadcast quality graphics with the Inscriber TitleMotion GS character generator (CG). Enjoy superb anti aliased resolution of less than 16ns, sub pixel scrolling, fine transparency, soft edge, shadows and glows. Create still titles, crawls, rolls and animations.
Easy to Use - It has never been so easy to add great graphics to your productions. The CG includes templates that make novices look like pros. Just select one from the drop down menu, type in your text and save. Or create your own templates with Inscriber’s powerful composition tools, or import elements from Photoshop or another system.
Intuitive - GS is a recent model from Harris Inscriber which follows the latest conventions for creating graphics, such as for grouping, aligning, bolding, etc. So you can be customizing your own look in minutes.
On-Air Updates - While a production is on-air you can right click an existing graphic to edit it on the fly, or add new ones via Fluent Watch-Folders. Great for a surprise guest title.
International - The GS CG is Unicode based, so it can handle worldwide languages including Asian characters.
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● SoftPanels – SoftPanels are an exact copy in a web browser or flash of a Broadcast Pix control panel. A 1ME SoftPanel is standard, and more are optional to enable additional operators to control Granite, either on the system or from a PC or Mac over a network. The 2ME SoftPanel option is a soft version of the Broadcast Pix 2ME control panel in the Granite 5000, and also upgrades the Granite 100 to 2 M/E operation (option 105).
iPixPad and iPixPanel - Expands your creativity with wireless controllers using apps downloaded from the Apple store. The iPixPad is a free download and replicates a PixPad on an iPhone or iPod Touch. It has full PixPad control for macros, clips and graphics. Or buy an iPixPanel app for an iPad, which replicates an entire 1 M/E switcher panel on the innovative iPad. More |
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Options
Switcher Options
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● Inputs 11 HD/SD-SDI Multi-Def, sync or async
● Outputs 6 HD/SD-SDI Multi-Def
● Key 4,5,6 – and adds support for an external video and key input
● DVI in - external converter from DVI to SDI
● Analog In - external converter from analog composite, Y/C, YUV,
to SD SDI
● Analog Out - external converter from SD SDI to analog composite,
Y/C and YUV
● PowerAux – add keys to the aux output
● Additional Advanced Keys – includes more chromakeys
● Tally Box
● Upgrade to Granite 1000 by adding a 1 M/E control panel
● Upgrade to Granite 5000 for a second M/E and larger panel
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Fluent Options |
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● Fluent Rapid CG
The Rapid CG option (#171) streamlines the creation of CG graphics. Add the templates you want and simply type words on them for different titles. To create lots of titles you can link the templates to a database. Just drag and drop the database into Fluent Rapid CG. When you select an item its data will automatically fill the CG templates, even on-air. Now when you have a database of names and titles, you do not have to re-key them. It’s great in all data intensive applications like sports. Fluent Rapid CG works with XML and other databases.
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● Fluent Clip Store More clip storage (to 1 Terabyte)
● Fluent Clip Store More removable media drives in trays
● Fluent Graphics Another Harris Inscriber CG license for a PC
● Fluent Multi-View Increase number of monitors from 2 to 4
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Workflow Software
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Panel Options |
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● Custom Keyboard
● SoftPanel Another 1 M/E SoftPanel
● 2 M/E SoftPanel For Slate 5000 power
● iPixPad Free iPhone or iPod Touch app More
● iPixPanel More
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Premium Server Option |
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| While the Granite Server is very robust, its reliability can be further enhanced with the Premium Server option (#211). It includes redundant power, a redundant system drive with recovery software and RAID 1 mirroring, and a larger capacity quad array of media drives using highly reliable RAID 10 protection. Each media drive is mirrored and striped so that if any one should ever fail in the middle of a production, even while playing a clip on-air, the other drives continue, and the clip continues to play without disruption. |
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Device Control Options
Extend control from the control panel to other devices in your studio.
● Camera Control Control pan/tilt and zoom, use presets or
manual control. Integrate into Macros.
● Audio Control Audio follow video More
● Streamer Control Control a ViewCast Streamer More
● Server Control VDCP control for 360 system,
Harris Nexio or Omneon server More |
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Service Options
● Extended warranty - Additional year of parts, labor warranty,
and technical support
● Silver warranty - adds weekend technical support coverage
and more
● Training On site training, purchased by day
● Commissioning One day of system commissioning |
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Specifications: |
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Video
● Internal video processing is pristine 1080i 10-bit digital
● Inputs can be synchronous and/or asynchronous sources in any combination
of 1080i, 720p and SD
● NTSC or PAL switchable;
● 16:9 or 4:3 switchable, and AutoAspect to use both at once
Audio
● Analog balanced line-level stereo outputs for clip store and animation stores
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Dimensions and Power |
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Granite Switcher
inches 19.4 x 16.3 x 5.2
millimeters 494 x 413 x 133
rack units 3 RU
weight 16 lbs / 7 Kg
power 350 watts
Granite Server
inches 19 x 23 x 3.5
millimeters 483 x 584 x 89
rack units 2 RU
weight 40 lbs / 18 Kg
power 450 watts
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“It’s a really neat project. It’s not cost effective to have our people everywhere. With Broadcast Pix, we can utilize inexpensive HD studios that don’t require local crews.”