❝ Previously ,
improves workflows dramatically .❞
May 2018 MANAGEMENT 19
It is time , even for those still working in HD , to start considering 4K / UHD products , including switchers .
XVS-9000 , Sony ’ s new live production switcher , supports SMPTE ST 2110 and 12G-SDI in 4K / UHD , as well as a hybrid system of both .
approach allows the company to adapt to the latest technology trends by releasing timely new features on their switcher platforms . For instance , Ross Video is actively working on solutions required for the different modes and profiles of HDR , while new software and firmware allowed the delivery of full 4K / UHD solutions for customers .
O ’ Reilly continues : “ With 12G- SDI , it did require some new hardware but for our modular solutions like the Acuity , existing customers could swap out their I / O modules for these new single-link cards .
“ The frame did not need to be changed and this shows the kind of approach we bring to system design . Our customers who need the flexibility of moving between HD / 3G and 4K / UHD can achieve this with software upgrades , while the move to a single-link 12G- SDI requires minimal hardware upgrades .”
While Ross Video offers products tailored to specific applications , most of them also offer the flexibility to be applied across multiple applications . Citing the company ’ s production switchers , O ’ Reilly says : “ When customers have an application that needs more than 12 external sources , they shift from a Graphite , which has Xpression clip players and internal CG channels , into a Carbonite series switcher that offers a larger I / O .
“ When the system needs the switcher to have more than 36 inputs , that is where the scale into an Acuity begins , along with the ability to build out a system in a modular fashion to tailor to design specifics .”
A recently launched production switcher designed to address the demands of 4K / UHD and HD productions as HDR content becomes more popular is the Sony XVS-9000 .
Offering up to 80 inputs and 40 outputs in 4K / UHD and up to 160 inputs and 80 outputs in HD , the XVS-9000 supports SMPTE ST 2110 and 12G-SDI in 4K / UHD , as well as a hybrid system of both . A core part of the company ’ s strategy , according to Sony , is a commitment to delivering fully interoperable solutions that are ready to be implemented today .
❝ Previously ,
Panasonic ’ s focus was on developing hardwarebased switchers , but we came to realise that IP technology
improves workflows dramatically .❞
— Kazunori Masamura , Chief , Panasonic Corporation ,
Connected Solutions Company ,
Media Entertainment Business Division ,
Product Strategy Planning Department
This is why the XVS-9000 not only supports SMPTE ST 2110 and the AMWA NMOS Device Discovery specification , but also offers 12G- SDI interfaces in order to provide greater choice to users .
Hiroyuki Takahama , assistant general manager , content creation solutions marketing , professional solutions Asia Pacific ( PSAP ), Sony Corporation of Hong Kong , adds : “ The need for 4K / UHD production is increasing across the globe . We are committed to enabling our customers to build brands and audiences through engaging content , and the XVS- 9000 will join a strong portfolio of solutions to meet the needs of 4K / UHD production and IP live transmission with the choice of the latest interface .”
To be made available this October , the XVS-9000 features a larger capacity processor with “ evolved signal processing technology ” to handle live 4K / UHD video sources . It also inherits the functionality and operability of Sony ’ s XVS series , including the modular ICP-X7000 panel with OLED display .
Up to four newly developed 4K / UHD DME boards can be installed into one XVS-9000 switcher , enabling users to configure up to four channels of 4K / UHD 3D DME for live production with a variety of video effects . The new 4K / UHD DME boards are compatible with the XVS series , allowing two channels of 4K / UHD DME to be configured in the current XVS-8000 .
Like its predecessors , the XVS- 9000 is equipped with resourcesharing functionality , where users can allocate the resources of one single processor unit — such as inputs / outputs and mix-effect — to several programme productions simultaneously . This , says Sony , creates a virtual environment with several switchers , allowing the configuration of a scalable and flexible system depending on production schedule while being operated by a single switcher .
For Panasonic , the company is supporting IP-based workflows through the AV-HLC100 live production centre , which combines a 1M / E switcher , remote camera controller ( up to eight cameras ), graphics overlays , streaming / recording and audio mixer functions .
According to Panasonic , the Live Production Centre facilitates video and audio creation where a limited number of operators are available , such as live streaming and live event video production . The AV-HLC100 is also equipped with NewTek ’ s Network Device Interface ( NDI ) technology , acting as a hybrid device that bridges baseband inputs and outputs — with NDI inputs and outputs allowing users to transition to IP .
Kazunori Masamura , chief , Panasonic Corporation , Connected Solutions Company , Media Entertainment Business Division , Product Strategy Planning Department , tells APB : “ Previously , Panasonic ’ s focus was on developing hardware-based switchers , but we came to realise that IP technology improves workflows dramatically , such as easy installation , live streaming without extra PCs , and multiple control functions .
“ Having worked with NewTek to connect Tricaster with Panasonic pan-tilt-zoom ( PTZ ) cameras for a long time , we decided to select NDI for the AV-HLC100 . NDI is a unique technology with low latency , reasonable bitrate and excellent compatibility with software . And because there are many partners using NDI technology , our customers can , at a reasonable price , build an NDI system with existing components .”
For remote camera operation , the AV-HLC100 ’ s connections and settings can be easily executed using the Easy IP connection function , which is fully automatic if the connection is to an NDI-enabled camera . PTZ and focus operations can be performed with one hand using a joystick or two hands in combination with a dedicated zoom lever and focus / iris knobs .
The AVC-HLC100 also works directly with Panasonic PTZ and systems cameras , discovering and deploying them automatically using IP video transport , although user can also choose to work in SDI .
Masamura also recommends those working in 4K / UHD to consider the AV-HLC100 . Demand for 4K / UHD is increasing in the US , Europe and Japan , and is a trend that is being expanded worldwide , he added , before advising : “ There are many 4K / UHD interfaces ( I / F ) in the world — single SDI , multiple SDI , IP , HDMI , and so on . However , there is no one strong standard yet , and we recommend that our customers study and pick the most suitable
Panasonic is supporting IP-based workflows through the AV-HLC100 live production centre ( shown in the background ), which combines a 1M / E switcher , remote camera controller ( up to eight cameras ), graphics overlays , streaming / recording and audio mixer functions .
I / F for their systems .”
It is time , even for those still working in HD , to start considering 4K / UHD products , including switchers , Masamura suggests , while highlighting an increasingly software-based approach adopted by Panasonic . “ We have been developing hardware-based switchers , which offers high stability with low latency . They are very important for live production ; however , it is difficult to add new functions without a hardware change .
“ The AV-HLC100 is a software-based switcher that makes it easy to add new functions without a hardware change . We will continue to listen to our customers in order to improve our products to satisfy their needs .”
The production switcher will continue to play a critical role in live production , says Ross Video ’ s O ’ Reilly . In Asia-Pacific , he sees an increase in production across different verticals , and across diverse content types . The emergence of e-sports and the increase in mobile productions also require more complex features and reliability , and as production switchers represent a relatively long-term investment , several factors should be considered before a purchase is made .
O ’ Reilly elaborates : “ Customers would want , firstly , to purchase a product from a stable and reliable manufacturer , like Ross Video , who has been manufacturing production switchers for more than four decades .
“ Other factors include how the production switcher can help improve production in the technical , creative and business sense . Gone are the days when a selection is based just on the number of I / Os , keyers and MLEs .”
Perhaps more importantly , consider the technical advantages that the product has in terms of features , ease-of-use , integration with other equipment , workflow and the ecosystem around it . “ Creativity ties in closely with the technical advantages ,” O ’ Reilly continues . “ How flexible and how much more can you get out of the equipment ? The quality of production will determine if the user is able to capture and engage audiences .”
And last but not least , what is the business sense of the investment ?, he asks . “ There may be more cost-effective products in the market at the point of purchase , but reliability , long-term cost of ownership , and after-sales support are just some considerations that will make a long-term business impact .”