Broadcast Pix introduced its Granite production system for live, high-definition, 1080p-ready video. The new line combines Fluent workflow software with a new switcher and HD server, allowing users to create high-definition video at a reasonable cost.
The Granite switcher offers multi-definition simúltanea SDI I/O for 1080i, 720p and SD sources and is upgradeable to 1080p. The Granite server completes the video production system by running the Fluent workflow software, which provides up to 120 hours of clip storage, a graphics system with a Harris character generator, a multivisor that displays video and file sources, folders that allow the import of files without problem from editing systems, and macros for file-based effects.
Available in three models, the 1 M/E Granite 100 and 1000 and the 2 M/E Granite 5000, the new product line offers an easy upgrade path between models. Users can also upgrade to Granite from Broadcast Pix's existing Slate HD/SD/analog hybrid systems, which use the same control panels and Fluent software.
Housed in a 3 RU structure, the Granite switcher offers eleven HD/SD-SDI video inputs (expandable to 22), plus the equivalent of 14 more inputs from the server through its PCI Express connection, which includes a clip channel (with key), two animation channels (with key), and four graphic channels (with key). Each SDI entry automatically detects and sets its format to 1080i, 720p or SD (plus 1080p in the future). Inputs can handle 16:9 and 4:3 content without lengthening images, as well as synchronous and asynchronous fonts.
The swithcer also offers eight outputs, six HD/SD-SDI (expandable to 12) and two DVI. It has up to six DVE image-in-image keyers , and excels in live event production, while it has in general a very low delay system of only 33ms, including format and aspect conversion, PiP and graphics.
The Granite 1000 and Granite 100 share the same feature set, but the Granite 1000 includes a physical control panel with buttons that dynamically change to display the name of the content file. The Granite 100 is controlled from a web-based soft-panel browser, its multivisor, or Broadcast Pix's new iPixPanel app for Apple's iPad.
