Ross Video fully enters servers and robotics

Ross Video is present in Las Vegas with improvements to its family of production switchers, its new line of Blackstorm video servers and the presentation of a complete robotic camera and virtual studio system resulting from the purchase of FX-Motion and Cambotics.

David Ross, CEO of Ross Video, has begun his intervention at NAB highlighting that in fiscal year 2011 the company has achieved a growth of 47%, increasing to 59% in Q1 2012.

An example of the good times that the company is going through can be found in its stand where it exhibits a complete sample of new products.

Ross Video is present in Las Vegas with improvements to its family of production switchers, its new line of Blackstorm video servers and the presentation of a complete robotic camera and virtual studio system resulting from the purchase of FX-Motion and Cambotics.

Vision QMD and Octane

Ross' family of high-end Vision Series production switchers continues to evolve with v15 software unveiled at NAB 2012. This new version expands integration between production switchers, the XPression graphics system and the OverDrive automated production control system. Sports and news workflows that previously would have required multiple CG channels across multiple platforms are showcased, simplifying production tasks without compromising the perfect on-air look.

Also on display at the show are Vision's new control panel modules that accommodate additional external control devices. Vision offers great operational flexibility that is very profitable,

MC1

At NAB 2012 Ross Video is giving its customers the opportunity to take a look at its new MC1 Master Control system, which offers a good relationship between cost and effectiveness.

The MC1 is a full-function master control switch on a single OpenGear card. Features include mixing, keying, onboard logo storage, relay program bypass protection, EAS and Amber Alert crawl generation and more. As a dedicated hardware-based solution, the MC1 offers robustness and reliability not found in computer-based solutions. The MC1 has been designed to be integrated with a plant routing system and offers easy integration with the automation system of your choice. An intuitive touch screen control panel allows the operator to operate it manually.

The modular architecture of the MC1 allows each air chain to be customized individually. This equates to a system that has a long life ahead of it and is cost effective, and can easily grow as needs change. Taking advantage of the launch of the MC1, Ross Video has decided to lower the prices of its popular series of MDK keyers.

Carbonite

The update to Ross's mid-size switchers brings the new Carbonite C1M a 1 MLE production mixer with 24 direct-access source buttons. Also on display at NAB 2012 is version 6 of the software, showcasing several important improvements to this product. New features include expanded MultiViewer capabilities, providing users with much greater monitoring flexibility and unprecedented control over screen layouts and labels. Additionally, audio streaming capabilities have been added to the Media Store for streaming with animated transitions. This version includes many other relevant features and is available to all current Ross Carbonite users via a free download from the Ross Video website.

POverDrive automated production

NAB 2012 hosts a v12 software preview for OverDrive, the automated production control technology. Version 12 completes the set of redundant options, including: HotSwap for switching between OverDrive servers, DeviceSwap for managing mobile synchronization of video servers, and FrameSwap which allows two Vision switches to be operated at the same time from a single OverDrive system. Additionally, support has been added for Traditional Chinese text, Vision .5MLE switch models, and device status indications in GlobalView. Also introduced this year is the new QuickTurn multimedia workflow, which allows the simultaneous creation of web and broadcast signals.

Xpression

Xpression has undergone some major improvements heading into this NAB 2012. With the introduction of version 4.0, users can simultaneously upload multiple projects, or even single graphics, without interrupting on-air operation. Additionally, in a MOS newsroom environment, Xpression can now apply different styles to the same charts in a summary. For example, all graphics on a morning news program can be reconfigured to look like the evening news simply by selecting the most appropriate style in the Xpression remote sequencer.

On the design side, new, more primitive 3D animated text effects, new shading types, and a 64-bit Xpression video codec add to the system's production oomph. Plus, spell checker and a new custom Xpression keyboard help live operators fly through the most demanding situations.

Even better data handling is now possible with Xpression. Xpression's Datalinq Server now offers full support for Daktronics and OES markers, plus improved recording handling that allows users to collect specific entries into a database, Excel sheet, XML or text file to populate an Xpression template.

Another novelty that is being seen in Las Vegas is the incorporation of greater integration with third-party systems. Xpression now fully supports Avid Command and Mosart production automation. Additionally, there is a new Xpression n non-linear editing plug-in for GV Aurora editing systems.

Also on display at NAB 2012 will be Xpression's virtual team camera tracking in collaboration with virtual team integrator Unreel. Unreel's tracking software and an optional UX touchscreen GUI add full camera tracking capability to Xpression for dynamic virtual team environments.

Blackstorm video servers

Ross Video has also announced the launch of its new line of Blackstorm video servers. Blackstorm is an affordable production player with file-based workflow support.

The Blackstorm 102P playback server is a two-channel multi-definition, single-rack unit video player. Natively supports the popular QuickTime (.Mov) file format using the DV or QuickTime Animation family of codecs. Provides an easy-to-use, user-configurable and intuitive client/server interface fully integrated into the Ross Dashboardn Control System. The 1U chassis has been designed for use outside of proprietary hardware and is built on a Dell server platform.

Blackstorm is an excellent live production playback solution and supports file-based workflows with popular editing systems and graphics packages such as Final Cut, Adobe Premier, Avid Media Composer and Adobe After Effects. Blackstorm supports production-oriented playlists with built-in transition effects, and integrates well with Ross production switchers as well as third-party units and controllers.

This two-channel playout server will cost around $15,000. At NAB we are already seeing the Solid State version for about $20,000.

OpenGear options grow

The OpenGear open platform continues to grow now offering a unique opportunity to select products from a range of technology leaders without the need for multiple framework standards. DashBoard 5 takes OpenGear control to a new level by offering enhanced graphical designs with a set of new elements and a completely new look. Its flexibility allows the creation of custom navigation and control surfaces to manage complex or unique control requirements.

The Nielsen NWE-3G watermark encoder is now on sale. It is an innovative, modular solution with 16 audio channels, a 3 Gb/s processing core, and passive bypass protection across all audio and video I/O. A single OpenGear frame can now be configured with a full air path solution for Nielsen encoding, loudness processing for CALM compatibility, and Dolby encoding/decoding with plenty of room for other complementary solutions such as SCTE camera shot detection or fiber transport.

Inception: social media management

As David Ross commented at the opening of NAB 2012, "the 'Wild West' that existed until now in social media management is over." Ross proposes an interesting system for social media management, with graphic integration and ease of supervision and control.

Ross Video is simplifying social media content management for broadcasters with the introduction of Inception at NAB 2012.

Inception, a social media management tool, provides a professional set of options for creating, scheduling and managing media content in newsrooms and promotional services.

Inception publishes on-demand social media and video content when it is scheduled or activated in live broadcasts, allowing organizations to connect with their audiences effortlessly.

“Inception has been built on live and editorial elements to create and publish content on popular social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Brightcove,” says Allan Pepper, technical director of product marketing at Ross Video.

Ross steps strong in robotics and virtual

Ross intends to make a strong foothold in the market for robotic and virtual camera systems.

The recent acquisition of FX-Motion, a Belgian company founded by Stijn Vanorbeek, puts Ross Video at the forefront of the market. Furio robotic camera systems use a unique absolute positioning system and rail-based tracking with elevator and PTZ head and are specially designed for automated studios, as well as virtual teams and augmented reality applications.

Along with FX-Motion, it has also recently joined the Cambotics group. This American company founded by Rob Scotto and Miles Spellman were pioneers in robotic studio camera systems.
Cambotics is dedicated exclusively to the manufacture of heads and pedestals, offering affordable automation that is close to the needs of each client.

For the first time at NAB we can see an FX-Motion Furio system in a combined virtual studio solution using this robotics technology along with a UX tracking interface and Unreel Experience technology…