Ross Video: Ultrix Carbonite and new graphics solutions star in the first Ross Live 2021

David Ross, Jeff Moore and other members of the Ross Video In the first episode of their Ross Live 2021 webinar, they presented a significant number of new features that will arrive in the coming months. Among them, the new Ultrix Carbonite stands out.

From the Ross Video office in Ottawa, David Ross, CEO, began the event by sending a message of unity to the industry, “which has not stopped” during this time of pandemic. Ross has highlighted that the context of covid-19 has made the industry's productivity "evolve" to provide "essential solutions to broadcasters and workers." Likewise, David Ross wanted to dedicate a few minutes to remember all the victims of covid-19, sending an optimistic message: “If everything goes well, we will be able to return to normal very soon,” he commented.

Stuart Russell, communications director, served as presenter of the event. Although his participation has been limited to the introduction of each of the speakers at the event, he has left a truly interesting clue: Ross Video is committed to the return of in-person events in 2022, which reinforces the idea that 2021 will be a bridge year until the return of large broadcast fairs. Likewise, he has pointed out the benefits of Connected Community from Ross Video, a meeting point for users of the brand.

Two-way: SDI and IP

Jeff Moore, EVP and CMO, began his speech by highlighting that Ross Video has returned to profits in 2021, adding 29 consecutive years of growth. Despite the “complicated year,” the brand has made 30 hardware and software launches, reinforcing products such as Dashboard, Xpression, Ultrix, Carbonite Ultra, Gator o CamBot, among many others.

Immediately afterwards, it has reaffirmed its commitment to those broadcasters who continue to trust in the SDI. However, he has made it clear that there is “another way” that they will promote with increasing force: the one that goes through the concepts of IP, cloud and virtualization. In this way, it has confirmed its intention to adapt to the needs of each user.

Focus on graphics

Ross Video has focused much of the event on the virtual reality and virtualized production, identifying the introduction of the Unreal Engine in broadcast workflows as a crucial element. The brand has announced new developments in the field supported by a scholarship EPIC Megagrant, awarded by Epic Games. Following this announcement, it has been announced Voyager XR, an update to the technology-enabled Voyager graphics solution nDisplay of Epic Games. In June, users will be able to attend a new Ross Live conference titled Voyager XR Tech in which you will be able to see new solutions in this field.

On the other hand, XPression Maps, mapping tool supported by technologies Microsoft y NASA, receive your version 3.2. This update allows the presenter to interact directly on each of the stories with touch gestures. Likewise, it offers new branding elements on the maps, integrated MOS workflow and compatibility with HTML5 clients for remote control. On May 18, Ross Live will dedicate a tech talk to this tool. In the field of graphics, version 16.2 of Piero, with support IS in the Piero application and new tracking functions.

Jared Schatz, responsible for vertical markets, for his part, has highlighted the manufacturer's commitment to offering an approach “always guided by the consumer”, which prompted them to study other markets beyond broadcast. In the field of sports, Ross Video solutions have had an “absolutely decisive” role in the SoFi stadium from Inglewood (California). Meanwhile, in the fields of education, legislative, corporate or places of worship, Ross Video has recently integrated both live production and virtualized production systems.

New releases

Jeff has introduced a battery of new products in the usual lightning round of Ross Video. Beyond the new version of Piero, improvements have been announced for AirCleaner, now with 4K UHD license and dashboard integration; versions 2.0 of Gator Toolbox (now compatible with 2SI, SQD and AES) and the MC1 UHD (DVE and TSL Tally are among its new compatibilities); the new card AMX-8952, an audio embedder and de-embedder with framesync; and the series 8900 of one and two channel distribution amplifiers, with support for SD, HD, 3G and 12-SDI.

Finally, the conference has ended with what has been described as the biggest announcement of the day: Vengeance Carbonite, the union of the Ultrix routing system with the Carbonite mixer. This product, described as ultra-converged, is a “flexible, scalable, cost-effective and future-proof” solution. In fact, it allows “multiple Carbonite” to be joined with one Ultrix FR5. On May 11, Ross Video will offer a new conference in which all the details of this product will be presented.