During the SMPTE Conference in Pasadena, Calif., Snell & Wilcox showcased the Kahuna production switcher.

The 11 RU Kahuna integrates SD sources into HD productions without upconversion. A single mainframe and single control surface simultaneously handles both SD and HD sources--users do not have to reboot when switching between standards.

Users can allocate mix/effects (M/E) banks to either SD or HD sources or mix the sources together on a single M/E. The Kahuna contains up to four M/Es and eight optional channels of 3D DVE effects. The switcher also has a Format Fusion engine and each M/E bank has four keyers to perform luma, linear and chroma keying. If needed, the M/Es can be hot-swapped during live operation.

The Kahuna switcher is currently available and will begin shipping this quarter.