Broadcast Pix Inc. continues to advance live television production with new innovations that enable solo operators on limited budgets to create a high-end look. Broadcast Pix introduced the Slate brand at the recent NAB2006 convention with Slate 100, a live video production system that brings the company’s user-friendly, studio-in-a-box design to under $10k. At InfoComm 2006, Broadcast Pix will unveil the next member of the Slate family: the Slate 1000, which features a professional physical control panel. Visitors to the Broadcast Pix InfoComm booth (#1308) can see the Slate 100 and 1000.
Slate systems use a switcher on a computer card (patent pending), which is closely coupled to the included workstation’s clip store, still store and Inscriber CG. The computer display provides full motion monitoring of program, preview, and all cameras, so separate video monitors are no longer needed, but can still be added. The Slate 1000 can mix up to six digital and analog live video inputs with five graphic sources and two clip channels.
Beginning at $18,795 (monitor not included) the new Slate 1000 retains all of the Slate 100’s features while adding the control panel, clip store, a third keyer, chromakeys, and DVEs on each keyer for up to three picture-in-picture. The panel intelligently presents all elements required for a professional broadcast. It retains the familiar layout of a traditional switcher, but its PixButtons have built-in displays that always show the exact content of every source and key, and it provides quick access to graphics, clips and even camera controls.
“The Slate 1000 marks the next step in our efforts to simplify live video production”, said Broadcast Pix President Ken Swanton. “While the Slate 100 uses a touch screen or mouse, the Slate 1000 makes switcher professionals feel at home with an excellent control panel. Unlike conventional switchers, our panels not only switch cameras, they intimately control the built-in CG and clip store, enabling solo operators to create great looking live television.”
The Slate 1000 system’s live video inputs support both timed and asynchronous inputs, in SDI, analog composite, Y/C and component for a wide range of cameras, video tape recorders, clip servers, DVD players, and other external elements. The system’s workstation is rack-mounted and installation takes only minutes. Superior integration enables clips, animations and crawls to start playing on transition to air. Camera control software is available for Sony and Hitachi pan/tilt systems. When team operation is still desired additional operators can run the graphics, or initiate soft panels controlled from inside the studio or across the country over IP. Unlike other computer based systems, the Slate family features “fail-safe” operation, which keeps a camera on the air even if the computer stops.
The Slate 1000 joins the Slate 100 and larger Broadcast Pix 2000 system in the company’s product line. The 100 will start shipping in July. The Slate 1000 will ship in August, with the exception of the DVEs, which will be available in early fall. The DVEs will be available as a free software upgrade for Slate 1000 systems delivered this summer. The Slate 2000, which will also be on display at InfoComm, adds an intelligent break-out-box to support more inputs, outputs, keyers, effects, tallies and the fail-safe switching of cameras.
