Echolab 2009 NAB Show Preview
Booth SU2302
Company Background
Echolab, Inc. is a leading provider of video production switchers and related tools that offer flexibility and on-air reliability for the production and distribution of digital media in a variety of formats. With products including its flagship Overture1™ and Overture2™ video production systems, Echolab delivers the robust functionality, reliability, and ease-of-use critical to professional-quality productions. Since its founding in 1974, the company has delivered more than 6,000 production solutions to a global client base including major broadcast networks and stations, corporations, educational institutions, houses of worship, sports arenas, entertainment venues, and military facilities.
New at the 2009 NAB Show:
Celebrating its 35th year in business, Echolab will showcase a paradigm-busting production device that sets new standards for flexibility and functionality while meeting classical standards of perfection. This groundbreaking product must remain shrouded in mystery till the Echolab press conference at 8 a.m., Monday, April 20. But once it has been revealed — watch out. You’ll never view production the same way again.
Support for 3Gbps Format Added to Overture MD Switchers — This year, Echolab’s versatile Overture™ MD switcher, available with 1 or 2 M/Es, becomes even more versatile with the addition of 3Gbps (1080p60) format support to its existing range of SD, 720p, and 1080i over a single SDI or HDMI input. Many production companies and broadcasters use a mix of formats, requiring a costly and cumbersome mix of outboard equipment to translate signals for the switcher. With internal analog to digital conversion and frame sync, the Overture MD enables a compact, streamlined and cost-effective production solution. The addition of 3Gbps operation means the Overture now supports the highest quality broadcast format now on the market.
Existing Products on Display at NAB 2009
Overture1™ and Overture2™ — Echolab’s Overture1™ (1 M/E) and Overture2™ (2 M/E) are sleek, ergonomically designed multidefinition video production systems with a comprehensive range of intuitive tools for producing high-quality programming with stunning effects. Internal conversion and synchronization combine with powerful key layering and special effects to put creative control at the user’s fingertips.
The Overture switchers’ internal frame synchronization helps to ensure the quality of effects and, along with internal up/cross conversion and up to 34 internal graphics/still stores, eliminates the need for external systems, further streamlining the workflow and reducing the cost of creating a sophisticated on-air look.
Four M/E keys and two downstream keyers enable title keying for graphics, logos, and bugs, and Echolab’s unique Stinger™ and SuperSource™ keys make it easy to achieve expert transitions with minimal effort. The Stinger transition is a special “Take Block” keyer with combined mix/wipe and graphic control that reduces complex animated transitions to a single button press. The SuperSource crosspoint allows the operator to build a custom layout using DVEs and graphics and then assign the composition to a crosspoint button. A DVE key in each “Take Block” enables instant transition effects. The Overture systems offer four channels of DVE with warp and lighting effects, accept up to 32 multiformat analog and digital signals, and provide as many as 16 multiformat outputs.
Link to product photos:
www.wallstcom.com/Echolab/Overture1.zip
www.wallstcom.com/Echolab/Overture2.zip
Link to datasheets:
http://www.echolab.com/pages/downloads.html
MegaKeyMD™ — MegaKeyMD™ is a powerful clip player that can serve as a storage device for animated graphics and video clips. MegaKeyMD features playback of two channels of dynamic video that can be either HD or SD. The two channels can be controlled together for synchronous fill and key output or controlled independently. The system is fully integrated with Echolab’s Overture™ switcher series to support complex animated transitions through the switchers’ Stinger™ feature.
Link to product photo:www.wallstcom.com/Echolab/MegaKeyMD.zip
Link to datasheet:www.echolab.com/pages/megakey.html
Conductor™ — Echolab’s Conductor™ control integration system is a touch-screen computer that automates complex tasks and program elements to support fast, accurate, and creative production of the best programs possible. Internal software tools offer the operator total confidence while on air. In preproduction mode, Conductor allows the operator to configure the switcher, create complex sequences, and assign functions such as M/E presets to soft buttons. In on-air mode, Conductor becomes an extension of the control panel — a touch-screen interface with soft buttons that can execute sequences, recall M/E presets, and control third-party devices. In some applications, Conductor may be used to replace a dedicated still store.
Link to product photo:www.wallstcom.com/Echolab/08Conductor.zip
Link to datasheet: http://www.echolab.com/pages/downloads.html
Remote AUX Panel — The Remote AUX Panel uses TCP/IP to communicate with an Echolab switcher to modify the sources assigned to a particular auxiliary output. The Remote AUX Panel allows simple cuts from source to source from any location with an Ethernet connection back to the switcher. The panel can be used to control the sources that are routed to large video screens or projectors, which can be vital components in the overall live video production process.
Link to product photo:www.wallstcom.com/Echolab/RemoteAux.zip
Link to datasheet:http://www.echolab.com/files/products/remote_aux.pdf
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