Stand 14.D10, IBC 2019, RAI, Amsterdam: Intinor Technology, Sweden’s leading developer of products and solutions for high quality video over IP networks, will launch a newly combined router panel and video mixer for the highly portable Direkt link remote production backpack at IBC 2019.

Intinor’s Direkt router is used by major broadcast and production companies for video switching and mixing on the fly, and with the new router panel and video mixer combination the unit can provide GFX-overlays and PiP.

Direkt link can send video streams to multiple receivers, including Intinor’s own receivers, designed primarily for cable TV or channel control rooms; streaming servers for web TV; DTV boxes for OTT; PCs running VLC; and receivers from other manufactures.

Intinor CEO Roland Axelsson said, “The flexibility and versatility of our Direkt link range just become even more so with our new router panel and video mixer integration, and we are delighted to featuring it at Europe’s premiere broadcast technology showcase.”

The new Direkt link backpack system configuration can be adjusted using the new router display and keypad, or from a web-interface. The interface provides the ability to build profiles and adjust parameters for each broadcast location. Those profiles can contain and retain information on the network, content destination, and video-quality. The Direkt link system can store a broadcast on a USB stick for later use in on-demand or other video applications.

The unit will also have a new NDI input, which further expands Intinor’s collaboration with NewTek and other leading NDI developers.

At IBC, Intinor will also introduce ‘Direkt link tower’, a computer chassis that includes the powerful Direkt link encoder. The tower is pre-configured to esports-mode, Intinor's performance level 6 (x264 preset “SLOW”). This is the same encoding performance that is used worldwide for major esports tournaments like DreamHack, Blast Pro Series, PGL, Gfinity and many more.

For more information, visit www.intinor.com

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About Intinor
Intinor develops its own products and comprehensive solutions for high quality video over IP networks. With solutions for contribution, as well as for distribution and web TV, Intinor has customers ranging from small production to major television channels. Intinor also work as consultants with product development and has extensive experience in developing custom-designed systems to meet specific needs. For more information, visit www.intinor.com

Company Contact:
Daniel Lundstedt, Marketing Coordinator
+46 (0) 90-349 39 07
+46 (0) 70-148 46 68
daniel.lundstedt@intinor.se

Media Contact:
Jennie Marwick-Evans
Manor Marketing
jennie@manormarketing.tv
+44 (0) 7748 636171

Cypress, CA, June 10, 2019 – Honolulu-based Mid-Pacific Audio Visual is known as Hawaii’s premier firm for live corporate event and entertainment production with high-end clients in search of the best technical staff and equipment. Last month, the company added a FOR-A HANABI HVS-490 video production switcher to its roster, largely based on the success enjoyed with the compact HVS-300HS HD/SD 1 M/E switcher.

“Purchasing the FOR-A HVS-490 was an easy decision,” said Chuck Baughn, Senior Video Engineer, Mid-Pacific Audio Visual. “In addition to FOR-A’s excellent reputation for quality products, we already had an HVS-300HS-based flypack in heavy rotation. Many of our Japanese clients producing events in Hawaii are quite familiar with the capability and dependability of the FOR-A HANABI line of switchers and request them for live event work.”

Event memory and macro functions as well as integrated frame synchronizers and multi-viewers make it easier to prepare for live performances with the HANABI HVS-490 video switcher. MELite™ technology extends the switcher’s 2 M/Es to 6 M/E, which eliminates the need to have several switchers ready for multi-monitor staging. It also opens the door to more affordable 4K production. HDMI 2.0b specification support provides 4K output to a multi-viewer. Offering exclusive features, including the HVS-490 is designed for use in any live environment, including mobile shoots, events, and in-house corporate productions.

“The incredible features of the HVS-490 help to further set us apart from its competition,” added Baughn. “With the optional HVS-49IO card, we’ve got 32 inputs and 18 outputs (including two HDMI outputs), which we need for 4K production. We also have two additional MELites, which allow us to preview transitions prior to execution. We use them to send out delay screens and other destinations. And we appreciate the three built-in multi-viewers with so many display options.”

Baughn said while the HVS-490 sets Mid-Pacific Audio Visual apart from the crowd, it’s FOR-A’s technical support that distinguish it from other manufacturers: “Any issues or questions we have had, FOR-A’s engineering staff have always been there for us with timely information and follow up. We’re very happy with our purchase of the HVS-490, and it’s nice to know that FOR-A will always be there for us in the future.”

About Mid-Pacific Audio Visual

Mid-Pacific Audio Visual is a locally owned and operated, full-service Audio Visual, Rental and Staging company based in Hawaii. Whether it’s a service convention, business meeting, sports event, concert, or any other group gathering, Mid-Pacific Audio Visual offers the best customer service, combined with the latest technology. Company specialties include broadcast video, high-resolution imagery, HD & 4K screen switching and much more.

About FOR-A

FOR-A, a worldwide, industry-leading manufacturer, offers a wide range of broadcast and production products with a focus on cutting-edge technologies, including: HD, 4K and IP products. FOR-A continues to offer future-ready, cost effective, advanced technology solutions. Products include: video switchers, routing switchers, multi-viewers, full 4K high-speed cameras, IP encoders/decoders, multi-channel signal processors, 8K/4K/HD test signal generators, color correctors, frame synchronizers, file-based products, character generators, video servers and much more.

For a full range of HD and 4K production and processing solutions, as well as IP-based products, visit our web site at www.for-a.com.

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FOR-A CORPORATION OF AMERICA, 11155 Knott Ave., Suite G&H, Cypress, C.A. 90630 Phone: 714-894-3311, Fax 714-894-5399 Web site: www.for-a.com 

Cypress, CA, October 19, 2018 – As a demonstration of the company’s continued commitment to the Latin American region, FOR-A® will highlight three of its most popular products – the HVS-490 and HVS-100 switchers and FA-9600 signal processor - as part of its participation at CAPER 2018, occurring from October 24-26th at the Costa Salguero Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

FOR-A will exhibit within the CAPER stand of partner SVC (Sistemas de Video Comunicación) in Booth D-10. The theme of this year’s booth is “No Boundaries.”  

“CAPER has traditionally been an extremely important part of our marketing strategy,” said Mario Rodriguez, FOR-A Latin America Sales Manager. “It allows us to connect with key customers from nearby South American countries, such as Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia and Ecuador. There are many who may not be able to get to Las Vegas for NAB or Amsterdam for the IBC, and CAPER is an ideal location and time for us to meet up and show them all the new technology we have that will benefit them now and in the future.” 

The HVS-490 live HD/4K-UHD, multi-effects production switcher is designed for use in any live environment, including mobile shoots, events, and in-house corporate productions. Event memory and macro functions make it easy to set up quickly for live performances. And FOR-A’s MELite™ technology eliminates the need for multiple switchers in a multi-monitor staging scenario.  

With integrated frame synchronizers and multi viewers, the HVS-490 reduces the amount of equipment required. Using multiple control panels, the system enables several operators to work on separate tasks. Using optional input and output expansion cards, the HVS-490 supports 40 inputs/18 outputs, 36 inputs/20 outputs or 32 inputs/22 outputs, including two-channel HDMI outputs. In 4K, it allows 10 inputs/six outputs, nine inputs/six outputs or eight inputs/seven outputs. It also has 16 channels of 2.5D DVE as standard and can be optionally expanded to a maximum of 32 channels.  

The FA-9600 multi purpose signal processor supports 4K, 12G-SDI, HDR and Wide Color Gamut. The unit features dual channel frame synchronization, extensive professional video format support, color correction, up/down/cross conversion, and offers 12G-SDI and HDMI terminals - opening the door to 4K production. The FA-9600 is ideal for use in mixed HDR/SDR environments, including production studios, live staging productions and mobile OB and up-link production trucks. The energy-efficient unit is a convenient 1U size, and the signal processor’s newly developed color processing circuit provides strong support in HD/4K production.  

The HVS-100 video switcher with Thunderbolt™ 2 I/O expansion cards will also be on display at CAPER. The HVS-100 is controlled via any tablet, handheld or laptop type device with a web browser as opposed to a ‘hard’ control panel. With its Thunderbolt 2 I/O expansion cards, users can transfer video content with a single cable through computers and interface with other devices, such as character generators, virtual studios and/or file-based/IP products. One cable allows transmission of 4 HD signal lines.   

In addition to the HVS-490, FA-9600, and HVS-100 w/HVS-100TB2 Card, a range of new FOR-A equipment will also be on display: the Insight Multi-Channel Video Server, ClassX content creation and graphics playout solution, MCC-4K motion-compensated universal standards converter, and Fujitsu IP-HE950 real-time video transmission gear.  

  2018 marks the 20th year FOR-A has participated at CAPER. FOR-A enjoys long-term relationships with several prominent Latin American broadcasters, including: Artear, Canal 7, Telefe, TyC Sports, Canal 9, ESPN, DirecTV, and FoxSports. 

* Thunderbolt is a trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries.

LOS ANGELES—I’m sure you’ve heard about how everything is going IP e.g., Internet of everything. Even live (real-time) video signals are going IP. Sure, SMPTE 2022 has been around for a while and gee, IP switches that can do 10 or 25 Gbps are available, with 40 Gbps just around the corner, so why not? Isn’t this the smart choice?

So I thought, let’s compare the two technologies. For now, I’ll frame this discussion based on 3 Gbps SDI and 10 Gbps IP switches. First, I’d like to describe what a traditional SDI router is designed to do:

• Deliver serial digital input signals, one per input port to one or more output ports;
• Provide consistent delay and performance, no matter how many active signals are being routed and switched; 
• Provide deterministic switch times.
  

Now what is an IP switch designed to do:

• Manage multiple input and output ports;
• Keep track of all routing table entries (network status);
• Process or sort IP data packets and deliver to appropriate next routes.
  

So it seems these are two devices have differing use cases. Yes, in fact, the technology and protocols for each were developed for different use cases and thus have evolved as a best fit for the applications intended.

So why try to put a square peg in a round hole? Proponents of video-over-IP will say that commercial-off-the-shelf hardware reduces overall costs. They’ll also say that IP technology is the prevalent technology in general use, thus more R&D results in more innovation and future improvements. It’s also available from many large and small manufacturers, and offers flexible design of large switch fabrics.

Not to refute these points—as they are true—the key question is what should we be skeptical of? If major industries, including manufacturing, transportation, telecommunications, commerce and banking, have adopted IP, why not real-time video production?

TALE OF THE TAPE: BANDWIDTH
Let’s tell the tale of the tape. The first tale of the tape I’d like to address is bandwidth. Not just the port bandwidth or the internal processing bandwidth, but the total aggregate bandwidth (TAB) of each solution. For SDI, it’s fairly simple:

TAB = (No. of Input Ports) x (No. of Output Ports) x port bandwidth

As an example, a typical large plant video router is now a 1024 x 1024 3G SDI router with a TAB of 3.15 Pbps. That’s 3.15 million Gbps. This bandwidth is available, on command, finite and deterministic.

Of course, not all of these Gbps are in use all the time. In fact much of the time, the video signals maybe color bars! But when called for, there is never a delay or limit to any input going to any output.

From the IP side, bandwidth is a bit more difficult to calculate. What is typically specified in an IP switch is the “line rate;” that is, the physical interface maximum data bandwidth that can be either input or output from the port or ports. But this doesn’t give us the TAB or throughput of the switch. There are many factors that go into the throughput of an IP switch, such as backplane bandwidth, processing speed, buffering and to an extent, the power supply.

One major IP switch vendor’s specification for a large enterprise IP switch—16 slots, 10 Gbps per slot—can handle a maximum aggregate processing bandwidth of 320 Gbps. Each slot can be equipped with different line cards, but for our discussion, let’s assume a 4-port 10 Gb Ethernet card. So we have the possibility of a 64x64 (4x16x2) video switch, with a TAB of 320 Gbps. This works out to just under 3 Gbps per port, input or output. By the way, this switch occupies 7 RU with a maximum power consumption around 4.5 kW.

For comparison, a SDI 3 Gbps 64x64 router fits in a 4U frame, consumes 0.25kW and has a TAB of 12.3 Tbps.

So far, it seems SDI is a better value in terms of TAB, power and size.

(Continued in “SDI vs. IP: Packet to Packet.”)