NAB Preview: Broadcast Pix To Introduce Version 8 Software for Slate Production Systems

Broadcast Pix will demonstrate Version 8 software for its line of Slate live video production systems this April at NAB in Las Vegas. Version 8 (V8) features a powerful new user interface, plus enhancements to its Fluent Multi-View, Clip Store, and Macros workflow tools. New options extend Slate’s control to ViewCast streamers and Telemetrics camera control systems. V8 will also run on upcoming Broadcast Pix 3G systems and enable a smooth transition to a 1080p future.

“We’ve improved our Fluent workflow tools to make it easier than ever to produce compelling live video cost effectively,” says Ken Swanton, President, Broadcast Pix. “Plus, we’ve partnered with Telemetrics and ViewCast to make Slate V8 the most versatile and powerful live video production system on the market.”

Slate’s Fluent Multi-View, which goes beyond conventional multi-views by including monitors of files and keys, has an updated look that is easier to read and customize. Any element can now be resized, colors can be changed for window borders and backgrounds, and new alignment tools make it easy to optimize across as many as four monitors. A new scaling feature increases the size of on-screen text when displayed on a large wall monitor.

Other Fluent workflow tools have been improved as well. The Fluent Clip Store can now play two HD clips at once, one from each channel. New three-point loops enable animations to enter and then loop. Fluent Macros can now create even better virtual sets by tying cameras to graphic or clip backgrounds and changing them live on air. And Macros can now recall snapshots that include files, even when the file store is remapped on the switcher.

A new software option for V8 enables Slate to control the full line of Telemetrics camera pan/tilt heads and robotic equipment, including pedestals and tracks. Broadcast Pix can control Telemetrics equipment on its own and in combination with both Telemetrics Studio Control Software applications. Telemetrics will also demonstrate the interface at its NAB booth (C8525) in April.

Another new software option for Slate V8 allows users to control ViewCast streaming appliances from a Slate control panel. Up to 12 streams in a variety of streaming formats, can be controlled and monitored from the Slate, including MPEG, Flash, AVI, Real, and WM2. Control can be integrated into Fluent Macros, and the streamer can be remote as control is over a TCP/IP network.

V8 is a free upgrade for all Slate systems. Beta versions will be available for download from the Broadcast Pix Web site in March, and the release version will be available for download in April.

Broadcast Pix will also roll out the Slate Portable system, an on-site live-video production aimed at college, university, and high school athletic departments.

Slate Portable weighs 45 lbs., measures 17 x 10 x 14 in., and features an HD/SD production switcher, multiview monitoring, clip stores, graphics system with Harris Inscriber character generator, Fluent workflow software, and format and aspect conversion for 1080i, 720p, SD, and analog. The SD version is $20,900; the HD/SD hybrid, $24,000.

It supports eight external inputs in HD, SD-SDI, or analog or a hybrid configuration, plus 14 internal video and key inputs for clips and graphics. The switcher has three standard and three optional keyers, each with a DVE for picture-in-picture and other effects.