Harris Rolls Out Multiviewers, Routers at NAB

Harris Broadcast introduced a new range of multiviewers and routing system enhancements at NAB last week and one of the goals is to address increasing broadcaster requirements for managing hybrid baseband and IP infrastructures.

“The convergence of baseband and broadband along with the advancement of multiplatform delivery means that broadcasters and service providers need powerful hybrid signal management tools in their workflows,” says Harris Morris, president, Harris Broadcast Communications. “Our new multiviewer and routing enhancements address complex, changing requirements while providing overall improvements in reliable signal management.”

Among the products was the HView IP multiformat broadband multiviewers and HView SX Hybrid multiviewers, with the former making its U.S. debut.

The HView IP multiviewer simplifies signal management in facilities working almost purely in the IP environment, including IPTV and cable headends and those streaming directly to the Internet. HView IP supports multiple compression formats and resolutions and includes support for virtual network control, RSS display and multiformat IP stream decoding with visual alarming.

The HView Hybrid SX multiviewer, meanwhile, combines baseband and broadband monitoring, graphics, integrated test and measurement, and VNC remote desktop control. It is available as a standalone multiviewer or as a combination multiviewer/router within the Harris Platinum platform.

Harris also can integrate the multiviewers into its newly expanded Platinum router line. The Platinum router’s new matrix expansion up to 512×1024 crosspoints ties two frames together and supports the integration of large monitor walls and multiviewers. It also supports both coax and fiber connectivity for short and long cable runs, and can support any combination of routing, processing and multiviewer functions across one or two routing frames.

Other enhancements include MADI interfaces for Platinum and Platinum MX routers so they can accept up to 128 signals of mono audio for presentation to a TDM crosspoint. This means it can effectively connect up to four audio consoles to the router over coax or fiber — quadrupling the number of potential audio signals and creating a much higher-density audio signal routing solution.

Lastly, the Magellan family of router control panels made its U.S. debut. Designed with an understanding of the physical layout of a typical facility or outside broadcast truck, Magellan is available as a series of 10 programmable hardware panel types in compact 1 and 2RU versions. Template-driven panels provide intuitive, Web-based configuration for quick and straightforward setup in local and remote operations.