Grass Valley debuts new broadcast gear, offers sneak peak at K-Frame sports package
Grass Valley, a Belden brand, has a number of new products and solutions on display at IBC2014. In addition to its full portfolio for broadcasters and media companies, Grass Valley is demonstrating CopperHead 3430AP, iControl Virtual Machine, the latest version of EDIUS 7.4 multiformat nonlinear editing software, and a sneak peek of the new K-Frame Sports package for Karrera Video Production Center — all being shown for the first time at the event.
The new CopperHead 3430AP integrates the existing CopperHead 3400 fiber transceiver with the PowerPlus 3000 power adapter to provide a single, ergonomically enhanced, multifunction solution. By supporting cutting-edge 3D and dual-link operation, this new unit reduces size, bulk, and external cabling associated with the existing system. It also improves mechanical stability, lowers cost, reduces case temperature, and improves the product’s overall aesthetics.
Transmitting all signals digitally and optically, the CopperHead 3430AP assures the highest transport quality — free from interference, grounding problems or drifting due to temperature variations. The entire system requires only two interconnections—a tactical fiber from Base Station to HDX+, and an SMPTE hybrid fiber cable from HDX+ to the CopperHead 3430AP, which provides signal communication and power to the camera rig.
“Whether you are involved in high-end TV, movie or commercial production, the CopperHead 3430AP gives you an alternative to the size, weight, and transmission problems of ordinary bundles of copper cabling,” said Mike Cronk, senior vice president of strategic marketing, Grass Valley. “Plus, in response to customer feedback, we’ve integrated the power adapter right into the unit for better mobility and easier handling.”
iControl-VM, a new version of the popular facility monitoring solution, is designed for customers looking to virtualise their infrastructure—particularly those customers with large iControl installations who want to save on space and power. With this new software, customers are more easily able to integrate iControl with other products in one piece of compatible hardware (i.e., one server). A single server now can run multiple iControl VMs, which reduces the number of RUs and the associated power consumption.
“The virtualisation trend is growing in many industries, and for broadcasters, the potential benefits are powerful,” Cronk explained. “The ability to reduce your hardware investment and improve your uptime with more robust centralized servers is very appealing. By offering the solution as a software package, we are giving customers more options for customizing their own environments and leveraging the best in server technology today.”
EDIUS multiformat nonlinear editing software, one of the fastest editing solutions for professional and broadcast environments, offers advanced real-time editing capabilities and the ability to mix formats on the same timeline. Now, with the release of EDIUS 7.4, editing professionals have even more functionality at their fingertips, enabling them to edit anything, anywhere, with no rendering required. Version 7.4 is a free upgrade for all users of EDIUS 7.X.
EDIUS Pro 7.4 adds support for AJA Video Systems’ KONA 3G hardware, GenArts’ Sapphire plugin and Red Giant’s PluralEyes. Two new software options—for Avid DNxHD and Dolby Digital Pro/Plus—will also be released. For EDIUS Elite, Avid DNxHD and Dolby Digital functionality is included as standard, and in addition the GV STRATUS workflow has been improved with the ability to launch from GV STRATUS settings or standalone. A new scavenge encoder creates proxy files when importing non-GV STRATUS clips, and EDIUS Elite now has the ability to export different formats to different destinations in a GV STRATUS ecosystem.
“EDIUS is a proven one-stop-shop editing solution with built-in and third-party creative tools for fast-turn and long-form editing,” noted Cronk. “This update addresses recent technology advancements and helps to ensure that users continue to have choices in hardware platforms, creative options and evolving formats. This is all part of the Grass Valley mission—providing solutions that are future-ready.”
New sport packages will be shown for the Karrera K-Frame systems. A newly developed compact video frame with internal power supplies can be configured utilizing both a new controller board with ImageStore and multiviewer capability and new triple mix/effects boards. This flexible cost-effective solution provides easy setup, streamlined workflows, and high-quality content to support next-generation formats and technologies.