Hitomi shows simple solution to circuit delays at MPTS 2022

Hitomi Broadcast is bringing its new latency feature to Media Production & Technology Show. The precision latency tool is the latest addition to the MatchBox audio video alignment toolbox.

MatchBox now gives users an accurate measurement of the end-to-end latency of a circuit. This adds to the fundamental purpose of MatchBox, which is to achieve perfect synchronisation between sound and pictures, and between each of the remote sources.

“Much is talked about ‘low latency’ in broadcast circuits, but it is rarely quantified,” said Russell Johnson, broadcast director at Hitomi. “Now it can be. MatchBox is already used worldwide with major broadcasters and production companies, so widespread adoption of this new technology can be rapid.”

The process is as simple as holding an iPhone in shot, running the free MatchBox Glass app. This generates a precisely aligned audible and visual signal. In the MCR or outside broadcast truck, the MatchBox analyser gives a reading of the latency and the lip sync shift, allowing them to be aligned accurately rather than trying to match them by eye.

“Most importantly, the MatchBox latency feature gives quality engineers a reliable and precise means of measuring and aligning signals, eliminating the disturbing and unprofessional delays and talking over contributors,” concluded Johnson. “It can be used wherever you need latency to be known not guessed – virtual studios and augmented reality is another good use case.”