Blue Ribbon Broadcast Switchers

Tim Wilson CreativeCOW.net Palm Springs California USA ©2010 CreativeCOW.net. All rights reserved.

Integration is the name of the broadcast game, and both of these switchers generated traffic because of their integrated software that is changing the game. Read on for Creative COW's short review of two Blue Ribbon Award Winning Broadcast Switchers...

Broadcast Pix Granite was the best pound-for-pound switcher value at NAB 2010. The system combines an HD switcher -- up to 1080i now, software upgradeable to 1080p; 11 in/8 out, upgradeable to 22/12 -- an HD server up to 2 TB RAID 10, file-based workflow software, CG and much more. Extra heat: an optional $199 iPad app (seen top left) adds control of everything from robotic cameras to still store, as well as switcher functions that dynamically update with names of sources. Cool enough to download on its own, but you need the rest of the Granite system, starting at $20,900, for the iPad app to actually do anything -- although we've already heard that the $200 app is creating inquiries about some $21,000 sales.



Broadcast Pix Granite


The Grass Valley Kalypso HD switcher started its heat before the show did, with the April 5 announcement of the first-ever 3D sports broadcast to the home, rather than the theatrical delivery most commonly seen until now. (Specifically, a hockey match between the New York's Rangers and Islanders, delivered to Cablevision's New York subscribers.) The left-eye/right-eye feeds are processed internally as parallel, which the switcher then treats as a single feed, for half the price of similar systems from others. The heat: Ignite Konnect, a modular approach to live production automation. An optional mixer allows one operator to run the switcher, automation and effects, and audio. Systems start at $34,995.


Grass Valley Kalypso HD Switcher.
Please click here for larger image.