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Broadcast Pix Integrates Panasonic Camera Control into Range of Slate Live Video Production Systems (13/10/2008)

Broadcast PixT, the company that redefined the production switcher as a live integrated production system, introduces new camera control software for its entire range of Slate live video production systems. The new software option enables complete control of up to 8 or more PanasonicR robotic cameras directly from the Broadcast Pix panel, simplifying single-operator control of the entire studio. The new camera control software will be demonstrated at the IBC exposition in The Netherlands on September 14 (Stand 7.H31), and will be available for customer shipments soon thereafter.

All Broadcast Pix Slate systems integrate a production switcher, Inscriber CG, clip stores, still stores and multi-view monitoring, among other functions, into a single workstation-based system. The new camera control software for Panasonic robotic cameras adds more power, and works with all Broadcast Pix Slate HD and SD systems from the low-cost Slate 100 to the new 2 M/E Slate 5000.

"The new Panasonic integrated robotic cameras are a great complement to Broadcast Pix Slate systems, the industry's leading live integrated production systems," said Ken Swanton, President of Broadcast Pix. "Together they enable a single operator to create highly engaging live video at a fraction of the cost of conventional live production studios."

Panasonic recently unveiled the AW-HE100, a single-unit robotic camera with integrated lens and pan/tilt systems. The new Broadcast Pix software interfaces with Panasonic robotic cameras including the popular AW-HE100, as well as conventional Panasonic pan/tilt cameras. The ability to control multiple cameras directly from the Broadcast Pix eliminates the need for a separate camera operation control panel which streamlines workflow, reduces equipment costs by several thousand dollars and minimizes space requirements in the control room. And the Broadcast Pix system can access 100 preset positions per camera, significantly more than alternative systems.

Broadcast Pix Slate systems also allow operators to incorporate camera movements into the switcher's sequence memory system. The Broadcast Pix sequence memory system surpasses those in other professional switchers by communicating with its graphics and clips stores, instead of only the switcher. The added strength of incorporating camera moves enables one sequence to for example, position a camera to a speaker and fade on the speaker's name. The result is a more efficient use of manpower in the control room.

The Broadcast Pix Slate system's control panel includes a three-access joystick which controls a camera's tilt/pan and zoom functions, and interprets fast and slow camera movements based on the force applied on the joystick. The panel's knobs control focus, iris and other functions, and its PixButtons control preset positions and CCU functions like white balance. These unique PixButtons feature built-in displays that dynamically change to highlight which camera and presets the operator is controlling, among other settings. Broadcast Pix Slate systems already have optional camera control software for Sony and Hitachi robotic cameras.

www.broadcastpix.com  

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