ßroadcastEnsineerin - AmericanRadioHistory.Com

APPLIED TECHNOLOGY
NEW PRODUCTS & REVIEWS
Mix and match
The benefits of multiviewer, frame
sync and other component integration
within router frames is immediately
clear from the space- and power -saving
perspective. Harris Broadcast's philosophy
of providing generic slots for such
products within the router remains
unique, eliminating the need to define
future needs for each task when purchased.
This ensures that users aren't
dead -ended if they wish to scale multi -
viewer outputs to more control rooms
in the future, for example.
The router also accommodates
combination cards within any slot,
allowing users to take full advantage
of the triple -path architecture. This
could include routing video inputs
over one router path, and demuxing
audio from those inputs over a second
path. In this example, IP3 users
might simultaneously route metadata
from these signals over the third path,
using built -in encoding and decoding
capability, all without sacrificing
video matrix size in the same frame.
Redundant crosspoints to protect
all critical signal paths further enhances
value. This router's architecture
shields all video, audio and multiviewer
crosspoints, eliminating any
single point of failure.
This is far more advantageous to a
traditional architecture that uses separate
outputs from router crosspoints
to feed external multiviewers. Those
outputs can only see the frames' inputs,
and cannot see the muxed
outputs or audio feeds. Viewing the
actual output would first require wiring
it back to an input.
The IP3 architecture demuxes audio
signals on the inputs and routes
the signal through the audio path to
the output slots. This allows monitoring
of those audio signals on the integrated
multiviewer, providing a clear
view of what is going to air.
It should be noted that overall system
protection is further enhanced
through a fully redundant control
system and power supplies.
Total control
Enhanced control across the infrastructure
allows for simple, dynamic
updating of software- centric devices
and operations. The IP3 addresses
this trend by enabling updates to databases
and sources without taking
the system down. This allows users to
make firmware updates, test new software
and recall specific operational
settings without interruption. It also
simplifies troubleshooting issues,
allowing for quick layout changes,
alarm settings or bypass options to
route around problems.
Harris Broadcast Magellan control
panels offer a common solution
to manipulate these tasks across the
entire infrastructure, including all integrated
routing systems and external
components from terminal gear to
video servers. The product- agnostic
design ensures interoperability with
non - Harris Broadcast components.
Enhanced control
allows for simple
updating of software -
centric devices
and operations.
User control is also enhanced
through easy router configuration
and maintenance. Further, the router
brings all settings into a common
matrix. This is a big advantage over
clustering settings across various matrices,
such as separating SDI and HD
operations. A logical mapping system
enables systems integrators and users
to quickly make proper connections.
Moving forward
The future -proof design looks
beyond baseband /IP convergence to
cover ultra- high- bandwidth needs
including 4K, 6GB /s routing and
beyond. Harris Broadcast is already
showing the ability to move high -
bandwidth graphical elements approaching
10GB /s through the Platinum
IP3. The takeaway, though is
the router allows users to build fully
embedded, smartly scalable routing
solutions that meet present day
needs and beyond, for fixed and
mobile facilities.
BE
Kerry Wheeles is director of product marketing
for routing, multiviewers, master
control & branding at Harris Broadcast.
MPEG-4 AVC HD Encoder /Decoder
with MPEG -DASH Technology
PATH1
PIXIE
78 broadcastengineering.com I March 2013