Digital Production Switchers - Synergy 3.5 MD-X

Top Reasons to Buy

Synergy MD Family Software
Get the development leverage of a huge family of switchers. The Synergy family now includes 15 different models. Synergy MD software builds upon the stable foundation of the award winning Synergy SD Series. Features released on our top-of-the-line Synergy 4 MD-X are quickly available across the full product line. This provides for a consistent operation between models and minimizes training costs for customers with a variety of Synergy models.

Incredibly Powerful Compact Chassis.
The Synergy MD-X multi-definition frame is, by far, the most powerful switcher in the world. It has:

• 96 Multi-Definition Inputs (world record)
• 48 Fully Configurable Multi-Definition Outputs (world record)
• 16 DVE Channels (world record)
• 28 Internal Keyers (world record)
• 4 Warp Generators (world record)
• 19 Internal Ethernet-connected Media Stores (world record)
• 18 Classes of External Interfaces (world record)

Add Proc Amps, RGB Color Correctors, Utility Buses, FlexiClean™, Preview Overlay, Linux OS, and a whole lot more, and the result is nothing short of revolutionary. Amazingly, it fits into a rack-saving 8 RU.

AuxKeys™
Brand or add titles to Auxiliary Bus outputs or mix between Aux Buses. Feed the result to external monitors or send them back into the switcher to further increase the switcher’s production power. This revolutionary option adds mixing and keying capability to Aux Bus outputs. Mix and key sources are fed from adjacent Aux Buses that have access to every signal in the switcher.

Squeeze and Tease™ MD WARP
Great looking effects are a real production enhancer! Synergy MD switchers integrate Squeeze and Tease™ MD WARP, a state of the art, high-quality feature packed DVE loaded with curvilinear effects. It’s super-easy to program. The Squeeze and Tease™ MD WARP DVE is an ideal replacement for those expensive external DVEs. All other internal DVEs offered by our competitors pale in comparison to Squeeze and Tease™ MD WARP.

MediaCache™
In addition to the 3 Channel Global-Store that comes standard with Synergy MD systems, animated logos, moving graphics, animations with key, and short uncompressed clips can be played out of the Global-Store and the MLE-Stores.

SmartConversion™
SmartConversion™, with Aux Bus Tie Line Management technology, is an up/down/cross conversion loop-through that allows you to produce an output video that uses both SD and HD inputs simultaneously. All buses in the switcher are supported, including key and utility buses. Simply route the signal to be converted through one of the Aux Bus outputs to an external cross converter (UDC-8225), and re-enter the converted signal back into a switcher input.

As not all of your video sources are used at the same time, there is no need to convert them all simultaneously. SmartConversion allows you to share your expensive up/down/cross conversion resources by switching them automatically into the signal path only when needed.

SmartConversion can be used with Ross UDC-8225 or any brand of the external cross converters available in the market…in any format!

Ethernet Connectivity
Upgrades can be done using an Ethernet port on the rear of the frame. Images and animations can be copied from a PC to the switcher’s internal hard drive for use by the still stores and MediaCache throughout the system. The Ethernet port can also be used to transfer images and animations from the hard drive on the switcher to a PC. This allows images captures on the switcher to be used elsewhere in the studio.

Optional Control Panel Mnemonics
Synergy MD control panel mnemonics are unsurpassed. While many switchers don’t even offer mnemonics, Synergy MD’s offers user-programmable large font, medium font, small font, one line, two line, eight character, normal video, reverse video, orange, green, and yellow display choices with bright, clear, well positioned, easy to read displays. These mnemonics are optional, per M/E, and easily in-field upgradeable on the Synergy 2, 3, and 4 Control Panels. No one else does this.

Custom Control Macro Keys
Macros make a production cleaner, faster and easier, allowing repetitive functions, complex effects and machine control functions to be put on a button right where you need it. The Synergy 2 panel has seventeen dedicated Custom Control Macro keys; Synergy 3 panel has thirty and the Synergy 4 panel has thirty-five Custom Control buttons. These can be shifted for easy access of up to 192 macros on a Synergy 4 panel and with mnemonics, the functions of every button are clearly indicated, even for a freelance TD to do your show.

Editable Custom Control Macros
Did we mention that macros are critical to today’s complex productions? Not only does Synergy MD offer up to eight full banks of macros with dedicated buttons and state of the art LCD legends, the macros themselves are fully editable. Creating a macro is as easy as pressing the buttons on the control panel in the order you want. Then you can look at your macro, event by event, and adjust timeline delays, delete events, add events, single step through events, and more. It’s no wonder that Synergy TDs produce the cleanest and most repeatable productions.

Just-Like-a-Wipe DVE Transitions
On any switcher, fancy DVE transitions have to be easy or they won’t be used. All Synergy MD switchers offer Squeeze and Tease™ transitions that operate just like a wipe. Just press the DVE transition button, the combination of layers you want to change, and select the effect you want from the 40-button pattern area shot box. Not so easy for the competition.

Preview Overlay – Adjustable Safe Title and Center
Synergy MD provides two preview outputs simultaneously – one that has no graphical overlay and one filled with useful production information. Some switchers don’t even offer Safe Title and Center information. Synergy MD provides those SMPTE standard measurements and then allows you to have several additional customized versions available at the touch of a button. These are great for lining up shots and setting custom safe areas for Dual Aspect Ratio production and odd size screens such as those found in stadiums.

Preview Overlay – Source ID
Synergy MD allows you to keep your eyes on the important program you are producing. Preview Overlay shows you what’s on air, what’s on preview and the transition that you have selected. In addition to being a terrific aid to the Synergy MD operator, this is great for nonverbal communication between a switcher operator and a director. When a router source is selected, the display expands to show both the eight character router name AND the eight character Synergy MD name for the source.

Preview Overlay – Timecode Display
A switcher machine control feature is not complete without the ability to display timecode information. Synergy MD provides this right on the preview monitor, when a TD selects a VTR or a Server on the preset bus, its name and timecode appear. This makes it possible to confirm that a tape or server has been correctly cued, and to determine if it’s stopped or playing when all you see are bars or black. This feature ties in well to the “auto roll” feature of Synergy MD, which rolls tapes with pre-roll when you take them to air. It gives you confirmation that everything is proceeding as it should. Our competitors lack this feature.

Preview Overlay – Timeclock Display
As everyone in television knows, accurate timing is critical to a great show. Synergy MD makes it easy. Synergy MD’s built-in count up/down timer allows you to time segments of your show right from the switcher – eliminating the need for an external clock or stopwatch in many applications. The timer can be set to count down from a preset duration for timing an entire show or an individual clip. It can also be set to count up from zero every time a background transition occurs in a designated ME. TDs use it to time video clips and commercials or anything else. Our competitors lack this feature.

Consistent Panel Layout
Your production is worthy of a serious control panel. All Synergy MD switchers share a consistent layout that is easy to use and very intuitive.

Direct Function Access
Operators don’t have time to go digging through menus during a live production. Synergy MD switchers offer buttons-per-function that provide a significantly higher level of direct access and on-air control.

Well-Positioned Controls
Be sure to try a production on the switcher you are planning to buy. Check out the positions of the controls. You’ll find the Synergy MD well thought out, with all of the transition controls and joystick at the front edge of the panel for ease of access.

UltraChrome Advanced Chroma Keying
The Ross UltraChrome™ (patent pending) uses advanced video processing technology to provide exceptional blue spill reduction and clean edges, even with difficult source material. Glass, smoke, translucent materials, and natural shadows are handled superbly. Setup is a breeze with single-touch auto chroma keying and intuitive touch-up controls.

12 Integrated Serial Ports – and more
Synergy MD streamlines your production by enabling direct control over a wide variety of devices such as VTRs, Video Servers, Routers, Audio Mixers, Robotic Camera Systems and more via the 8 serial ports on the control panel and the 4 serial ports on the rack frame. The Synergy 1 control panel offers 5 serial ports. Additional serial port expanders are also available, further guaranteeing that we can exceed your integration needs.

Keep your Software Options when Upgrading from SD to MD Are you trading in an existing Synergy SD chassis, and upgrading to a new Synergy MD switcher? You can keep any previously purchased software options, and we’ll install them on your new switcher before it leaves the factory. For free! So why not use these savings to purchase that other interface you’ve been thinking about.

The Widest Range of Server and DDR Integration in the Industry
No one matches Synergy MD’s server and DDR integration capability. Synergy MD offers an advanced interface to video servers via the industry standard VDCP protocol. This interface has been tested and individually tuned to work well with all popular servers on the market, offering you a choice of server vendors. Providing this level of interface is not a simple task – you might consider asking for references before you take our competition’s “we interface to everyone” claims at face value.

ROLL VTR Button
Synergy MD’s unique auto-roll feature makes taking a VTR or Video Server clip to air automatically with pre-roll easy. Synergy MD switchers have a ROLL VTR button in the transition area that is used to directly roll a VTR or Server or to selectively activate “auto roll” with pre-roll when a source is taken to air.

VTR Clip Direct Recall
Randomly accessing VTR or server clips on a Synergy MD switcher is no problem. Synergy MD switchers have a button in the memory area dedicated to directly loading and cueing any of 100 VTR, Server, or other external device setups. The competition lacks this feature.

Audio Server Control
Synergy MD makes it possible to precisely synchronize audio clips or sound effects with video. Synergy MD has complete “native” control of the 360 Systems DigiCart, Sony MiniDisc, and EncoDAD for the integration of sound effects and audio clips in to your production. Most competitors do not offer audio server control.

Audio Mixer Control
Synergy MD is the only switcher in the world to offer comprehensive audio mixer control. Synergy MD goes far beyond simple audio follow video. It allows for easy audio over, easy attachment of several audio sources to one video source, and quick level control of master and individual audio levels.

Robotic Camera Control
No other switcher offers full integration of Camera Robotics. Synergy MD can control the physical position of the camera if it’s mobile, in addition to pan and tilt controls. Focus and aperture are there as well, easily recalled with every shot and integrated into our Custom Control macro system.

Router Control with Full Mnemonics Interface
Nobody does router interfaces like Ross. We offer the widest range of router interfaces on the market, including Pesa, Pro-bel, Quartz, Thomson Grass Valley products, Codan, Leitch, and more. These interfaces are direct with no protocol translation boxes required. The interface is bi-directional with instant updates and feedback. The Synergy MD source name (i.e. Router3) as well as the Router mnemonic (i.e. VTR12) are both displayed together on the preview overlay and also on the button mnemonic labels.

Side-by-Side Keyers
Synergy MD keyers have all controls and indicators available simultaneously. This allows lightning-fast access to controls, easy confirmation that memories have recalled correctly, and absolute confidence that the right keyer is being taken to air. In most cases with the competition, only one keyer is displayed at a time - the rest are hidden from view.

On Air Indicators
Knowing what’s on air is of primary importance during a production. Synergy MD offers on air indicators in the transition area and in the keyer area to clearly show what’s on air and therefore reduce on air mistakes. For added clarity and confidence, Synergy MD is unique in that it indicates keys that are “on” but not “on air” with green tally lights on the control panel that turn red when the M/E is taken to air.

Choice of Parallel and Serial Tallies
Most competitors charge for parallel tallies, sometimes as an expensive external box. Synergy MD offers parallel tallies as a standard feature. Serial tallies are also available simultaneously using a comprehensive industry standard protocol for easy interface to tally, under monitor display systems, multi-image display systems, and virtual reality systems.

Quick CG Button
Most productions make extensive use of the Character Generator and having quick access to it can be a real lifesaver. Synergy MD has a quick Character Generator button in Key 2. This instantly gives you clean CG with no masks, matte fill, or anything else that could cause an on-air glitch. The competition lacks this feature.

Forty Pattern/Shotbox Buttons
Accessing the pattern or transition effect you want is easy with Synergy MD. The forty pattern buttons are context sensitive and are used for selecting wipe patterns, keyer preset patterns, Squeeze and Tease® wipe transition effects, and Squeeze and Tease® keyer sequence effects. They provide direct access and instant feedback. The competition lacks this feature.

Power Fail Indicators
Synergy MD provides an instant alert to power conditions that could affect your live production. Knowing that there is a disconnected power cord, tripped breaker or blown power supply is everyone’s business. Synergy MD has indicators on the control panel telling the operator if a fan has failed in the rack frame or if one of the redundant supplies in the control panel has failed or is not getting power. No other switcher has this important feature.

Your Choice of Control Panel Styling
Color choice is a personal thing. Some people prefer the clean simple styling of all white buttons. Others prefer classic and familiar color coded buttons. Synergy MD switchers can be ordered either way. The competition does not offer this choice.

More Features for Less Money
It’s a Ross philosophy to offer our customers a powerful package for a competitive price. That’s why the Synergy Series is the number one switcher family in North America.

Upgradeable Right up to Synergy 4 MD-X
Most operations are not static, their needs change and grow. If your budget is tight or your production needs don’t require the power of the Synergy 4 MD-X just yet, the flexibility of the Synergy MD and MD-X chassis will impress you. Choose the starting point that’s right for you now and upgrade to the Synergy 4 MD-X later. We also offer the ability to buy, for example, a Synergy 3 control panel with 2 M/Es installed in the chassis allowing the third M/E to be easily installed on site at some future time. The competition does not offer you this level of customization.

Frames for a Buck
We recognize that integrating a switcher into your facility may involve conversion. Ross provides a full line of RossGear® and GearLite™ terminal equipment. When you purchase RossGear® converters with your switcher, we will sell you the rack frame and power supply for $1.

Faders Guaranteed for Life
A malfunctioning fader can really mess up a live production. Synergy MD faders are our fourth generation design and we’re so proud of them that we’ve guaranteed them for the life of the switcher.

Three-Year Transferable Warranty
Protection for your investment! Synergy MD switchers are so tough; we gave them the longest warranty in the industry. The warranties offered by the competition are usually limited warranties and are generally only one year – be sure to take this into account when comparing the competition’s pricing by adding the cost of an extended warranty.

Free Software Downloads from the World Wide Web
Synergy MD has an extremely low cost of ownership. There’s no need to budget for costly ongoing software maintenance plans because all Synergy MD software upgrades are free for the life of the product. We just love showing customers all the great new things their Synergy MD can do. Keeping software current is extra with the competition – be sure to factor this cost in when you make your decision.

Free Tech Support for Life
One thing that Ross has always done is take care of our customers. In fact, the Ross Video Code of Ethics states: “Rule #1 - We will always act in our customer’s best interest”. If you have a technical question about our products, we’ll answer it. Free.

• Even if your warranty has expired.
• Even if we have to put you in contact with the engineer that designed it.
• Even if you need to talk to David Ross himself (613-228-0688).

Now that’s service!