What’s New from Ross for NABShow 2022

Ottawa, Canada – April 13, 2022 – Ross announces significant advancements across numerous product lines, including:

 

PRODUCTION CLOUD

Production Cloud is an end-to-end highly flexible production solution that is specifically designed for broadcast quality content live production fully powered by the cloud and optimized for AWS. Supporting perpetual and subscription licensing models and operating natively within a customer supplied cloud ecosystem, the Ross Production Cloud allows production teams to collaborate and produce live shows and events, using the same interfaces that they are already experienced with. It combines production switching, real-time graphics, ingest, playout, newsroom, asset management, and remote contribution capabilities, with innovative ground-to-cloud technologies designed by Ross to bring on-premises SDI and NDI live feeds into the cloud ecosystem, and vice versa. Ross Production Cloud makes it easy for teams to expand their existing production capabilities, or experiment and explore new programs and formats with the reliability and support that they’ve come to expect from Ross solutions.

 

PRODUCTION SWITCHERS / HYPERCONVERGED PRODUCTION

Ross Video’s comprehensive production switcher lineup grows more robust and more versatile with the introduction of significant feature upgrades to the Carbonite product line, while its hyperconverged production platform, Ultrix Acuity, is now compatible with TouchDrive control surfaces.

Carbonite Ultra & Ultrix Carbonite v7.0

Version 7.0 of Carbonite Ultra and Ultrix Carbonite headlined by UltraScene, a new easy-to-use layering tool that enables complex composites to be managed as a single source.

With UltraScene, up to 8 layers can be used to create visually interesting composites consisting of keys, chromakeys, DVE boxes, and more. UltraScenes can be entered into MEs and MiniMEs as Background or Key sources, just like any other source in the switcher.

In addition to UltraScene, Production Sequencer functionality is included in version 7.0, and enables operators to automate simple and repeatable production elements within a live show.

As an easy-to-use tool, Production Sequencer allows for a series of tasks, events or device controls to be linked together while complementing existing Memory and Custom Control macro capabilities.

 

TouchDrive Control Panels now compatible with Ultrix Acuity

The introduction of the TouchDrive control surfaces, featuring high-resolution touch-enabled LCD displays, provided Carbonite operators with unprecedented efficiency and ease of use. Today, Ross is pleased to announce that TouchDrive control surfaces will be compatible with Ultrix Acuity frames.

With the release of Ultrix Acuity version 11.0, customers will be able to pair any of the Acuity or TouchDrive Control Panels with their Ultrix Acuity frames. The latest upgrade also makes it even easier for customers to configure Software-Defined Production Engine blades with either Acuity or Carbonite software.

 

 

ALL-IN-ONE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

Graphite CPC (Cloud Production Center)

The award-winning Graphite All-In-One Production System with powerful video switching, audio mixing and graphics capability is now also available for cloud-based workflows.

Available this summer, Graphite CPC will be deployable as a standalone system using Amazon Web Services (AWS) to provide no-compromise, on-prem performance using familiar tools such as TouchDrive^TM panels and DashBoard control software. Graphite CPC joins the ever-expanding list of services available in the Ross Production Cloud which includes media asset management tools, production automation, and MOS-based newsroom systems.

Like all Graphites, CPC bundles the powerful Carbonite switcher and advanced RAVE audio mixer with the incredible XPression Real-Time graphics engine to create a single, unified production environment.

 

REAL-TIME MOTION GRAPHICS

XPression Version 11.0 & XPression Tessera One

For NAB 2022 Ross Video XPression is proud to announce XPression version 11.0 and XPression Tessera One. We recently teased XPression Tessera One as our all-in-one complete content solution for video displays. Capable of low-latency video input, XPression Tessera One is used to integrate live video inputs through the XPression Tessera workflow and eliminate the need to key XPression over live sources in the control room. XPression 11 adds in the new capabilities to copy existing XPression Sequencer items to a specific Take ID, the use of Superscript and Subscript for 2D text, Visual Logic blocks for Epoch time processing, right-click on a Visual Logic Object Property block to locate it in the Objects list, support for AJA version 16.0 drivers for support of the io4K and the new ioX3 unit. A 2-channel edition of the XPression Go! laptop editions, and a new 1RU edition of XPression hardware to support SMPTE ST 2110.

 

 

VIRTUAL PRODUCTION

Voyager / Lucid Studio

With major improvements to Voyager, its Unreal-based render platform and Lucid Studio, the control center for virtual productions, Ross Video continues to demonstrate its commitment to virtual production solutions and particularly virtual LED studio solutions, also known as XR. Indeed, Voyager version 4.27 includes several new templates that make it easier to set-up a virtual LED environment as well as a simplified workflow for hybrid environments where standard augmented reality elements need to be running alongside the virtual LED studio environment. Finally, with version 6.3, the latest release of Lucid Studio unlocks a raft of new features which are making virtual production even easier to manage. In addition to the ease and flexibility of control it already provides today, Lucid Studio improves the user experience even further by bridging the gap with 3^rd party control surfaces, thanks to a new web API and enhancing the mobile experience for event control from a phone or a tablet. With these and a lot of other new features, Lucid Studio continues to revolutionize the virtual production experience.

 

 

LED SOLUTIONS

D3 LED Displays & Solutions

With the acquisition of D3 LED, Ross has become a leader in high quality indoor and outdoor LED displays as well as LED Processing, Content Management and Playback systems which can generate, process, and distribute video to epic scales. D3’s solutions complement the existing portfolio offered by Ross and enable Ross to offer an even more comprehensive range of content rendering platforms, including XPression motion graphics, Voyager (based on the Unreal engine from Epic Games), and the D3 IMS playback system. The Integrated LED Experiences offered from Ross Video bring end to end solutions to all clients within broadcast, worship production, digital signage, esports, retail, virtual LED, entertainment venues, and more.

 

 

MEDIA ASSET MANAGEMENT

Primestream v 9.0

Primestream v9.0 advances MAM capabilities by bridging signal-based architecture with file-based workflow – all while allowing access remotely via a standard web browser. This is a significant contribution to the time, ease, and quality of content creation for a wide range of applications.

For example – broadcasters get a jump on their news production by being able to start editing news packages while a live-event or last-minute breaking news is happening. Sports venues can keep with the action by being able to make quick highlights on-the-fly, and corporate users can start editing live meetings while the meeting is still in session – allowing for a polished recording to be available on-demand in a timely fashion following the meeting.

One of the key advantages of course, is the ability to do all or any of this production from both on-premises headquarters to remotely via web browser access or Cloud.

 

 

CAMERA MOTION SYSTEMS

Vision[Ai]ry Ft 1.2

The release of version 1.2 marks a key step in the evolution of the Vision[Ai]ry Facial Tracking system. With the addition of links between robotic presets and framing templates, we are now able to provide a ‘hands-free automated camera workflow’ when used in conjunction with Ross OverDrive. By recalling the appropriate framing template, automatically selecting a subject, and turning on active framing, we are able to eliminate the need for manual bumping of shots during a show, allowing the OverDrive operator to focus all of their attention on the myriad other details involved in their production. In many cases, this can be accomplished without requiring any changes to how they code their rundown, making the transition to Vision[Ai]ry Ft seamless and easy.

To make it easier to quickly find the desired template in the list, Vision[Ai]ry Ft 1.2 also adds a Template Preview feature where the framing target is momentarily displayed in the preview window when a template is selected in the template list view (it automatically disappears after a few seconds).

Other new features include display enhancements related to presets and links which provide information and feedback to the user, and the RossTalk listener, which allows other RossTalk-enabled devices to send simple commands to the Vision[Ai]ry Ft engine controller, such as selecting a camera, and turning on or off active tracking. Finally, the new update also adds support for the Ross PTZ-12G and PTZ-NDI.

 

 

Furio Robotic Camera Systems / Chrosziel MagNum LCS

The MagNum LCS is a flexible lens control system that can be added to just about any lens, whether it is a broadcast lens that does not have full servo control, or a cine lens that would otherwise not be controllable from the Furio system. By presenting a compatible serial lens control interface, it enables full control of Zoom, Focus and Iris from any Furio system, for smooth, accurate preset recalls.

Complete packages are available to provide everything you need to add lens control to your Furio system.

The Chrosziel compact and lightweight motors and controllers provide reliable lens control to ensure the fluid, smooth camera moves that have become synonymous with the Ross Furio Robotic Camera Systems.

 

 

VIDEO SERVERS

Revamped Video Server Solutions for even greater value

The Video Servers product range from Ross offers production, presentation and replay solutions for customers across several live video production applications, including sports & live events, worship, education, corporate communication, and news broadcast.

The newest member of the Video Server family is Tria Express Duet, a feature-rich compact production server that provides uncompromising quality and reliability all at a surprisingly affordable price.

In addition to the economical Tria Express Duet, the entire video server product line has recently been revamped to provide a full suite of high-impact, high-efficiency production tools for even greater value. In addition to boasting a host of additional new features, pricing for all Tria production servers, the Kiva+ presentation server and the Mira replay systems have been restructured with some prices being reduced by up to 40%.

 

 

ROUTING SYSTEMS

Ultrix 4.7 and 4.7 firmware

The Ultrix 12G/IP Hyperconverged Connectivity Platform provides a compact and powerful combination of routing, multi-viewers, processing, integrated production switching, and control. In case you missed them, here is a summary of the recent 4.6 and 4.7 firmware updates that continue to enhance the usability of this award-winning platform.

Highlights of Ultrix 4.6 & 4.7:

• ULTRISCAPE-CA license to enable closed caption decoding and display on Ultriscape MultiViewer.
• 2110-40 Pass through support of ancillary data in Ultrix-IP and Ultricore-IP
• “Routed” tally support for Ross switchers
• ULTRIMIX-MXR audio mixer mono channel support
• Adaptive Mode for 2110 systems, adapts on the fly to signal type changes
• Ultricore-PRO user profile access restrictions
• Numerous feature enhancements and bug fixes

These free firmware updates are available now through customer support.

 

 

CONVERTERS

Newt 4.0 – NMOS, SSM, Metrics and more

At its core Newt is a compact UHD-OVER-IP SDI and HDMI converter. NEWT 4.0 adapts to our rapidly changing IP environments, bridging Quad-SDI and HDMI 2.0 interfaces to JT-NM tested ST2110 media streams. Newt is fluent in NMOS, EmBER+ and DashBoard open standards protocols giving you the freedom to use it in the IP environment of your choice.

• NMOS Open Standards Control
• PTP and network diagnostics
• Flexible audio and video mapping
• Benchmark interoperability
• Source Specific Multicast (SSM)
• and much more

 

 

SOFTGEAR PLATFORM

Broadcast Audio Processor Adds Verance Aspect Watermarking

The integration of the Verance Aspect watermark into the Broadcast Audio Processor based on the Ross softGear platform will provide Aspect watermarking to a variety of television outlets.

 The Aspect watermark works in both today’s 1.0 and tomorrow’s 3.0 broadcast environments and was selected to be part of the NextGen TV standard as a way to extend and maximize the reach of interactive television services in broadcast television. Without the Aspect watermark, NextGen applications can only reach the 20% of households that receive signals over the air. With the Aspect watermark, NextGen applications can reach 100% of households. For the same reason, the Hybrid Broadcast Broadband Television Association (HbbTV) adopted watermarking into its Phase 2 Application Discovery over Broadband specification published in September 2019.

By deploying Aspect within the softGear platform, programmers are able to activate interactive services through all distribution paths (including ATSC 1.0 and 3.0 over-the-air, cable/satellite, and over-the-top services) to reach 100% of smart televisions. Without the watermark, 80% of households are unable to receive these capabilities. 

 

 

TALLY CONTROL SYSTEMS

TSI-4000 Tally System

The Ross TSI Tally system is announcing the following enhancements at NAB this year:

OverDrive FloorDirector Integration

This allows you to map the information that comes from OverDrive directly into the UDMs of your multiviewer – Clip names, timers, story information, system status, etc…

No need to build DashBoard panels and burn inputs and keyers to composite timers and multiviewers – when configuring the UMDs, FloorDirector is a data source available in the Tally System Console.

Piero Integration

A recent solution/workflow has been introduced, where Piero Live’s inputs can have a camera feed assigned/connected; allowing the Piero operator to choose which feed to prep and burn graphics to. This ability to choose input/camera from within Piero, was obscured from the production staff (particularly the camera operator) which feed the Piero operator has opted for. The TSI-4000 integration allows for signal tracing to determine which input is on-air.

New Protocol Support

Ember+ protocol support for Lawo Powercore and Calrec virtual fader control.

 

 

OEM DEVELOPER SOLUTIONS

BACH-openModule512

BACH-openModule512 is the ultimate channel capacity audio networking solution from Ross. This turnkey module features fully compliant AES67 and ST2110 transport along with a rich control layer. BACH- openModule512 lets you bridge up to 512 audio channels to full audio-over-IP standards compliance.

• Self-contained embedded IP implementation that integrates into new and existing equipment
• A complete solution that includes the control, configuration, references, tools and support needed to add IP to your product
• OEM re-brandable so you control your user experience
• NMOS, AES67, ST2110 and Ravenna protocol support for an instant upgrade to broadcast workflow compliance

BACH-Liberty 4.0

BACH-Liberty 4.0 is a proven and simple solution to bring your product to AES67 and ST2110 standards compliance. Expand your products into Broadcast IP markets while we support you through the simple integration of our proven modules. Liberty easily integrates into new designs and is plug and play with your Brooklyn II enabled products to quickly bring you to AES67 and ST2110 compliance.

• Your brand, your strengths. Create a unique selling proposition and differentiate your product with rapid user interface customization.
• Perform across markets. Adapt to any network. Get the AES67/ST2110 performance you need to grow your revenue
• Get to market fast. Our plug-and-play module is simple to integrate and is likely pin compatible with your existing connector
• Define your customer experience. Open standards open the door to using the controller and workflow of your choice.
• Security of Supply. Source your critical technology from multiple suppliers. You can count on Ross Video’s stability.
• Develop for the future today. Add video to your audio, on the same network, from the “Living Live” experts

Please note that this is a software option meaning there aren’t any costly hardware upgrades required.

 

 

Ross Video – High Impact, High Efficiency Production Solutions
Ross powers live video productions for billions of global viewers daily with the industry’s widest range of high impact, high efficiency solutions and services. Ross makes it easy to create compelling news, weather and sports broadcasts, engaging content for sports stadium screens, entertainment shows and rock concerts, educational institutions, legislative assemblies, corporate presentations and inspiring content for houses of worship.

Ross solutions have impressed the audiences and marketing partners of Eurosport, BBC World, SKY, Yahoo! Finance, and the international esports powerhouse ESL. Ross provides an unrivalled range of products and services that includes cameras, real-time motion graphics, production switchers, robotic camera systems, augmented reality/virtual studios, video servers, infrastructure and routers, social media management, newsroom systems and live event production services.

Ross Video Media Contact:
Jan Mills
Director, Marketing Operations
Email: jmills@rossvideo.com
Twitter: @ross_video
www.rossvideo.com