SX-SDI

NewTek advances the state of live production with SX-SDI™, the newest VT[5] hardware that provides 8 serial digital inputs and outputs. Serial Digital Interface, or SDI, is a standard for broadcast quality video, capable of transmitting uncompressed digital component video across a single coaxial cable with television facilities, with audio embedded in the same signal.

In addition to live switching of 8 digital sources, SX-SDI also serves as a signal router, with the ability to assign any of the serial digital inputs to any of 5 digital outputs.

Further flexibility is provided on the audio side, with support for embedded digital audio selectable from any SDI input, as well as AES-EBU audio in and out. While the SX-SDI adds additional inputs to VT[5], it does not limit the capacity of the SX-84 analog switcher. This means an SX-SDI added to a VT[5] LIVE! system continues to provide component, Y/C and composite in and out in addition to the digital connectivity.

SX-84

The NewTek SX-84 is the heart of the VT[5] LIVE! Switcher, offering component, Y/C or composite ins and outs, along with audio, preview, alpha channel, tally, GPI and machine control. There are 8 Video input rows, but that does not indicate the true flexibility of this rack-mountable beauty measuring 18 7/8” wide by 10 ½” high (or 6 rack-units high) and 1 ½” deep.

This is a production switcher that saves you both time and money. All inputs can use whatever cameras you have at your disposal, and unlike most switchers, does not require cameras to be genlockable. VT[5] performs all this internally, with each input having its own dedicated genlock controls in software. This means less gear to haul to a shoot, less time in setup and less investment for you to produce a multi-cam production. There is even an input for house synch, so you can time VT[5] to the other suites.

SDI

Whether you are editing uncompressed or for DTV output, signal quality is imperative. NewTek's SDI option allows you to send VT's pristine D1 video output in real-time in an absolutely lossless, uncompressed state to any SDI-capable capture device or tape deck using a single coaxial cable. For users of Digital Betacam or Digital-S equipment, this is the perfect solution, providing a direct digital connection between your source or master tapes and VT. The VT SDI specifications include:

• 3/4-length PCI card (requires free PCI slot)
• 1 SMPTE 259M Serial Digital Video in
• 1 SMPTE 259M Serial Digital Video out
• 1 AES/EB Serial Digital Audio In
• 1 AES/EB Serial Digital Audio Out

If you need to send your video to an off-line graphics house for compositing, or simply to another VT for your co-worker to use, SDI offers two benefits: video is never re-compressed and your images are sent via a single coaxial cable, instead of a longer component run of three cables. Even if the source material was acquired in a compressed format, such as DV, you benefit from SDI by eliminating any re-compression until you are ready to print to master. VT's SDI option is a single PCI card to be installed in a PCI slot adjacent to the VT card. The VT SDI Interface uses SMPTE 259M video in and out and EAS/EBU audio in and out. The SDI card allows for Reference In and Reference Out in addition to SDI I/O BNC Connectors.

Live Control

As the core component of live video production, the Switcher combines a multitude of visual sources – live cameras, videotape decks, digital disk recorders (DDRs), CG pages and graphics – with digital video effects in real-time. NewTek LiveControl™ is an optional TriCaster™ and VT[5] switching control surface for portable live production and virtual set systems that provides touch control of each input for more compelling productions with tighter pacing. LiveControl is available in two versions for all NewTek switchers (LC-8 for TriCaster™ and LC-11 for TriCaster PRO™, TriCaster STUDIO™ TriCaster BROADCAST™ and VT[5]).

LiveControl can be used in tandem with NewTek’s other new LiveText™ and TimeWarp™ accessories to more efficiently integrate titling, replay and slow motion into your live productions. With LiveControl, a director and technical director can focus on their respective production roles to improve the accuracy, pacing and overall quality of live web casts and video projects. The simple layout and large back-lit buttons provide the physical touch and feel of control mechanisms familiar to professional technical directors, so they you operate a TriCaster right out of the box. LiveControl allows technical directors to keep their eyes forward and react quickly, which is important in fast-paced production.

TimeWarp™

NewTek TimeWarp™ is an external replay controller for the NewTek family of TriCaster™ products and VT[5]. TimeWarp is an optional controller surface that provides clip selection, marking and playback at various speeds. This $995 USB-connected tabletop controller gives a dedicated operator the power that previously only a large, mobile production crew wielded. Once the slo-mo operator marks beginning and end segments of the chosen input, they are instantly available for replay.

Put Time in your hands. Fast-paced action deserves a second look. Or, a third. NewTek TimeWarp™ replay controller extends the live production capabilities of TriCaster by providing a dedicated operator for video playback. Enjoy the freedom of instant replay, while you continue recording Program output. TimeWarp will elevate your sports and event production with instant replay and beautiful slow motion. When you edit, you are used to marking in and out points, right? Now do that with your live production. As TriCaster records the event, you can bracket a moment in time, and send that clip to DDR, awaiting the director’s touch for playback. Choose a playback speed and deliver slow motion every time.