Production Switchers

Would some one be willing to give a little bit of a breakdown on video reference, and if done properly, can I avoid exhausting our FCFSs on our Ultra Frame? I am mostly looking to free up the FCFS that are being used for content coming from graphics machines. Currently out setup is BMD Ultrastudios sending key and fill to directly to the ultra. We're adding in another CG machine with two additional Ultrastudios and I don't have 4 extra FCFS to spare.

Much appreciated. Thank you.

Those products have a Reference input on them.

So supply the same reference to the Ultrastudio units as you do to the Carbonite Ultra.

The Ultra does have the ability to be the Reference Generator, but you will need an Analog DA that will share that reference to all of the devices that have a Reference input on them....Some do have a loop out but many do not.

What is the software you are using?  Normally it all allows you to configure the devices to use the Reference input, but if not then you will need to use the BMD software to make sure you have them set to use the reference input for Genlock.

Thanks Les. That's what I was planning on doing. Is there any benefit to utilizing a an external sync over the switcher frame's internal sync?

We are using ProPresenter 7 as our primary graphics output software. I'll double check the device settings within and if I can't specify it there, like you said, it can be done in the BMD software.

Yes Pro presenter will work with external Genlock.

The Benefit comes from other items -- products like out SRG series is going to provide additional features like LTC, Test Signal Outputs and the key feature is independent outputs that would allow you to individual time signal chains.

So with multiple devices that may or may not support TriLevel you can have some outputs on Tri Level and others on BB.  Then each output is able to be timed separately....Thus allowing you to dial your system in.  When you have non processing routers this kind of timing ensures that the signals all line up so when you switch on a router you don't disrupt downstream equipment like Projectors or recorders that don't have a genlock or timing input window.

Production Switchers have a timing window on inputs that is usually about Half a line wide centered on the incoming reference.  In most cases you will just apply Reference to everything and then they will fall in the timing window.  However sometimes you have to use a Scope and dial in some devices to get them to align the input correctly.