We recently became the first company to successfully install Blackmagic’s new Broadcast Videohub router.
We installed the 72-input, 144-output video router into the post-production facility at Zoic Studios, a leader in the visual effects industry having handled the effects for the feature films “The Day After Tomorrow” and “Talladega Nights” along with the te
Blackmagic Broadcast Videohub
levision series “24″ and “Criminal Minds”.
The Broadcast Videohub was part of a complete 4:4:4 upgrade TV Pro Gear performed for Zoic. The completed post facility contains Autodesk Flame Systems, an array of decks including several SRWs, Avid Nitris Systems, Avid Adrenaline Systems, and Final Cut Pro Systems all centered in the Blackmagic Videohub.
With 72 deck control ports, twin redundant power connections, SDI re-clocking, and 3 Gb/s SDI technology housed in an 8RU Chassis, less than inch-deep, the Blackmagic Broadcast Videohub was the ideal choice for Zoic who needed a powerful solution despite limited space. Specifically, the SDI re-clocking feature of the Videohub allowed the post house to eliminate the manual patching that was degrading their SDI signals and causing unnecessary complications for their creative staff.
Their staff was very pleased with the amount of power it provided for its size and that it freed their creative staff from worrying about technical stuff.
Our engineers loved how easy it was to install the Blackmagic Videohub: The grouping of connections to include an SDI input, SDI output, deck control port, and SDI monitor output for each user allowed for a simple integration of all Zoic’s equipment through the router.
Zoic found the ease of installation extended into its workflow. The Broadcast Videohub’s grouping of connections contains twice as many SDI outputs as inputs allowing each user to connect monitoring directly to the router and control their monitoring without affecting the input of their editing workstation. This is important when more than one person is working on a post production project, and the client wants to switch monitoring to see the entire project being worked on. This ease of workflow will allow Zoic to be more efficient as it continues to grow.
We’re already planning to use the Blackmagic Broadcast Videohub in several future integration products and plans to recommend the router to any client looking for a powerful SDI solution with a small footprint at a low price.
