TV Pro Gear Performs First Installation of Blackmagic’s Broadcast Videohub Router

Aug. 19, 2008 - PRLog -- GLENDALE, CA – TV Pro Gear, Inc. (http://www.tvprogear.com), a leading systems integration and mobile solutions provider for the broadcast, production, and post industries, recently became the first company to successfully install Blackmagic’s new Broadcast Videohub router.

TV Pro Gear installed the 72-input, 144-output video router into the digital studio at Zoic, a leader in the visual effects and digital production industry. Zoic Studios is the creative brainchild behind effects for such feature films as "Serenity" and "Get Smart" along with the television series “CSI: Crime Scene Investigations" and highly-anticipated Fall programs J.J. Abrams’ "Fringe” for FOX and HBO’s “True Blood,” among many others.  

The Broadcast Videohub was part of a complete 4:4:4 upgrade TV Pro Gear integrated 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 routed into 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 four inches deep, the Blackmagic Broadcast Videohub was the ideal choice for Zoic who needed a powerful solution that didn’t take up valuable 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 had the potential to cause complications for its creative staff.

“The compact size and powerful capabilities were immediately exciting to us,” said Saker Klippsten, Head of Engineering at Zoic Studios, “Now we have a router capable of handling our entire equipment compliment while freeing our creative staff to focus on what they do best.”

“This router was a pleasure to install,” said Ryan Gardner, Operations Manager for TV Pro Gear, “Four screws and we were ready to begin configuration.”

Zoic found the efficiency 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.

Pleased with the results at Zoic, TV Pro Gear is already planning to use the Blackmagic Broadcast Videohub in several upcoming integration projects.

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About TV Pro Gear

TV Pro Gear is a leading systems integration and mobile solutions provider for the broadcast industry. Founded in 1997 TV Pro Gear works with networks, independent producers, and other broadcast facilities to design and implement HD and SD solutions.

To reach TV Pro Gear, you can call toll free at 1-877-TVPROGE, e-mail at info@TVProGear.com, visit http://www.tvprogear.com or stop into their LA Offices at 1630 Flower Street, Glendale, CA 91201.