A round-up of some of the new engineering and systems innovations introduced at NAB last week by TV One, Crystal Vision, Omnitek, Hamlet and more.

TV One has introduced the S2-108HD 8-input SD/HD-SDI Switcher to its product family. Capable of switching between eight separate inputs of SD-SDI or HD-SDI signals, this new unit addresses the constantly evolving needs of the Pro AV and Broadcast markets.

It is an 8-input and dual output SD/HD-SDI switcher which has been primarily designed to work with the C2-2000 series of switcher/scalers and down converters as an optional Input Expansion Module to provide additional SD/HD-SDI inputs via BNC connectors.

It can connect to the C2-2000 series using an included OPTION interconnect cable and is fully integrated into the control system of the C2-2000 unit to become part of a single Multi-Format Seamless Switcher.

Crystal Vision has added a number of new features to its 10 bit aspect ratio converter, the ARC-10MC.

The new features include the customer-requested video index control which allows users to auto-switch the board to bypass if the input is already in the required aspect ratio, with the switch based on the aspect ratio information carried in the video index data according to SMPTE RP186.

This reduces the need for the switch to be done manually and makes the ARC-10MC particularly useful for applications involving external video sources where the aspect ratio is often not known in advance. Video indexing can also be inserted into the output video for use by downstream equipment.

OmniBus Systems has launched the SmartClient, a Web 2.0-based browse and content selection tool for journalists and directors. Using Microsoft's Silverlight and Web 2.0 technology, SmartClient provides a graphical experience and interactivity within a Web browser window without the need to install any specialized software.

SmartClient provides cross-platform picture research facilities from any Web-enabled computer, allowing large numbers of journalists to work directly and concurrently with the content library and giving broadcasters the ability to construct more responsive and flexible workflows across multiple locations.

Sonic Solutions announced the release of Scenarist BD 4.5, a major upgrade to its professional Blu-ray Disc creation product. The new version features expanded capabilities for the creation of BD-J titles, which fuse Java-programmed applications to enable the integration of high-definition audio and video with advanced interactivity.

Workflow enhancements were also added to speed title creation and the software package now includes Sonic's new Scenarist Safeguard tool for setting security parameters on BD-J content.

Hamlet is launching a revolutionary new plug-in module for its FlexiScope family of handheld test and measurement appliances. The new module adds the capability to generate high-precision test signals, included alphanumeric identifiers and embedded audio, in SDI and HD-SDI. The same module gives access to a comprehensive range of measurement displays on the return signal. It is available in a single handheld device. Hamlet is also upgrading its existing HD/SD and SD/composite modules with additional display functionality, again in response to user requests.

Media 100 showed the latest version its veteran Mac-based NLE. Media 100 12.5 features HDV Support - HDV capture through Apple native FireWire - and Multi-Channel Audio Input allowing users to input and edit multiple audio tracks. Media 100 version 12.5 is the fifth major feature release since the acquisition of Media 100 by Boris FX in September 2005.

OmniTek unveiled its new DataLab system, a combination of full-motion signal generator combined with an SDI data analyzer. The DataLab is compatible with all 3Gb/s type A/B, Dual-link, HD, and SD video formats.

The new 3Gb/s SDI formats as specified in SMPTE 424M and 425M provide broadcasters with the capability to transfer 1080p60 video signals in real-time over a single 75ohm coax cable. In addition, the 3Gb/s standards specify a wide range of other capabilities including sending two simultaneous independent HD signals over a single cable, or an HD dual-link signal in any of the recognized formats.

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