Blackmagic Design Inc. today announced the new Broadcast Videohub, the world’s largest affordable SDI router. Broadcast Videohub is large enough for the biggest post production studio, and includes advanced technologies such as 3 Gb/s SDI. This is the first time a large SDI router has been affordable even for smaller post production studios.

Broadcast Videohub is on display at NAB 2008 at the Blackmagic Design booth SL10920.

Broadcast Videohub includes 72 SDI inputs, 144 SDI outputs, 72 deck control ports, twin redundant power connections, SDI re-clocking, and 3 Gb/s SDI technology all in a compact 8 rack unit chassis less than an inch deep. Broadcast Videohub is a very affordable $14,995 so now even more studios can eliminate complicated manual patching between workstations and decks.

Most studios currently use manual patch cables for connecting equipment because until now they could not afford a large SDI video router. Manual patching degrades SDI video signals, limiting cable length and limiting studio size. Broadcast Videohub eliminates these problems with built in SDI re-clocking which cleans up SDI signals so they can run down long cables for greater flexibility when designing studio layout.

“We designed Broadcast Videohub to eliminate complicated manual patching. As post production workflows have changed over the last few years, more and more creative people such as designers and artists have entered the industry. For them, patching cables manually is very intimidating, and complicated,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “Now, with Broadcast Videohub, they can change connections from their desktop computer, so it’s much easier to understand, plus the large 72 x 144 size gives them plenty of room to grow!”

Broadcast Videohub is the only router that’s designed to be easy to install. All connections are grouped together to include an SDI input, SDI output, deck control port, and SDI monitor output for each user. Broadcast Videohub has twice as many SDI outputs as inputs, so each user can connect monitoring directly to the router. This lets people 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.

Broadcast Videohub includes an easy to use control software applications that work on Mac OS X and Windows systems, and all control is done via the local network so no extra cabling is required when installing. Twin auto changeover redundant power supply connections are included for industrial strength reliability.

Broadcast Videohub will be available in early July from Blackmagic Design resellers for US$14,995.

Broadcast Videohub Key Features

• 72 SDI inputs compliant with SMPTE 292M, SMPTE 259M, SMPTE 424M and ITU-R BT.656.
• 144 outputs compliant with SMPTE 292M, SMPTE 259M, SMPTE 424M and ITU-R BT.656.
• Automatically selects between SD-SDI, HD-SDI and 3 Gb/s SDI on each input, so each input can be running a different television standard.
• 72 independent Sony™ compatible RS-422 serial control ports. Each port is independently reversible via software control to allow broadcast decks or editing workstations to be connected.
• Simultaneous connection of SD, HD and 3 Gb/s equipment in your facility using the one router.
• Router input, output, control and monitoring outputs are grouped in a simple to understand layout for non-technical users.
• Full SDI re-clocking supported allowing long SDI cable lengths. Re-clocking automatically detects between SD, HD or 3 Gb/s SDI video.
• Computer based software router control panel for Mac OS X™ and Windows™. Router communication via USB connected host computer, with other computers communicating via Ethernet.
• Router connections are preserved in case of power failure and connections recover immediately when power is restored.
• Compact and reversible rack mount in 8 rack unit size less than 1 inch deep.
• Package includes Broadcast Videohub unit, power supply, spare power supply, 2 spare cooling fans, CD with software and operation manual.

Availability and Price

Broadcast Videohub will be available in July for US$14,995 or €9,995 from all Blackmagic Design authorized resellers worldwide.

Press Photography

Product photos of the new Broadcast Videohub, and all other Blackmagic Design products, are available at www.blackmagic-design.com/press/images.

About Blackmagic Design Inc.

Blackmagic Design Inc. manufactures the world’s highest quality video editing products, converters and routers for the post-production and television broadcast industries. The Multibridge, DeckLink and Intensity family of products have revolutionized the post production industry and made HDTV and film editing more affordable. Founded by the world’s leading editors and engineers from the post production industry, this knowledge is constantly fed back into our products. Blackmagic Design has operations in the USA, United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore, and Australia.