Broadcast Pix Slate 3000 Installation Planning Guide - October 2008
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One important way in which the Broadcast Pix Slate system stands out from other traditional switchers is
that at the heart of the Slate system is a file-based architecture. Not only can the system support a wide-
variety of live video formats from SDI to DVI, it can also accept a wide-variety of standard graphic and
video file formats. A file is a graphic, clip or animation that is encapsulated in a computer file, such as
a .tga graphic or a .mov QuickTime clip. It includes not only the content, but also the name of the file.
Files are generally created from a computer/editing system like Apple Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere,
Avid or an animation program like Artbeats or Digital Juice. The files are then sent over a 1 Gig network
in either pre-production or during a production and stored internally in the Broadcast Pix workstation.
Files can also be created inside the Slate workstation as a CG, animation or an uncompressed recorded
clip. Files can dramatically streamline your workflow and let you focus on being more content creative
instead of worrying about how to connect all your components.
Incorporating both traditional live inputs and file formats into one video switcher allows for not only
greater ease of movement of content, but an incredible amount of user feedback that comes directly from
the files. Not only do you know that a clip channel is on air, you know exactly what clip is on air and how
much time is left on that clip. The Broadcast Pix Slate system takes file inputs a step further displaying
the actual file name on the control panel. Through unique push buttons, with built in computer displays
called PixButtons™, the user sees what device, what channel and most importantly what file name is
selected. In addition, your Multi-View provides the same feedback along with timecode and other
attributes, like mark points and auto-start for a complete control room feel. No other switcher provides
this functionality at any price point.
File Inputs
16
Broadcast Pix PixButtons™
Clips
QuickTime
‐ DV
‐ DVCPRO
‐
H.264 / MPEG4
MPEG2
HD, SD, Analog, DVI
Files
Video
Graphics
.tga
.bmp
.jpg
.png
.gif
NLE
Slate 3000
