Routes eight 3Gb/s, HD or SD sources to any of three destinations

New from Crystal Vision is the SW803 3G – a modular 8 x 3 crosspoint routing switch designed to route eight 3Gb/s, HD or SD sources to any of three destinations while saving broadcast engineers more rack space than any other small router. It combines its space-saving capabilities with disturbance-free switching options and a flexible choice of control.
Ideal for those applications requiring a small pocket of extra routing, the SW803 3G is perfect as a secondary matrix for small studio uses. Being a module which is housed in the standard frames alongside the rest of the product range makes it particularly suited to applications already using other Crystal Vision boards – such as providing a selection of backgrounds for a chroma keyer. With up to six SW803 3G fitting in 2U, this ‘double decker’ 100mm x 266mm module takes up significantly less space than both a stand-alone routing switch and the modular switches found elsewhere. It uses two RM50 frame rear modules to access the eight inputs and three outputs.

The SW803 3G makes it easy to set individual switches using three simple steps: select the output, select the input and press the ‘Take’ button. Alternatively multiple switch macros can be created to change a number of crosspoint switches simultaneously. The SW803 3G avoids picture disturbance by switching in the vertical blanking interval according to SMPTE RP168-2009, with timing information provided by either an HD tri-level syncs or SD Black and Burst analogue reference, or by a digital reference generated from any of the four main board inputs. The SW803 3G can also be set to switch immediately – useful in cases when all the signals have different timings and there is no common reference.

The SW803 3G benefits from a choice of control methods – all quick and easy. The SW808 Controller 1U control panel is available to those who prefer tactile hands-on operation. Connected to the SW803 3G using an RS422 serial link, it has dedicated illuminated buttons for each of the three destinations and eight sources as well as buttons for ‘Take’ and the ‘Save’ and ‘Recall’ of macros. At only 90mm deep the SW808 Controller fits easily in a control desk and is ideal for live operation and for when the SW803 3G has regular adjustment. Alternative control options include board edge switches, active front and remote panels, SNMP and the Statesman PC control software.

Using any of these control methods, as well as GPIs, up to 15 macros and presets can be easily created and stored – allowing the SW803 3G to be pre-configured for various situations, with these configurations then recalled as required. Macros and presets are ideal for those engineers with several system set ups that they switch between on a regular basis. Macros allow just part of the routing to be changed, while presets are designed to bring all the routing into a known state. For additional ease of use, names can be assigned to the sources and destinations.

Explained Crystal Vision’s Managing Director, Philip Scofield: “The SW803 3G was designed to be the most space-efficient small router and is easily combined with products such as the Crystal Vision Safire HD 2 chroma keyer to build compact, powerful systems.”

The SW803 3G is shipping now.