FOR-A began shipping its newest Hanabi switcher, the compact HVS-490, with integrated frame synchronizers and multiviewers aimed at mobile and live event production. The HVS-490 was designed to work in HD today, with the ability to upgrade to UHD 2160/59.94p in the future through the addition of HVS-49EXP4K expansion software and the optional HVS-49IO expansion card.
First announced at IBC 2016, the HVS-490 scales up with the addition of optional I/O expansion cards. In HD mode it can support 40 inputs and 18 outputs, 36 inputs and 20 outputs, or 32 inputs and 22 outputs. In UHD mode, it supports 10 inputs and six outputs, nine inputs and six outputs, or eight inputs and seven outputs. The standard 16 channels of 2.5D DVE can be expanded to 32 channels.
FOR-A HVS-492WOU control panel
The HVS-490 supports FOR-A’s MELite and FlexaKey systems, which the company says allow transitions and keys to be used with a traditional aux bus. The HVS-490 is a 2 M/E switcher with two MELites as standard. The optional HVS-49IO card adds another two, extending the switcher from 2 M/Es to the equivalent of 6 M/Es for HD or from 1 M/E to the equivalent of 2 M/Es for UHD. The switcher is available with either the HVS-492OU control panel with 18 buttons or the wider HVS-492WOU with 22 buttons.
“We’re really proud of what the HVS-490 switcher brings to the market,” said FOR-A America VP Jay Shinn in a prepared statement. “It’s packed with useful features that allow for creativity in video switching, including FOR-A’s exclusive switcher technologies, and opens the door to more affordable 4K production.”
Early adopters of the HVS-490 include Clark Media in Pennsylvania, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, an American church, and two Brazilian customers.
FOR-A’s announcement did not include pricing, but at press time New York-based reseller B&H Photo and Video listed it at $37,000.
