More details from Neutrik USA (www.neutrik.us):
Historically, camera-to-CCU routing has been performed manually, with a studio engineer patching various configurations by hand. The process is cumbersome, error prone, and high maintenance. Neutrik’s opticamSWITCH delivers a powerful, elegant, maintenance-free, and safe solution to these challenges.
Each opticamSWITCH has the capacity to switch 8 cameras to 4 CCUs. Units can be stacked and cascaded to route dozens of simultaneously active cameras and CCUs in even the most complex distributed studio layouts. opticamSWITCH can be controlled via front panel buttons or LAN-based Ethernet remote control. Sizable reconfigurations can be instantaneously triggered either from a computer or via a custom hardware panel. Complex studio routing can be saved for immediate recall. System status (cameras live, CCU connections, etc.) is also available via software.
Neutrik’s opticamSWITCH works on trendsetting, silica-based PLC (planar lightwave circuits) equipped with TO (thermo optic) switches. This innovative, patent-pending design guarantees rugged and safe, simultaneous, non-blocking fiber-plus-power switching—with all fiber switching taking place free of any moving parts.
Safety features include redundant internal power supplies, permission-based remote control software, an intelligent power circuit that guarantees operation within the limits of power relays, and routing schemes that allow continued studio operation in the case of power loss on any particular opticamSWITCH in a network.
Peter Milbery, President of Neutrik USA, Inc., commented on the company’s new opticamSWITCH, “Neutrik’s opticamSWITCH brings increased functionality and efficiency to television broadcast environments. The system makes it easier to manage cameras for a wide range of production such as news, sports programming, talk shows, and TV shows. The routing structure saves time, eliminates full camera signal loss, and its modular setup enables flexibility and easy expansion. These benefits increase efficiency for camera and CCU management in television production.”
Neutrik’s opticamSWITCH is available now.
