If you follow the news from our partner Ross Video, you probably know that at the heart of the router/production switcher marriage lies the revolutionary Software Defined Production Engine (SDPE) blade.

So far, ROSS has used this blade to build the Ultrix-based Acuity and Carbonite production switchers, and with the latest software versions, users can switch between both. This means that a single SDPE can be either an Acuity M/E Bank or a full Carbonite multi-M/E switcher. But until now, only 4 SDPE blades could be placed in an Ultrix frame and for some users, this was not enough. For these users, Ross didn't have the perfect answer – until today!

Last year, the Ross router team shared a “little” secret project they were working on: a larger Ultrix that would provide more I/O and accommodate more SDPE blades at the same time.

With the FR12 now officially released, users can leverage the power of Ultrix and the flexibility of the SDPE blades to create bigger, more versatile hyperconverged solutions. For example:

• 8 ME Banks in HD or UHD – If your workflow demands 8 ME Banks with access to 128 SDI inputs, then knock yourself out; the FR12 can do it.  

• Mix It Up – Here’s where it really gets interesting. Populate the FR12 frame with a bunch of SDPE blades, say six or eight. License them for both Acuity and Carbonite. Now, switch back and forth as you like. Or, even better, configure some for Acuity and the rest for Carbonite. A four ME Acuity and four independent 2 ME Carbonites in one frame? 

• Mind Boggling – Control multiple frames tied together using the Broadcast Control System (BCS), which is needed to manage all the power in the FR12; 

Yes, there is a point… 

And that point is that the FR12 is a big deal, and not just because it’s bigger. The larger frame opens possibilities that weren’t available just a few months ago. 

And now that the TouchDrive panels can be used with either Ultrix Acuity or Ultrix Carbonite, managing one big switcher or multiple smaller ones is much more cost-effective and doesn’t require re-training all that muscle memory.  

So, it’s hyperconvergence amplified. But if you follow Ross (and you should!), you won’t be surprised. It’s what our partner do – they design and build smart live production technology that won’t break the bank.

Read the article we wrote about the Ross Video FR12 HERE.

Consult us to clarify any questions about this or any other Ross Video solution at geral@pantalha.pt or by calling the number +351 21 754 36 40.

November, 2022