New Options Include Digital-to-Analog Conversion Boards, Expanded I/O Offerings, and Digital and Analog Audio
 

Sierra Video, a leading provider of high-quality video and audio equipment for the broadcast, government, and professional video marketplaces, today announced the expansion of its Ponderosa Multi-Format Routing Switcher family to include I/O sizes up to 128x128, digital-to-analog conversion boards, and analog and digital audio options. The HD-SDI/SDI video routing switcher family is characterized by its fully modular design and wide range of features tailored to applications with critical video needs including critical broadcast, production, and post-production facilities.

The Ponderosa Multi-Format Routing Switcher family is a format-flexible line of HD-SDI/SDI routing switchers that can be built up to 64 x 64 in a 4RU frame and now up to 128x128 in 8RU. Populated in increments of 8 inputs or 8 outputs, digital-to-analog (D-to-A) conversion boards may now be employed on the frames’ outputs allowing HD-SDI/SDI video routing and SDI signal conversion in a single frame. Internal D-to-A conversion means that while users can output high quality HD or SDI signal to its ultimate destination, an SDI signal can also be converted, and then output, to less expensive analog displays used for monitoring the outgoing video.

“Since their introduction last year, the response to our Ponderosa routing switchers has been tremendous,” said Hugh Wilcox, President of Sierra Video. “From broadcast to Pro A/V applications, customers have enjoyed the modularity and full feature set this family offered, but they told us that the addition of several key features would make this product even stronger. With D-to-A conversion boards now available on the outputs, increased I/O options and the addition of audio, this family has become an all-in-one HD/SDI routing solution.”

Ponderosa’s multi-format video boards can pass standard serial digital video signals including SMPTE 310M, SMPTE 259M, SMPTE 344M and DVB-ASI along with HD serial digital video signals conforming to SMPTE 292M (1.485GBps single link). The Ponderosa control system allows set up for 3.0Gbps two channel operation (SMPTE 372M, Dual Link) in both the 4RU and 8RU frames. Hot-swappable video I/O boards allow for on-site repair, eliminating the disruption of factory modifications, and optional redundant control processors and power supplies are available.

Ponderosa audio is available in analog or AES/EBU digital audio, up to 128 x 128 in only 5RU. The Ponderosa AES/EBU digital audio frame offers an optional input synchronizing module and processor for synchronous audio switching applications such as live staging events. Redundant power supplies are optional. All Ponderosa video and audio frames offer rugged construction for durability in staging applications where frequent transport is required.

The full suite of Sierra Video control products is available for the Ponderosa family, from Sierra’s SCP line of programmable control panels to the new TyLinx™ Router Control Software featuring extensive customization options. Ponderosa offers an RS-232 and RS-422 serial interface supported by all major third party control systems as well as a standard TCP/IP port for IP (Ethernet) control via Mac or PC.

The Ponderosa Multi-Format Routing Switcher is currently available from the Sierra Video Systems and Kramer Electronics worldwide reseller networks. Additional product information is available at www.sierravideo.com.