Lawo’s V__matrix platform adds new features that facilitate more efficient conversion

Lawo‘s V__matrix platform enables a wide range of video and audio workflows supporting the transition to a fully IP-based environment. After five years of constant software-based enhancements, now comes the new vm_udx version.

The updated vm_udx application turns V__matrix C100 software-defined processing blades into powerful up/down/cross converters with up to 8 paths of format conversion and, additionally, up to four 3D LUT color space conversion paths. The latest software release, available on lawo.com, adds powerful new features that make conversion workflows more effective and Lawo’s future-proof V__matrix platform more potent than ever.

In the light of a rapidly growing trend towards remote maintenance, vm_udx’s web UI allows operators to monitor which video content is currently processed by a given C100 blade. The new Live Video Preview display allows users to visualize the video content received by an SDI or IP input, or the output of a processing stage, directly in vm_udx’s web UI.

Color space 3D LUT

In response to vm_udx user requests, Lawo has enhanced the +hdr color space 3D LUT conversion engine. Each of the four vm_udx paths now features top-notch tetrahedral interpolation for conversions between a variety of color spaces.

To support flexible audio workflows, vm_udx adds a range of new features. A newly designed downmix engine with 2048 mono-equivalent inputs into 256 mono-equivalent summing busses can be freely configured for flexible mono or stereo summing as well as dedicated 5.1 > stereo or 7.1 > stereo downmixing.

The digital gain range for all audio leveling instances has been extended to support level adjustments between –∞ and +24dB. In addition, vm_udx is able to interface with a MADI environment simply by adding the optional +madi license and communicating with the SDI rear plate connected to the processing blade that hosts the Up/Down/Cross Converter. BNC connectors can be software-switched to MADI in almost any combination.

Metadata workflows

The new vm_udx release furthermore supports metadata workflows with an advanced ancillary-data handling engine. Able to handle ANC data in 2110-40, 2022-6 and SDI signals simultaneously during the conversion process, users are free to keep, or remove, individual DID/SDID contained in the ANC payload.

The new +tc_gen license generates timecode flavors from PTP or other time sources and provides up to three independent generators. Generated ancillary timecode (ATC) formats, which can be embedded into TX and SDI outputs, include VITC1, VITC2, and LTC. Linear timecode (LTC) can be generated as a digital audio signal.

“With this new release, the vm_udx app boasts advanced audio and ancillary data handling which complements its powerful up/down/cross video feature set,” says Stephan Türkay, Lawo’s Senior Product Manager Media Infrastructure. “The software-defined nature of Lawo’s V__matrix ecosystem inherently means that its feature set can evolve as market requirements change. This flexible approach allows V__matrix users to operate at the cutting edge for many years to come.”