Ross Video brings 12G to its hyperconverged platform with the Ultrix FR12

Der Ross-Video Ultrix routing, multiviewer and signal processing platform for studios, OB and flypacks is now 12G-ready with the new Ultrix FR12.

Ultrix FR12 natively supports 12G throughout the chassis, meaning it is ready to make the leap to UHD the moment a broadcaster or production services company decides to take the plunge. It does so with the key features of Ultrix: a transport agnostic system, supporting SDI, fibre and IP I/O; a hyper-converged design capable of routing video/audio, multiviewers, audio processing, frame synchronisers, clean/quiet switching, UHD gear, production switchers, audio mixers and more; an architecture that provides a “significant return on investment” in terms of power, cooling, transport and space costs, and a pay-per-software model, which translates into the ability to add new features through additional software licenses.

The FR12 doesn’t skimp on power, featuring up to 288 x 288 SDI ports with a 6144 x 6144 TDM audio fabric, up to 288 frame syncs, 288 clean silent switches and up to 48 x 100 PIP multiviewers. It also has up to 8 SDPE sheets that can be configured as a single 8ME Ross Acuity switcher, 8 independent Ross Carbonites or even a 4ME Acuity and 4 independent Carbonites. In parallel, it integrates an LCD display designed to assist the technician with system monitoring, troubleshooting, configuration and control via a full-size, high-resolution touchscreen panel.

Todd Rigs, director of product management for hyper-converged solutions at Ross Video, highlights the benefits of using a state-of-the-art system such as the UltrisFR12, the latest addition to Ultrix following the 1RU, 2RU and 5RU formats: “In the past, a traditional system could use around 500 rack units. Now with the FR12, you’re looking at only 14 rack units for the equivalent solution. That’s over 500 less rack units and freed up space for your business to grow. Less hardware also means less power consumption, so while a typical system could consume 52,300 Watts, the FR12 equivalent system would only consume 2,400 Watts. Less hardware also means far less cabling – hundreds instead of thousands – and significantly less weight as the FR12 tips the scales around 100 lbs or 45 kg as opposed to a traditional system’s massive 6284 lbs or 2850 kg!”.