Sony has produced an entry-level compact live production
switcher, the XVS-G1, that is targeted at small- to mid-sized studios, outside
broadcast vehicles, and fly-away production units. The new robust and versatile
product will be available in Asia-Pacific countries from Q3 2021.
The switcher inherits many features from Sony’s XVS high-end
switchers and shares the same benefit of system status recognition, confidence
in button-push accuracy, and speed in mission-critical live production scenes.
“Sony’s switchers have a long history and reputation for their
reliability and robustness,” said Takuma Wada, Head of Content Creation
Solutions Marketing, Professional Solutions Company (PSAP), Sony Corporation of
Hong Kong.
“The new XVS-G1 is built on that legacy in a small compact and
modular form and adds some must-have future-proof features such as a clip
player, HDR conversion and capability, amongst many others.”
The XVS-G1 delivers high performance and reliability, with no
compromise on visual processing enhancements, Sony said. Its hybrid structure combines
a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and a
field-programmable gate array (FPGA).
The FPGA enables real-time processing in high resolution 4K
(UHD), a wide colour gamut, high-dynamic range (HDR) imaging and ultra-low
latency. High-density, high-resolution video processing using the latest
software technology provides versatility and expandability.
Moreover, the graphics processing engine has been enhanced with
features like a built-in clip player and 3D digital multi-effects. The improved
multi-viewer enables the display of multiple types of information such as the
audio level meter, and multi-layer captions overlay. Multiple HDR format
conversion options are available, as well as built-in compatibility with the
Sony SR live workflow.
The XVS-G1 system comes with an optional clip player, the first
time this has been included in a Sony live production switcher. Four channels
are available in HD and two channels in 4K (UHD), with each channel able to
play back clips of up to 60 minutes.
Widely-available AVC codec files in MOV or MP4 container format
are supported and backup storage of all clips is available on internal SSD storage.
A range of four control panels derived from Sony’s ICP-X7000
series ensures simple, easy, and
fast operations. The user menu is based on a newly-designed web
application. Quick access to desired items is achieved with an optimised menu
structure that reflect the live operation workflow and setup.