More Thoughts on the TriCaster TC1

Take a moment and think about what NewTek has achieved with the new TriCaster TC1.

NewTek has upped the ante big time. The new TC1 not only brings all the functionality of the Advanced Edition TriCasters to 4k60p it adds new and exiting things like dual channel 4k streaming and multiple Skpe inputs. And is does it with a machine that starts at about the same price as a TriCaster 460.


It can be expanded to up to sixteen 4k60p inputs. You might not realize it but a single 4k60p input requires eight (8) times the bandwidth of a standard 1080i signal.So this was a monumental undertaking.

There's quite a bit of half-baked 4K stuff floating around out there, some of it from the big names and priced like houses. NewTek didn't do this they gave us all the features and more at a full 60p not a stuttery 30 frames a second. The TC1 has four zero latency re-entrant 4k M/Es, no combining all the HD M/Es to make one UHD M/E for NewTek. It has Isocording, graphics, virtual sets, media players, audio processing, streaming, IP video integration, built in Skype...the mind boggles.

And the real stunner is that it's priced like a TC460.

Let that sink in: NewTek doubled the number of external inputs, doubled the number of SDI outputs, doubled the number of streaming channels, added the functionality of two TalkShows, does it all at 4k60p and didn't raise the price.

Get yours from Digital Arts 1-800-692-6442

NAB Press Roundup

Just a few of the media mentions of the TC1, IP series and NDI around NAB

#NDICentral to follow on Twitter



Red Shark Revolutionary 4K Tricaster
Red Shark  Alternate on-ramp to IP

Streaming Media
Video Maker
TV Technology
Creative Cow - First Impresssions
TVB Europe

It's a Golden Age I Tell Ya...

I haven't been blogging much of late mostly because the business has been so busy but it's NAB season again and new product announcements are starting to fly. NewTek has been busy and I think there may be more announcements coming.

About a year ago I wrote a post called The Tao of NewTek where I looked back on NewTek's history of innovation in the wake of the introduction of NDI. Since then events have proven my point with the release of a bunch of NDI applications, the IP Series aimed at high-end users with up to 44 inputs, the Media DS streaming server, the Talkshow VS4000 multi video call unit. And now the TriCaster TC1 series--NewTek is on a roll.

With the current product line up it's possible to set up the most sophisticated live production system imaginable. The really cool thing is you can start simple and build up capabilities as you need them (or can afford them).

The video entrepreneur can start with a TriCaster Mini or a TC410, add  a few cameras then build up a clientele to get some cash flow going then add an input module or a second TC to expand the system. If you're doing a show that has call ins start with a TC1 with it's integrated Skype inputs and you're good to go. As needs expand so can your system this is the miracle of NDI.

The MediaDS is an under appreciated piece of equipment. Anyone who needs to stream to multiple viewers on their local LAN like schools, hospitals and other facilities can drop a MediaDS on your network, hook up a video source and stream to any number of users. You get the power of the Wowsa streaming server with the ease-of use that NewTek is famous for.

Talkshow is another great thing. You have a choice of the VS100 with a single Skype input or the VS4000 with four and now the TC1's two integrated Skype sources. Add live video call-ins to your show and leverage Microsoft's Skype to your advantage. This is a great way to interact with your audience, bring in remote interview subjects or even co-hosts without regard to geography. Skype is available on every platform so your potential remote guest list is almost unlimited.

So the bottom line is is if you have an idea for a show, be it webcast, or for internal use or for actual broadcast Digital Arts and NewTek can help you make it a reality.

As Tim Jenison, founder of NewTek says "Someday your favorite show will be made by you or someone you know", well the time is NOW--spread the word, get your ideas out there, build an audience the sky's the freakin' limit.

Let's talk: Digital Arts 1-800-692-6442

Just announced! NewTek TriCaster TC-1

The new NewTek TriCaster TC1 is the most complete production system on earth It's unprecedented power and capability allows the producer to take advantage of both established an emerging workflows to to embrace new technologies to reach their audience wherever they watch.

TC1 Highlights

• 4 HD/3G SDI inputs  that can be quad linked for a single 4k UHD input
• Expandable up to 16 inputs via NC1 Modules or other NDI sources
• 4 HD/3G SDI  outputs (Quad link capable)
• 2 Balanced Analog (XLR) audio inputs
• 3 Balanced Analog (1/4" Phone) outputs
• Up to 16 external inputs on switcher
• 4 M/E buses with virtual sets
• 4 DSKs
• 5 media servers (2 DDRs, 2 GFX, 1 audio)
• Record 4 MOV video, 2 H.264 video and 1 audio streams simultaneously
• Dual channel live streaming (2 independent encoders) at up to 4K resolution!
• 2 channels of integrated Skype input
• Control 8 PTZ cameras
• 3 multiviewers

The TC1 is available in two variations the standard TC1 is a 2U rack  unit while the TC1R is a 3U unit with dual redundant power supplies. They otherwise have the same features.
You also have a choice between two different controllers a large 24 source , two stripe controller the TC1LP and a smaller, more compact 14 source, 1.5 stripe controller the TC1Sp.
Two different Input NC1 Studio input modules are available for expansion. The eight input NC1 and the four input NC1 both add additional HD and 4K SDI inputs along with additional analog audio I/O. The SDI inputs on the eight input variant can optionally be ganged to create two Quad Link 4K UHD (SMPTE 2036) inputs.

TC1 Base Bundle (TC1 2U, TC1SP Controller) $19,995
TC1 Plus Bundle (TC1R, TC1SP Controller) $24,995
TC1 Max Bundle (TC1R, NC1-8 Input Module, TC1LP Controller) $39,995
NC1-4 Input Module $5,995
NC1-8 Input Module $9,995

I'll have more details as soon as I get my hands on one.

Did you feel that disturbance in the Force? Introducing the New IP Series from NewTek

NewTek is now shipping the New IP Series switcher and it's pretty astounding. Just the basic specs tell you that this is not your fathers TriCaster:

• 64 Input switcher (up to 44 external sources) at up to 1080P resolution.
• 4 DDRs
• 55 Clip Players
• 16 Audio Inputs (8 Channels Each)
• Quad Multiviewers
• 8 Re-entrant M/E Busses
• 4 Recorders
• 4 Output Channels
• Modular Architecture
• Fully NDI Integrated

  

The IP Series is modular the main unit the VMC1 Video Mix Engine is a 2U Rackmount that is the main processing point for your video. It also has 4 SDI to NDI transcoders for incoming video. 

If you need more SDI inputs, which you might until native NDI cameras begin shipping, you can add one or more Studio Input Modules. With their 4 SDI transcoders, multiviewers, color correction, Iso recording and tally the 1U Input Modules can be located remotely from the VMC1 and connected back via Ethernet.

Likewise the Output modules add additional SDI outputs and have their own local DSKs with DVE effects, media file playback, multiviewer and output recording.

And to control it all the New 4 Stripe Control Panel which is essentially two TC8000 controllers in one. And if you need more you can actually control 8! Video Mix Engines from one controller. I'll leave the math up to you.

I'll have a hands on review as soon as I can get my hands on one so stay tuned.

Here are some links to check out:

NewTek IP Series

IP Series Preview At RedShark News

Broadcast Beat

Video Edge

ESPN - Dead Network Walking?

If your school has a contract with ESPN you need to read this:
ESPN Loses 4 million Subscribers In Past Year

In the past five years ESPN has lost 11,346,000 subscribers according to Nielsen data.
If you combine that with ESPN2 and ESPNU subscriber losses this means that ESPN has lost over a billion dollars in cable and satellite revenue just in the past five years, an average of $200 million each year. That total of a billion dollars hits ESPN in the pocketbook not just on a yearly basis, but for every year going forward.

It's gone forever.

That's not just bad, this is downright cataclysmic.

And it's getting worse.

In the past year ESPN lost 4.159 million subscribers, that's another $350 million in lost revenue across the ESPN family of networks.

 It looks like we've reached peak cable sports.

Digital Arts - Top 10 Dealer Again

I forgot to post this in the excitement of NAB etc.

Digital Arts was named a Top 10 (North American) Revenue Producing NewTek Reseller for the forth year in a row. Kris and I would like to thank all of our customers over the last 26 some odd years who've helped keep us at the top.

Digital Arts Unleashed - NewTek has done away with geographic region restrictions on Elite Partners so Digital Arts has now been unleashed on the rest of the country. So spread the news, we're only a phone call away!

It's important when making a large financial investment in something like a TriCaster to make sure you're getting exactly what you need and also getting the best possible after sale support. Digital Arts wants to be a partner in your success.

Digital Arts. The NewTek TriCaster Specialists. Except no substitute.