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Blackmagic Design Announces Videohub Master Control

IBC 2012, Amsterdam, Netherlands - September 7, 2012 - Blackmagic Design today announced Videohub Master Control, a new style of router control panel that allows spin knob scrolling of all router sources and destinations as well as direct button entry of any router crosspoint. The new Videohub Master Control provides a built in LCD with easy to read anti aliased graphic labels for full access to every single cross point on the largest 288 x 288 Videohub routers. Videohub Master Control will retail for $755 (AU$ Inc GST).

Videohub Master Control will be shown on the Blackmagic Design IBC 2012 booth in Hall 7, Booth H20.

Videohub Master Control allows for very flexible control because it has two main methods for changing cross points on Videohub routers. The simplest way to use Videohub Master Control is for customers to simply select either destination or source and then scroll through all the cross points in the router using the larger knob on the right side of the panel. The built in LCD shows cross points as the user scrolls using large easy to read labels, and scroll order is based on alphabetical order of crosspoint labels so it’s easy to scroll to the crosspoint the customer requires even on a very large router.

Videohub Master Control also includes direct entry of cross point labels via built in buttons. These buttons are a combination of customizable buttons as well as numeric buttons. Customers can easily set the customizable buttons to labels such as “Monitor”, “Deck” or “Edit” etc, and then router cross points can be entered in by simply pressing the custom button followed by the number. For example if a customer wanted to enter in the destination “Monitor 3” then they only need to select the customized Monitor button followed by the 3 button. This means Videohub Master Control gives customers full access to very large routers, but is still very fast to use.

Direct entry buttons also allow limiting the scroll list when using the spin knob. For the above example, if the user presses the Monitor button, then the list available to the spin knob would be limited to any cross point labeled Monitor. The user can then type in 3 to select monitor 3 as in the example above, or just scroll through all the monitor labels and select Monitor 3 via the spin knob.

Videohub Master Control is still low cost enough so every user in a facility can afford to install one, and they can be positioned anywhere needed so everyone has easy access to changing router cross points.

Videohub Master Control also features attractive YRGB illuminated crystal look buttons combined with an attractive color LCD for status and machined aluminum knob for scrolling cross points. This makes Videohub Master Control one of the most attractive router control panels on the market. Blackmagic Design believes that even though routers are generally technical by nature, there is no reason why they have to be ugly to use, and we believe that with the new Videohub Master Control customers will see a dramatic improvement in ease of routing and a more pleasant user experience.

Videohub Master Control has been designed to be easy for customers to self install. Videohub Master Control uses standard ethernet networking and simply plugs into the existing computer network. If used in mission critical environments, Videohub Master Control could be connected to a dedicated switch. Videohub Master Control can be powered via power over ethernet (PoE) without the need for a power supply.

Because Videohub Master Control has been designed to fit into creative post production facilities, it includes attractive crystal look buttons that are designed for high reliability. The front panel can be removed to allow labeling of the customizable buttons. For world’s best illumination quality, all buttons are illuminated by both RGB and white LEDs so that a wider range of rich and clean colors can be displayed. When used in dark rooms, all buttons can be backlit, so button labels can be clearly seen.

“We have been asked for a router control panel for our popular Videohub routers that’s both fast to use as well as allowing access to the whole router, even on our largest 288 x 288 Universal Videohub routers. We think we have a fantastic solution that will make all of our customers extremely happy!” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “It looks wonderful and I am so excited by its clean, simple and attractive design, plus the best part is Videohub Master Control is low cost so we can place them everywhere. You have to see this working to really understand how fast that makes router control. It’s incredible and its fun too!”

Videohub Master Control Key Features

  • Ethernet connection with Power over Ethernet and non powered loop through.
  • 12 volt universal power supply included for use with non powered ethernet.
  • Full access to every cross point on large routers via direct entry or spin knob scrolling.
  • Spin knob allows customers to scroll through router labels in alphabetical order.
  • Direct button entry allows router labels to be typed in, or to limit scrolling list.
  • Supports optional “take” button set via software configuration.
  • Includes Mac and Windows software for control panel programming.
  • Button caps can be removed for easy labeling.
  • Buttons are illuminated by both RGB and white LEDs for highest illumination quality.
  • Compact 1 rack unit size, less than an inch thick. Works with all Videohub models.

Availability and Price

Videohub Master Control will be available in September for $755 (AU$ Inc GST) from all Blackmagic Design resellers.

Press Photography

Product photos of Videohub Master Control, and all other Blackmagic Design products, are available at www.blackmagicdesign.com/press/resources/images.

About Blackmagic Design
Blackmagic Design creates the world’s highest quality video editing products, digital film cameras, color correctors, video converters, routers, waveform monitors and film restoration software for the feature film, post-production and television broadcast industries. Blackmagic Design’s DeckLink capture cards launched a revolution in the television industry, while the company’s DaVinci Emmy™ award winning color correction products have dominated the television and film industry since 1984 and continue ground breaking innovations including stereoscopic 3D and 4K workflows. Founded by world leading post production editors and engineers, Blackmagic Design has offices in the USA, UK, Japan, Singapore, and Australia. For more information, please check www.blackmagicdesign.com.

About New Magic Australia Pty Ltd (Australian and New Zealand Blackmagic Design master distributor)
New Magic Australia Pty Ltd is a recognised leader in the distribution and marketing of multimedia hardware and software, representing a carefully selected range of innovative, leading manufacturers and catering for both the professional and consumer markets. New Magic Australia established in 1993 is the Australian distributor of Blackmagic Design, Convergent Design, NewTek LightWave 3D, Hauppauge Computer Works Inc, Rotolight, Cubix, Matrox Video Products and Sony Creative Software products. www.newmagic.com.au