Blackmagic Design has released three models of the new Blackmagic Videohub 12G. The suggested retail price and lineup are as follows.
- Blackmagic Videohub 10×10 12G : 198,800 yen including tax
- Blackmagic Videohub 20×20 12G : 341,800 yen including tax
- Blackmagic Videohub 40×40 12G : 569,800 yen including tax
The Videohub 12G is a zero-latency video router that can simultaneously connect and route any combination of SD, HD and Ultra HD video sources. The Blackmagic Videohub 12G series features front panel shortcut buttons, an LCD for displaying labels or live video, and a machined spin knob for viewing video sources.
With the Blackmagic Videohub 12G series, you can connect all your SDI equipment electronically to your router, eliminating cable clutter. Any video input can be connected to any video output, and a single video input can be connected to multiple video outputs. A complicated system diagram of the studio is not necessary. In the studio, it is easy to check every source on the monitor. It is also possible to obtain high flexibility to respond to repeated changes and emergencies.
Multiple HyperDeck recorders can also be used for redundancy in mastering. You can even route your video to multiple distribution processors and broadcast it on any platform you use. Blackmagic Videohub 12G can also be used to add inputs to ATEM switchers.
The built-in front panel allows for video routing, making it ideal for live production gear racks that don’t have space for external hardware panels. The front panel is similar to the Videohub Master Control Pro, with a spin knob for navigation, direct entry buttons for quick access, and an LCD with labels. Since the panel is built into the router, you can also check the live video on the LCD. The LCD also supports menus for changing router settings.
Blackmagic Videohub 12G has a built-in LCD that can display live video from all router inputs. You can see all the router inputs as live video before making any routing changes. Labels appear below the live video so it’s easy to know which video input you’re looking at. Scroll through the router’s sources to view each input as live video in alphabetical order. This means that even if the input video format is different, you can scroll through the connections while watching the live video on the LCD screen.
It also supports visual routing, so you can check the video input without adding a monitor, making it ideal for mobile equipment racks where space is limited.
The advanced 12G-SDI connections on all Blackmagic Videohub 12G models are multi-rate capable. It supports all SD, HD and Ultra HD video formats up to 2160 60P and connects to all SD, HD-SDI, 3G-SDI, 6G-SDI and 12G-SDI equipment.
Blackmagic Videohub 12G can route all video formats simultaneously through the same router. This means the 40×40 model can route up to 40 video formats simultaneously. 12G-SDI supports high frame rate Ultra HD over a single BNC connection and easily connects to standard HD equipment. 12G-SDI is a future-oriented technology that can be used not only with existing equipment but also with new equipment in the future.
Videohub features SDI reclocking on all 12G-SDI inputs. SDI reclocking reproduces the video signal with the highest quality. Expensive “digital” premium cables can reduce this degradation to some extent, but the longer the cable, the less quality degradation it can eliminate. With SDI reclocking, all SDI equipment in the studio receives a regenerated signal, reducing jitter. Even if you use a long cable, the video will not be cut off.
All Blackmagic Videohub routers can be controlled remotely. This is an essential feature in large broadcast studios where equipment is connected to routers in different locations within the building. Two types of hardware panels are available. Videohub Master Control Pro is similar to the front panel, with spin knobs, LCD and shortcut buttons. Videohub Smart Control Pro has all the buttons. It’s also customizable so you can program each button to a router input to control a single router output. Simply press a button on the panel to instantly change the router output. It works best with a smart panel under each video monitor.
For low cost and external router control, the freeware Videohub Software Control is the best choice. Videohub Software Control is compatible with both Mac and Windows, so you can launch it on any existing computer you use for your creative work. The software consists of large, easy-to-press buttons, each of which can be customized for router input and router output. Also, icons are assigned for easy visual understanding. Large buttons make it ideal for use with touchscreen PCs. The software can be used as a large-screen XY control panel. Software for Apple iPad is also available for download.
Blackmagic Design CEO Grant Petty said:
I’ve always thought we needed to introduce a new addition to our compact all-in-one router series. The new model has an improved design and improved technology. We are very happy to announce the new series for Blackmagic Videohub. All models in this series support 12G-SDI so you can simultaneously connect and route SD, HD and Ultra HD video in any combination up to high frame rates of 2160 60P. Zero latency makes it perfect for live production and broadcast. We look forward to hearing how you use these new models!
