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May 2012

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Thomson Grass Valley Indigo A/V Mixer

by Anthony D. Coppedge

With more and more churches moving into larger facilities requiring live video, and with churches increasingly utilizing video venues, the need for a robust and simple way of combining video signals generated by computer graphics, DVDs, cameras and other sources is a top priority. The change from front-panel, button-push source selection gives way to the need for dissolving arbitrarily between sources and the need to insert and remove multiple key inputs on the fly. In a very real sense, the more advanced a venue’s video offerings, the more the switchers need to behave like traditional broadcast video switchers.

The difference today is that “video” is no longer such a simple term, with a wide variety of sources including HD (high definition) video, SD (standard definition) video, various computer formats, and the like all vying for display. Hence, Thomson Grass Valley introduced the Indigo A/V Mixer as a sort of intermediate offering for meeting all of those sources on common ground.

An Intriguing Product
The concept behind the Indigo was fascinating to me back when I was invited to look at the prototype over a year ago. Here was a product that tried to bring the familiar video switcher interface and functionality to an A/V mixer, replete with audio mixing controls. I was struck by the beauty of the layout and interface, as it seemingly brought together the two worlds of computer-resolution inputs (which are typically scaled) and video inputs (typically synced via Genlock) into a single chassis.

From the built-in touchscreen to the familiar-looking three rows of buttons (preview, program and auxiliary), I thought the Indigo was well on its way to being the hot product of the year once introduced.

Great Image Quality and Professional Controls
Thomson Grass Valley is renowned as one the most respected companies in the broadcast television market. Many church technical directors cut their teeth switching on a Grass Valley product. The Indigo benefits from this legacy with state-of-the-art and impeccable quality input and output processing. Everything about the way this unit handles HD, SD and computer-resolution content is stellar.

The top-of-the-line 2D and 3D transition and special effects are what any broadcast veteran would expect from Thomson Grass Valley while initiates new to this level of product offering will be stunned by the truly professional control, functionality and quality built into the Indigo.

Utilizing cameras that have tally lights is possible with the Indigo, thanks to the GPI/Tally serial port. There are also three aux monitor outputs, useful for looking at a dedicated source or even key channels. This kind of additional functionality comes straight from the heritage of the venerable broadcast video switcher line Thomson Grass Valley is known for.

Touchpanel Control
A nice inclusion is a touchpanel control pad nestled at the top of the unit that allows for quick saving and recalling of information, I/O settings and user preferences. Every processing control available for an input or output is modified either by touching and dragging on the screen or by using the handy “Digipots” (rotary knobs) that offer multi-function use based on the current information displayed on the screen.

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Anthony Coppedge is the director of communications for Fellowship Technologies. He currently attends and volunteers at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, and continues to teach and consult with churches.