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With 12 inputs, it seems the engineers at Analog Way are daring you to try and hook something up they didn’t think of.
Analog Way caught my attention earlier this year with the introduction of the Ascender series seamless switchers—part of its LiveCore family of high-end video processors. Available in two models: the Ascender 32 and Ascender 48, both offer an impressive number of inputs and up to 4K output capability. It's obvious to me that these video workhorses are packed full of features including multi-screen blending and the ability to handle a number of varying source formats.
Because of the high demand for this new product, I was only able to keep the demo unit for a short time. Unfortunately I was not able to incorporate the Ascender 32 into an actual weekend service at Northview like I had hoped to. However, my team was still able to put the Ascender 32 through its paces in our main auditorium. Our room incorporates six separate projectors: two connected via HD-SDI that project our I-MAG “side screens” and four projectors connected via DVI over fiber that power our massive 80 foot wide “rear screen” that we use to project scenery.
Design Forethought
A quick look at the rear panel of the Ascender will tell you how much thought went into the design. With 12 inputs, it seems the engineers at Analog Way are daring you to try and hook something up they didn't think of. There are 42 input connectors distributed between the 12 inputs, including HDMI, Display-Port, and 3G/HD/SD-SDI all able to be seamlessly switched between. Accepting input sources ranging from standard definition composite video up to DVI Dual Link.
I installed the Ascender 32 in our video control room and routed a variety of sources to it including several cameras coming in over HD-SDI, a computer over HDMI, and for kicks a multi-viewer that outputs DVI-I. The unit has four outputs with the ability to connect DVI-I, and SDI. Outputs one and three also allow Dual-link DVI connectivity, and there is an addidional preview output with Dual-Link, DVI-I, and HD-SDI plugs. Both Ascender units can yield a variety of outputs simultaneously including HD-TV on up to 4K.
Setup was quite easy, after I figured out that the VGA connector is not for a local monitor to assist in setup. I eventually found in the manual where that option is not enabled at this time. Once the switcher connected to the network using the controls that are built into the front of the unit, all I had to do was give it an IP address (it can also receive one if DHCP
I WOULD ENCOURAGE ANY CHURCH LOOKING TO UPGRADE THEIR VIDEO CAPABILITIES TO LOOK AT THE ANALOG WAY ASCENDER 32 MULTI-SCREEN SEAMLESS SWITCHER. WE ARE.
is enabled on the network). Now the fun begins.
The Ascender line can be completely controlled via the Web RCS (Remote Control Software) and requires no downloads from Analog Way before getting started. Opening your favorite Internet browser and typing in the IP address of the unit begins loading the software from the unit. Once in the RCS system, you're given three options: setup, edit, and live.
The setup area is where you configure the inputs, output resolutions, and screen blending as well as any administrative features such as firmware updates and backups. I found the user manual (I know I broke the man code by opening it) and the setup assistant to be incredibly helpful in getting everything configured. The interface itself is very user-friendly and easy to navigate, especially with the “drag and drop” functionality. I was able to quickly build the blending options for our rear screen.
The ability to output four independent resolutions from a single hardware source is very helpful. Our side screens operate at 720p while our back screen is a blended 1,920x800. Through the configuration options, the four outputs can be setup to work in other configurations as well, including three outputs and one confidence output or blending across all four outputs.
The Ascender 32 has four seamless scaled layers for each output, plus an additional native background layer. The native layer is great for using an input that you don't want to be scaled. For instance, you can specify a graphic for use as the native background and then apply that to an input that isn't the same aspect ratio as the output. It will maintain the input's aspect ratio and use the native background to fill in the rest. It is very much like watching something that was filmed in standard definition on a high-definition television station.
Once the unit is configured, you're ready to use it as a switcher. The point and click “Live Mosaic Preview” feature allows you to see all of your inputs in real time and select which outputs they are routed to. The Ascender is filled with robust features that are too many to cover here, but include: internal keying and effects as well as the ability to have four layers of video per output. The Ascender also has the ability to be linked to another unit in order to double the input/output power.
You'll notice a slight learning curve here, especially if you're not used to working in a layered video environment. This is where Analog Way's manual comes in handy.
The unit offers control via push buttons on the front, but I would personally love the ability to plug in a mouse and keyboard—just as a backup. And while I never witnessed a crash and my network card never timed out, relying on my computer not going to sleep or dropping the network during a production makes me a little nervous.
In Conclusion
To me, the Ascender 32 is the Swiss army knife of seamless switchers. It packs a lot of power into a four-space rack unit, and while I didn't have the opportunity to do an actual frame speed test, the sync between the four outputs was outstanding. We have had other equipment used on our back screen with as much as 15 frames of delay from the side screens—but with the Ascender, my team and I were not able to see any delay with the naked eye.
As with any high-end technology, there is a learning curve, especially if you're not used to working in a layered video environment, but this should not discourage anyone from considering it. I would encourage any church looking to upgrade their video capabilities to look at the Analog Way Ascender 32 Multi-screen Seamless Switcher. We are.
