Grass Valley, a leading innovator of solutions for live production, introduces its latest next-generation LDX broadcast camera systems, designed to produce quality pictures in leading formats, including UHD/4K, and 1080p high dynamic range (HDR) plus wide color gamut (WCG) modes with SDI, NativeIP SMPTE ST 2110 or JPEG-XS native compression.
The expanded LDX 100 Series includes the new LDX C150 compact form factor of its LDX 150 studio camera platform, easing the transition from HD/UHD-SDI to NativeIP/SMPTE ST 2110 acquisition.
At stand 9-A01, IBC showgoers can see demos of Grass Valley’s latest camera innovations, including: the new LDX C150 compact, new 6X speed 1080p HDR/WCG mode within both the LDX C150 and LDX 150, and the entry level LDX 92, designed for low-cost live sports and events.
The exhibit also highlights the LDX C135 – the compact version of the full-size LDX 135 studio camera – introduced at the 2023 NAB Show, and a demo of the latest Camera Shading Control Panel and Tablet Application. Color grading can be carried out locally, as well as remotely using a tablet powered by Grass Valley’s, cloud native AMPP (Agile Media Processing Platform), allowing new approaches to production workflows.
Grass Valley also announces a new camera viewfinder that will be shipping at the end of the year, designed to make camera operators’ jobs easier. The new viewfinder provides additional capabilities, including HDMI and SDI video input in addition to standard viewfinder/camera cables, plus a direct DC power input via a 4-pin XLR input.
While the return on investment (ROI) for cameras 15 years ago was between 7 and 10 years, Grass Valley’s Adam Marshall says today it’s just 3-5 years. “To realize this aggressive ROI, customers now strive to run their cameras whenever and wherever they can,” says Adam Marshall, Chief Product Officer for Grass Valley.
“The key to maximizing camera utilization is having all the features users need in the camera head, along with the option to license additional capabilities as they need them, such as highspeed modes, UHD/4K and/or IP ST 2110,” Marshall says. “Our LDX 100 Series camera platform exemplifies this flexibility by letting our users choose between basic SDI and IP configurations today, and then license the higher end capabilities they may need, on a pay as you go basis.”
Grass Valley also continues engineering enhancements to its current product lines, such as the LDX 92, especially suited for live broadcast applications including sports, news and special event coverage. As the entry-level model of the LDX 90 Series, the LDX 92 offers up to single speed 1080p HDR/WCG mode via software options. Meanwhile the LDX 150, previously available up to 3X UHD is newly announced as additionally supporting 6X 1080p HDR/WCG resolution.
Grass Valley’s expanding feature sets enable new applications and functionality. Creative Grading, allowing shading from both a panel and a Tablet Application, enables shaders to perfect picture attributes from the control room, truck, or on-the-fly from anywhere at the location – or anywhere in the world via GV AMPP. “Shaders can now move around a venue or stand at the front of house and see how their color grading is impacting the video on the big screen displays,” comments Paul De Bresser, Product Manager for Broadcast Cameras at Grass Valley. “They can also get feedback while being next to on-site creatives at the front of house, adjusting image parameters to ensure that everyone gets the exact look they want on large LED screens, such as during a concert.”
New at IBC 2023, Creative Grading is easier with a new standalone option for the CGP500 panel, offering the ability to connect directly with a camera head without the need for server infrastructure.
“Given the complement of new models, functions and features in our camera lineup, we intend to leave no doubt that we’re fully committed to serving the Media & Entertainment industry’s need for best-in-class broadcast camera systems,” De Bresser says.
According to Grass Valley CEO Louis Hernandez Jr, “With our GV Media Universe, and the scalability and upgradeability of our hardware and software products across the board, customers can now custom-configure their workflows based upon whichever traditional, hybrid or cloud approach best serves their needs today, and well into the future.”
Visitors to IBC can see the entire Grass Valley exhibit – including production switchers, multiviewers, routers, asset management and live playout systems – and meet with executives in stand 9-A01 from September 15th through 18th at the Amsterdam RAI exhibition and conference center.
