Digital Production Switchers - Vision QMD/X
Top Reasons to Buy
Vision QMD/X Family
Vision QMD/X is a family of production switchers that includes 7 different control panels that can be combined with two different rack frames. The Vision QMD/X family all runs the same software, leveraging the Ross Production Switcher Software foundation, over 1 million lines of code, developed over a 12 year period that provides Vision QMD/X with an advanced and stable feature set from day one. A common software base, provides a consistent operation between models and minimizes training costs for customers with a variety of Vision models.
Incredibly Powerful Compact Chassis
The Vision QMD/X multi-definition frame is, by far, the most powerful switcher in the world. With two packed rackframes to choose from.
The QMD Chassis offers up to:
- 48 Multi-Definition Inputs
- 16 Fully Configurable Multi-Definition Outputs
- 8 DVE Channels
- 24 Internal Keyers
- 2 Warp Generators
- 19 Internal Ethernet-connected Media Stores (world record)
- 18 Classes of External Interfaces (world record)
Add Proc Amps, RGB Color Correctors, Utility Buses, FlexiClean™, Preview Overlay, Linux OS, and a whole lot more, and the result is nothing short of revolutionary. All this in an unbelievable 3 RU space is a world record for compact production power!
The QMD-X Chassis offers up to:
- 96 Multi-Definition Inputs (world record)
- 48 Fully Configurable Multi-Definition Outputs (world record)
- 16 DVE Channels (world record)
- 32 Internal Keyers (world record)
- 4 Warp Generators (world record)
- 19 Internal Ethernet-connected Media Stores (world record)
- 18 Classes of External Interfaces (world record)
Add Proc Amps, RGB Color Correctors, Utility Buses, FlexiClean™, Preview Overlay, Linux OS, and a whole lot more, and the result is revolutionary once again. Amazingly, all this production power fits into a rack-saving 8 RU.
AuxKeys™
AuxKeys™ are a great choice if you seek added branding, pre-keying and Multi-Screen production. Brand or add titles to Auxiliary Bus outputs or mix between Aux Buses. Feed the result to external monitors or send them back into the switcher to further increase the switcher’s production power. This revolutionary option adds mixing and keying capability to Aux Bus outputs. Mix and key sources are fed from adjacent Aux Buses that have access to every signal in the switcher.
Digital Video Effects
Great looking effects are a real production enhancer! Vision QMD/X switchers can support a variety of digital video effect options.
Squeeze and Tease™ MD is an extremely popular option that is sold with almost every Ross digital switcher. Fly any key; squeeze or zoom, crop, reposition, aspect, and rotate images or keys or add creative picture borders to enhance the professional look of your productions. Squeeze & Tease MD ships with dozens of prebuilt effects that are ready to take to air. More effects can be downloaded from our website. All of these effects can be easily user modified to meet your needs.
The WARP upgrade to Squeeze and Tease MD is a state of the art, high-quality feature-packed DVE loaded with curvilinear effects such as page roll, ripple, globe, split, star, heart, as well as antique film and lens flare effects. It’s super-easy to program. The Squeeze and Tease™ MD WARP DVE is an ideal replacement for those expensive external DVEs.
The XFX option provides an XFX Extra Effects Processor Board, and supports the Multi-Definition MLE-Store and Dual Border options. MLE-Store adds four channels of Still Store. MLE-Store comes with enough RAM storage for at least 30 full screen 1080i images with key or 189 full screen 480i images with key. The Dual Border feature provides border, shadow, and outline effects to two keyers in the MLE with either hard or glowing edges. You can then move the border to any position on the screen - even above the key. Borders are flown in real time with the joystick in the same manner as wipe patterns and DVE Effects. The XFX card includes support for object motion trails that can enhance any sports event.
Object motion trails DVE
MediaCache™
In addition to the 3 Channel Global-Store that comes standard with Vision QMD/X systems, animated logos, moving graphics, animations with key, and short uncompressed clips can optionally be played out of the Global-Store and the MLE-Stores.
SmartConversion™
Optional SmartConversion™, with Aux Bus Tie Line Management technology, is an up/down/cross conversion loop-through that allows you to produce an output video that uses both SD and HD inputs simultaneously. All buses in the switcher are supported, including key and utility buses. Simply route the signal to be converted through one of the Aux Bus outputs to an external cross converter (UDC-8225), and re-enter the converted signal back into a switcher input. As not all of your video sources are used at the same time, there is no need to convert them all simultaneously. SmartConversion allows you to share your expensive up/down/cross conversion resources by switching them automatically into the signal path only when needed.
Ethernet Connectivity
Upgrades can be done using the Ethernet port on the rear of the frame. Images and animations can be copied from a PC to the switcher’s internal hard drive for use by the still stores and optional MediaCache™ throughout the system. The Ethernet port can also be used to transfer images and animations from the hard drive on the switcher to a PC. This allows images captured on the switcher to be used elsewhere in the studio.
Optional Control Panel Mnemonics
Vision QMD/X control panel mnemonics are unsurpassed. Vision QMD/X offers user-programmable large font, medium font, small font, one line, two line, eight character, normal video, reverse video, orange, green, and yellow display choices with bright, clear, well positioned, easy to read displays. These mnemonics are optional, per M/E, and easily in-field upgradeable on all Vision Control Panels. This feature is unique to Vision control panels.
OverDrive™
Vision QMD/X, using the Ross Production switcher software foundation, can control virtually every single piece of equipment in the control room. The next step in this evolution is the revolutionary OverDrive™ Production Control System. With dual touch screens, the TD can now fully automate a production with a drastically reduced crew when required. PICON based, the Technical Director can step through the show’s run-down or instantly break away to unscripted events. When connected to a newsroom automation system, a live MOS-based link keeps the two systems in constant and instant synch, providing clear communication between the producer and the TD.
Custom Control Macro Keys
Macros make a production cleaner, faster and easier, allowing repetitive functions, complex effects and machine control functions to be put on a button right where you need it. The Vision 1 and 2 panels have sixteen dedicated Custom Control Macro keys; the Vision 1M and 2M panels have 24, the Vision 2X and Vision 3 panels have thirty-two and the Vision 4 panel has forty Custom Control buttons. These can be shifted for easy access of up to 256 macros on a Vision 4 panel and with mnemonics, the functions of every button are clearly indicated, even for a freelance TD to do your show.
Editable Custom Control Macros
Did we mention that macros are critical to today’s complex productions? Not only does Vision offer up to eight full banks of macros with dedicated buttons and state of the art LCD legends, the macros themselves are fully editable. Creating a macro is as easy as pressing the buttons on the control panel in the order you want. Then you can look at your macro, event by event, and adjust timeline delays, delete events, add events, single step through events, and more. It’s no wonder that Synergy TDs produce the cleanest and most repeatable productions.
Just-Like-a-Wipe DVE Transitions
On any switcher, fancy DVE transitions have to be easy or they won’t be used. All Vision switchers support Squeeze and Tease™ transitions that operate just like a wipe. Just press the DVE transition button, the combination of layers you want to change, and select the effect you want from the DualDisplay™ Touch Screen. Yes, it can be just that easy.
Preview Overlay – Adjustable Safe Title and Center
Vision provides two preview outputs simultaneously – one that has no graphical overlay and one filled with useful production information. Some switchers don’t even offer Safe Title and Center information. Vision provides the SMPTE standard measurements and then allows you to have several additional customized versions available at the touch of a button. These are great for lining up shots and setting custom safe areas for Dual Aspect Ratio production and odd size screens such as those found in stadiums.
Preview Overlay – Source ID
Vision allows you to keep your eyes on the important program you are producing. Preview Overlay shows you what’s on air, what’s on preview and the transition that you have selected. In addition to being a terrific aid to the Vision operator, this is great for nonverbal communication between a switcher operator and a director. When a router source is selected, the display expands to show both the eight character router name AND the eight character Vision name for the source.
Preview Overlay – Timecode Display
A switcher machine control feature is not complete without the ability to display timecode information. Vision provides this right on the preview monitor, when a TD selects a VTR or a Server on the preset bus, its name and timecode appear. This makes it possible to confirm that a tape or server has been correctly cued, and to determine if it’s stopped or playing when all you see are bars or black. This feature ties in well to the “auto roll” feature of Vision, which rolls tapes with pre-roll when you take them to air. It gives you confirmation that everything is proceeding as it should. Another unique Ross Video feature.
Consistent Panel Layout
Your production is worthy of a serious control panel. All Vision switchers share a consistent layout that is easy to use and very intuitive.
Direct Function Access
Operators don’t have time to go digging through menus during a live production. Vision switchers offer Dual System Control Menus. Allowing for Fixed menu selection of one menu while intuitive auto follow of the second menu providing a significantly higher level of direct access and on-air control.
Well-Positioned Controls
Be sure to try a production on the switcher that you are planning to buy. Check out the positions of the controls. You’ll find Vision well thought out, with all of the transition controls and joystick at the front edge of the panel for ease of access.
UltraChrome Advanced Chroma Keying
The patented Ross UlraChrome uses advanced video processing technology to provide exceptional blue spill reduction and clean edges, even with difficult source material. Glass, smoke, translucent materials, and natural shadows are handled superbly. Setup is a breeze with single-touch auto chroma keying and intuitive touch-up controls.
12 Integrated Serial Ports – and more
Vision's streamlines your production by enabling direct control over a wide variety of devices such as VTRs, Video Servers, Routers, Audio Mixers, Robotic Camera Systems and more via the 8 serial ports on the control panel and the 4 serial ports on the rack frame. Additional serial port expanders are also available, further guaranteeing that we can exceed your integration needs.
Keep your Software Options when Upgrading from Synergy MD/X to Vision QMD/X.
Are you trading in an existing Synergy control panel, and upgrading to a new Vision control panel? You can keep any previously purchased software options, and we’ll install them on your new switcher before it leaves the factory. For free! So why not use these savings to purchase that other interface you’ve been thinking about?
The Widest Range of Server and DDR Integration in the Industry
No one matches Vision’s server and DDR integration capability. Vision offers an advanced interface to video servers via the industry standard VDCP protocol. This interface has been tested and individually tuned to work well with all popular servers on the market, offering you a choice of server vendors. Providing this level of interface is not a simple task – you might consider asking for references before you take our competition’s “we interface to everyone” claims at face value.
ROLL CLIP Button
Vision unique auto-roll feature makes taking a VTR or Video Server clip to air automatically with pre-roll easy. Vision switchers have a ROLL CLIP button in the transition area that is used to directly roll a VTR or Server or to selectively activate “auto roll” with pre-roll when a source is taken to air.
VTR Clip Direct Recall
Randomly accessing VTR or server clips on a Vision switcher is no problem. Vision switchers have a button in the memory area dedicated to directly loading and cueing any of 100 VTR, Server, or other external device setups. The competition lacks this feature.
Audio Server Control
Vision makes it possible to precisely synchronize audio clips or sound effects with video. Vision has complete “native” control of the 360 Systems DigiCart, Sony MiniDisc, and EncoDAD for the integration of sound effects and audio clips in to your production. Most competitors do not offer audio server control.
Audio Mixer Control
Vision is the only switcher in the world to offer comprehensive audio mixer control. Vision goes far beyond simple audio follow video. It allows for easy audio over, easy attachment of several audio sources to one video source, and quick level control of master and individual audio levels.
Robotic Camera Control
No other switcher offers full integration of Camera Robotics. Vision can control the physical position of the camera if it’s mobile, in addition to pan and tilt controls. Focus and aperture are there as well, easily recalled with every shot and integrated into our Custom Control macro system.
Router Control with Full Mnemonics Interface
Nobody does router interfaces like Ross. We offer the widest range of router interfaces on the market, including Pesa, Pro-bel, Quartz, Thomson Grass Valley products, Codan, Harris, nVision and more. These interfaces are direct with no protocol translation boxes required. The interface is bi-directional with instant updates and feedback. The Vision source name (i.e. Router3) as well as the Router mnemonic (i.e. VTR12) are both displayed together on the preview overlay and also on the button mnemonic labels.
Side-by-Side Keyers
Vision keyers have all controls and indicators available simultaneously. This allows lightning-fast access to controls, easy confirmation that memories have recalled correctly, and absolute confidence that the right keyer is being taken to air. In most cases with the competition, only one keyer is displayed at a time - the rest are hidden from view.
On Air Indicators
Knowing what’s on air is of primary importance during a production. Vision offers on air indicators in the transition area and in the keyer area to clearly show what’s on air and therefore reduce on air mistakes. For added clarity and confidence, Vision is unique in that it indicates keys that are “on” but not “on air” with tally lights that illuminate in a color other than red when the M/E is not on air.
Choice of Parallel and Serial Tallies
Most competitors charge for parallel tallies, sometimes as an expensive external box. Vision offers parallel tallies as a standard feature. Serial tallies are also available simultaneously using a comprehensive industry standard protocol for easy interface to tally, under monitor display systems, multi-image display systems, and virtual reality systems.
Quick Show Alpha Key
Most productions make extensive use of the Character Generator and having quick access to confirm the alpha can be a real lifesaver. Vision has a show alpha button in the Keyer area. This instantly gives you clean alpha with no masks, matte fill, or anything else on the preview monitor.
Power Fail Indicators
Vision provides an instant alert to power conditions that could affect your live production. Knowing that there is a disconnected power cord, tripped breaker or blown power supply is everyone’s business. Vision has indicators on the DualDisplay™ Touch Screen telling the operator if a fan has failed in the rack frame or if one of the redundant supplies in the control panel has failed or is not getting power. Just press the indicator button to get a detailed diagnostic information page about the panel or frame. No other switcher has this important feature.
Your Choice of Control Panel Styling
Color choice is a personal thing. Some people prefer the clean simple styling of all white buttons. Others prefer classic and familiar color coded buttons. Creative users may envision a creative color scheme that suits their personality. Vision switchers can be set up any way the user would like. Panel Glow allows the user access to default Panel Glow themes or they can define and save their own. The competition does not offer this choice.
More Features for Less Money
It’s a Ross philosophy to offer our customers a powerful package for a competitive price. That’s why the Synergy and Vision Series is the number one switcher family in North America.
Upgradeable Right up to Vision 4 QMD-X
Most operations are not static, their needs change and grow. If your budget is tight or your production needs don’t require the power of the Vision 4 QMD-X just yet, the flexibility of the QMD and QMD-X chassis will impress you. Choose the starting point that’s right for you now and upgrade to the Vision 4 QMD-X later. We also offer the ability to buy, for example, a Vision 3 control panel with 2 M/Es installed in the chassis allowing the third M/E to be easily installed on site at some future time. The competition does not offer you this level of customization.
Frames for a Buck
We recognize that integrating a switcher into your facility may involve conversion. Ross provides a full line of openGear®, RossGear® and GearLite™ terminal equipment. When you purchase RossGear® or openGear® converters with your switcher, we will sell you the rack frame and power supply for $1.
Faders Guaranteed for Life
A malfunctioning fader can really mess up a live production. Vision faders are our fourth generation design and we’re so proud of them that we’ve guaranteed them for the life of the switcher.
One-Year Transferable Warranty
Protection for your investment! Vision switchers are so tough; we gave them a full comprehensive warranty. The warranties offered by the competition are usually limited warranties. Be sure to take this into account when comparing the competition’s pricing by comparing the cost of an extended warranty.
Free Software Downloads from the World Wide Web
Vision has an extremely low total cost of ownership. There’s no need to budget for costly ongoing software maintenance plans because all Vision software upgrades are free for the life of the product. We just love showing customers all the great new things their Vision can do. Keeping software current is extra with the competition – be sure to factor this cost in when you make your decision.
Free Tech Support for Life
One thing that Ross has always done is take care of our customers. In fact, the Ross Video Code of Ethics states: “Rule #1 - We will always act in our customer’s best interest”. If you have a technical question about our products, we’ll answer it. Free.
- Even if your warranty has expired.
- Even if we have to put you in contact with the engineer that designed it.
- Even if you need to talk to David Ross himself (613-228-0688).
Now that’s service!