Hyperconverged technology implemented by public broadcaster for Austin City Limits live music show production
Let's talk tech upgrade for Austin City Limits
Since its debut in 1974 with none other than Willie Nelson, "Austin City Limits" has showcased the crème de la crème of the music world. But behind the scenes, the program's production infrastructure, in service since 2011, was in dire need of an upgrade to keep up with the times. This tech refresh was all about boosting the production capabilities, particularly for the legendary show.
Enter the Ross Video Ultrix hyperconverged media processing platform, the new kid on the block to replace the aging router. This 80x80 (five 16x16 3G-SDI cards) powerhouse router was the first piece in Austin PBS's hyperconverged Ross Ultrix puzzle, promising a seamless integration of functions previously handled by multiple devices. Key amongst these capabilities are routing, multiviewing, embedding, and de-embedding, especially beneficial for a music series with a considerable audio component, just like "Austin City Limits."
Chris Ostertag, the tech whiz at Austin PBS, is thrilled about the new technology. Not only does it offer state-of-the-art signal distribution capabilities, but it also comes with a smaller, lighter footprint that works wonders in saving precious rack space, a major concern for Ostertag since the Moody Theater isn't owned by Austin PBS.
The next phase of the tech upgrade will encompass multiviewer and terminal gear. Ostertag expects to free up a full rack of space, reduce power requirements, and enjoy improved cooling flexibility as a result. And let's not forget the cost-effectiveness of the Ross Ultrix platform, which consolidates multiple technology components under one roof.
And if you thought that was it, think again. Austin PBS has also stepped up its game with the addition of a Ross Video Carbonite production switcher. With this tech upgrade, the show can now support 3G-SDI signal distribution and 1080i distribution via local public broadcasters.
But the journey doesn't end here. PBS's eventual adoption of 1080p, HDR, and even UHD formats is under consideration, and Ostertag is optimistic that the flexible hyperconverged solution at the heart of their refresh will allow them to adapt to any future changes.
Curious about the finer details of this tech push? Be sure to check out the Ross Video case study and the behind-the-scenes tour of Austin PBS. Keep up with the times, folks!
- The aging production infrastructure of "Austin City Limits," in service since 2011, is being upgraded to keep pace with modern times.
- Ross Video's Ultrix hyperconverged media processing platform has been introduced as the replacement for the outdated router, promising seamless integration of functions previously handled by multiple devices.
- The new technology, including the Ross Ultrix platform, offers improved signal distribution capabilities, a smaller footprint for saving rack space, and cost-effectiveness by consolidating multiple technology components.
- Chris Ostertag, the tech expert at Austin PBS, anticipates that the next phase of the tech upgrade will encompass multiviewer and terminal gear, leading to freed rack space, reduced power requirements, and improved cooling flexibility.
- Austin PBS has also updated its equipment with a Ross Video Carbonite production switcher, supporting 3G-SDI signal distribution and 1080i distribution via local public broadcasters.
- With the flexible hyperconverged solution at the heart of their refresh, Austin PBS is considering adopting 1080p, HDR, and even UHD formats in the future, aiming to keep up with advancements in data-and-cloud-computing technology and the growing array of gadgets in the media landscape.
