NewTek TriCaster XD300 Preview

Hi Def TriCaster XD300 Preview

NewTek hasn't yet released an official list of features of the upcoming Hi Def TriCaster XD300. The following is based on demos at NAB and the reseller unveiling and are subject to change.

If you buy a standard def TriCaster Pro, Studio or Broadcast between January 15th and June 27th you are eligible to upgrade to the XD300 for only the difference in price. The XD300 will list at $14,995. Call us for details 1-800-692-6442.

The TriCaster XD300 has three HD or SD inputs composite, component Y/C and SDI.

Two down stream keys that can be positioned, scaled and taken on and off with transitions. The DSKs can be any input so you can do a live over the shoulder.

There are five 'virtual' inputs that can be configured with the input of your choice, a live set and an upstream key. The input can be scaled and positioned and you are no longer limited to four zoom levels. Tthere is a T bar you can use to interactively zoom into the set even while the input is live.

The interface is resizable so you can use and take advantage of any size or shape monitor. The title edit window is resizeable. To edit the properties on almost everything you simple click little gear icons sprinkled around the interface. So to set up an input you click the gear icon, up pops a panel, you select SDI, Y/C etc, click on a tab in the window set up your key and your ready to go.

NewTek has a new interface for Live Matte, you now select the key color, adjust a control so that all your see is the key color, adjust a different control so that your see only the foreground and then it automatically cleans up the edges to give you a clean key.

The unit uses 4:4:4:4 32 bit floating point video finally killing the 8 bit vs. 10 bit controversy. The app is 64 bit native running on a 64 bit OS (presumably vista).

You can mix HD, SD 4:3 and 16:9 sources, Output HD and SD simultaneously, proc amp all sources even the DDR and also proc amp HD, SD and stream outputs individually.

DDR, Still, and titles all have preset groups that can be accessed with a single click. You can save sessions that contain all your content, configurations and setups.

The bottom line is the TriCaster XD300 is a game changing product at a groundbreaking price.

The process of creating live network style television can be very costly, requires massive amounts of expensive equipment and a large crew of people to make it work, TriCaster™ changes all that. In one small, lightweight, portable system (small enough to fit in a backpack) you have all the tools, including live virtual sets on most models, required to create, broadcast, web stream and project your show.

There is a reason TriCaster is the standard in “portable live production” for major players like Fox Sports, MTV, VH-1, NBA D-League and the NHL, it is simply the most complete, reliable and efficient system available for live production and web streaming. The small footprint makes it possible to broadcast from literally anywhere and only requires one person to make it work. No matter where your live broadcast plans take you there is a TriCaster in the TriCaster family perfect for you.

Live Camera NewTek TriCaster Studio

Instantly incorporate live video, taking component, Y/C or composite video from the camera and plugging straight into TriCaster's convenient front connection panel.

As soon as you plug in a camera, its video appears on-screen and is ready for use in your presentation. Quickly Connect up to three cameras for quick and compelling digital video that can then be sent to tape, to a projector or to the Internet. Live events become much easier and faster to set up thanks to TriCaster. Advanced controls are available.

iVGA
This exclusive NewTek technology is like nothing you've ever used before. Each computer runs a small application and is seen by TriCaster across the local area network.

The TriCaster producer can then choose among any of those computers, bringing it into the presentation in real time. This goes way beyond sharing graphics, though. iVGA is capable of bringing in full-screen images, animations and even video playing on the outlying computer with incredible clarity and smoothness.

The possibilities are exciting:

A co-worker breezes into the meeting with the latest ad storyboards or initial product videos. No longer do you have to halt the meeting for him to connect his system to the projector; just plug into the room's network connection, and with his launch of iVGA, he can drive the video, while you add this to the presentation.
Financial information can change right before your eyes. One of the presenters displays a ticker page on his computer, which can be viewed by entire group with a single click.

DDR
Animations and edited videos greatly enhance your live production, illuminating your points with moving pictures easily worth much more than a thousand words. TriCaster offers total freedom to record, edit and playback with it's DDR. Even easier to use than your VCR at home, just drop in a video clip and when you're ready to make it live, select and play it instantly. With a big, friendly button just for the DDR on the video mixer panel, cutting between clips and live cameras is a snap.

Picture Player
You can use any picture on computer in your live presentation. TriCaster's Picture Player is one of several inputs to the video mixer, and can display images in full detail, with the ability to set specific playback times for each image in the list. Help your customers better understand each point by presenting supporting graphs and data.

Streaming Encoder
Never again will you have to limit your audience to the people in the room.
Today's corporations are quietly discovering the competitive advantage that Internet streaming provides. Further, live streaming is more beneficial than on-demand, as viewers report stronger positive impressions when watching a live event.

Let TriCaster help your key accounts, hot new leads, vendors and many others join in on your important meetings or events.

Running a presentation with live speakers and recorded footage requires flexibility and full control of audio, and TriCaster has simplified this to a few controls.

Audio Mixer
Each source has its own audio level controls and a single output volume control. Verify the quality of your signal with on-board audio meters as well as with the integrated headphone.

Each input has Balance, Equalization and Solo output. The microphone inputs also have an automated Talk Over button, to quickly reduce the volume of all other inputs, giving that microphone level priority. All current TriCasters have balanced audio and phantom power.

Edit Media
Bring in music or audio files through the capture panel or across the network, and bring them into your project without importing or converting anything.

TriCaster accepts .wav .MP3 and DV audio for immediate playback with control over left and right channels, a master audio slider and even a visual stereo positioner.

Overlay
You can't tell the players without a program, and the fastest way to identify members and messages is with overlay titles. Quickly create key points, identify all participants on-screen and do it with professionalism. TriCaster has a simple click-and-replace text update. These pages can be easily created, and all templates have been professionally designed, so it is guaranteed to make you look good.

Quickly browse through your many styles of lower or full-screen graphics, quickly replacing the stand-in text with your own, and it’s ready. Then, access any page with a click, and smoothly fade titles and text in and out. Create as many pages as you'll need from the various pre-loaded styles in TriCaster. Custom styles can be created the included CG designer.

NewTek LiveControl LC-11

Video Effects
TriCaster is ready-to-go with hundreds of professional transitions: wipes, peels, 3D page curls and much more can be dropped into the Transitions folder and easily arranged. All transitions serve dual duty, in the switcher and also in the real-time editor. You can choose which order the transitions will be recalled, and auto-advance to the next in line. Move to the next level of portable live production with TriCaster. Using TriCaster LC-11™ you can use the transition selector to quickly dial in the effect you’d like.

Keyer
Broadcasters have known for years the impact of combining live images with background video and graphics, and do so by replacing an onscreen color with video, or keying. You see it every night in TV weathercasts. Key in real-time with the switcher or key it later in the editor. Let TriCaster help bring along the sophistication of a television studio to your next production.

Projector Out
NewTek TriCaster brings a flexibility and ease to presentations with three simultaneous outputs: Projector, video and Internet.

With the included projector support, plug into TriCaster’s DVI digital output, and project in high resolution. Mixing video sources with technical data, live web pages and PowerPoint™ is easier than ever before, since video is scaled up to your projector’s resolution. Don’t worry about connections and extra gear; TriCaster brings everything you’ll need for a professional production.

Capture Media
Connect a camera or deck to TriCaster, and use the streamlined capture functions begin ingesting clips for editing or live playback. Simple Start, Stop and Pause buttons make clip capture exceedingly simple.

NewTek TriCaster Pro

Storyboard & Timeline
Storyboard Simplicity - TriCaster's Storyboard editor is simple enough to master in seconds, as all pictures and videos sequence one after another. This is the best place to start editing, as you can quickly re-arrange and then play at once to see the changes.

Timeline Power - The timeline is how it can create picture-in-picture effects, add titles and quickly create multiple video and graphics layers.

Easily add transitions, and your project is now ready to be used in several ways; output as a digital video file, send to the projector or stream to the Internet. While the Storyboard is fast and simple, this is still a very powerful editor, capable of any special effect you'll need.

Multiple video layers
Animated titles
Slow motion
Panning, 3D rotation, soft edges, more

Along with the hundreds of professional transitions included, you have the all the tools you need to create or modify compelling messages on-site.