Graphite Primary Capabilities

The high-end production power of the world’s most popular mid-sized switcher- Carbonite- is fully incorporated for you to create engaging programs.

• Two powerful MEs form the foundation of the switcher, which possess complete keying and effects capability.
• Four unique MiniMEs can be assigned anywhere in the system for additional dissolves and key layers independent of ME resources. MiniMEs perform wonderfully as uniquely keyed AUX outputs.
• Four independent MediaStore channels are available switcher-wide. Stills, logos, and animated graphics are played out from the on-board 2GB memory and can also be loaded via USB storage device.
• Refined memory and custom control system provides for simple set-up and operation of every component of Graphite: graphics, clips, stills, and audio.
• Fully integrated MultiViewers with selectable layouts, borders, tallies and UMD label displays for each source.

The capabilities of a proven motion graphics platform are built into the system for you to leverage sophisticated looks and data into your productions.

• Powerful single channel with unlimited layering capability, is more powerful than traditional multi-channel graphics systems. Graphite’s separate PCIe card handles the operation of the Carbonite and RAVE, which permits the host-PC’s processing to be dedicated to XPression operations. This powerful graphics system can be used to its fullest potential.
• A true 3D engine permits usage of 3D text, 3D Objects, and a virtual camera functionality to create truly dynamic 3D animations.
• Two channels of XPression Clips server provides a full database to browse, catalog, and output clips directly to air on any channel or layer. Graphics created in XPression can be utilized in these channels much like an external video source.
• Easy-to-use user interface organizes the process of creating dynamic animations, provides a smart sequencer to quickly edit and take graphic elements to air, and even simplifies the process of intelligent scripting logic for advanced functions.

The RAVE audio engine provides true professional audio functionality to add dynamic audio mixing and processing capabilities to your productions.

• RAVE includes a full 28-channel digital audio mixer. Enjoy all the features of a standard mixer including input management, level monitoring, volume / gain adjustment. and more.
• Utilize the audio inputs from external embedded SDI audio sources, and from internal sources like XPression, XPression Clips, PC Audio and Media Stores.
• Extend capabilities with an optional audio breakout panel that adds analog and digital audio I/O, which is converted and accessible in the RAVE audio mixer. All audio sources within Graphite can be utilized simultaneously during production. The audio panel also provides pre-amps and phantom power for microphones. All of these features are made available in a single 1RU device.
• Simplify show set-up and execution of critical audio elements with direct Carbonite control.

Graphite is a complete all-In-one production system that offers everything you need. With the Carbonite switcher, XPression motion graphics, XPression Clips server, and RAVE audio engine – total production power is right at your fingertips. Concentrated into a minimal 4RU frame, you are in control of the entirety of Graphite’s production functions from DashBoard soft panels displayed from the computer sub-system. For users that prefer more tactile control methods, Graphite works with any size Carbonite Black panel.

In the realm of live production, failure is simply not an option. This is what drove Ross Video to build a solution that is a vast improvement over existing all-in-ones, and that provides a truly reliable system. Through the development of dedicated hardware, Graphite has done away with the conventional hazards that all-in-ones face. So long as Graphite is plugged in and the power is running, the Carbonite switcher and RAVE audio will continue to run even in the unlikely event of a computer crashes, reboot, or update. Not only are your productions safer, but they also run a lot smoother thanks to smart allocation of resources. The Carbonite switcher and RAVE audio engine rely on the self-contained Graphite hardware, while XPression graphics makes total use of the computer. This is truly smart production at its finest.

The versatility of such a compact and powerful production system means there is near-limitless application for all types of productions. Like all Ross Video products, Graphite is designed to simplify operations for you to produce content efficiently and economically.

Key Features

Dedicated Hardware Component for Unprecedented Performance and Reliability

The critical vulnerabilities of purely software-based production systems are also eliminated, such as PC/OS reboots, crashes, and updates. Because the PCIe card is fully self-contained and only requires power from the system, the Carbonite and RAVE audio will perform without interruption even if the computer sub-system has an issue. This implementation provides unparalleled reliability during mission-critical productions.

Complete Production System in a Compact 4RU Chassis
Graphite combines all the features of the Carbonite Production Switcher, XPression Motion Graphics, XPression Clips Server, and RAVE Audio Engine – all in a compact 4RU chassis.

2 MEs with Full Keying Power

Major effects and keying power are packed into 2 MEs. Each ME has 4 powerful keyers with luma, linear, chroma, and DVE key types – as well an additional fifth transition keyer for animated Media Wipe and DVE transitions. Each ME can access the 2 advanced Ultrachrome chroma keyers.

4 Flexible MiniMEs
Unique to the switcher feature set, MiniMEs are powerful effects modules that include an independent mixer and two keyers: one standard keyer and one specifically for DVE boxes. The flexibility of MiniMEs opens up a wide range of opportunities during production, like multi-screen or multi-language production.

Multi-Format Production
The video processing engine in the switcher is selectable for Standard or High Definition production. In addition, the standard system includes 6 internal frame synchronizers and format converters which permits mixed SD and HD formats to be seamlessly incorporated into your productions.

Single Channel of Graphics with Unlimited Layering
XPression Graphite is one of the most powerful graphics engine you can find, and is included in this all-in-one system. Use still images, video clips, reflection maps, bump maps, refraction maps, gradients, and live inputs to create visually-deep multi-layered graphic templates. XPression is able to do more with a single channel than competitive platforms can do with multiple channels.

True 3D Graphics and Animations

XPression permits you to make stunning and dynamic visuals with real 3D objects and text, not just z-space manipulations. Using XPression’s 3D primitives, users can build out visceral graphics for their productions. Completely-controllable Virtual Cameras can be used to bring new perspective and movement to your graphics, permitting you to create exciting animations for use in your shows.

Simplifies Complex Graphics Creation
Graphic production can sometimes be a complex affair. To automate and add intelligence to graphic scenes traditionally requires the use of complex scripting work. With XPression, this process has been made simple with Visual Logic. This feature permits users to drag and drop parameters into a workspace and connect them with functions and other parameters by drawing lines from virtual inputs and outputs.

2 Channel XPression Clip Server
Also found in Graphite, are two channels of XPression Clips – production clip server. XPression Clips serves as a powerful supporting tool for both Carbonite and the XPression graphics channel in the Graphite system. XPression Clips takes the animations that are created in XPression Graphite for use in its channels much like an external video source. Additionally, the clip server relieves the Carbonite MediaStores of a large burden and offers instant recall times and back-to-back clip transitions. All clip playback and selection is done via Carbonite memory recalls and custom controls.

Embedded or Internal Audio for Every Source

Whether it is an external video input plugged via an SDI feed or one of Graphite’s internal inputs (XPression Graphite, XPression Clips, PC Audio), all video sources have an associated audio source that can be directly controlled in the Rave audio engine.

28 Channel Audio Mixer
All-in-one systems typically have limited audio production capabilities, but this is not the case with Graphite. With the RAVE Audio Engine, Graphite is able to provide uncompromised audio capability with a dedicated 28 channel digital audio mixer. Being a DashBoard-based system, the entire mixer can be operated from the local computer sub-system or any other DashBoard client, and contains all the features an audio operator would desire, including: input management, level monitoring, volume / gain adjustment, and more.

Enhanced Audio with Optional Breakout Panel
Analog audio is a necessity for a variety of live event productions. With the addition of a basic 1RU breakout panel, Graphite is granted supplementary analog and digital audio capacity. Add a variety of microphones to the analog inputs, with mic pre-amp and toggle-able phantom power. Analog outputs provide the ability to send customized AUX outputs with select channels included, which is great for feeding mix/minus feeds to your on-air hosts’ headsets. When analog and digital audio is added to Graphite, the Rave Audio Engine expands your format choices, and permits all sources to be used simultaneously.

System-wide Memories and Custom Controls
The great thing about an all-in-one system comprised of products from a single supplier, is the way it all works together. With the Carbonite at its heart, Graphite permits users to entirely operate all components as a unified whole through Carbonite memories and custom controls. Easily set-up your shows with a memory recall and execute key moments of your production into a single button macro.