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As IP video standards evolve, many ProAV system designers are evaluating how to stay flexible without locking into a single format. Format flexibility is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. That’s why a modular platform that supports a broad mix of baseband and IP formats today is essential, along with a clear, cost-effective path to add or switch formats as requirements change—all without replacing core hardware.
This kind of platform isn’t just future-ready, with support for emerging standards as they gain traction; it’s also capable of running multiple formats simultaneously within a single system. That allows users to deploy best-of-breed endpoints based on performance, operational needs, and budget—without the complexity of managing a tangle of standalone converters for every format.
That’s where hyperconverged, IP-native production switchers like Ultrix Acuity and Ultrix Carbonite come into play.
These systems are redefining how control rooms, live event spaces, and corporate studios are designed—offering hybrid flexibility, streamlined operations, and the real-time performance today’s AV environments demand.
Why Traditional Switchers aren’t Enough
In dynamic live production settings, predictable switching speed and deterministic performance are critical. Relying solely on IP-based routing—especially with compressed or software-defined transports—can introduce latency or unpredictability that disrupts the viewing experience.
Ross production switchers overcome this with internal crosspoint matrices, enabling frame-accurate switching whether your sources come from SDI, NDI, ST 2110, or even IPMX in the near future. This ensures seamless execution, no matter what transport technology.
Flexible by Design, Built for the Future
Ross Video’s Ultrix platform is designed to meet the diverse needs of modern AV facilities:
> ST 2110 (with NMOS) for broadcast-grade IP workflows
> SDI for legacy and hybrid systems
> NDI, JPEG XS, IPMX-ready pathways for evolving ProAV ecosystems
> Fiber, HDMI, MADI for edge integration
> Support from SD to UHD, across any format or transport
Start small and scale as your infrastructure evolves—without needing a forklift upgrade. With Ultrix, you're investing in a platform that's not only compatible with where your facility is today, but also where the industry is headed tomorrow.
More Than a Switcher: The Hyperconverged Advantage
What sets Ultrix Acuity or Ultrix Carbonite apart is its hyperconverged architecture. You’re not just buying a switcher—you’re integrating:
> Frame sync, format conversion & color correction
> HDR/SDR conversion
> Audio embedding and mixing
> Flexible multiviewers (up to 48 heads!)
All in a single chassis. That means fewer racks, fewer cables, lower power consumption, and a smaller environmental footprint. By consolidating multiple functions into one system, Ultrix helps modern corporations reduce energy usage, minimize e-waste, and streamline infrastructure for more sustainable operations. It’s a smart choice for both your production needs and your corporate sustainability goals.
A Consultant’s Dream: Scalable and Simplified
For AV consultants and system integrators, Ultrix simplifies everything—from system design to long-term maintenance. Whether you’re building a 4K-capable boardroom, a hybrid control room, or a corporate event studio, you get a future-ready backbone that integrates smoothly with both IP and legacy gear.
With options like Carbonite for midsize productions and Acuity for large-scale needs, you can tailor the platform to fit each project’s scale and budget—without compromise.
Conclusion: Building Smarter IP Facilities Starts Here
As IP continues to redefine the ProAV space, solutions like Ultrix Acuity and Ultrix Carbonite give you the tools to design smarter, faster, and more adaptable AV environments.
They’re not just switchers—they’re the heart of your next-gen IP production system.
Talk to a Ross AV solutions expert to get started.
About Ross Video Everything You Need to Connect With Your Audience Every day, Ross powers live productions for billions of viewers. With the industry’s widest range of high-impact, high-efficiency solutions and services, Ross helps all manner of organizations create and share compelling content, from leading broadcasters to houses of worship, stadiums, corporations, education and governments. With approximately 1300 team members around the world and manufacturing facilities in Ontario and Austria and the most reliable service in the industry, we are here to turn your ideas, plans and strategies into reality.
