Smart Switch 3G is ideal for securing the video output in systems that demand high reliability.

It provides intelligent 2 x 2 switching to a backup signal source by monitoring two 3Gb/s, HD or SD video inputs with up to four groups of embedded audio, and switching between the sources if a specified fault condition arises – no matter how subtle the fault.

Smart Switch 3G extracts information about various parts of the video signal to decide which of the two inputs is better, based on the engineer’s selection of which faults are significant.

It features an unrivalled number of switching criteria, with the monitoring of twenty video and audio parameters on both the primary and standby inputs – and with any number of these criteria able to be selected.

Smart Switch 3G is used with the Statesman PC software, where it can be set to either ignore or create an alarm on any of the features it can measure.

Alternatively one GPI can be configured using Statesman to show an alarm condition for any individual or group of error conditions.

The parameters which can be selected to create an alarm and perform a switch, and which are listed in order of priority, are input present, input video standard, video frozen, video black, various EDH errors (SD only), line CRC error (HD only), audio group 1 missing, audio group 2 missing, audio group 3 missing, audio group 4 missing and silence on a specific audio channel. There are also four special ‘combined conditions’ parameters which only flag an error if all the conditions are met simultaneously.

Further flexibility comes from the option to set a time period of between 2 and 60 seconds before the video black, video frozen and audio silence parameters trigger a switch.

Smart Switch 3G will switch away from an error on the main input only if the backup is free of that fault, while should the main and standby inputs have different alarms set Smart Switch 3G will work to the most significant feature to decide which feed to select.

Following a switch it can either reselect the main feed automatically (with the option to set a time period for which the signal must be good before switching back) or by user intervention.

Smart Switch 3G can also be switched manually, either immediately or in the vertical blanking period to enable a cleaner switch, with the Smart Switch 3G taking timing information from input 2 to determine the correct time to switch.

Smart Switch 3G combines intelligence with space-saving benefits, with this 100mm x 266mm module fitting in Crystal Vision’s standard frames which allows easy integration with any other products from the range.

The inputs and outputs are accessed by using the RM53 and RM54 frame rear modules, which give two outputs of the main signal and one output of the standby. The RM54 includes relay bypass protection for the main feed on power failure or board removal, giving your system that extra layer of security and preventing signal loss.

Control can be from board edge switches, front and remote panels, SNMP, GPIs and PC software, with the option of setting Statesman alarms to ensure you are personally notified of any fault conditions by your choice of a flashing Statesman title bar, a sound, an e-mail message or a triggered macro.

If you need immediate reaction to large system signal problems or you want peace of mind for your unmanned automatic playout facility, Smart Switch 3G is a product you can trust to keep you on air.