Broadcast Pix Intros Voice-Automated Video System

Broadcast Pix has introduced VOX, a product for cost-effective live video production that works with any Granite, Mica or Slate system to produce voice-activated video productions.

The company says VOX eliminates the need for an operator during live productions, as it detects which microphone is being used and uses software to switch to an interesting camera position and add appropriate graphics.

VOX is designed for government and corporate meetings, interviews, video coverage of radio programs, and other productions with multiple microphones, and can be used for television broadcasts, Internet streaming and in-house projection.

While VOX can simply switch cameras, it has the intelligence to do more. VOX integrates with Broadcast Pix’s built-in Fluent macros to create automatic video-follow-audio. Fluent macros can be programmed to select camera presets, roll clips and animations, add or remove titles and even execute compositions such as up to six picture-in-pictures for interviews. Multiple macros can be assigned to each microphone — and selection criteria can be established — so automated productions can offer variety in shot selection and graphics, as if a technical director was at the controls.

“Broadcast Pix is known for integrated production systems that create compelling live video with minimal staff. Now, VOX can create great video with no operator at all,” said Ken Swanton, president of Broadcast Pix. “It’s a breakthrough in cost-effective production.”

VOX is already in use at Q-music, a radio network in Belgium and Holland. Q-music broadcasted live concerts and other events from its Q-Beach House in Ostend, Belgium, and streamed video programming on the Internet. The video productions were part of a pilot project for the network’s upcoming studio-based Visual Radio programming, which will be produced in three facilities with VOX and Broadcast Pix Mica systems.

Housed in a 1 RU chassis with eight microphone inputs, VOX includes camera control software for Panasonic and Sony robotic camera systems, and connects to any Broadcast Pix system via an RS-232 serial cable. Multiple VOX boxes can be cascaded to support up to 104 microphones.

Conditions can be set to prevent coughs or one-word comments from changing cameras, minimizing unnecessary camera changes. Microphone inputs can also be prioritized, so a host, for example, can be given priority over guests. Plus, a host can control VOX using a small override panel, through the included SoftPanel software on a laptop or Android device, or with an iPad or iPhone app. As a result, the host can roll an introduction or a commercial, or even override the automated VOX control to bring up a specific shot.

VOX will be available worldwide in December.