MONDAY 19TH AUGUST 2024

IDS Chosen in Microsoft's New Broadcast Routing Control System 

Microsoft Broadcast Production Studios recently went live with a new routing control system for their internal Broadcast Network, which included Densitron's renowned 2RU rackmount monitors with rotary encoders.

The project was led by Mike Meglathery of Diversified, and included partnerships with Run Studios, Imagine Communications, TAG Video Systems, Diversified and Densitron.  The system integration work was completed by Diversified and was based on Imagine’s Magellan IP routing and SNP video processors, and TAG’s multi-viewing software. 
 

Microsoft and Diversified selected Densitron, initially based on a recommendation from Imagine.  Imagine’s Magellan controllers are fixed function and Densitron had successfully developed customized workflows for Microsoft’s requirements, including multi-select routing, audio shuffling and the integration of other devices, including Imagine SNP Video Processors and TAG multiviewer functions on the same system. 

Another unique feature from Densitron was the addition of rotary encoders (as seen above) on each end of the monitor which enabled simple, fast and reliable scrolling between control screens. 

The majority of the Densitron customization work was system configuration, as well as the new device drivers to control the SNP processors. This customization work included:

• Per-panel home pages of frequently used sources and destinations
• X-Y routing, with audio breakaway control protocols
• Category based navigation- sources and destinations
• Preset recalls on the TAG multiviewer
• Parameter control of individual channels of the SNP
• Routing for the audio shufflers
• Multi-destination routing mode, for fast access for setting up multiple routings

The system went live in the first quarter of 2024 and has had very positive reactions from Microsoft engineering. Marc Brown, The Director of Engineering at Microsoft had this to say about the Densitron Control system: “The collaborative work with Densitron and Microsoft on the design and feature-set was outstanding. Updates, changes and added functionality requests were always met with a positive response and implemented usually within days. We couldn’t be happier with the results.”

Mike Meglathery of Diversified, led the project integration, and was positive about Densitron’s role in the project.“Densitron was a pleasure to work with. The programming team worked with Microsoft to develop a custom interface that matched their unique workflows. The ability to control multiple subsystems utilizing the same panel is a strong differentiator.”
 

Microsoft chose the Densitron 2RU rackmount monitors because of their mechanical footprint, superior optics, and touch responsiveness.  The rotary encoder increased the system’s functionality and made it simpler to access multiple screens quickly and efficiently. Densitron’s 2RU monitors are also available with haptics, and broadcast quality keypads as options.  The keypad technology interfaces with the touch screen and is 100% reliable with a satisfying closure even when pressed on an edge. 

Densitron worked with the Microsoft engineers to develop a custom workflow defining each step in their desired workflow. Below are schematic examples of just some of the 2RU screens we developed for the project…

Would you like to learn more about our IDS control system's capabilities in the broadcast sector, and how it can streamline your operation? You can get in touch with us at the link below