EVS Officially Launches The XT[2]+ Server

An innovator in the design of hardware and software for the production and playout of TV programmes have announced the official release of the XT[2]+ server. The new video production server from EVS' XT series will offer more bandwidth and greater capabilities to broadcasters around the globe. 

The newly developed XT[2]+ is based on the field-proven XT[2] architecture that has been on the market for over five years, and has been designed to offer broadcasters maximum speed, reliability, increased storage capacity, as well as improved media flow performances for intense live productions, including ingest and playout.
The XT[2]+ comes with a full range of software and remote controllers, such as MulticamLSM, IPDirector and Insio. The new server offers an even greater open architecture with extended support of formats and codecs for a better control of and a smoother integration with third-party systems.
Pierre L’Hoest, Chief Executive Officer of EVS, said: “The XT[2]+ has been designed to meet extended production requirements from customers. The newly developed server will offer the best of breed in broadcast technology for today’s and tomorrow’s demanding operations, while guarantying the highest level of reliability and robustness expected from an EVS brand.”
Compared to the preceding XT series, the XT[2]+ offers:

• New SAS disk controllers providing superior performance and increased reliability. Boosted internal storage of up to 12 disks with compact 2.5 inches form factor
• Increased storage with external array (hot-swappable disks) with a total capacity of up to 20TB per server
• Fully scalable capacity based on system clustering allowing to add multiple systems on the same network and increased production storage capacities
• Enlarged bandwidth by more than 30% offering a clear upgrade path to AVC-Intra and 1080p support
• Larger multi-codec support, including IMX, MJPEG, MPEG-2 for SD, MPEG-2 for HD, Avid DNxHD, ProRes 422 and ProRes 422 HQ, DVCPRO 50 and DVCPRO HD
• Improved monitoring capabilities with multi-viewer modes (2x2 screens, 3+3 screens, 4+2 screens) and improved SNMP communications

Shipment of the new system will begin in March 2010 with a proposed upgrade package available for existing XT[2] customers.
The new EVS server is available in 6, 4, or 2 channel configurations and in SD/HD ready or full HD/SD mode with dual networking capabilities. This includes the XNet[2] (high bandwidth media sharing network) dedicated to live production media access and exchange and the standard Gigabit Ethernet network allowing transparent media exchange with NLE and third-party systems.
The XT[2]+ will be presented at Broadcast Video Expo in London (16-18 February), CABSAT in Dubai (02-04 March) and NAB 2010 in Las Vegas (10-15 April).
(BMcN/BMcc)