Groundbreaking Bluefin Technology at NAB 2006

At NAB 2006 Calrec Audio unveiled Bluefin, a revolutionary new High Density Signal Processing system which provides 200% more processing power in 92% less space and at no extra cost.
The Bluefin High Density Processing System provides 480 equivalent mono signal paths and is capable of providing 78 x full 5.1 surround channels. Bluefin can provide this incredible power on just one card.
“Quite simply Bluefin doubles the processing power of the largest Calrec Alpha console at no extra cost, and more than doubles the power of smaller versions,” said Sales Director John Gluck.
“The Bluefin technology project has been in development for a number of years and elements of the technology have been used in the Alpha console since its launch in 1999. It is a proprietary architecture which has been conceived and developed entirely within Calrec and as such has been a major undertaking.
“The reality of HD programming is that it will continue to create more demand for 5.1 content. We already see our customers needing more and more signal paths to create 5.1 channels yet HD programming with 5.1 audio is only just taking off. This technology meets production needs for HD production and live to air delivery far into the future.”
Bluefin processing provides full EQ and dynamics to all channels. The system also allows for 8 x 5.1 groups with full EQ and Dynamics, 4 x main outputs, 48 multitrack outputs and 20 auxes.
Bluefin processing provides benefits beyond size and functionality. Calrec Alpha products have an unrivalled history of reliability and Bluefin further enhances this. The system generates less heat and uses less power then the existing design. System resilience is provided by 100% redundancy of all processing elements through the provision of a second card – it is the equivalent of having another console as a hot spare.
Calrec’s continued commitment to customer value means Bluefin technology is fully retrofit-able to existing Alpha consoles. Having to increase console capacity to cope with HD television will not involve buying a new desk for existing Calrec users.
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