INCREDIBLE
PERFORMANCE

The Q8 presentation switcher offers incredible real-time 4K video processing power. It comes with at most 72x 4K input connectors and 64x 4K output connectors, supporting up to 48x 4K concurrent inputs and 16x 4K concurrent outputs. A maximum of 32x 4K mixing layers (true seamless transitions) in switcher mode are supported.

Moreover, the Q8 provides a variety of exceptional features. Multiple different connectors are designed on one input card or output card, including DP 1.2, DP 1.4, HDMI 2.0, HDMI 2.1 and 12G-SDI. It also supports ST2110 cards, including one input card with 4x SFP25G ports, one input card with 2x 100G OPT ports (in addition to HDMI and DP connectors), and one output card with 2x 100G OPT ports (along with 12G-SDI connectors), offering not only high bandwidth and bitwidth but also flexible transmission of video, audio, and control data over IP networks. Additionally, the Q8 boasts the 8K video processing capability. With these capabilities, the Q8 enables you to design and manage all live events easily and economically. Thanks to the VPU-based architecture, the number of layers on a single output card can be doubled, eliminating any concerns about running out of layer capacity.

LONGER TRANSMISSION
DISTANCE, LOWER COST

In addition to the ability of outputting content from the 4K connectors, the Q8 presentation switcher is also capable of transmitting signals to the LED controllers from NovaStar over a long distance (up to 10 km with single-mode optical fiber) without fiber converters. This method not only ensures the signal stability but also lowers the transmission cost, making it a perfect fit for longdistance signal transmission.

Currently supported controllers are VX1000, VX600, VX400, H series, MX40 Pro, MCTRL4K, and NovaPro UHD Jr

VARIOUS CONTROL
OPTIONS

The Q8 is very easy to operate and supports flexible control options: versatile event controller U5/U5 Pro, all-new event management software PixelFlow, and third-party control system Stream Deck (Companion integrated into the Q8). You can use the control methods to realize various operations, such as preset related operations, blackout, freeze, and PVW to PGM operations. What’s more, multiple switchers can be controlled simultaneously by a single event controller or PC with PixelFlow when they are on the same LAN and in the same project. This makes on-site control and operations a breeze.

EASY-TO-USE
PixelFlow

The Q8 works with the new PixelFlow, which has fully upgraded architecture, graphical user interface, interaction and ease of use designs. The new architecture enables the software to run 24/7 stably. The visualized user interface is adaptive to different screens of event controllers and computer, and the software allows you to change the skins of event controller buttons with one click, giving you a great look and feel. What's more, the event controller encoders and faders can control the software parameters, making operations smoother. With distinct function areas, hover menus and almost all the functions required in an event, the software guides you from beginning to end of any events with as little complex operation as possible.

ALL-ROUND
SUPERB
RELIABILITY

The Q8 presentation switcher supports full-link backup, from input source backup to device backup and power backup, to safeguard your live events. Once the input source is not stable or disappears, it will be switched to the backup source seamlessly. When the primary device fails, the backup device will take over the work immediately to ensure uninterrupted operation. Switching from the primary to backup input source or device with no downtime makes the solution highly reliable and worry-free.

Modular

Inputs

  • Q8_ST2110_4xSFP25G Input Card_I 4x SFP25G

  • Q8_HDMI2.0+DP1.2+12G-SDI Input Card

    4x HDMI 2.0
    4x DP 1.2
    4x 12G-SDI

Outputs

  • Q8_HDMI2.0+12G-SDI+Fiber Output Card

    4x HDMI 2.0
    4x 12G-SDI
    8x 10G OPT

  • Q8_HDMI2.0x4+DP1.2x4+SFPx8 Output Card

Usage Scenarios

Specification

Inputs
• Up to 48x 4K concurrent inputs through 6 input cards
• Standard, custom and advanced EDID settings
Custom resolutions: 3840×2160@60Hz, 4096×2160@60Hz, 8192×1080@60Hz, etc.
• Input source deinterlacing processing on 4 connectors of each input card
• Input source cropping
• Status LED indicators provided for easy troubleshooting
Outputs
• Up to 16x 4K concurrent outputs through 4 output cards
• Standard, custom and advanced output timing settings
• Output width up to 8192 pixels, better choice for LED applications
• Status LED indicators provided for easy troubleshooting
Layers
• Each Q8 supports up to 32x 4K mixing layers in switcher mode
• Full screen roaming supported
• Fade and Cut effects for PVW to PGM transition
• Layer effects: mask, border, flip, copy, shadow, cut and fill, KeyFrame and more
• Layer template: All (or a portion) of the current layer’s properties (such as input source, position, size, effects, etc.) can be saved as a layer template in PixelFlow for easy recall
Audio
• Dante audio networking
◦ Dual redundancy Gigabit Ethernet ports (AES67 compliant)
◦ Audio de-embedding/embedding on every input & output (raw audio)
◦ De-embedded audio channels can be routed directly to the Dante network
◦ Audio channels from external Dante audio processor can be re-embedded for sending to display, streaming or recording device
◦ 64x64 Dante channels @48 kHz
• Dedicated analog audio inputs and outputs
◦ 2x 3.5 mm dual-channel audio jacks (1x line in & 1x line out)
◦ Default sample rate: 48 kHz (backward compatible)
◦ Bit depth: 8 bit/16 bit/24 bit
Multiviewer
• Two dedicated output connectors configured as Multiviewer connectors, with resolutions adjustable
• Independent and copying modes: The two connectors display different Multiviewer images, or the HDMI 2 copies the HDMI 1 output
• Monitor all inputs and screens (PVW and PGM)
• Customizable layouts for easy use
• UMD display and color adjustment
• Border adjustment for Multiviewer windows
Screens
• Output configured as single screens or edge-blended widescreens
• Multi-screen management and control
• Bezel compensation
• Edge blending, supporting both simple and complex projection scenarios
• Irregular screen mosaic and output AOI function, ideal for complex and irregular LED screen applications
• The sync source can be set independently for each screen
Still Image Management
• Still images can be imported or captured from input or output
• Unlimited still image quantity in 1 GB storage space
• Still images can be used as BKG and still layers
• Independent BKG for each screen
• BKG filling the whole screen by default, with adjustable position and size
• Up to 255 BKGs (max 1 GB in total) supported
• A solid color can be selected as BKG
Transition & Effects
• Smart key, luma key and chroma key
• Cut and fade transitions
• Customizable transition durations
• PVW to PGM via Take, Cut or T-bar operation
• Copy or Swap mode for PVW to PGM transition
Processing
• FPGA based high performance image processing architecture with SuperView scaling engine inside
• Ultra-low latency, as low as 1 frame in proper configuration
• BT.601, BT.709, BT.2020, DCI-P3 color space processing support
• Advanced keying capability: smart key, chroma key and luma key
• Compatible with HDCP 1.3, HDCP 1.4 and HDCP 2.2
Control Options
• Event controller U5/U5 Pro
• Event management software PixelFlow
• Third-party control system Stream Deck (Companion integrated into the Q8)
PixelFlow Functionalities
• Long-term stable running
• Upgraded and visualized UI, adaptive to U5/U5 Pro/PC screens
• One click to change skins of U5/U5 Pro buttons
• Software parameter controllable by U5/U5 Pro encoders or faders
• Distinct function areas and hover menu for ease of use
• Fully functional simulator for offline configuration and practice