Lawo Enhances vm_avp App

by Daryl Ilbury December 17, 2021 5 min read

Lawo has further enhanced its vm_avp app (formerly known as vm_streaming) for the software-defined V__matrix C100 ecosystem, providing additional features covered by license options.

The new +ab_dsk license option adds video mixing and keying to the V__matrix offering. It unlocks eight video mixing/keying instances @3G per vm_avp instance. Each instance can work in one of four modes: AB Mix (blends between two sources), AB Mix Independent (source blending over color matte), LUMA Keyer (linear keying), or LUMA Keyer Advanced (linear keying supporting shaped keying).

The new +The new +tc_gen license generates timecode flavors from PTP or other time sources and provides up to three independent generators. It’s possible to imbed generated ancillary timecode (ATC) formats, including VITC1, VITC2, and LTC, into TX and SDI outputs. The system generates linear timecode (LTC) as a digital audio signal.

The enhanced +VC2 option equips vm_avp with 20x VC-2/DiracPro ultra-low-latency video codecs and now supports single-link streaming as well as compression ratios of up to 6.6:1 and 8:1 for monitoring purposes, with less than 20 lines of end-to-end delay. This turns it into a powerful add-on for remote production scenarios where bandwidth is limited and minimal delay is of the essence.

The existing +FS license enables frame syncing and delay for video and sample-rate conversion and delay for audio. In response to numerous V__matrix user requests, the FrameSync/Video Delay Processing block now features a mode for 12G square-division merging (SQD).

“Lawo’s vm_avp app for V__matrix C100 has evolved from being an IP gateway heavy-weight into a fully-featured, IP-based video and audio processing powerhouse,” explains Stephan Türkay, Lawo’s senior product manager of media infrastructure. “The software-defined nature of our V__matrix ecosystem inherently means that users can adapt its feature set to evolving market expectations. This strategy turns V__matrix into a secure investment for the long term.”

Thanks to its revised feature set, vm_avp now provides up to 20 video transmitters and receivers, 128 audio transmitters and receivers, 50 video crossbars, 20 audio-video crossbars, 25 audio crossbars, 24 video delay handlers, 64 audio delay handlers, eight color correction instances, eight video mixing/keying instances, 24 sample-rate converters, an audio downmix engine, and a digital audio gain stage on all crossbar outputs.