Multi-channel High Definition Slow Motion And Instant Replay

NewTek 3PLAY delivers multi-channel high definition slow motion and instant replay affordably to live sports and television producers worldwide. High Definition slow motion instant replay is no longer out of reach with NewTek 3PLAY. Now, sports broadcasters, teams, leagues, schools and organizations have an affordable alternative for multi-channel HD/SD slow motion instant replay. The small size and portability of 3PLAY enhance production at any venue. The ability to connect to any switcher provides the ultimate flexibility for all production environments. 3PLAY is the perfect instant replay, slow motion solution for live production.

3PLAY gives sports broadcasters, leagues, teams and schools an affordable option to deliver instant replay and slow motion for broadcast, webcast, arena scoreboard displays and more.

3PLAY™ Live Demo

With NewTek 3PLAY you can:

• Capture all the action with synchronized, continuous recording and display of up to three audio/video streams
• Deliver slow motion instant replays immediately by bookmarking key events with marked in and out points
• Organize replays in separate lists using color coding to easily distinguish teams, players, game periods, event types, highlights and more
• Play back key elements at variable speeds from multiple camera angles to give the viewer a comprehensive look at all the action
• Quickly generate highlight reels automatically from the “Master List” by exporting selected video segments including an edit decision list to a non-linear editor
• Provide the highest signal quality with HD and SD SDI as well as component, Y/C and composite signals at multiple resolutions including 1080i,  720p and SD at 4:3 or 16:9
• Multi-standard version supports both NTSC and PAL
• Choose from two output modes. One output mode allows the 3PLAY operator to send a switched replay from multiple camera angles as one video stream to the switcher. The three output mode allows the operator to control the playback speed and the switcher is fed all three outputs so the director or technical director can select the camera angle for broadcast
• Record three isolated cameras simultaneously providing the ability to switch the event in post for maximum flexibility and functionality

Specifications

VIDEO

Inputs

• 3 Serial Digital Inputs with HD-SDI and SDI support
• 3 Component inputs with HD and SDI support
• 3 Y/C inputs
• 3 Composite inputs
  

Outputs

• 3 Serial Digital outputs with HD-SDI and SDI support
• 3 Component outputs with HD and SDI support
• 3 Y/C outputs
• 3 Composite outputs

Formats

• 1080i 59.94Hz
• 1080i 50Hz*
• 720p 59.94Hz
• 720p 50Hz*
• 480i 59.94Hz
• 576i 50Hz*

3PLAY supports both 16:9 and 4:3 aspects *Requires the multi-standard version of 3Play 100HD*

AUDIO

Inputs

• Up to four channels embedded audio supported on SDI and HD-SDI inputs
• 3 AES3/SPDIF digital Audio inputs
• 4 Balanced analog inputs per video channel
• Nominal level +4 dBu (-20dBFS), Maximum level +24 dBu
  

Outputs

• 4 embedded audio outputs per video output is supported on SDI and HD-SDI
• 3 AES3/SPDIF digital audio outputs
• 4 Balanced analog outputs per video channel
• Nominal level +4 dBu (-20dBFS), Maximum level +24 dBu

FORMATS

• Video is compressed using MPEG-2 VBR, I-Frame only.
• Audio is uncompressed and sampled at 48kHz, 24-bit.
• 30 hours of storage (10 hours of 3 simultaneous channels.)

STANDARDS

• HD-SDI video conforms to SMPTE 292M
• SD video conforms to SMPTE 259M and ITU-R BT.656.
• Analog audio levels conform to SMPTE RP-155.

GENLOCK

• Locks to HD or SD analog signals.
• Supports either tri-level or regular sync sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 3PLAY?
3PLAY™ is a multi-channel, HD/SD, instant replay and slow motion solution. 3PLAY is a standalone hardware device that provides simultaneous recording and display of up to three video streams with audio. 3PLAY outputs three (synchronized) video streams to a live broadcast switcher and is capable of sending live video, delayed video or selected replays.

Does 3PLAY record audio with each input?
Yes. Each input will capture four audio channels in either analog or digital audio. Digital Audio can be in AES or SDI embedded formats.

Does 3PLAY always record a continuous stream?
Yes. All three inputs are captured in a single file. From that file, a highlight reel can be generated and exported along with an edit decision list (EDL) for post production and editing. There are also tools integrated in 3PLAY to backup and restore the entire project, with markers.

Is 3PLAY portable?
With dimensions of only 8.5”x10.5”x17” and weighing in at just 20 pounds, 3PLAY easily qualifies as airline carry-on gear.

Is 3PLAY native HD?
3PLAY supports 720p and 1080i SDI or component High Definition video. Unlike other devices that refer to “HD compatible,” 3PLAY supports full High Definition throughout its entire pipeline. 480i or 576i composite, Y/C, component or SDI Standard Definition video, is also supported in 4:3 or 16:9

Is 3PLAY multi-standard?
Yes. There are two models: 3PLAY NTSC for US$21,995 and 3PLAY Multi-Standard PAL, NTSC & NTSC-J for US$24,995.

Is there a controller surface?
Yes. 3PLAY includes the 3P-10, a full-featured desktop control surface. In production, the only need for the keyboard would be to add replay comments or create a new session name.

What are the 3PLAY playback speeds?
3PLAY is designed to play back at any speed from 0 to 100% and, if using the shuttle control, this expands to +/- 600%. There are also buttons on the 3P-10 control surface to instantly select replays at 25%, 33%, 50%, 75% or 100% speed.

What is the 3PLAY storage capacity?
As a general guideline, 3PLAY can store more than 11 hours of up to three HD video channels and up to 12 audio channels. While 3PLAY video compression can vary slightly, the quality remains constant to ensure visual fidelity at all times. Frames containing a high amount of detail may consume more disk space.

Can I record to external drives?
To ensure recording integrity, replays can only be captured to the internal hard drive. Once recording ends, those clips can be copied across a network or to a USB drive.

Are there plans to support 14:9 aspect ratio?
Not at this time. NewTek determined that the more standard 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios dominate live production.

How can I have more than 3 channels of slow motion replay?
You can run multiple 3PLAY units, but each one will need its own operator.

What are the supported resolutions and frame rates?
NTSC: 1080i 59.94Hz, 720p 59.94Hz, 480i 59.94Hz
Multi-Standard adds: 1080i 50Hz, 720p 50Hz, 576i 50Hz

What is the audio/video format?
Video is compressed using MPEG-2, constant quality, variable bitrate (VBR), I-Frame only.
Audio is uncompressed and sampled at 48 kHz with, 24-bit precision.

Are these files compatible with other systems?
Yes. The exported MPEG-2 video clips will play in all professional NLEs.

Is there genlock in?
Yes. NewTek recommends that 3PLAY and all connected inputs are genlocked to the same reference signal. As 3PLAY is HD native, there is full support for both tri-level and regular sync sources.