Just a Bunch of Black Boxes? Think again. The Difference is Night and Day.
The announcement in February of one company’s 4K digital media switcher not only raised the stakes for Pro-AV solutions providers in 4K dominance, but also made their mark at almost the same time as PureLink. Of course, there are big differences between the two product lines, and even bigger decisions to be made on the road to 4K deployment.
So, which upgrade path are you facing? How do the price and specs compare, and what incentives are manufacturers offering?
PureLink vs. The Others
Let’s take a look at company A. While the initial MSRP of their new 4K-ready digital media solutions may seem reasonable, it is important to know that the most difficult part of a system to redesign and replace is your connectivity network – switching, routing, and distribution.
So, as company A boasts about their impending release of 4K-ready enclosures, it leaves us questioning – what happens to existing systems? Users who want to upgrade their current network must replace the entire A/V distribution system with 4K-ready components.
PureLink’s PureMedia (PM Series) switching and extension systems were designed with this evolution in mind, and are among the first complete 4K connectivity solutions to be available in the Pro-AV market since 2013. The high bandwidth, back-bone frame behind the PM Series allows a simple swap of slot-loading boards and receivers to transform an existing system into a 4K signal-processing powerhouse.
The cost of a 4K/UltraHD distribution system is not significantly different than a 2K HD system. However, the cost of near-sighted development lacking adaptability to emerging trends and technology can be the difference between sinking and swimming (or in this case, driving across your 4K upgrade path).
4K Upgrade Programs – Not All it’s Cracked Up to Be?
Company C has recently launched a new 4K Upgrade program, following their claim to be the leader in the 4K revolution with complete A/V distribution systems that have been 4K-ready since the days of composite video. Now that 4K is here, authorized dealers are offered seemingly big discounts when they upgrade their current systems.
A closer look, however, reveals that it is merely a replacement program, where 4K-compliant cards and receivers must be purchased (albeit with a slight price cut) and existing components hold no trade-in value.
In the Pro-AV world, 4K is simply the next logical step in an industry seeking the highest resolutions. Investments will certainly be made; however, upgrading to 4K does not necessarily equal more money. PureLink’s 4K Level-Up Program is a guaranteed trade-in service tailored to simplify PM system upgrades and provide users with the highest possible value for existing components. Investments should be valued and rewarded, not lost because times are changing. So, you decide – where are the real savings?
Don’t Just Hope it Ships, Know it Ships
Today’s technology timeline is moving at a lightning-fast pace, and we can no longer wait and see how others use something new. By then, the “next best thing” has already been here. It is critical to stay on the cutting edge of emerging technology, and to be certain that adoption of new formats and standards is truly the latest and the greatest. PureLink’s innovations are the result of a vigilant design and forecasting process – one that produces flexible solutions that can adapt to emerging technologies.
Product development must be an ongoing, intentional process, constantly driven by the changing needs of the customer. The role of PureMedia in the 4K revolution is perhaps a perfect reminder that there is no need to hope for the best. The best is here and now.
