Abstract: A control panel comprising a plurality of hard key buttons which are arranged in different groups is suggested. A first group of buttons is assigned to select predefined scene settings. A second group of buttons is assigned to select signals for a currently broadcasted scene. A third group of buttons is assigned to select signals for a next scene which is selectable by operating a button of the first group. The hardware control panel provides an operating interface that matches with the workflow of TV productions. It enables context related direct access to all functionalities which are needed during the TV show. However, it does not provide access to those functionalities which are not needed in a specific scene. Hence, it significantly reduces or even prevents malfunctions during a TV production.

Abstract: A system for processing video and/or audio signals is suggested. The system comprises a control unit and a processing unit. The control unit and the processing unit are communicatively connected for exchanging digital data in a packetized format. The proposed system allows splitting the processing ability of a big vision mixer into smaller sub units without losing real-time processing behavior. In addition to that a method of processing video and/or audio signals is suggested. The method utilizes a control unit and a plurality of processing units, which are communicatively connected for exchanging digital data in a packetized format. The method comprises the steps of receiving video signals at the processing units; sending video signals from the processing units; sending command signals from the control unit to one or several processing units; and scheduling the execution of command signals received in the processing units to compensate for signal latencies and processing latencies.

Abstract: A method for processing video and/or audio signals utilizing a processing component which is communicatively connected with a source component having a compression stage for compressing video and/or audio signals is suggested. The method comprises the steps of receiving uncompressed video and/or audio signals as source signals at the source component from one or a plurality of sources; compressing the video and/or audio signals with a selectable compression factor; transmitting the compressed video and/or audio signals to the processing component; processing the compressed video/audio signals in the processing component to produce at least one production output signal. In addition to that a system for processing video and/or audio signals is proposed. The system comprises a source component, a routing component and a processing component. The source component transmits all received source signals through the routing component to the processing component.