Following its announcement during the Ross Live Season 2 Keynote last month, Ross has formally launched the latest update to its Carbonite range of production switcher panels – TouchDrive.

TouchDrive is a new family of control panels that bring “the same touch technology” that can be found in the world of smartphones. These high-resolution displays, based on IPS LCD technology, make source and device control faster and enable functions like bus map creation without having to dive into menus. In addition, the custom color schemes enable TDs to configure and organize the panel look to their specific preference.

TouchDrive also includes a built-in DashBoard computer, enables integrated DashBoard control for various Ross products (e.g. XPression graphics, Ultrix routing, Tria replay and many more) and features convenient power/display/control connections for an additional external display. Available in five different sizes, from a single row 15 button panel to a 3-row 25 button panel, TouchDrive replaces all current Carbonite Black models except for the compact Carbonite Black Solo. The first shipments are expected later this month. 

“We spent the last year talking to TDs from around the world, and the feedback was extremely consistent – TDs have asked us for more freedom to create, greater operational efficiency and improved integration of production control,” comments Nigel Spratling, VP of Switchers at Ross. “We’ve taken all of that input onboard and we’re very pleased to offer TouchDrive as our solution – the new curved panel design, redesigned GUI and touch/ gesture features really take production switcher design into a whole new space, and the initial feedback from our beta-test customers has been amazing. Carbonite has been the world’s best-selling production switcher family for many years with good reason – we’re very proud to introduce TouchDrive as the latest innovation, and we know TDs are going to love using it.”