At NewTek, good things come in threes. First there was TriCaster, a complete portable production solution with up to six camera inputs and a host of other features delivering content live to Web, recorded to internal hard drive or direct output. There is no other solution for the money that even comes close.

Now, those industry leaders at NewTek have delivered 3PLAY, a complete slow-motion replay system priced at a fraction of systems costing in excess of six figures.

3PLAY is a slow-motion replay system hardware device that accepts up to three channels of HD/SD video and audio streams. It records SD (NTSC or PAL), 720p or 1080i signals and enables playback with a delay of only two frames. Recorded events can be categorized in color-coded lists for ease of operator use. An included control surface allows switching between camera angles and slo-mo via either predetermined increments or a t-bar. A jog shuttle control also allows forward or reverse video.

3PLAY outputs directly to Web (like TriCaster), directly into a switcher or directly into TriCaster. Alternatively, it can save the "event" to a broadcast-standard 50Mb/s MPEG-2 Long GOP file complete with EDL for importing into most NLEs. With its built-in Ethernet, those resulting files can be copied to any server on the network. And there are even more choices. Upon starting a new session, you can specify whether you wish one output stream or three separate streams, thereby creating an ISO of each camera angle. The net effect is that the 3PLAY can output a switched replay from selected angles at the selected playback speed or all three outputs at the selected speed to a switcher. The broadcast angle would then be up to the director at the remote switcher.

3PLAY is a compact unit measuring 8.5" x 10.5" x 17" and weighing around 20 lb. It ships with mouse, keyboard and hardware controller; the user must provide the computer display. Video reference display would also be helpful.

I tested the unit with a 24" Dell display and my 17" Flanders Scientific LM-1760W HD/SDI monitor. For ease in configuring computer monitor, my test unit included a DVI cable.

Like TriCaster, 3PLAY is built on a Windows platform—in this case, Windows Vista. I must confess I was somewhat skeptical given so much of the bad rap that Vista had earned. But I encountered only rock-solid stability and never a crash or hang up. In fact, the only times one interacts with the OS itself is in networking or just a few system utilities. While it is a Windows computer at heart, it is specifically dedicated to the 3PLAY functionality and I would not recommend attempting to use it for checking your e-mail or playing your favorite games.

Its arrangement is logical. Rear connections are "computer related." Front connections consist of BNS connectors for up to three channels of video in/out in SDI or Y/Pb/Pr, digital audio I/O with two channels on each connector, and for channels of analog audio. Front also has two USB connectors and a genlock in—very important. Those NewTek folks understand video and don't miss a trick.

Starting up the new session allows the choice of video standard, resolution and output mode (1 or 3, as mentioned above). Likewise, the open/manage session command allows access to all recordings remaining on the internal drive. Whenever you choose to delete files from the system, there is a defragmentation utility in the Systems Utility menu to optimize the drive.

In my testing setup, I utilized material from some football games that NewTek reps had already had recorded to the machine, as well as input from two Sony EX cameras. I utilized only one SDI output, viewing my switched choice on the computer monitor and simultaneously on the HD-SDI monitor. My primary tests were using 1080i sources.

As a further note, if there are space constraints, the controller is not required. If at start up the 3PLAY fails to detect the USB-attached controller, all controls will be displayed on screen and can be used with the keyboard and mouse. I prefer the more tactile controller, and I suspect that would be the same for any video professional. Those from more of a "computer" or dare I say "computer gaming" background might feel more comfortable with on-screen control.

Anyone who has ever even passed by a switcher or control device can use a 3PLAY. The beauty of 3PLAY (and TriCaster as well) is the simplicity of operation. Create the session. Configure inputs (audio/video sources as well as brightness, contrast, hue and saturation), configure output connection. Video sources will then appear on the desktop. Hit the Rec or Live button to start recording. The only little trick here is when turning recording off to make certain that it is enabled again once, as the manual puts it, "action begins again."

Create an event by using the Mark In and Mark Out buttons. That then creates an entry on the Event Panel, which you can name, color code and open later for future work. Replay the event, switch camera angles as desired and adjust the speed.

The sports application here is one of the most obvious uses. Take a look at three angles of that wide receiver carrying his long catch into the corner of the end zone. Did he step out of bounds? Was he tackled before getting the ball over the end zone line? Play in slo-mo from each of the angles, jog reverse and jog forward. Off it goes to the switcher, the Web, or to disk for later editing in the highlight reel.

The basic operation is really that simple. The learning curve is that simple. NewTek provides an illustrated QuickStart manual to get you up and running immediately, and a concise, well illustrated and well organized manual that explains each function of the controller and each menu choice. Additionally, the manual is equally useful for the video professional as well as for the non-pros who may find themselves using this unit. As an example, the device configuration menu displayed on the computer screen has genlock on/off toggles. The manual contains a concise definition of genlock and its uses. We pros know. The coach's assistant potentially using the 3PLAY would not.

There is little fault to find with 3PLAY. It works seamlessly and smoothly. It is stable. Tech support is fast and responsive. Construction is solid. Some may contend that the output format of MPEG-2 Long GOP is not of the best quality. I won't enter into the Long GOP vs. i-Frame debate other than to note that 50Mb/s Long GOP 4:2:2 video is accepted by any broadcaster and that it is a very efficient codec for both quality, space efficiency and ease of editing. I have trepidations about Windows Vista but did not encounter any problems while testing the 3PLAY.

By virtue of only three I/O positions, 3PLAY will not totally replace multiple-$100,000 slo-mo replay systems in remote trucks at major broadcast events. It is useful within even the large broadcast environment for specific uses. Where it will shine is in bringing access for a slo-mo system to Webcasting, small broadcasting situations, or even training (as is the case with the NBA Development League, which uses 3PLAY for that purpose).

At a price point of $21,995, NewTek has delivered among the most versatile and useful recording and playback devices in recent years. They have lowered the bar for wider access to this important technology without lowering the quality of the output.

You don't need to look at every possible angle to see that 3PLAY scores big.