360 Systems - About - Broadcast Audio & Video Equipment

360 Systems Broadcast

360 Systems’ focus is new technology for the broadcast, entertainment and pro-AV industries. The mission of 360 Systems’ is to deliver high-value broadcast products that have significantly greater capabilities, and much lower costs.

360 Systems designs and manufactures innovative video and audio products at its headquarters in Newbury Park, California. The company is a privately held California corporation. 360 Systems is excited to have served the broadcast and pro-AV industry for over 50 years.

1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
Present

360 Systems History - 1970s

Company History

360 Systems was founded in 1972 by Robert Easton, a U.S.C. cinema department graduate working in the Hollywood film industry. The firm’s original business plan focused on applying new semiconductor technology to products for the music and recording industries. Many of these “firsts” from the 1970s have since become industry standards. Starting in the 1970s, new semiconductor and software developments enabled a wealth of creative tools for these markets.

360 Systems History - 1980s

Company History

During the 1980’s, 360 Systems introduced its Permanent Playback™ digital audio message players, which became a standard in theme parks around the world. Permanent Playback replaces recording tape by storing high quality audio on EPROM memory chips. The revolutionary design removes all moving parts and delivers a virtually maintenance free system. Twenty-five years later, original units are still in service.

360 Systems History - 1990s

Company History

360 Systems then entered the broadcast equipment business with the introduction of the DigiCart® recorder in 1990. Providing the first real option to analog cart machines.

As the advantages of digital audio became clear, 360 Systems began designing products that emphasized reliability and ease-of-use with the Instant Replay®. The Short/cut™ Editor was then designed for fast, on-air editing of audio source materials. Short/cut provides a completely self-contained portable solution to waveform editing. It has found service in radio and television production, remote broadcast trucks, and voice-over facilities.

360 Systems History - 2000s

Company History

In 2003, first shown at the April NAB Convention, the Image Server family of video servers set new standards for features and performance. Over 3,000 units are in service around the world. 360 Systems’ MAXX™ High Definition servers include large multi-channel models with high storage capacity, and affordable three-channel servers for mid-markets and Pro AV.

360 Systems introduced audio networking for television broadcast with the Ethernet Audio™ network, which provides shared-access to centrally stored audio files.

360 Systems History - 2010s

Company History

The early 2010’s saw the need for video servers with high channel counts in increasingly smaller form factors. This started first in 360 Systems MAXX server line with the introduction of the MAXX-2420, 4 channel server in a 2U form factor. The thought process was developed further in subsequent years with the introduction of the TSS multi channel servers in a 1U chassis.

By 2015 the next iteration of the TSS video servers had been released. Performance enhancements including HD / SD in the same server along with up/down/cross conversions of multiple file formats on-the-fly were included as part of the standard features. The inclusion of H.264 and MPEG-2 support allowed for more flexible file support especially when dealing with moving content from NLE’s and other external sources.

360 Systems History - 2020s & present

Company History

In 2020, the TSS 2470II Variable Time Delay was released, adding flexible playout control to the basic set-and-forget 2470 Network Time Delay. By 2021 360 Systems added another model to the Time Delay line-up, the dual channel TSS – 2470II DualZone Time Delay.

In 2022, 360 Systems announced the release of the next generation Instant Replay 3. A complete redesign of the classic Instant Replay, the latest model features a modern interface, larger RGB illuminated keys for easy identification. The basic premise still remains the same with simple, instant playout at the touch of any HotKey.

With the end of 2023, the much-anticipated release of the DigiCart 5 arrived. The groundbreaking DigiCart received not only a new look and feel, but an even more cohesive, IT centric implementation designed for smoother functionality in modern workflows.