Crystal Vision

What Crystal Vision does

Crystal Vision Ltd. was a UK-based, privately held manufacturer of broadcast video and audio signal processing infrastructure, headquartered in Whittlesford and active from 1995 until it ceased trading. The company served a single vertical — professional broadcast engineering — supplying broadcasters, television production facilities, and video infrastructure operators with modular frame-based systems (Indigo 1U/2U/4U, Vision 3 3U, and FR-series fixed frames) that housed plug-in modules for specific broadcast functions. The product portfolio spanned distribution amplification (digital and analogue video, audio, MADI), format conversion (A/D, encode/decode, up/down/cross, aspect ratio), synchronizers and variable delays, audio embedders/de-embedders, keying and graphics (linear, chroma, logo, web, clip/sting), clean and intelligent switches, crosspoint routers, fibre optic transport, test pattern and reference generators, and IP/SDI gateway products targeting the industry's migration toward IP-based workflows.

The underlying technology was dedicated broadcast hardware supporting SDI, HD, 3G, and IP/SDI hybrid signal formats, with a control plane built around ASCII and JSON/HTTP protocols, SNMP MIBs per board, a VisionWeb browser-based interface embedded in frames, and the MultiLogo Control Software desktop application. Pricing was not publicly disclosed and the historical business model was direct equipment sales with warranty support through the OEM. Following Crystal Vision Ltd.'s cessation of trading, all warranty repairs, replacements, and spare parts (power supplies, fans, boards) are handled exclusively by Filca Ltd under a one-year spares warranty, and the support website is maintained as a documentation and contact gateway for existing equipment owners. No revenue, funding history, ownership structure, or management team details beyond founder Philip Scofield are disclosed in the available data.

Name

Crystal Vision

Legal name

Crystal Vision Ltd.

Website

https://crystalvision.tv

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Closed

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Crystal Vision was a UK-based manufacturer of modular broadcast video and audio signal processing infrastructure — distribution amplifiers, converters, synchronizers, keyers, and IP/SDI gateways — serving professional television broadcasters and production facilities. The company has ceased trading.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Broadcast Video Equipment

NAICS

Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431), Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (3343), Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing (33429)

SIC

Radio & Tv Broadcasting & Communications Equipment (3663)

akta.pro primary industry

Live Production Switching & Routing (Vision Mixers, Routers) (MPAHAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Video Adapters & Converters (HDMI/DP/VGA/DVI/USB-C) (HDACAHAF)

Keywords

• Broadcast video processing
• SDI signal distribution
• Video format conversion
• Broadcast keying equipment
• Video synchronization

Headquarters

HQ city

Whittlesford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations

Distribution channels1 record

Core offering

Crystal Vision designs and manufactures modular broadcast video and audio signal processing equipment for professional television infrastructure. The product range includes distribution amplifiers, format converters, synchronizers, embedders/de-embedders, keyers (logo, linear, chroma), routing switches, variable delay units, fibre optic transmitters/receivers, and IP/SDI gateway devices that plug into Indigo and Vision modular frames. The portfolio supports SDI, HD, 3G, and IP/SDI hybrid workflows for broadcast facilities.

Product overview

Crystal Vision was a manufacturer of broadcast video and audio processing equipment, now defunct (Crystal Vision Ltd. ceased trading). The product portfolio consists of modular frame-based systems (Indigo 1U/2U/4U frames, Vision 3 3U frames, FR series) that house plug-in modules for specific broadcast functions. The extensive product range covers: distribution amplification (video/audio/SDI/MADI in digital and analogue); format conversion (A/D, encode/decode, up/down/cross conversion, aspect ratio); processing (colour correction, video proc-amps, audio processing); keying and graphics (logo keyers, linear keyers, chroma keyers, clip and sting stores, web keyers); routing and switching (clean switches, smart switches, crosspoint routers); timing (synchronizers, variable delays, tracking audio delays); audio management (embedders, de-embedders, audio distribution); fibre optic transport; test and measurement (pattern generators, black generators); and IP/SDI gateway solutions for broadcast IP transition. Control is via ASCII and JSON/HTTP protocols, SNMP, VisionWeb browser interface, and dedicated control software.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Indigo Modular Frame Series Modular 1U/2U/4U frames plus desktop boxes that house Crystal Vision plug-in broadcast processing boards, with variants including CoolFlow and 48V options.
• Vision 3 Frame 3U modular frame for housing Crystal Vision broadcast modules with SNMP monitoring support.
• 3GDA Series Digital Video Distribution Amplifiers Distribution amplifiers for distributing 3G/HD/SD SDI video signals across broadcast facilities, with single and dual channel models including 3GDA105C, 3GDA111C, 3GDA204R, 3GDA210R, and 3GDA-VF for video and MADI.
• DDA and HDDA Series Distribution Amplifiers Digital and high definition digital video distribution amplifiers for SDI and HD/3G signals with multiple channel and output configurations.
• VDA Series Analogue Video Distribution Amplifiers Analogue video distribution amplifiers with single and dual channel models for legacy broadcast video distribution including HD variants.
• AADA and DADA Audio Distribution Amplifiers Analogue and digital audio distribution amplifiers with quad, standard, and dual channel configurations for broadcast audio distribution.
• MADDA MADI Audio Distribution Amplifiers MADI audio distribution amplifiers (MADDA105, MADDA111) for distributing MADI audio signals in broadcast environments.
• ADC and DAC Converter Series A to D and D to A video converters for converting between analogue and digital video signals in broadcast facilities.
• ADCA and DACA Audio Converters Dual channel analogue to digital and digital to analogue audio converters for broadcast audio signal conversion.
• ADDEC Decoding Converters Decoding converters (ADDEC-100, ADDEC-200, ADDEC-300, ADDEC-210, ADDEC-310) for video format conversion in broadcast workflows.
• ALLDAC and ENDAC Encoders Encoding converter (ALLDAC) and encoder (ENDAC) for video encoding and format conversion applications.
• ENC and DEC Video Encoders and Decoders Video encoders (ENC101, ENC116) and decoders (DEC101S, DEC102, DEC102S, DEC103S, DEC104S, DEC105S) supporting various broadcast formats.
• Demon Series De-embedding Monitors De-embedding monitors (Demon, Demon 2) for extracting audio from SDI streams in broadcast workflows.
• EMDEC and TANDEM Embedding and De-embedding Modules Embedding decoders (EMDEC-100, EMDEC-200) and audio embedder/de-embedder modules (TANDEM series) for combining and extracting audio with video streams.
• DDAA and MON Monitoring Encoders Monitoring encoders (DDAA132, DDAA132P, DDAA172, DDAA246 and MON204, MON210) for broadcast monitoring applications.
• CoCo Series Colour Correctors Colour corrector and legaliser products (CoCo 3G, CoCo HD, CoCo104) including an IP/SDI dual channel variant for broadcast colour correction.
• ViPA Series Video Proc-Amps Video processing amplifiers (ViPA102, ViPA204) for adjusting and processing video signals in broadcast workflows.
• LKEY Series Linear Keyers Linear keyers (LKEY 3, LKEY HD, LKEY211) and squeeze back keyer (LKEY-SQZ) for video overlay applications in broadcast.
• MultiLogo Series Logo Keyers Logo keyer product line (MultiLogo V130, V131, V131 8G, V132, V132 8G, V430, V431, V431 8G, V432, V432 8G) for inserting broadcast graphics overlay into video.
• Safire Series Chroma Keyers Chroma keyer products (Safire, Safire SD 2, Safire HD, Safire HD 2, Safire 3, Safire 3 Xpress, M-SAFIRE IP/SDI) for green screen keying in broadcast production.
• X-KEY Digital Effects Keyer Digital effects keyer for video overlay with digital effects capabilities in broadcast graphics.
• Clip N Key Series Clip and Sting Stores Clip and sting store products (V120, V121, V121 8G, V220, V221, V221 8G) for broadcast clip and graphics playback.
• Safe Switch Series Clean Switches Clean and intelligent 2x2 switches (Safe Switch 3G, Safe Switch-L 3G, M-SAFESWITCH-2/2L IP/SDI) for broadcast switching with fail-safe capabilities.
• Smart Switch and SW Series Routing Switches Intelligent 2x2 routing switches (Smart Switch, Smart Switch 3G) and crosspoint routers (SW221 3G, SW222, SW803 3G, SW808) for broadcast signal routing.
• ViViD Series Variable Video Delay Products Variable video delay products (ViViD 3G, 3G-20, 3GS, 3GS-20, 3GT-20, HD, HD-20, HD-40, ViViD114, ViViD124, M-VIVID IP/SDI) for timing adjustment in broadcast.
• AVDELAY 3G Audio/Video Delay Unit Audio/video delay unit for synchronizing audio and video signals in broadcast workflows.
• TAD202 Tracking Audio Delay Tracking audio delay for maintaining audio-video synchronization during broadcast processing.
• ARC and ShARC Series Aspect Ratio Converters Aspect ratio converters (ARC102, ARC-10MC, ARC-20MC, ShARC102, ShARC102-XP, ShARC204, ShARC204-XP) for broadcast video format conversion with expanded processing capabilities.
• Up-and-Down and Q-Down Series Up/Down/Cross Converters Up/down/cross converters (Up-and-down, Up-Down 3G variants and synchronizing versions) and down converters (Q-Down Mini, Q-Down123, Q-Down183 series, Q-Down-A 3G variants, Wallbox Q-Down) for converting between broadcast video formats.
• Dual 3G-DL and Dual DL-3G Link Format Converters Link format converters for single link to dual link (Dual 3G-DL) and dual link to single link (Dual DL-3G) conversion in broadcast workflows.
• SYN, SYNNER, and SYAD Synchronizers Synchronizers (SYN 3G, SYN HD, SYN HD-AFD, SYN101, SYN102, SYN103, SYN-A 3G) and combined synchronizer/TAD/embedder products (SYNNER 310, SYNNER HD, SYNNER144, SYNNER-E 3G, SYNNER-E HD, SYNNER-E, SYNNER-VF, SYAD-E) for broadcast timing synchronization.
• GEN, PLUGE102, BLACK102, REFGEN, and TPG102 Test and Reference Generators Test pattern generators (GEN102, GEN104, PLUGE102, TPG102), black generator (BLACK102), and analogue/digital reference signal generator (REFGEN) for broadcast test, calibration, and synchronization reference.
• Flip Series Scan Reversers Scan reversers (Flip, Flip HD) for broadcast video processing applications.
• FTX and FRX Fibre Optic Transmitters and Receivers Fibre optic transmitters (FTX 3G, FTX HD, FTX202, FTX-L 3G, FTX-VF) and receivers (FRX 3G, FRX HD, FRX204, FRX-VF) for broadcast signal transport over fibre infrastructure.
• M-GW Series IP/SDI Gateways

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Filca LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFilca Ltd partnered with the Crystal Vision support website to provide ongoing warranty repairs, replacements, and spares for Crystal Vision broadcast equipment. Filca Ltd acquired the support operations following Crystal Vision Ltd.'s cessation of trading. Customers can request product support under warranty, quotes for spares (power supplies, fans, boards), or answers to support questions through Filca Ltd via the support request form.

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Imagine Communications: Provides broadcast playout, routing, and processing infrastructure for television facilities, including IP/SDI hybrid solutions that compete with Crystal Vision's M-GW gateway and IP-native product variants.
• AJA Video Systems: Manufactures video and audio interface, conversion, and processing hardware for broadcast and professional AV — competing in the same mini-converter, distribution amplifier, and signal processing categories.
• Blackmagic Design: Produces broadcast converters, routing switchers, capture/playback, and signal processing equipment at scale, competing across multiple Crystal Vision product categories including format conversion, routing, and keying.
• Grass Valley: Major manufacturer of broadcast infrastructure equipment including routing, switching, processing, and playout — directly competing with Crystal Vision's modular frame-based broadcast signal processing portfolio for television facilities.
• Ross Video: Supplies broadcast production and infrastructure equipment including routing, switching, keying, and signal processing — overlapping directly with Crystal Vision's keyers, switches, and modular broadcast products.
• Matrox Video: Supplies broadcast and professional video hardware including converters, I/O cards, and IP/SDI gateway solutions — overlapping with Crystal Vision's format conversion and IP transition product lines.
• Evertz Microsystems: Leading manufacturer of broadcast infrastructure including routing, distribution amplifiers, conversion, synchronization, and IP gateway products — directly comparable across Crystal Vision's product categories.

Emerging players

• TAG Video Systems: IP-native broadcast monitoring and multiviewer specialist — relevant as a competitor in the IP/SDI transition space where Crystal Vision's M-GW and IP-native modules also compete.

Broad incumbents

• Snell Advanced Media (SAM): Established broadcast infrastructure vendor (now part of Grass Valley) historically offering routing, switching, and processing comparable to Crystal Vision's modular broadcast portfolio.
• Harmonic: Larger incumbent in video infrastructure with broadcast playout, contribution, and IP processing solutions — competes in adjacent broadcast infrastructure categories where Crystal Vision's modular products were deployed.

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights4 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/crystalvisionuk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/crystal-vision-limited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Crystal Vision