C+T @ NAB

U.S. company SPX has announced that it will close Dielectric Communications, its broadcast transmission equipment business by mid-2013.
Since 1998, acquisitions and focused organic growth had helped SPX transition from a U.S.-centric automotive component manufacturer with less than US$1 billion in sales, to a globally diversified provider of products in power and energy, and foods and beverages.
SPX purchased Dielectric Communications in 2001 which was established in 1942 when Dr. Charles “Doc” Brown’s Dielectric Products Corporation started developing transmission lines for early wartime radar systems.
After the war, Doc Brown’s team applied its technology in the new civilian field of television broadcasting. Dielectric began to invent and supply equipment for all three major U.S. television networks.
In a statement to customers, Mark Fichter GM Dielectric Communications, Broadcast and Wireless Antenna Operations, said “After careful consideration, SPX has decided to discontinue the broadcast television and radio and wireless antenna operations of its Dielectric Communications business unit worldwide, due to extremely difficult global economic conditions in the broadcast marketplace, and SPX’s ongoing efforts to further focus its future growth strategy on its Flow Technology business.”
According to Fichter, Dielectric management will be working through the implications of the SPX decision and will look to provide customers with further information during the week of April 29th.
Fichter says the company will continue to operate in a limited capacity through the end of June 2013. 
“Our primary focus will be on completing outstanding orders while also conducting the necessary steps to close the business.”
Visit http://www.spx.com/en/dielectric/

Apantac, a provider of multi-viewers, video walls, extenders, and signal processing solutions, is debuting an extender/receiver set for EVS’ XT3 video production server at NAB 2013 (Booth N4613).

The new MT HOOD EVS XT extender/receiver set (models: EVS-1-E / EVS-1-R) is a convenient and cost-effective method to extend control of the EVS XT3 server.

Using the Apantac EVS-1-E/R extender/receiver set with a single CAT 5e/6 cable, the operator and the EVS XT or XS server range can be up to 600 feet away from each other. A VGA console, PS2 keyboard, and up to two RS-422 controllers are all supported via the single CAT 5e/6x cable and a USB port is reserved for future interface support. With the use of an RJ45 patch panel, the CAT 5e/6 cable can be patched to freely assign the operator positions with the EVS XT3 production servers.

“Our new EVS-1-E/R solution for extending the control of the EVS XT3 server over long distances is a perfect example of how we are leveraging our knowledge of AV extenders and our many years of broadcast experience,” comments Thomas Tang, Apantac president. “This product is an ideal solution for solving the challenges of real-world sports production.”

The EVS XT3 platform is an advanced live production server designed to record, control, and play live video content. It offers up to 8 channels for SD/HD and 6 channels for 3D/1080p (3G or dual link) and enables operations like replays, slow motion, non-linear editing or streaming while recording.

Visit http://www.apantac.com

Harris Broadcast will introduce its Platinum VAX Compact Class range of VHF transmitters at the 2013 NAB Show (Booth N2503), adapting the company’s compact, power-efficient transmission philosophy to low-power VHF applications for ATSC and worldwide terrestrial standards. The company will also introduce new transmitter plug-in modules, including an ISDB-Tb remux solution and off-air digital receivers that save cost and space at transmission sites.

The Platinum VAX Compact Class series is the latest addition to the company’s transmitter portfolio. The new series is most suited for low-power transmitting stations and gap filler applications, and is especially useful for covering specific regions in extended markets or difficult terrains.

Platinum VAX Compact Class transmitters cover low-power VHF transmissions in a 2RU chassis design, with rack savings of up to 50 percent compared to previous-generation transmitters of equivalent power levels. As with all Harris Broadcast TV transmitters, the new series integrates Harris Broadcast Apex M2X exciters to enable simple modulation changes and analogue-to-digital upgrades, supporting ATSC, DVB-T/T2 and ISDB-Tb among other standards — including DAB radio.

Harris Broadcast will also introduce a new ISDB-Tb internal remux module to allow broadcasters to insert local broadcast information, including electronic program guide (EPG) data, while using their existing distribution systems. The ISDB-Tb module is integrated within the Apex M2X exciter to reduce energy use and avoid impact on the physical footprint of the transmitter system. Additionally, the company will unveil transmitter-integrated DVB-T and ISDB-Tb digital terrestrial tuners to monitor off-air signals; and demodulate RF signals and generate ASI transport streams for re-broadcast.

The company will also demonstrate complete ATSC Mobile DTV solutions including M-EAS functionality and non-real time data applications, as well as DTV headend solutions ISDB-Tb and DVB-T2. The complete headend solutions feature the Selenio media convergence platform for encoding; Videotek MSA Series for monitoring signal integrity and compliance; and various Maxiva UHF and Platinum VHF transmitters — all based on the company’s PowerSmart architecture to maximise power, space and energy efficiency.

Visit http://www.harrisbroadcast.com

International Datacasting Corporation (TSX: IDC) and Verimatrix, a specialist in securing and enhancing revenue for multi-network, multi-screen digital TV services around the globe, have joined forces to provide DTH operators with a new solution to help them launch new IPTV services and add subscribers within multi-dwelling units (MDUs). Both companies will demonstrate this new offering at the 2013 NAB Show (Booth SU3711).

This new solution fully integrates the IDC Digital Tattoo DTH Over IP Gateway with the Verimatrix Video Content Authority System (VCAS) for DVB, featuring cardless content and revenue security for broadcast (one-way) networks. It enables fully encrypted end-to-end delivery of satellite television to customers living in Multi-Dwelling Units (MDUs) such as apartment buildings, apartments, condominiums, schools campuses, hotels, gated communities and healthcare facilities.

With this combined solution, DTH operators can partner with a Telco, wireless provider or ISP to offer a triple play package which includes television, internet and voice-over-IP. “This provides the basis for new value-added services for DTH operators and helps them access previously hard-to-reach customers,” explained Steve Oetegenn, chief sales & marketing officer at Verimatrix. “In addition to increasing the ARPU (Average Revenue Per User), it eliminates in-building signal theft and allows users to select their own programming packages. Achieving subscriber and ARPU growth while reducing churn and simultaneously enhancing revenue security is a magic mix in this market.”

The IP distribution of this integrated system can be over wired Ethernet to serve buildings and campuses or via IP distribution over fiber systems such as GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Network) to serve larger geographies.

“This solutions allows DTH operators to add services and increase subscribers using a cost-effective, intuitive platform,” said Del Lippert, Chairman of the Board and Interim CEO at IDC. “It reflects IDC’s expertise in designing, building and operating DTH platforms.”

Two customers worked with IDC and Verimatrix as beta sites in the development of this new solution. One of these customers, an Asian DTH provider, launched Digital Tattoo to IP set-top-boxes already integrated with Verimatrix conditional access resulting in a quick time-to-market and substantial cost efficiencies.

Visit http://www.verimatrix.com and http://www.datacast.com

Utah Scientific, a leader in routing and master control switchers, has announced a major extension of the UTAH-100/UDS routing switcher family with a new range of routing switchers offering 6 Gbps UHD-SDI signal capabilities to support new 4K signal formats (both single- and multi-link) used in ultra-high-definition (UHD) TV production. The 6 Gbps UHD-SDI solutions will provide twice the density (at half the power) and outstanding performance at a substantially lower cost than competitive 3 Gbps multi-link solutions.

The UTAH-100/UDS 4K routers bring a cost-effective signal management solution to the growing world of UHD television. Routers in this new series are available in 32 x 32, 64 x 64, and 144 x 144 matrix sizes, and they offer the same control options as the successful UTAH-100/UDS routers introduced in 2012. Complementing the new 4K routers will be a 4K signal-processing module that provides multiplexing and demultiplexing of 1.5 Gbps and 3 Gbps streams to and from the 6 Gbps format.

This modular system is based on I/O modules with 16 ports, interconnected by a crosspoint fabric that allows any input signal to feed any number of output ports. For mixed-signal applications, the new 4K routers can also be fitted with 3G cards from the UTAH-100/UDS family, providing a full range of connectivity options including coax, fibre, IP-video, and DVI/HDMI interfaces.

The UTAH-100/UDS 4K routers are controlled and monitored through a built-in Web interface that allows users to operate the system from a Web browser for local or remote control. Hardware control panels and an iPad app are also available to control the routers.

“Our UTAH-100/UDS family of routers can be exactly tailored to fit a wide variety of operational requirements in all types of applications,” said Tom Harmon, president and CEO of Utah Scientific. “The 4K version is the result of our close cooperation with Semtech’s Gennum Product Group, which is rolling out a family of UHD-SDI components for the new signal formats. By working closely with component suppliers, we are able to offer our customers the solutions they are looking for as they incorporate the latest technologies into their routing infrastructure.”

Utah Scientific will demonstrate the UTAH-100/UDS 4K routing switcher at the 2013 NAB Show in booth N4607.

Visit http://www.utahscientific.com

JVC Professional Products Company, a division of JVC Americas Corp., will introduce a variety of new products, reveal major broadcast industry sales, and unveil an upgraded version of its handheld mobile news camera, the GY-HM650, at the 2013 NAB Show (Booth C4314).

When equipped with a Verizon 4G LTE modem connected to the back of the camera via USB, the GY-HM650 2.0 upgrade leverages the camera’s unique dual codec technology to stream live video transmissions in the background while shooters continue to record footage.

“Attendees were very impressed with our built-in file transfer technology when we debuted the GY-HM650 at the NAB Show last year, but that just scratched the surface of what this camera can do,” said Dave Walton, JVC assistant vice president of marketing and communications. “We have added direct support for 4G LTE modems and leveraged our unique dual codec technology to generate live TV streams. Now, you can continue to record footage while you transmit video back to your broadcast facility in real time. It all happens in the camera with a small Verizon modem attached, so there’s no backpack or other add-ons required.”

Customers who currently own GY-HM650s will be able add the new features at no charge with a firmware upgrade.

Also at NAB, JVC will premiere its new GY-HM70U ProHD camcorder. The GY-HM70 will appeal to event/wedding videographers and educational users who want a full-sized, shoulder-mount camcorder but have limited budgets. Built around a 1/2.3-inch 12 megapixel CMOS imager and JVC’s advanced FALCONBRID high-speed processor, the camera records 1080/60p, 1080/60i, and 480/60i (SD) footage in the AVCHD Progressive format to dual SDHC/SDXC memory cards.

Priced for the entry-level professional video market, the GY-HM70 offers a number of innovative features, including JVC’s unique, hot swappable dual battery system, which allows for hours of continuous, uninterrupted shooting. It also includes a high quality 29.5mm wide-angle GT lens that offers smooth 16x dynamic zoom performance, as well as an optical image stabiliser, auto focus, focus assist, and manual focus, iris, and shutter controls.

JVC’s new PS-840UD Professional Series ProVérité 4K 84-inch LCD monitor will make its NAB debut as well. Designed for commercial installations requiring high quality on-screen images, it has a native screen resolution of 3840×2160, four times the resolution of HD, with 120Hz refresh rate and 10 bit colour depth.

JVC will also introduce a new portable/studio monitor, the DT-F9L5U. Ideal as a camera viewfinder or field production monitor, it features an 8.2-inch IPS panel with 1280×800 pixel array and mercury-free white LED backlight, plus a variety of inputs for current and legacy equipment. Also on display, JVC’s new GM-552D is a high contrast, full HD 55-inch monitor designed for 24/7 continuous operation in broadcast facilities and other applications.

Traditionally, JVC provides one of the NAB Show’s larger booths. Located in the Central Hall, this year’s exhibit will include a presentation area (with seating) to showcase the GY-HM650 2.0. An expansive camera demonstration area will provide hands-on access to GY-HM600 and GY-HM650 ENG cameras, as well as GY-HM790 ProHD cameras in full studio configurations. Another section of the demonstration area will be dedicated to economical camera options, including the GY-HM70 and GY-HM150 models. The booth will also feature JVC’s extensive professional monitor product lines, as well as an area dedicated to JVC’s professional Blu-ray recorders.

Visit http://pro.jvc.com

The creation, distribution and on-air display of broadcast graphics are perhaps the most complex, labour and time intensive parts of the news production process. That’s why it’s important for news department staff to work collaboratively and in many cases simultaneously to get the story out before the competition does.

The key is a fully networked operation that leverages the benefits of the Internet Protocol (IP) to send files in a highly deterministic and reliable way. An IP infrastructure also costs less to deploy and often necessitates less manpower to do so.

After extensive field research and customer feedback, Vizrt has now embarked on a new product roadmap for its next-generation Viz Engine — the core of its real-time compositing technology — that takes into account all of the advantages of IP while conserving spacing and processing capacity. If new producers want to get the story first they have to move to a workflow that requires the least amount of effort and the most flexibility. Vizrt will display this technology at NAB 2013 (Booth SL3305).

Petter Ole Jakobsen, Vizrt’s Chief Technology Officer, said that the industry needs to migrate to a platform that can do more with the same resources. IP is the most enabling part of the puzzle.

Yet Jakobsen has even bigger ideas for IP across the product line. The IP-based Viz Engine requires only a network connection and IP input/output. He envisions a day when IP triggers are used to control a media server to play out a rundown of stories, complete with complex transitions, without the need or a traditional production switcher. Vizrt’s timeline editor application is used to place desired graphics and video clips on a timeline. Users then drag the video and graphics elements that are built as MOS objects over to the playlist in Viz Trio.

This process saves significant time and manpower while getting the story to air faster. And using this strategy often times results in less on-air technical errors. The IP-based Viz Engine can also work in a hybrid mode, SDI in and IP stream out, providing simultaneous output to air as well as to online and mobile environments. The time saving combined with a look that, until now, has not been available for IP productions is thus a fact.

“The idea is to save cost while bringing the reporter and producer closer to their final story, that way the story is conveyed in the most comprehensive way,” Jakobsen said. “We are looking at ways to make our software tools very easy to use and very task-specific so that teams of people can be as efficient as possible.”

Indeed, Vizrt’s IP strategy also allows reporters to edit clips on-site and transfer them back to the station using any IP-enabled transmission device

The IP-based Viz Engine handles streaming media and audio and video clips while compositing the graphics in real-time into an IP stream. The IP-based Viz Engine and the Viz Media Engine media asset management (MAM) solution represents a complete, end-to-end solution that allows broadcasters to manage all of their content — from ingest to distribution. This workflow enables them to increase speed and volume, and adapt content for delivery to multiple platforms.

Journalists and producers of live newscasts can search for and access Vizrt graphic templates and media content from Viz Content Pilot that open up within a newsroom computer system. Graphics templates are created using the Viz Artist 3D design software and transferred as files across an IP network. Journalists access the Viz Content Pilot template interface from within the newsroom computer system, and then use Viz Media Engine to retrieve the content they want from a Vizrt or third-party media asset management system.

It will also be possible to use the systems to produce any number of different graphics (based on any parameter – geography, time of day, weather etc) – which again opens up the door for regionalised sponsorships/commercials allowing for a easily accessible new revenue stream for customers.

“I think the industry has reached a point where it does not deny the benefits of an IP infrastructure anymore and is looking for ways to implement it with the least amount of effort,” Jakobsen said. “At Vizrt, we’re focused on making deployments easy, fault tolerant and future proof. We really believe that our engineers are working on the IP future of broadcast news today.”

Visit http://www.vizrt.com

Artel Video Systems, a provider of broadcast-quality video transport solutions, announced its new HD-SDI Video-over-IP Gateway — the DLC450. Designed as a cost-effective solution for transport of uncompressed HD-SDI over managed Ethernet IP networks, the DLC450 utilises SMPTE 2022-5/6 IP Encapsulation and Forward Error Correction (FEC) algorithms to ensure reliable, error-free transport and compliance with industry standards. Artel Video Systems will demonstrate the transport solution for the first time at the 2013 NAB Show (Booth SU6318).

“With the advent of reliable 10G Ethernet links and an industry standard for video encapsulation and FEC, national and international transport of uncompressed HD-SDI is now a reality,” said Richard Dellacanonica, president of Artel Video Systems. “To address this emerging market, Artel developed the low-cost DLC450 HD-SDI Video-over-IP Gateway that ensures reliable, error-free video transport over IP networks.”

Integrating within the DigiLink platform, the DLC450 is customer configurable via DigiLink Manager or via SNMPv2 as either a transmitter or receiver. In transmitter mode, the DLC450 packetises the video to SMPTE 2022-6 encapsulation standard and provides users with flexible SMPTE 2022-5 FEC configurations to maximise reliability and minimise latency and overhead. In receiver mode, its robust multi-pass FEC correction algorithm and user configurable packet buffering enable reliable performance over less than ideal Ethernet links. The DLC450 sets the bar for reliable, low-cost, and easy-to-configure HD-SDI transport over IP.

Visit http://www.artel.com

Petrol Bags, part of Vitec Videocom, a Vitec Group company, announced that it will be premiering new audio and camera bags and accessories at NAB2013 (Booth C6432).

Due to the success of Petrol Bags’ sound equipment carriers, the company introduces the Deca Large Lightweight Audio Bag (PS617) that is optimally designed for soundmen who use the Sound Devices 664 mixer, with or without the CL6 Controller. Within the bag, the mixer and controller are fully accessible and readouts are easily viewable. It offers a roomy, cushioned main compartment to safeguard delicate equipment. The standard removable internal divider accommodates the 664 Mixer and attached CL6 Controller, while offering access to the unit’s XLR connectors.

Just when it seems there is nothing new in backpack technology, Petrol Bags introduces the new Deca Airflow Camera Backpack (PC306). The new backpack system features a rainbow shape to allow air flow- through to enhance comfort. Ideal for small cameras up to the Sony PMW-200 size, this no-hands carrier offers a special pocket for a 17” laptop and accessories. The main compartment has a run around heavy-duty zipper for easy camera access. Other smart features include sternum strap and padded waist straps for wearer comfort and security and exterior pockets for extra storage.

For easy transport, quick access and superior-protection, there’s the new Deca Camera and Accessories Bag (PA1000). Featuring an ultra-wide opening, this is the carrier for a fully equipped camera such as the Sony F65 or ARRI Alexa, or may be used as an accessories case. Its internal structure is made from a one-piece honeycomb frame offering strength and protection to internal gear. It also features ergonomic interlocking grip handles and external top straps to secure a tripod.

Petrol Bags is also launching Mini Hoods purpose-built for the Canon EOS C100 (PA1018) and C300/C500 (PA1016) to shade the LCD monitor on the popular DSLR cameras. Their unique designs aid custom shading. Both are constructed of lightweight 100% nylon fabric, with rigid internal panels. Sturdy black nylon binding straps secure the Mini Hood firmly in place, and also a new raincover for the C100 (PR400) will be unveiled.

Visit http://www.petrolbags.com

Leader Instruments Corporation announced that a major enhancement to its LV5330 multi-SDI monitor will be introduced at the 2013 NAB Show. Exhibiting on booth C6516 in the Central Hall, Leader is adding support for the S-Log gamma correction system used in Sony’s recently introduced F65 digital cinematography camera.

“New cameras such as the 20 megapixel Sony F65 employ S-Log2 or similar gamma responses to extend the dynamic range of cameras almost to that of film while retaining the ease of use and flexibility of using a digital medium,” explains George Gonos, President of Leader Instruments Corporation. “Dynamic range is substantially improved and pixel count is hugely increased, requiring very high precision focus. With this new monitoring feature, the LV5330 is fully capable of emulating an S-Log display over the entire dynamic range.”

“An additional feature of the LV5330 is CINESEARCH which can be used to adjust luminance level within a frame with very great precision. All content within plus or minus 0.5 per cent of a user-selected luminance level is portrayed in green over a monochrome equivalent of the full-colour original. Any areas of the image exceeding a user-defined maximum threshold are shown in red and anything below the assigned minimum displays as blue, making them very easy to identify. CINESEARCH can be used to correct luminance far more easily than with a traditional picture monitor or waveform monitor. It supplements Leader’s long-established CINELITE and CINEZONE features in the LV5330 making this by far the most powerful production tool for quality-conscious television content producers, not least those planning to upgrade to 4K,” adds Gonos.

Designed for on-camera operation, the Leader LV5330 is compatible with over 20 HD-SDI/SD-SDI formats, including SMPTE 259M, 274M, 292M, and 296M. It has a 6 inch XGA TFT screen which can be set to display YCbCr, YRGB, YGBR, GBR or RGB luminance waveform, colour vector, five-bar, surround-sound level, status or video source. Freeze mode allows comparison of different SDI input signals. Thumbnail picture display can be selected with other multi-display operating modes for easy source identification. Input format, colorimetry, black burst or tri-level external reference input are auto-sensed.

Visit http://www.leaderamerica.com