special report
ibc 2011 review
networks. This is designed for use with Nevion’s Flashlink and VikinX products as a distributed routing control system. It runs on geographically distributed redundant servers, controlling and managing the network’s nodes and layers from an Internet-browser-based user interface. Users have full control of network configuration, maintenance, troubleshooting and problem resolution. The system provides enhanced flexibility and protection by enabling operators to add, drop or pass signals at each node of a fully redundant network. Snell’s Vega is a new routing platform
that allows any signal port to be configured independently for fibre or copper connectivity. Vega has 96 signal ports on its rear panel. Fully asymmetric input/output port designation enables users to configure the router with just one input and 95 outputs, 95 inputs and one output, or any combination between. The use of small fibre plug-in modules and/or miniature coaxial connector types is claimed to yield 50% more signal ports than a conventional router of the same rack height. Wohler’s new Presto switcher is
intended for organising, managing and monitoring multiple SDI video streams in broadcast applications. It accepts up to 16 3G/HD/SD-SDI inputs and displays video on button/screens. Pressing one button switches that input, both video and associated audio, to a pair of re- clocked outputs for routing and/or monitoring on a larger device.
Storage
Sony has expanded its XDCAM Professional Disc product line with the addition of a triple-layer 100 gigabyte rewritable disc. This is twice the storage capacity of the original version. Three hours of HD content can be stored when recording with MPEG HD422 mode at 50 megabits per second. Also announced by Sony was the
development of a file-based video archive storage system based on a cartridge housing 12 optical discs. Currently in the research and development stage, the Disc Archive Storage System will be introduced to the market in 2012. The cartridges will be available in write-once and rewriteable formats with various capacity options from 300 gigabytes up to 1.5 terabytes.
Sound
Logitek launched into Europe the ROC audio control console. Available in six, 12, 18 and 24 fader configurations, it is housed in a desktop or tabletop enclosure allowing easy integration into permanent or temporary studios. The control surface includes high quality 100mm long-throw Penny & Giles faders, OLED source indicators and meters, and a suite of controls to
16 l ibe l november/december 2011 l
www.ibeweb.com
3DTV continues to gather momentum with an increasing number of broadcasters declaring their interest. One pattern evident at IBC2011 was the addition of 3D capability to products that would hitherto have been regarded as 2D only. Grass Valley’s new Karrera video switcher is an example. There was certainly no shortage of 3D camcorders and 3D rigs, though most observers are waiting for high- quality direct view display screens.
maximise the capabilities of Logitek’s JetStream audio over IP platform. ROC fader modules include user-definable 16-character source labels on bright wide-angle displays. The labels support Unicode characters including Chinese & Kanji. Bus buttons assign programme plus three auxiliary sends per fader. NTP Technology introduced the Penta
725 IP audio router which allows audio routing over IP based Gigabit Ethernet with linear PCM audio quality and sub- millisecond latency. Housed in a 1 rack unit 19 inch chassis, the router has a capacity of 1024 x 1024 crosspoints and can accommodate 64 bi-directional channels via IP. It can also be populated to handle 64 AES3 input/output channels, six optical MADI channels and optional sampling-rate converter interfaces. Additional Penta 725 IP systems can be combined to handle 512 channels on a 1 gigabit/s network. Studer exhibited its OnAir 1500 12-
channel 6-fader audio mixer. Expandable to 12 faders, this is designed for live radio or as an additional mixing console for a production room. Features include integrated USB playback and record. Trilogy Communications’ Intercom
Anywhere is a mobile application for the company’s Gemini distributed matrix system. It installs on Android or Microsoft Windows mobile devices and works with Trilogy’s Gemini distributed matrix intercom systems. Mobile users have access to up to 32 simultaneous voice channels for direct and conference style communications. Calls to and from radios, other phones and other voice technologies connected to the Gemini system are also supported from a mobile device that can operate on a wired or wireless network.
Test and measurement
Cel-Soft introduced Version 1.4 of its Cel- Scope3D stereoscopic signal analyser which is designed for use in quality- control, post-production and grading as well as for 3D camera set-up. Version 1.4 incorporates several new features including a depth spectrogram which plots in detail all depth activity and excursions against time. An enhanced logging option provides a complete reporting function summarising a production or clip's ability to meet broadcast standards or its suitability for public performance. Also introduced at IBC was automatic detection of edge violation, a visual artefact that can arise when part of an object is visible at the edge of one image pair but not at the other. Edge violation can be displayed in any of three ways: as an alarm message at top right of the analyser’s display screen, a highlighted image in yellow on the depth map, or with logged timecode in a reports. Harris introduced a DVB-T2 option for its Videotek MSA series of test and
measurement systems. The MSA Series cam perform confidence monitoring and testing of compressed video conformance, audio level and ancillary data services. Mosaic displays provide real-time, full-motion video decoding and audio level analysis. Tektronix announced version 7.3 of its
Cerify file-based content verification software, supporting the latest audio loudness measurement and implementing photosensitive epilepsy analysis. It also supports cross-track audio loudness testing for implementations such as HD MXF, where channels in a group are spread across many tracks. New standards supported include the European Broadcasting Union’s latest R128 Audio Loudness recommendations, algorithms recommended in the ITU-R BS.1770-2 specification, and the Peak Program Meter (PPM) audio ballistics measurement in the IEC-60268-10 standard. Cerify v7.3 integrates the photosensitive epilepsy analysis algorithm used in the Cambridge Research Harding FPA solution.
Transmission
Not surprisingly, power-efficiency comes over as a strong motivator for investment in new transmission equipment. Rohde & Schwarz announced the
THU9 high-power solid-state television transmitter, claimed to offer the highest efficiency in its class: up to 28% for COFDM standards and up to 30% for ATSC standards, including the cooling system. The transmitter can handle all common digital and analogue TV standards. Coolant flow calculation is based on the system configuration and the number of amplifiers. Pump speed is adapted to the coolant flow, saving energy & extending transmitter life. Up to 15kw of output power are available for COFDM standards in a single rack. Thomson Broadcast introduced the
Futhura Plus wideband UHF television transmitter. Suitable for HDTV and 3D services, it has claimed 35% maximum transmitter efficiency and is available at OFDM powers of up to 12.6 kilowatts. Automatic realtime digital adaptive pre- correction corrects linear and non-linear distortions, while low operating junction transistor temperature contributes to extended reliability. The Futhura Plus allows easy access to all modules when replacement is required and is said to be the first transmitter to make use of standard mass-market power supplies.
2012
IBC continues to provide, above all, a neutral ground where suppliers, customers, colleagues and competitors can mingle and collectively create the future. The event will be back in Amsterdam on 6-11 September 2012.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60