106 Saturday 08.09.2012 theibcdaily Beyond bit rates
Clear differentiation in a commoditised market is driving broadcast fibre-optic transmission technologies says Joe Commare, vice president marketing, MultiDyne
Not long ago, 1.5Gbps HD technology emerged as the standard video format for our industry. But as technology continues to evolve, we’re seeing more demand for 3Gbps transport, with 4K and beyond on the horizon. The proliferation of these high bitrate digital video signals has made fibre-optic transmission technology a must in today’s challenging broadcast environments. In addition to realising
increased bandwidths, fibre- optic transport enables broadcasters to achieve a more reliable, superior quality signal over significantly longer distances than copper cabling. And while fibre-optic technology itself has been around for over 30 years, at MultiDyne, we’ve discovered that creating a successful fibre-optic transport solution is about much more than just moving bits.
Opinion
In talking with a wide range of customers, from high school broadcasters to high-end cinematographers, we’ve learned that in addition to transporting high bitrate signals, the industry is looking for solutions that take into consideration ergonomics, user- friendly interfaces, remote monitoring and control, and the flexibility to support many different operating environments. Of course, customers are also looking for value both in terms of cost and in terms of product lifespan. So how does a manufacturer approach these seemingly disparate needs of more features but less cost? At MultiDyne we’ve taken a three-
tiered approach to differentiate ourselves in the marketplace. First and foremost, the technology has to be easy to use. That boils down to having the proper connectors, intuitive labeling, and informative indicators. What are proper connectors? These include BNCs for video, XLRs for audio, and easily obtainable connectors for data and other signals. Labels should be clearly written and of a size that doesn’t send the user running for his ‘cheater’ glasses. And rather than LED indicators that can be cryptic, we’ve begun to incorporate OLED displays into our new products that give plain English explanations for operational parameters. If technology is intuitive, there’s little need for a manual and a short learning curve for users. The next differentiator is form-
factor. We offer several variations of our products to
Joe Commare:
‘We design really cool stuff’
meet different environmental constraints and customer preferences. Whether it is a rack-based solution with full SNMP monitoring, miniature devices like our SilverBullets or throw-down modules, we offer a solution. With our design partners at Inflexion Design, we have new abilities to design really cool stuff. Finally, the products need to be built to the highest standards. And we are so confident in our products that we offer one of the best warranties in the industry at seven years.
As digital video demands
continue to increase, one thing will remain constant: our industry will continue to demand user-friendly, thoughtfully designed fibre-optic transmission solutions.
At IBC2012, MultiDyne unveils its innovative new fibre-optic transceiver – the SilverBack-II with JUICE. Sculpted from a solid piece of aluminum, it is truly a testament to our company’s commitment to make products that are easy to use and skillfully designed without compromising the quality of the fibre-optic transmission technology inside. 9A06
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