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ANALYSIS—Aruba Networks, Inc. has made available a new white paper on Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) that explores the strengths and weaknesses of this technology for delivering broadband wireless services to fixed and mobile clients. The widespread availability of WiMAX has for years been just around the corner but non-interoperable implementations and frequency spectrum licensing issues have hindered deployments. The situation for enterprises is different, however. The white paper notes that WiMAX is a convenient alternative to wired backhaul for remote or personal access points, and combined with Wi-Fi can help an enterprise cost-effectively accommodate diverse backhaul requirements and extend wireless LAN services to hard-to-wire locations. Wi-Fi and WiMAX do not inhabit discrete segments of the market but instead overlap, and represent two of many competing ways to deliver broadband wireless services to fixed and mobile clients. While the two share common underlying technologies, each has strengths and weaknesses associated with transmit power, channel bandwidth, spectral bands, antenna gain, and management regimes. The white paper reviews the capabilities of each technology, notes where they are complementary, and makes a case for using them together to achieve a robust broadband solution. The new white paper, It Takes Two to Tango: Using Wi-Fi and WiMAX to Deliver Broadband Wireless Services to Fixed and Mobile Clients, can be downloaded directly from Aruba’s Web site . .
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ACCESSORY—A Penny for Your Chief Thinstall—guess the mantra you can’t be too thin or rich holds up even in the electronic accessory environment. Chief’s Thinstall Mount Series is the latest of designs for Ultra Thin HDTV designs. From the side view the mount is less than the width of a penny. The mount incorporates exclusive design features such as Glide Lock tool less latching, enabling faster installation in the field, an open wall plate design for easy electrical placement and 175 lbs (79.5 kg) weight capacity. The first mount offered in the Thinstall Series, PSMT2015, is designed for Hitachi‘s new 1.5 UltraThin HDTVs and has a depth of only 0.49″, measuring in at one-third of the UltraThin flat panels it supports—Minneapolis, Minnesota
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DELIVERY—Two new Gefen scalers work with the expanded features of HDMI v1.3 and 3G-SDI. Both scalers allow full 1080p high definition resolutions to be transmitted over a single link cable, simplifying installations and cutting cables costs. Enhanced features include genlock, 10-bit motion adaptive de-interlacing, color and gamma corrections, noise reduction, aspect ration selection and patterns generator. The 3G-SDI to HDMI v1.3 Scaler connects professional SDI sources to consumer HDMI displays, ideal for validating video quality in real-world environments. Expanded technology enables dual link HD SDI to be transmitted over a single link, with support for 1080p full HD. Up/down scaling helps users achieve the best image possible. The HDMI v1.3 to 3G-SDI Scaler integrates consumer HDMI sources with professional SDI displays. A plug and play methodology and up/down scaling to dual link HD SDI resolutions makes this solution valuable to anyone seeking to connect pro and consumer equipment with support for current formats and true high definition video performance. Both scalers operate through IR remote control or the RS-232 connection and includes a display connector cable and power supply to drive scaling.
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DELIVERY—Jampro Jams Solutions with Prostar, as the company’s Jampro Antennas now eliminates the need for multiple antennas and provides a single, compact broadband solution that conserves tower space and minimizes wind loading through a streamlined design. This new JA/MS-BB Broadband UHF Slot Antenna is in their Prostar Series for analog or DTV broadband applications. JA/MS-BB is designed for multi-channel/combined channel operations for analog-analog, analog-digital or digital-digital broadband TV broadcasting applications is factory tuned and ready to install. This antenna can be configured for horizontal, circular or elliptical polarization, beam tilt and null fill are available, and the JA/MS-BB handles power ranging from 2 to 10 kW. Input impedance is 50 ohm and VSWR of 1.1:1 or better can be achieved over sub-bands ranging from 470-530 to 835-890 MHz—Sacramento, California
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DELIVERY—Juniper Networks, Inc. is broadening its mobile solutions portfolio with the addition of an integrated set of new hardware systems and software features for mobile backhaul. Providing flexible support for multi-generation radio and multi-transport technologies, Juniper‘s new Mobile Backhaul Solution enables operators to scale their backhaul network for innovative service deployments, while reducing operational expenses. The new BX 7000 Multi-Access Gateway for the cell site and new M-series Circuit Emulation Physical Interface Cards (PICs) for the aggregation site are the solution that introduces comprehensive network management capabilities through new enhancements to the JUNOScope framework, as well as the capability for zero-touch deployments. According to the Infonetics Research Mobile Backhaul Equipment Worldwide Market Size and Forecast Report published in September 2007, mobile operators are investing in packet backhaul to reduce the cost per bit, as well as scaling the backhaul bottleneck to support the rapid uptake of the mobile data services. As a result, Infonetics reports that operators and mobile backhaul transport providers are investing in backhaul equipment, which resulted in 4.5B/USD in expenditures in 2007, and projects the market to grow to 8.2B/USD in 2010, with IP/MPLS/Ethernet packet equipment growing fastest—Sunnyvale, California
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DELIVERY—The National Association of Broadcasters and TV folk nationwide are spearheading a billion dollar educational campaign to make certain all TV viewers are aware of the transition to DTV. In order to give all viewers the best quality television available and more efficiently allocate spectrum, the federal government mandated that television broadcasting switch to an all digital format by February 17, 2009. Older television sets that do not have digital tuners, and that are not connected to cable, satellite, or another pay TV service, will need a simple converter box in order to continue to receive free antenna television. The good news is that folk who watch antenna TV have three simple options to upgrade their sets in time for the transition to digital: purchase a new television set with a digital tuner; purchase a converter box, which may cost between $40 and $70; or subscribe to a pay television service like cable or satellite. To keep things as simple and affordable as possible, the government is providing two coupons per household worth $40 each to be used toward the purchase of converter boxes. For more information on this program, call 1-888-DTV-2009 or visit www.dtv2009.gov to apply online for your coupons today. For more information on the transition to digital, visit www.dtvanswers.com.
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CREATION—The ISIS Group, Inc. has unveiled Sonarae, the latest entry in Graham-Patten Systems line of digital audio products for the professional video industry. Sonarae is an audio monitoring system designed for NLE operators who, as a part of the NLE process, critically monitor the audio associated with a video edit session. Sonarae offers an input mode selector for as many as eight AES/EBU data streams or 16 individual audio channels. This allows the user to switch from the main AES/EBU inputs to STEM recorder preview inputs or to an external tone generator. A set-up, learn, and clear function, along with 5.1, 6.1, and 7.1 surround sound stereo mix-down selectors, allows the operator to store custom stereo mix-down formats that are available for recall at any time. Options for monitoring include a master speaker level with two dim settings and a mute switch, and a headphone amplifier with separate level control. The system provides outputs of pre- and post-level AES/EBU audio in addition to optional pre- and post-level analog audio. Operator-selectable delay, adjustable from zero to 9.5 video frames in 0.5 frame steps, is built into the unit to allow for compensation of picture monitor latency. ISIS will feature Sonarae in booth N1302 at NAB ’08 in Las Vegas, offering audio engineers their first opportunity to get a hands-on experience with the unit—Grass Valley, California
- DELIVERY—SES ASTRA has signed another important framework contract for the marketing of its satellite-based, two-way broadband service, ASTRA2Connect, in Germany with Deutsche Telekom. The commercial roll-out to end-users will start this year. In co-operation with the Federal State of Rhineland-Palatinate, Deutsche Telekom AG has already started the service as a pilot project in two German communities without terrestrial broadband access. Since its launch in April 2007, SES ASTRA has closed distribution contracts for ASTRA2Connect in seven European countries including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, France, Italy, and Poland. ASTRA2Connect is a fully satellite-based solution for broadband access that delivers dual- and triple-play services via wholesalers and internet service providers to the residential market (dualplay: broadband internet and telephony; tripleplay: broadband internet, telephony and TV). The innovative infrastructure offers a reliable, always-on, two-way broadband internet access for flat service fees. The customer premises equipment—a modem and a satellite dish—is low cost and delivered with a tool for easy self-installation—Betzdorf, Luxembourg
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BIZ + DELIVERY—STAR Group Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of News Corporation, has selected SintecMedia’s OnAir to manage its broadcast operations. STAR broadcasts over 60 channels in ten languages to 53 countries across Asia and beyond. OnAir will serve hundreds of users in one of the largest network-wide deployments, supporting local languages, multi-currency, multi time-zone, programming, promotion, inventory, tape quality control, sales and billing—all in one system. SintecMedia is working with Siemens Information Systems to implement the system. As part of a strategic initiative aimed at aligning technology to STAR’s evolving business needs, SintecMedia’s OnAir replaces multiple systems currently operated by STAR, bringing the broadcaster additional advanced management tools to streamline operations, enable full communications within the network and ensure redundancy. Alongside administration of content commissioning and acquisition, long term schedule planning and detailed scheduling, OnAir includes a sales module to manage STAR’s complex sale structure and a variety of sales models in which airtime and advertising playtimes vary in accordance to regional needs—New York, New York
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CONTENT + DELIVERY—The Streambox SBT3-9100 HD Video Transport system is providing a window into the natural world for visitors and subscribers to Earth-Touch, a unique web site that showcases high-definition (HD) video of wildlife and environmental stories from around the globe. Earth-Touch, which debuted in July of 2007, is dedicated to celebrating the beauty of nature and giving viewers an insight into the wonders of the natural world, often from far-flung corners of the Earth, while relaying video to audiences quickly and efficiently. On any given day, the Earth-Touch web site features stunning HD footage of subjects ranging from white sharks swimming in the Indian Ocean to African pygmy geese feeding in Botswana’s Okavanga Delta. Each Earth-Touch film crew is equipped with a combination of Streambox SD and HD systems, which use Streambox’s industry-leading ACT-L3 codec to encode and transmit HD video over IP-based networks at data rates ranging from 512 Kbps to 20 Mbps. The file-based video is transmitted to the Earth-Touch production facility in London via a VSAT satellite connection and published to the web site within 24 hours of its capture. In the near future, Earth-Touch will begin streaming live video to its Web site giving viewers an even greater sense of immediacy—Seattle, Washington
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SHOOTER HARDWARE—The Tiffen Company, Steadicam Division, has debuted their new FLYER-LE. The FLYER-LE features a newly designed sled assembly (camera mounting platform) that has a carbon fiber no-tools extendable post. A safety system inside the post prevents the post from separating. The index system keeps all parts in alignment. A newly patented friction free gimbal assembly with large knurled extended handle fits securely in the operator’s hand. Locking mechanisms for the top and bottom of the sled are tool free allowing quick on-set changes. Precision stage adjustment assures exacting balance of the camera to the rig. The sled will work with both 12 volt and 24 volt cameras. The new tools-free patented ISO-elastic stabilizer Arm supports 19 pounds of camera weight. The no tools Arm / Vest interface allows for quick customization to the individual operator. On the fly weight adjustment frees the operator from dismounting the system to make changes. The open design of the arm has freedom of movement unknown in this weight class. The new adjustable arm post assembly is a feature usually found on more expensive systems. The arm will come apart with a pin removal for quick and neat storage. The vest assembly is a continuation of the comfortable FLYER vest. An ergonomic fit of the breast plate combined with the new solid metal shoulder fasteners assure a new comfort level for extended use. All components fit neatly and securely in the provided custom travel bag. The unit also has a pocket that will accept an optional trolley for ease of transport. A featured system combines the FLYER-LE with IDX Dual Charger and two Tiffen PowerCUBE batteries. These robust batteries will satisfy any film or video power demand—Hauppauge, New York
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DELIVERY—Wegener Corporation has a new WEGENER iPump 562 media server that will be officially launched at the National Association of Broadcasters 2008 Convention (Booth #SU7911) April 14-17, 2008, in Las Vegas. Ideal for digital signage, corporate communications, and education applications, WEGENER’s new iPump 562 media server supports bandwidth-saving features, such as MPEG-4/h.264 video compression, file-based workflows and DVB-S2 satellite demodulation. These features facilitate the creation of customized, high quality, high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) video channels for enterprise video projects. WEGENER’s iPump 562 media server is part of WEGENER’s end-to-end control and playout solution that provides a cost-effective approach to supporting any multi-site enterprise video project with high levels of customization per television screen. The complete solution includes WEGENER’s iPump Media Servers, IP-based peripheral decoders and Compel network control system for live or file-based broadcasting. With Compel, content can be targeted to reach individual retail stores, departments, schools, or hospitals. Plus, the content can be rapidly updated by central network operators. WEGENER iPump video decoders are optimized for high quality video and on-screen graphics, providing a superior viewing experience compared to PC solutions—Duluth, Georgia
- BIZ—The World Teleport Association is going to host the Content Distribution Forum during NAB ’08 in Vegas. The forum will be held April 14th through 17th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. and you’ll hear case studies, insights and opinions on the most important developments from business leaders, tech experts and consultants. Covered will be traditional broadcast and cable to mobile apps, from IPTV and digital signage to multimedia programming topics. This forum is one of the many All-Access Events held during NAB. The WTA Forum will be held in the Central Hall @ Booth C7248.
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CONTENT + CREATION + DELIVERY—YouCom will demonstrate new features of its PARROT, the smallest professional ENG flash recorder with live broadcast capabilities, during NAB 08. This professional handheld flash recorder is compact, professional, robust, simple to use, and all-in-one. There are no hidden functions that are complicated to find. Press record to record, press stop to stop, press GO to connect live to the studio, and press GO twice to transfer your audio files directly from the PARROT to the studio. The battery life of the unit has been extended to a minimum of 10 hours, plus a LED display has been added to indicate takes and clips—even telephone interviews can now be recorded in stereo and audio files can be sent over 3G networks, achieving 200kbps file transfer speeds. Mix recorded commercials directly from the Parrot from remote event—Fort Worth, Texas
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