MULTIDYNE’S HD-3500 SOLUTION TAKES OFF AT IBC 2009

MultiDyne Video & Fiber Optic Systems, a premier provider of fiber optic-based video and audio transport and routing solutions for broadcast and pro A/V applications, will showcase itsHD-3500 multi-rate 3G HD-SDI fiber optic transport system at IBC 2009 (Stand 2.A54). This solution, now shipping worldwide, provides 1.5G or 3Gb/s fiber optic transport with audio, intercom and bi-directional data over a single fiber, with multi-rate high definition transport up to 1080p 3G HD-SDI

MultiDyne’s HD-3500 gives broadcasters an innovative solution for moving high definition video as well as analog or digital audio, intercom, GPI and tally. The data and the GPI channels can be used to control equipment in remote locations, and the tally relay can be used to control a camera tally light. When not in use with an on-camera tally light, the tally relay can be used for other types of control. The system also supports audio inputs for two channels of outbound digital AES audio or four analog audio channels with two bidirectional auxiliary audio channels for four wire intercom. The rack-mountable HD-3500 also gives users the option for two bi-directional RS-232 or RS-422 data channels as well as four GPI and one tally. The HD-3500 supports embedded audio in the HD-SDI video signal.

Additional applications for the HD-3500 include remote camera control in a broadcast studio, television point-of-view (POV), action sports shots, sky cameras, intelligent transportation systems and can also be used outdoors for high definition surveillance. Currently, the system is in use by NASA for the broadcast of space shuttle launches.

“The HD-3500 is an integral part of any broadcast system design that requires high quality, 3G HD video fiber transport with audio capability as well as several bidirectional data channels,” says Jim Jachetta, senior vice president of engineering and product development. “We’re proud to supply this product to NASA, which uses the HD-3500 to broadcast space shuttle launches in high definition video, applying the data channels for pan tilt, zoom and PTZ control.”

The HD-3500 provides looping, equalized inputs, and reclocked dual outputs, supporting 5 – 2970 Mb/s, SDI, HD-SDI, 3G HD-SDI, DVB, ASI and SMPTE standards 424M, 292M, 259M and 310M.

Future plans for the HD-3500 include the development of an openGear compatible version of the product. MultiDyne will design this version of the HD-3500 as part of its membership in the openGear terminal equipment platform group, a platform first developed by Ross Video to give users their choice of a variety of standardized, openGear products. The openGear platform is based on an open architecture, 2RU modular frame designed to accommodate up to 10 cards in the DFR-8310 frame and up to 20 cards in the DFR-8320 frame, giving users the option to include the HD-3500 openGear circuit card as an additional component under one control system.

via [press release]

Vaddio Camera Systems Selected for NC State Physics Education Research and Development Lab

Vaddio, supplied Video Systems of the Carolinas with a complete HD/SD video solution for North Carolina State University’s Physics Education Research and Development lab.

“The purpose of the Physics Education Research and Development Lab is to evaluate all testing and teaching methods on how to better teach physics by observing student/evaluator interaction,” explained Don Fisher, Systems Designer, CTS-D, for Video Systems of the Carolinas. “An audio/video recording is then sent to a central control room where all data is collected and stored.”

The new state-of-the-art facility at NC State provides researchers numerous options when deciding how to record student interviews. Two rooms, Riddick 214/216 (See Figure 3), are dedicated to small researcher-student interviews with ceiling-mounted High Definition and Standard Definition cameras, including Vaddio’s DomeVIEW 70 system and a Vaddio Quick-Connect PRO Z700. The larger room, Riddick 222, is designed for researchers studying students interacting in a group setting and includes three DomeVIEW 70s as well as one Quick-Connect PRO Z700. All recorded video and audio data is then captured in the observation room, Riddick 220, by an array of Apple® Mac® mini’s and Mac Pros.

In the smaller interview rooms the researcher uses a hand-held remote for camera orientation. Vaddio’s ProductionVIEW Super Joystick provides camera control movement and camera presets to the larger room remotely from the observation room. Also located in the observation room are three Vaddio PreVIEW HD Dual 7.0 monitors that allow the researcher to view video feeds. The observation room allows researchers to watch live interviews and capture video/audio from any of the three rooms.

“Vaddio offers such a well-packaged system,” says Fisher. “You get everything — monitors, cameras, control. The communication connectivity with Cat. 5 cabling makes everything so simple to install from room to room. Having the ability to run control, video and power, especially power, over Cat. 5 sealed the deal for us.”

via [press release]

PANASONIC ANNOUNCES AW-HE100, HIGH QUALITY INTEGRATED PAN/TILT/ZOOM HD/SD CAMERA

** HD/SD Camera System offers Easy Integration and Precision Control **

Panasonic announced the new AW-HE100 multi-format HD/SD camera that features an integrated pan-tilt-zoom mechanism with a unique ergonomic-design. The all-in-one HE100 combines outstanding image quality, super smooth pan/tilt/zoom operation and flexible system configuration.

Perfect for an array of applications ranging from high-resolution distance learning and videoconferencing, to broadcast and event staging, the HE100 provides incredible quality and easy integration for high definition and standard definition production environments. The camera supports 1080i, 720p and 480i formats and can simultaneously output both HD and SD signals. The camera features three progressive 1/3” IT CCDs, a 14-bit A/D converter, and a 19-bit digital signal processor to produce incredibly clean, high resolution images in a wide range of lighting conditions and environments.

The HE100 incorporates a broadcast quality HD 13x auto/manual focus zoom lens with a fast f1.6 maximum aperture, and wide angle focal length of 4.2mm (35mm equivalent: 32.5mm). The integrated PTZ unit has a highly accurate True-Servo pan-tilt head that offers precise, fast, fluid movement in all directions, with an exceptional range of 350 degrees (pan) and 250 degrees (tilt). Able to smoothly follow a wide range of both slow and fast moving objects without visually distracting vibration, the camera delivers a maximum pan/tilt speed of 60 degrees a second. The unit operates in virtual silence, with a noise rating of NC30 (at 30/s motion), NC35 (at 60/s motion).

The AW-HE100 comes standard with a variety of outputs including HD/SD analog component and composite video and is equipped with RS-422 connectivity for precise remote control. An optional HD/SD SDI card is available for critical production applications. Other valuable standard features include programmable auto-image flip, three-step gamma correction, seven-step chroma level adjustment, up to 100 pre-set memories, electronic shutter (1/120 to 1/2000 a sec) with synchro scan, tally light, a ceiling mounting bracket, and an easy -to-use wireless remote that controls up to four HE100 cameras.

The AW-HE100 can easily be integrated with Panasonic’s AK-HC1500 convertible HD camera and SD convertible cameras, and is compatible with a wide range of professional RS-422 control systems including Panasonic’s pan-tilt controllers such as the AW-RP555, AW-RP655, and AW-RP400 (with the AW-IF400), to provide control from remote distances of up to 3,280 ft. The HE100 can also easily be controlled via a desktop or laptop computer.

The HE100 weighs about 14.3 pounds and can be surface or ceiling mounted.

The HE100 will be available in April at a suggested list price of $8,790. Optional accessories include an AW-HHD100 SDI output board, which provides two HD/SD-SDI outputs (BNC) for HD/SD switching.

via [press release]

Avocent Wirelessly Delivers HD Video and Audio for Digital Signage

 

Avocent Corporation (Nasdaq: AVCT) recently introduced a new version of the Emerge® MPX extender, the MPX1500 high-definition (HD) multipoint extender, which wirelessly distributes HD content from a single source to multiple destinations. Emerge MPX extenders can be deployed for a variety of professional video applications, such as digital signage – providing panels with live content, entertainment and advertising in retail outlets, theaters, restaurants, airports, etc. The MPX1500 has added new functionality for centrally managing the MPX extender devices over the Internet.

The AV infrastructure created by the MPX extenders can be centrally accessed and controlled through a Web management interface. This latest version of the MPX extender greatly expands the status information available, enabling not only general troubleshooting of connections, but more specific details to ensure uptime and reliability. AV and IT managers can now connect to each individual transmitter and receiver to reboot, update, adjust the luminance and chrominance, change the frequency the radio transmits, and various other tuning parameters. For a widely dispersed digital signage network, this eliminates the need to send technical staff onsite for troubleshooting and repairs.

“When it comes to digital signage, Avocent provides the connectivity piece of the puzzle – we’re the only vendor who can deliver content wirelessly from a source to multiple displays, enabling broader reach and further penetration by eliminating the need for a physical wired connection to deliver audio and video,” said Mitch Friend, senior vice president and general manager of Avocent. “With the introduction of the MPX1500, we’ve added a number of features to make it easier for integrators to use and centrally manage their digital signage systems.”

The MPX1500 receiver has a universal media port based upon a digital video interface (DVI) connector, supporting a wide range of analog and digital video formats rather than requiring separate interface modules. The new MPX extender is dramatically smaller than the previous version making mounting the device easier and more convenient.

Additional details about the MPX1500 and the entire Emerge MPX family can be found at  www.avocent.com/proav

Vista Systems Unveils Additions To Spyder Product Line

Vista Systems has announced the addition of two models to its popular Spyder family of image processors. The Spyder 359 and Spyder 3410 join the already impressive arsenal.

The Spyder 359 takes the system to a new level. Designed to support arrays of up to eight displays, it provides five universal input cards; one universal output card to support a scaled output of the entire aggregate display area, an operator’s monitor or an additional display; and two DX4 output cards, each with four DVI outputs. The system offers five input layers and can accommodate an input expansion frame if required.

“Add it all up and you have a very powerful system in a small footprint,” says Victor Vettorello, Director of Application Engineering.

The Spyder 3410 further builds on the system by providing four universal input cards and10 outputs, eight of which are from two DX4 cards; the other two are universal output cards. Featuring a lot of power in a small package, the frame is designed for heavy display support along with possibility of a scaled output.

The new Spyder 3410 is already being used in an installation for Lehman Bros. which features three 3410s and three Spyder 240 systems.

via [press release]

Electrosonic’s New Digital Cinema Player Available at Showest

Audio-video manufacturing, design, installation and servicing giant Electrosonic Systems, fast making inroads into the cinema market, will be displaying the newly-launched MS9600 JPEG2000 server at ShoWest 2008 in Las Vegas.

The MS9600, a high-performance JPEG2000 appliance, plays unencrypted JPEG2000 content at 2K, 1080p and 720p resolutions. The company will also be showing the prototype DCI compliant version of the player which promises to take the Digital Cinema industry by storm.

Capable of delivering crisp, beautiful images at a price point well below that of its competitors, the MS9600 features 2K resolution via dual HD-DSI and dual DVI-I video outputs, 16 channels of broadcast quality digital audio, an advanced user interface and confidence monitor. It also includes professional integration features such as Timecode and Genlock, gigabit network, serial control, and four general purpose I/O. The unit also supports web interface for complete remote control and configuration for playlist management, SNMP and Metadata support. The MS9600 is ideal for special venue applications since it supports 48fps 3D playback and multiple units can be synchronized for multi-screen presentations.

Bryan Hinckley, Business Manager of the Electrosonic Products Group notes, “Electrosonic has been producing high definition MPEG video servers for 10 years now and we are excited to take the next step into the JPEG2000 realm. The MS9600 has immense application opportunities for special venues and 3D markets and more importantly, this product release represents the first milestone in creating a DCI compliant appliance for the Digital Cinema market.”

via [press release] more www.electrosonic.com

Philips announces new TiVo-like DVRs at IFA

Word on the street is that Philips has decided to dip its collective toes into the DVR world with a new line of products that appear, at least ostensibly, to compete with TiVo. Like the “TiVo Suggestions” feature that the recorder-company offers, Philips’ new devices tout user preference tracking, which will “learn” different user’s likes and dislikes, and create custom sets of programming geared towards those tastes. The new line will also be able to access and download YouTube and other internet video, as well as podcast content. Advertising on the new boxes will also follow user’s watching habits, thus ensuring a steady flow of laser-targeted ads beamed directly at your face. Apparently the new products will begin their lifecycle as software for PCs, but will eventually become set-top boxes for the living room. What’s really interesting here is that Philips used to manufacture TiVo hardware, which increases the chances of cross-pollination (and lawsuits) oh… about tenfold.

Crestron Unveils High-Definition Digital Video Processor

Crestron’s DVPHD-PRO High-Definition Digital Video Processor Displays Flexibility and Innovation

Crestron introduces its new DVPHD-PRO high-definition digital video processor. The DVPHD accepts up to eight source signals and displays them in up to eight scalable video windows simultaneously. Featuring input and output resolutions up to 1920 x 1200 for RGB and DVI signals, and supports 1080i and 1080p HDTV, the DVPHD-PRO is perfect for Network Operation Centers, Command and Control Centers, large entertainment venues and home theater. The DVPHD-PRO also handles HDMI with external adaptors. The DVPHD-PRO is available in several models including multiple output versions for video wall applications.

The DVPHD-PRO offers the best value in the industry delivering the lowest cost per channel among digital video processors. True 10-bit video processing and the latest generation of high-definition scaling and de-interlacing ensures the highest quality video images. The DVPHD-PRO also provides the same vibrant and extensive graphics capabilities featured in the latest Crestron touchpanels, such as 24-bit color, dynamic graphics, dynamic text, full-motion animation and translucent objects. Dynamic text displays customized labels to automatically identify cameras, locations or sources. Further enhancing the aesthetic of professional presentations, the DVPHD-PRO features dynamic transitions such as wipes and image swapping.

Offering stand-alone capabilities and out-of-the-box functionality, the DVPHD-PRO does not require an external control system for configuration or operation. Daily operation and system set-up may be achieved directly from the front panel LCD or using built-in web pages displayed on any computer.

The DVPHD-PRO also features sophisticated sync sensing capabilities. The DVPHD-PRO can not only detect the presence of a sync signal and automatically display the source, but it can also identify the type of video signal and dynamically scale the signal to the appropriate resolution. The high-performance digital video scalers and de-interlacers ensure optimal, seamless presentation displays.

For enhanced control, the built-in touchpanel interface (TPI) can transform any third-party touch screen into a full-featured Crestron Isys® touchpanel including annotation functionality. Native TPI and annotation capabilities significantly improve communication and collaboration by enabling presenters to use just a fingertip to write or draw on the display or over video signals.

Hitachi’s P42-HV01, L37-XR01 HDTVs sport removable iVDR-S

Cramming DVR functionality into an HDTV is nothing new, but Hitachi is blessing two of its newest sets with a removable iVDR-S drive (shown after the jump) in case you feel like plugging your theoretical DVR HDD into other compatible devices. Up first is the 42-inch plasma, which offers up a 1,024 x 1,080 resolution, three HDMI ports, digital audio output, a headphone jack, Ethernet, dual ten-watt speakers, an SD slot, and a silver stand in case you’re not keen on hoisting this up on your wall. The 37-inch LCD TV boasts a 1,920 x 1,080 Full HD resolution, 500cd/m2 brightness, 7,000:1 contrast ratio, built-in speakers, and the same port assortment as the P42-HV01. As expected, neither of these sets will come sans a stiff premium, so look for the iVDR-S-equipped PDP to land in “late October” for ¥390,000 ($3,232), while the L37-XR01 LCD arrives a month earlier at ¥350,000 ($2,901)

via [akahibara]

Infocomm 2007 – Extron Launches New Scalable Multi-Graphic Videowall Processor System

Extron Electronics introduces the MGP 464W WindoWall^TM System, a powerful and versatile, yet user-friendly multi-display videowall system. It features a highly scalable architecture that delivers optimum performance and reliability, with a separate MGP 464W Multi-Graphic Processor dedicated to each display. The system includes WindoWall Console application software that facilitates intuitive, straightforward control and configuration, and the creation of multi-window presentations for displaying graphics, HDTV, and video. The MGP 464W WindoWall System is ideal for various applications requiring highly reliable, multi-window videowall systems.

“The MGP 464W WindoWall System is designed to simplify the task of setting up a complex videowall display system,” says Lee Dodson, Vice President of Marketing for Extron. “The WindoWall Console features three key Wizards that quickly walk installers through set-up, while power users have immediate access to all system parameters and functions with the click of a mouse.”
Each MGP 464W high resolution graphics processor employs proven Extron video processing technologies to deliver a fully optimized, high quality video output. Because a discrete, real-time processor is dedicated to each display unit, the system is fully scalable, supporting a wide variety of display layouts from 1×2 to 3×2 and larger.

The WindoWall Console application software is the user interface to the system. It brings all of the MGP 464W units together via TCP/IP and features intuitive Wizards to set up, create, and manage videowall presentations. Customized window layouts can be created with the aid of a virtual canvas that allows for sizing and positioning windows anywhere as they would be shown on the videowall display.

More : http://www.extron.com/product/product.aspx?id=mgp464w&search=MGP%20464W

Via [press release]