IP Systems and Sony mastermind integration in Taiwan
A BroaMan point-to-point fibre comms network has been installed in a new OB truck for Public Television Service (PTS), a division of the Taiwan Broadcasting System in Taipei.
The equipment was provided and installed by BroaMan’s Taiwanese distributor, IP Systems.
Since PTS already owned an Optocore system, the jump to BroaMan, where they could convert data, 3G-SDI, HD and SD-SDI signals, was a natural one. Having provided the spec, IT Systems advised how an IP transport solution could best be achieved.
They recommended two point-to-point systems comprising a pair of BroaMan’s versatile Mux22 IVT/IC444, which will carry multiple signals including 8 x 3G-SDI video, 4 x GPIO and 4 x SANE/LAN in a single duplex fibre cable. At each end there is an Optocore V3R-TP AD/DA converter for the SANE protocol, in both 8LI and 8LO versions.
According to IP Systems’ General manager, Paul Chang, this configuration allows AES, 12G-SDI, analogue Mic/Line In/Out and 4 Wire to be transported.
A pair of stageboxes, interfaced to each camera, are connected with a SMPTE311 cable, and are dedicated to transporting 4K signals with a Quad 3G port available on the MUX22. Digital audio, analogue audio and 4W intercom system from Clear-Com are also transported, with the network is connected to the master Studer Vista 1 console.
The new truck will be used predominantly to broadcast opera and other concert performances, and Chang says his company was selected by main contractor, Sony, partly because they offered better local support but also because they proposed the most complete audio, intercom and video solution.
The sub-system was commissioned by BroaMan’s Senior Applications Engineer, Michal Micka, who also provided full training on BroaMan and Optocore platforms and operating software, as well as an overview on the company’s technology.
Paul Chang said this had been a great help. “BroaMan helped us meet the budget target and also provided the 5-year warranty required by PTS,” he said. “Also Michal did an excellent job with the training and troubleshooting any problems. In fact, the training was almost too good, as PTS has now requested additional training to allow their different departments to learn this technology.”
German fiber network specialists BroaMan, who offer scalable SD/HD/3G video, data and intercom transport solutions down a single fiber, have appointed Clear-Com®, the provider of real-time communications solution and services, as their new distributor in the USA.
BroaMan has rapidly found favour not only in the Broadcast market but also with production companies, sport facilities, professional AV integrators and many more applications with its bespoke solutions and range of off-the-shelf converters.
As the provider of intercom systems, Clear-Com will now expand its infrastructure expertise to include video signal distribution and routing networks.
The BroaMan portfolio includes the MUX-22 and Repeat8-NANO Series interfaces, palm-size 3G-SDI or AES10-MADI signal media converters; the larger capacity Repeat48 media converters and Route66 3G-SDI 40 x 40 non-blocking video matrix.
All BroaMan products comply with SMPTE fiber standards, and can therefore be used with third party equipment.
The beauty of BroaMan’s solutions, Carlos said, is that they only pay for what they need. “The price and flexibility to be able to configure the system the way we needed was a huge benefit. It means we don’t have any features that we won’t use.”
Qualifying the appointment, BroaMan MD, Tine Helmle, said, “Clear-Com is an excellent partner to be working with — extremely professional, knowledgeable and with great staff in the US, and across the world. In fact they have already sold a good number of BroaMan devices.”
“BroaMan is known for its masterful engineering of fiber-based media networks,” said Simon Browne, Vice President of Product Management, Clear-Com. “With their very low and deterministic latency, ability to handle many high bandwidth video signals, and future-proofed for 4K video and beyond as well as future IP standards, Clear-Com is proud to partner with BroaMan in providing these video and audio solutions for studio and remote Broadcast production.”
Clear-Com has already successfully represented BroaMan at NAB 2018, and will also exhibit their products at InfoComm 2018.
Economical and reliable single-fibre CWDM solution
Spanish broadband and telecommunication giants Telefónica, S.A have become the latest broadcast multinational to invest in BroaMan’s unique and scalable signal conversion technology over fiber.
The company’s subsidiary, Telefónica Broadcast Service, provides services for other companies (as well as themselves), handling production, transport and management of all TV content. Their department also handles outside production of TV events, in particular sports and other news related programs, for which they operate a fleet of OB vans. These include a 16-cam truck with six EVS, and two 15-camera trucks with four EVS each. Their flagship HD van handles Spanish UEFA Champions League.
Technical manager of the production department is Carlos Rojo, and it was he who authorised the investment after seeing BroaMan’s product portfolio at IBC 2017 in Amsterdam.
“We were looking for an inexpensive, easy and reliable way to transport multi SDI 1.5G video through just two optical fibers,” he said. “We were looking to add facilities to our trucks in order to speed up the time preparing our productions. We used to have six hours in which to go live with basketball and handball, and we have to ensure a complete absence of errors.”
Pioneers and experts in fiber Infrastructure. BroaMan have been creating and shaping highest quality fiber networks and point to point solutions for more than 25 years.
The beauty of BroaMan’s solutions, Carlos said, is that they only pay for what they need. “The price and flexibility to be able to configure the system the way we needed was a huge benefit. It means we don’t have any features that we won’t use.”
Before committing to the purchase they took a demo system of the Repeat48 WDM-12 for evaluation — and to ensure it fulfilled the requirement. “We were concerned about CWDM technology over our field fibers and the possibility of video jitter,” admits Rojo. ”On many occasions we connected very long BNC cables to the device and it passed all our tests without problem.”
As a consequence, Telefónica ordered three identical sets — each running point-to-point — based on BroaMan’s Repeat48WDM 12-channel device. The Repeat48 at one end is configured with 8-In, 4-Out, and on the other end 4-In, 8-Out — and each device pair is connected via just one duplex single-mode cable. “This is now used to broadcast ACB Spanish National Basketball League,” confirms Carlos Rojo. “It was for this that we principally needed the solution.”
In operation, three Minicam, two fill, key graphic signals and a clock cam are sent to the OB truck and in the other direction two program returns and a clock signal from the field. “Sometimes we will need to use existing fixed installations because some stadiums are pre-cabled, and as we don’t have many fibers available we will use the Repeat48 fiber tunnel to send an audio Dante channel.”
In other words, via two fibers Telefónica can transmit the 12 video channels and 64 audio channels in a very elegant and simple way. “Previously we would have been unable to send so many signals with just two fibers,” notes the Telefónica man. “This also enables us to save time and problems with connections.”
The new BroaMan upgrade will provide Telefónica with enormous flexibility. In addition to the ACB Spanish National Basketball League they can also broadcast Handball Spanish National League; Football Spanish National League; Football UEFA Champions League; Basketball Euroligue and Bullfighting.
Summing up, Carlos Rojo says, “The great advantage [with the Repeat48] is that the ability to send so many signals through a single fiber means not only that we have many more spare fibers, but we also reduce the set-up time by more than half. In certain situations we just have one or two fibers available but we can send everything we need.
“It is also important and reassuring to know that this works reliably, meaning that we can focus our attention on other areas. There is no doubt that CWDM technology offers us an extremely reliable way of sending so much info and data.
“The investment is certainly not high when you compare it with other technologies, and the advantages that it offers more than warrants the investment.”
Finally, he says, while the device was easy to set up and use, they valued the support and advice provided by Maciek Janiszewski, BroaMan’s Applications Engineering Manager.
Fiber infrastructure pioneers, BroaMan, have appointed HHB Communications Ltd. as their new UK and Ireland distributor. BroaMan, a fiber-based platform, has been delivering professional video, audio and data transport and routing requirements for 25 years.
“We are delighted to be working with HHB, whose pedigree and track record speak for themselves. Their appointment as our UK distributor ahead of the BVE Show in London could not be better timed,” added BroaMan Managing Director, Tine Helmle
All products are designed and manufactured in Germany to integrate video, audio, IP, intercom and other data on a redundant low latency system. This provides highly reliable, professional and advanced solutions for broadcasters, production companies, sports facilities, professional AV integrators and more. Their range of clients includes ITV, BBC, France 24, the band Coldplay and many more.
HHB Director of Sales, Martin O’Donnell commented on the new appointment. “This unique partnership with BroaMan further proves HHB’s reputation as the ultimate supplier for all audio, video, data and GPIOs transport and systems solutions.”
Additionally, the newly announced Repeat48-2Fiber module made its debut at BVE. The product comes with two SFP cages and can be used to convert from multimode to singlemode fiber or to/from any CWDM or DWDM transceiver. The unit is a universal SFP-based signal converter, allowing any-to-any signal conversion.
BroaMan’s Technical Sales Manager, Maciek Janiszewski stated, “The new module complements the Repeat48 and Repeat48WDM series, making it fully flexible for literally any type of signal. Due to the fact that really high bandwidths are supported, it is now possible to fully integrate 12G video with IP video workflows and run all on the same fiber infrastructure — even on single fiber. As a result of the open SFP standard, the number of different signal combinations achievable is countless, which makes Repeat48 and Repeat48WDM devices perfect for any application.”
Universal SFP-based signal converter allows any-to-any signal conversion
BroaMan has added to its popular Repeat48 range of media interfaces for 3G/HD/SD-SDI or AES10/MADI signals, converting video or digital audio between coaxial and optical connections.
Following the Repeat48-2IN-3G, Repeat48-2OUT-3G and Repeat48-1IN/1OUT-12G modules which fit the Repeat48 and Repeat48WDM frame, the company has announced the Repeat48-2Fiber module. Equipped with two SFP cages, it can be used to convert from multimode to singlemode fiber or to/from any CWDM or DWDM transceiver.
Individual Repeat48 or Repeat48WDM devices can be equipped with from one up to 12 Repeat48-2Fiber modules. It is also possible to have a mixture of up to six Repeat48-2Fiber modules with up to six SDI-Fiber converter modules.
In addition, Repeat48-2Fiber supports transceivers up to 12G, and can thus be used for 12G video or 10G IP systems; it is also possible to use SFPs with direct SDI, HDMI or RJ45 connectivity.
Stated BroaMan Technical Sales Manager, Maciek Janiszewski, “The new module complements the Repeat48 and Repeat48WDM series, making it fully flexible for literally any type of signal. Due to the fact that really high bandwidths are supported, it is now possible to fully integrate 12G video with IP video workflows and run all on the same fiber infrastructure — even on single fiber.
“As a result of the open SFP standard, the number of different signal combinations achievable is countless, which makes Repeat48 and Repeat48WDM devices perfect for any application.”
