MUX-22 provides elegant fibre distribution for Multi-Link Holland and BP Satellite Solutions
With the start of the new Formula One™ Grand Prix season Dutch satellite uplink specialists, Multi-Link Holland and BP Satellite Solutions, have again been brought in to provide broadcast facilities to their clients at all GP circuits worldwide.
Both companies have a history of collaboration on a number of projects. Multi-Link Holland, founded by Bob Snieder, and BP Satellite Solutions, under Patrick Hendriks, provide satellite uplink and downlink facilities, wireless cameras, multi-camera and edit facilities. They also provide data and DVB-T transmissions — single and multiplexed-channel — for their own respective broadcast clients.
In order to enable fibre distribution over long distances in a more efficient and economical way than previously, for this season they have adopted BroaMan’s new MUX-22 video, audio and intercom module. MUX-22 is part of BroaMan’s scalable and protocol independent environment, which offers up to 16 3G/HD/SD-SDI I/O configurable video ports (with built-in CWDM multiplexer).
Explained Multi-Link Holland SNG operator, Marco van Uffelen, “We have worked in the past with different kinds of fibre systems. But the beauty of the MUX-22 devices is that the units will multiplex multiple signals over just one single fibre each.
“It not only allows us to transmit and receive multiple HD SDI signals and data over just one or two fibres but it does so within our budget range. Costs of airfreighting to overseas locations is prohibitively expensive and equipment needs to be as light as possible, unlike the heavy weight of multi-fibre drums. Therefore, the MUX-22 provides us with a total solution.”
Their search for a system to meet their criteria ended once Patrick Hendriks had set up a meeting with BroaMan’s Manager for Applications Engineering, Maciek Janiszewski, at this year’s ISE 2014 expo in Amsterdam. “Patrick was already aware of the company and it’s products but we had no experience of working with it,” states Marco van Uffelen.
This led to a demo rack being shipped for evaluation, and after all tests had been successfully conducted, the order was placed for two MUX-22 devices, one configured 6-in/2-out and the other 2-in/6-out.
“When we arrived onsite we realised we actually needed a 4-in/4-out solution instead,” Van Uffelen continues. “However, the flexibility and internal setup of the MUX-22 made it easy for us to change the input/output configuration of the units.”
The system connects the OB-truck in the TV compound, with its multiple wireless camera hoist, to the commentary booth, which can be up to 1000 metres away, allowing HD-SDI and intercom signals to be both transmitted and received. The switched SDI output from the video mixer is received at the commentary booth where all camera SDI and intercom signals are monitored and the booth-camera signal is sent back to the OB-truck.
In conclusion Marco van Uffelen reports that “the BroaMan system works perfectly”, adding, “It would be great if we had the budget to implement this site-wide to give us extra possibilities to exchange various signals to different locations. The shipping weight is incredibly low when compared with shipping 8- or 12-pair fibre drums of different lengths, using only one signal per fibre.”
The system made its debut at the Bahrain GP (for ORF) and later for TV Globo Brazil. BP-Satellite Solutions are also contracted to RTL-Germany, MTV-3 in Finland, Viasat in Sweden, Denmark and Norway, and ZDF, while Multi-Link Holland services the Host Broadcaster with their transmission of the World Feed and they also provide the uplink requirements for TV-Globo, ZDF and at non-European races for ORF.
Also involved in the process were Dutch data network provider, Com1; all three companies cooperate closely wherever data and satellite uplinks are involved.
Long time ambassador for Optocore fibre signal interfaces, HD Pro Audio’s sales director, Andy Huffer has strengthened his relationship with the Munich based network specialists — by placing the focus on sister company, BroaMan.
Once Optocore had decided to set up Broadcast Manufactur (BroaMan) to extend the Optocore infrastructure (and distribution options) into broadcast applications such as Studios, OB Vans and Sport Events, Huffer admits “it all clicked into place.”
When he first saw MUX-22, the latest addition to the BroaMan portfolio of routing and repeating devices at this year’s Frankfurt Prolight+Sound Show, and sensed its full I/O capacity and configurability, it really ignited his interest.
Consequently, his company — which specialises in the sales and distribution of a range of premium pro audio brands — gave BroaMan’s MUX-22 device a prime spot on its booth at this month’s ABTT Show as part of a BroaMan rack. “We already have the products specified on some high-end projects,” Huffer enthused.
It’s easy to see why the flexible and compact MUX-22 has caught the imagination of anyone looking to combine video and audio signal routing to multiple locations over optical fibre. Both scalable and protocol independent, MUX-22 can be delivered as a mixed unit with up to 16 3G/HD/SD-SDI channels as well as selectable audio modules (analogue, digital MADI or AES/EBU) and much more besides in just 1RU.
“We love it for that reason,” he admits, noting the versatility offered by integration with Optocore, Ethernet, RS485/422 or GPIO. “It allows for the integration of IP-based audio protocols for instance, can be used as a point to point system and its ability to route data as well as audio and video is a huge bonus. Nothing else out there offers this amount of AV routing at this price point. You can send an enormous amount of AV down these fibre optic cables.”
In conclusion, he said, “At HD Pro Audio we are always very selective when we augment our stable of premium brands — and we predict great things for this.”
BroaMan has announced the release of a new interface card for its Mux22 video, audio and intercom I/O module — providing AES access and Riedel connectivity.
IC AES becomes the latest addition to the company’s long line of intercom devices, which includes IC422-Clear-Com; IC485-RTS, and IC444-Line I/O + GPIO).
The new board integrates AES/EBU-based intercoms with the BroaMan and Optocore networks, allowing all serial data between the matrix and panel to be passed through the system.
A single board offers four ports with matrix or panel pinout; each port is equipped with a single AES/EBU input and AES/EBU output offering two audio inputs and two audio outputs (in total 8-In/8-Out).
As with all BroaMan/Optocore products the new board is AES3 transparent — enabling it to transport the complete 32-bit AES3 frame — and thanks to this all data embedded in user bits remains unaltered.
All ports can be used either for intercom or standard AES/EBU connectivity and the new IC AES board can also be delivered with Riedel pinout enabling direct connection of Riedel intercom systems.
Finally, the IC AES board can be integrated not only into the BroaMan Mux22 but also Optocore X6R/V3R-INTERCOM devices; each single input channel on the IC AES board is integrated with the Optocore network and can be distributed to other Optocore interfaces (eg MADI, AES3, analogue).
“This latest board further expands the flexibility and transmission options. Many clients, such as Videohouse in Belgium, are using this option in their MUX22 and I am delighted that this is proving such a successful series,” said BroaMan MD, Tine Helmle.
BroaMan’s increasingly popular MUX-22 video, audio and intercom I/O module, which offers up to 16 3G/HD/SD-SDI I/O configurable video ports (with built-in CWDM multiplexer), is continuing to evolve.
Part of the complete BroaMan (Broadcast Manufactur) portfolio, which provides scalable, protocol independent routing, repeating, transport and distribution of multiple professional video signals over optical fibre, MUX-22’s flexible and compact redundant video, audio, data transport and basic routing platform can be seen at this month’s 2014 NAB Show in Las Vegas.
MUX-22 can be delivered as a mixed unit with up to 16 3G/HD/SD-SDI channels as well as selectable audio modules (analogue, digital MADI or AES/EBU); four wire ports for Clear-Com (IC422), RTS (IC485) or generic intercom (IC444) with 4 Line In, 4 Line Out, 4 GPI and 4 GPO; MADI module, with 4 duplex SC MADI ports; 16 AES/EBU ports on Phoenix or RJ45 connectors; all contained in just 1 RU (Rack Unit).
“MUX-22 is hugely economical, both in terms of space and power consumption,” says BroaMan managing director, Tine Helmle. “The video, audio, intercom and data are all contained in a 1RU package, while the low power draw further underpins the low cost of ownership.
“This module has already been recognised by a large number of customers, and we have sold them in quantity to Videohouse (via Amptec Belgium) for their OB Vans, France TV (via Le Team), TV2 Danmark (via Danmon), while BP Satellite Solutions are using them for Formula One … and many more.”
MUX-22 is fully featured, and includes: Input always reclocked (output with optional reclocker); Optional sync module with tri-level sync or black burst or word clock I/O; full Optocore integration with SANE ports, Ethernet, RS485/422 or GPIO; Intercom boards for 4 x Clearcom/4x RTS/4 x AES based intercom systems/4 x analogue intercom with GPIO or 4 x optical MADI ports; Fibre tunnel for third-party devices, similar to 1Gbit switches or other fibre utilities; Optional redundancy available.
The output can be derived from any source in the system, while the Tri/Bi-level video clock input and output module can be installed in the device on request.
The MUX-22 also seamlessly integrates into the Optocore digital optical network system. Analogue audio, 4-wire intercom for Clear-Com or RTS user panels or matrices, MADI or AES/EBU are sent transparently through the optical network together with video, Ethernet and serial data. Each audio and data channel can be routed to, and from, every device on the network using the Optocore control software, which enables the monitoring of video signals, displaying the status of each SFP (optical transceiver module) built into the device.
Aside from being populated with SDI I/O and multiplexers, in accordance with the customer’s specifications, MUX-22 is equipped with a built-in redundant power supply with an automatic switchover in case of fibre failure.
Finally, MUX-22 units can be used in multiple different applications, starting from a very simple point-to-point link between OB truck and remote location, but can also be used in a redundant ring topology or with BroaMan Route66 units, as a part of large routing solution.
La Chaîne parlementaire (The parliamentary channel) is a French television network responsible for broadcasting activity from the National Assembly of France (LCP) and the Senate of France (Public Sénat) — made available through TNT digital terrestrial television.
Created in 1999 at the request of the National Assembly of France to broadcast initially twice a week on France 3, by the following year it had also encompassed the Senate of France. Today it broadcasts 24 hours from the Assembly followed by 24 hours from the Senate having obtained its own TNT frequency. This makes high demands on the transmission facilities.
Last year, production needed to improve the bi-directional communication infrastructure, and Philippe Delépine, sales engineer at Audiopole, undertook a site survey before providing a solution based around BroaMan/Optocore network components.
“They had some remote channels and wanted connectivity between the cameras and the main control room over distance,” he said. “We started discussing with them about fibre and how to carry the video signal around the four parliamentary columns that dominate the room [the main room is called La Salle des Quatre Colonnes]. However, little did he realise that this first phased would develop into a much bigger project.
“Initially, we proposed a multiplex solution down a single fibre using two V3R-FX-INTERCOM-SDI — the BroaMan video platform with audio [later to become known as MUX22],” he said. “This would function as a 5-in, 1-out point-to-point system.”
This would give production five separate video signals for when ministers are interviewed on site. Via the BroaMan devices all the video signals could be multiplexed onto a single Optocore fibre, with the programme sending back signals from the control room to the Salle des Quatre Colonnes.
“The ports in and out of the BroaMan devices carry the main audio programme and also the intercom both ways for a connection with a wireless Clear-Com Tempest system over several hundred meters,” continues Delépine “Previously they were only able to carry one signal and no audio.”
With simplicity of set up and effective functionality, “the customer found this to be the perfect solution for carrying video, audio and intercom,” summarised M. Delépine.
But already a second phase was being considered as the Assembly saw the potential of extending the system further to other locations and creating a centralised routing system by redeploying old devices with further interfaces from BroaMan.
Explained BroaMan application engineer, Maciek Janiszewski, “At the second stage we delivered a Route66 as the centralised router and two initial MUX22 units [a third will be supplied later].
“Route66 is configured to combine five satellites — integrating the older V3R-FX-INTERCOM-SDI units with the new MUX22 devices. Every channel that appears on the satellite is available in Route66 and can be routed to any of the outputs.
“As we offer non-blocking video and audio matrix, one input can be routed to multiple outputs.”
Both the V3R-FX-INTERCOM-SDI and MUX22 devices are equipped with the Clear-Com board, offering four 4-wire intercom ports each, while a X6R-FX-INTERCOM provides local audio and intercom I/O in the central location, where the ports are used either for Clear-Com intercom or line level audio.
Summing up, Janiszewski says, “The Optocore matrix now offers La Chaîne Parlementaire complete freedom when routing audio channels.”
The new system is controlled by the latest Optocore software, which introduces advanced monitoring features and video matrixing, and will be supported by Audiopole.
The system integration was carried out by Paris-based AV specialists, CVS.
