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MULTIDYNE DEBUTS POWERFUL, HIGH-DENSITY LIGHTCUBE AT NAB 2010

April 6th, 2010

MultiDyne - LiGHTCuBE

New Solution Offers Up to 80 HD Signals and Option for a Signal Generator and HD Monitors

LAS VEGAS, APRIL 6, 2010MultiDyne, a premier provider of fiber optic-based video and audio transport and routing solutions for broadcast and pro A/V applications, will unveil its brand new LiGHTCuBE fiber optic field transport system at this year’s NAB (Booth C7637). In addition, MultiDyne will also introduce the option for an HD or composite signal generator as well as HD monitors on the LiGHTCuBE, giving broadcasters unprecedented ability to test and monitor signals in the field.

Capable of housing any product in the MultiDyne product line, the LiGHTCuBE represents the company’s most customizable, rugged and high-density solution to date. Designed for the fiber optic field transport of composite, HD video, PL, IFB, audio and more, the LiGHTCuBE can be configured for as many as 80 HD-SDI, SDI or composite video paths, with 225 AES or analog audio channels. The LiGHTCuBE is also compatible with DVI, RGB and HDMI and is AC and fully battery powered.

In addition, the new test and monitor features make the LiGHTCuBE especially effective for in-the-field signal monitoring. With an HD monitor and signal generator on either end of the product, users can test the circuit even if the camera has not arrived. Further, the HD test signal generator option also allows users to send the test pattern down the line, or to send the signal from the studio end directly to the LiGHTCuBE. This function allows users to monitor the camera output and the signals arriving at the shoot, and can be added to any solution in MultiDyne’s LiGHTBoX product line.

“With our new LiGHTCuBE, the options for the end-user are virtually limitless,” says Frank Jachetta, senior vice president of sales and operations for MultiDyne. “Not only does the LiGHTCuBE hold more HD, analog video and audio signals than any other solution in our product line, it is also extremely customizable, even by the end-user. Our new test and monitor features provide even more value. Customers who were creating their own makeshift flyaway case to house many video signals will finally have access to a smaller, cost-effective and extremely high-quality solution for all their fiber optic transport needs.”

A major benefit also lies in the LiGHTCuBE’s size. Though this solution is heavy on HD and audio signals, the LiGHTCuBEv is a compact and extremely portable 14-inch cube design, making it small enough for sports and ENG, an announce booth setting, as well as any field application where signal density is a must. Additional carry handles allow users to “grab-and-go” for remote or on-location broadcasts. A weather resistant cover is also available.

The LiGHTCuBE is exceptionally versatile and can be used in a number of different broadcast and pro A/V situations. It is ideal for applications including large-scale outdoor arena sporting events where a user requires a rugged, highly weather-proof solution for handling massive amounts of HD signals. The LiGHTCuBE is also a perfect fit for users transporting high-density audio; for example, in a live symphony or orchestra broadcast setting with over 60 microphones, the LiGHTCuBE can manage audio bottlenecks, transporting signals seamlessly to an OB van or studio.

The LiGHTCuBE can be linked using tactical or conventional fiber to any MultiDyne solution, including the DVM-2500, HD-1500, HD-3000, HDMI-ONE, DVI-6000 as well as many non-MultiDyne products. In addition, the LiGHTCuBE offers users intercom, PL, IFB and belt pack support.  For more information on the LiGHTCuBE and its optional test and monitor features, please visit the MultiDyne website at: http://www.multidyne.com/productdetail.cfm?ProductID=247.

About MultiDyne:

For more than 30 years, MultiDyne has been a leading provider of innovative and outstanding video and fiber optic-based transport and routing systems for the broadcast, cable, satellite, production, digital cinema, pro A/V, corporate, retail, surveillance, teleconferencing, judicial arraignment, transportation, government, military, and healthcare markets. MultiDyne’s fiber optic transport and routing systems for video, SDI, 3G HD, DVB/ASI, VGA, DVI, HDMI, audio, AES, Ethernet, data, CATV, as well as the company’s other broadcast accessories are used worldwide by such industry leaders as ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, RAI, BBC and the Department of Transportation. MultiDyne provides a seven-year warranty on its core product line. For more information, call MultiDyne at 1-877-MULTIDYNE or 1-516-671-7278, visit the company’s Web site at www.multidyne.com, or send an e-mail to sales@multidyne.com.

Fiber Optic Transport Systems for Broadcast Television, Multiple signals, New Products, News, Size, Uncategorized, Weight , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

MULTIDYNE’S FRANK JACHETTA STEPS INTO ROLE OF MANAGING DIRECTOR; COMPANY WELCOMES INDUSTRY VETERAN FRED SCOTT AS VP OF SALES & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

April 6th, 2010

LAS VEGAS, APRIL 5, 2010MultiDyne 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, today announces that Frank Jachetta will be taking on the role of managing director. In line with the company’s continued growth and industry momentum, MultiDyne has also enhanced its sales force with a new addition and a promotion. Fred Scott, a 20-year industry veteran, will join the company as vice president of sales and business development, while Matt Watkins, inside sales manager, has been promoted to sales and system design manager.

Previously serving as senior vice president of sales and operations, Frank will now oversee all facets of MultiDyne’s business as managing director. With the relocation of Jim Jachetta, the company’s former senior vice president of engineering and product development, to pursue other interests in Orange County, CA, Frank will now step into a larger role managing the company’s day-to-day operations. In his new position, Frank will provide strategic oversight of both the sales and engineering teams, continuing the company’s tradition of innovation and unparalleled customer service for the fiber optics and routing solutions market.

“On behalf of our entire company, we want to thank Jim for all of his contributions during his tenure at MultiDyne,” says Frank Jachetta. “We wish him luck in all of his endeavors. Moving forward, we are excited to welcome Fred Scott to the company. Our number one commitment has always been our customers, and we are thrilled to leverage the strengths both Fred and Matt bring to the table in order to better serve our customer base and augment the tremendous growth we’re experiencing.”

As vice president of sales and business development, Scott will be responsible for driving the expansion of MultiDyne’s business, overseeing and coordinating all of the company’s sales activities worldwide. With previous positions at several of the industry’s biggest fiber companies, including Communications Specialties Inc. and GE Industrial Systems (formerly Fiber Options), Scott brings a deep understanding of the fast-evolving industry to his new position. With a wealth of experience developing OEM agreements, training sales staff and negotiating major sales with national and international brands, Scott will work closely with current and potential customers to find the best solution for their fiber-optic video and audio transport and routing needs.

Previously serving as inside sales manager for MultiDyne, Watkins will further enhance the company’s growing sales team in his new position as sales and system design manager. In this expanded role, Watkins will represent MultiDyne at the company’s tradeshows nationwide, interfacing directly with clients to provide excellent customer service and support.

MultiDyne’s sales team will be serving customers at NAB 2010 – stop by to meet the entire team and preview the company’s innovative new products for 2010 at Booth C7637.

About MultiDyne:

For more than 30 years, MultiDyne has been a leading provider of innovative and outstanding video and fiber optic-based transport and routing systems for the broadcast, cable, satellite, production, digital cinema, pro A/V, corporate, retail, surveillance, teleconferencing, judicial arraignment, transportation, government, military, and healthcare markets. MultiDyne’s fiber optic transport and routing systems for video, SDI, 3G HD, DVB/ASI, VGA, DVI, HDMI, audio, AES, Ethernet, data, CATV, as well as the company’s other broadcast accessories are used worldwide by such industry leaders as ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, RAI, BBC and the Department of Transportation. MultiDyne provides a seven-year warranty on its core product line. For more information, call MultiDyne at 1-877-MULTIDYNE or 1-516-671-7278, visit the company’s Web site at www.multidyne.com, or send an e-mail to sales@multidyne.com.

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Red House Mobile Productions, ZDF Win at FIBT World Championship with MultiDyne LiGHTBoX ® LB-1430-MC

March 5th, 2009
LiGHTBoX ® LB-1430-MC

LiGHTBoX ® LB-1430-MC

Red House Mobile Productions, ZDF Win at FIBT World Championship

Posted in: HEADLINES

Mar 4, 2009 – 5:04:46 PM

To be successful at any major event, you must have the right team and right equipment in place. To win at a Bobsled World Championship event, you must also have the ability and will to tackle the elements and the course. Red House Mobile Productions (formerly Dotcom Mobile) did just that for German television broadcasters ARD and ZDF at this year’s World Championships in Lake Placid, NY. The 27-ft. HD-1 mobile-production truck was used by FIBT to help both ARD and ZDF cover the event.

The truck was located approximately 750 ft. away from the main finish deck. “We just made park and power before the weather started. It snowed for six straight days!” says Kurt Heitmann, president of Total RF Productions. “The snow never stopped, and that makes for a tough setup. And the temps were hovering around 10 degrees all week.”

JVC HD250 Camera signals were transmitted bidirectionally with the new Multidyne LiGHTBoX system. “We worked closely with Multidyne to engineer these Light Boxes for our JVC HD250 cameras,” says Heitmann. “They worked flawlessly in very extreme weather, and we are very pleased.”

Total RF Productions, which runs Red House Mobile Productions, also provided all the fiber for the POV cameras on the course. “Alex Milton, the main host tech manager, and FIBT put out 20-plus HD POV cams for this event,” says Heitmann, “and they had really great course coverage.”

ZDF was very specific and very organized with its signal-flow requirements. The broadcaster provided two EVS machines that were installed in a trailer next to the truck, and Total RF created operator positions on the second and third bench in the truck. All audio was embedded in the trucks; a Harris router and the EVS machines were used for the main part of the show.

“ZDF likes to isolate their reporters and tape segments while they have the main show feed on the air,” says Heitmann. “ZDF also built out an Avid edit room that was also in our router. We took embedded audio and video from the main host truck and added that into the router as well.” Heitmann says this type of show is why the truck was built.  “There is no need for a 53-ft. expando when a show is taking live feeds and adding three to five cameras,” he says. “This truck is perfect for that.”

© Copyright 2009 by SportsVideo.org

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Photonic Fiber Optic Switcher, OOO

February 7th, 2009

Photonic Fiber Optic Switcher

The first is 100% optical switching using 3D MEMMS Technology.  It uses electronically controlled mirrors to route optical signals.  This type of switch has an Optical input, an Optical cross-point and an Optical output.  The abbreviation for this technology is OOO.  An OOO switch provides only Point to Point switching.  One input can not be multicast to many outputs.  The mirrors can not point to more than one output at a time.  The use of mirrors does permit multiple wavelengths in both directions.  Switches are available is sizes from 8 by 8 to 256 by 256.  Pure optical switching is available for Multimode and Singlemode applications.  Optical switching supports both analog and digital optical signals.

Pure optical switching is performed using 3D micro-electro-mechanical mirror (MEMS) arrays.  Tiny mirrors are fabricated out of silicon.  The mirrors are positioned and controlled with electrostic charges.  The core of the optical switch is a one inch square cube.  The cube has an array of up to 256 input fibers on the left side as shown in figure 33.  Each fiber has a lens that focuses the optical light onto a MEMS mirror.  Each input has its own mirror.  On the right side is an array of output fibers.  Each output has a MEMS mirror.  An optical connection is made when one input mirror aligns with one of the output mirrors.

FIGURE 33 Three dimensional MEMS pure optic switching element.

FIGURE 33 Three dimensional MEMS pure optic switching element.

3D MEMS Pure Optic Switching, Figure 33

Fiber Optic Switching is ideal for video broadcast, production, security and other video applications requiring transmission, switching and replication of high quality optical signals.  The Fiber Optical Switcher revolutionizes how video is distributed and managed. It is based on sate-of-the-art field proven photonic switching technology. Laser light is switched in a pure optical format, without electrical conversion, allowing it to support transparent connections compatible with any video or data format including uncompressed HD video at 1.5 Gbps.  Also, since the switching is done optically, the switch eliminates video degradation. With a traditional electrical switcher, Electrical to Optical (EO) and Optical to Electrical (OE) conversions are required which cause signal degradation and jitter.

An optical switch supports a wide range of formats from 19.4 Mbps ATSC through 3.0 Gbps HDTV as well as NTSC, PAL, SECAM, SMPTE 259M Serial Digital (SDI) Video, broadband analog, DVI, HDMI, RGB, VGA, component, L-Band, IF, and many more. The optical switcher will also transparently switches CWDM and DWDM signals.

Optical switcher technology can be used in the field to support applications requiring reliable, high-quality video distribution such as Mobile production trucks, sports venues and professional video facilities; Campus video and surveillance networks; Remote video monitoring as well as Government and military.  Optical layer protection and fault tolerant switching can be configured for mission critical, non-stop applications.

Optical switching is extremely cost effective for any applications requiring thirty-two or more switched optical ports. It eliminates the need for expensive video transceivers to convert signals between electrical and optical formats. Switching the signals in optical format can save thousands of dollars per port in fiber optic transport equipment costs.

3D MEMS Pure Optic Switching, Fiber Optic Routing Switchers, Fiber Optic Transport Systems for Broadcast Television, Photonic Fiber Optic Switcher , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Applications for Video Fiber Optic Transport – Broadcast Television Transmission

February 7th, 2009

Applications for Video Fiber Optic Transport

There are many applications for fiber optic communications.  Any application that requires high bandwidth or high bit rate communications is ideally suited for fiber optic transport.  The Television and Video industries are a perfect application for fiber optic transport.  Analog television is a relatively high bandwidth signal of more than 5 MHz.  Digital television or HDTV has bit rates of more than 3.0 Gbps.  High resolution computer graphics can have a bandwidth exceeding 165 MHz.  All of these television and video applications are ideal for fiber.

Broadcast Television Transmission

As mentioned earlier, television production and broadcast engineers have always sought out the best technology for media events such as the Olympics.  In the mid-80’s, fiber optic transport was introduced into the television industry.  Since that time that has been no looking back.  Fiber optics are used in all aspects of production and distribution of video and audio signals.

The state of the art for the transport of analog video is to use 12 bit video digital encoding.  The serial digital bit rate can vary from about 144 to 300 Mbps.  Please see the photo in figure 17 of a typical analog video and audio fiber optic link.

With the introduction of digital video in the 90’s, fiber optic transport continued to enjoy growth in the broadcast industry.  Digital video was encoded into 144 to 360 Mbps. These high bit rate video signals could only travel over copper up to about 300 meters.  Transport distance beyond 300 meters required fiber.

The transitioning to 100% digital or high definition television has created a need to transport signals with a bit rate as high as 3.0 Gbps.  High definition television or HD-SDI in its native or uncompressed from is 3.0 Gbps.  HD-SDI can only reach about 150 meters over a coax.  Once again, fiber is the only choice to reach distances beyond 150 meters.

Systems can be designed using many of the technologies described above.  We can mix analog and digital signal transport.  We can combine signals using Time-division and Optical multiplexing.  Figures 22 through 23 show typical applications.

Studio to Transmitter Fiber Optic Link, Figure 22

In the example in figure 22 we see a typical application of a Studio to Transmitter Link or STL.  A broadcast television station may typically reside in a downtown metropolitan area.  The television transmitter and satellite up and down links may be on a distance mountain top out side the city. This situation is a perfect application for fiber transport.  The system may require both analog video and digital video since the station may be in the midst of their conversion from analog to digital broadcast.  They will require signals in both direction to support downlink satellite video.  The diagram above shows a system with an eight channel CWDM and a variety of fiber optic transport links supporting analog video and audio as well as digital video in both directions.

Fiber Optic Trunking, Figure 23

The diagram in figure 23 shows an application where many channels of video and audio are combined together over one fiber for back-haul feeds, cable television, common carrier or Telco.   The system uses time-division multiplexing or TDM to combine groups of 8 channels of video with audio into single wavelengths.  The optical multiplexing or CWDM technology is used to combine the wavelgths with groups of 8 videos onto one fiber.  The combined technique of TDM and CWDM provides a  fiber transport capacity of more than 144 video channels on ONE fiber.

Applications for Video Fiber Optic Transport, Broadcast Television Transmission, Fiber Optic Transport Systems for Broadcast Television , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Digital in the Television and Video Industries

February 7th, 2009
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Digital in the Television and Video Industries

A digital signal can mean different things to Video and CATV engineers, causing much confusion. The most common types of digital video and digital audio are as follows:

Uncompressed digital video and audio

Lossless compression of digital video and audio

Lossy compression of digital video and audio

Complex digital modulations schemes such as 64 QAM, 256 QAM, 16 VSB, 64 QPSK, etc.

SONET, ATM or other telecom base standards.

Serial digital interface or SDI

High definition or HD-SDI

Digital Audio or AES/EBU

The process of digitizing a standard NTSC video signal is straight forward.  The typical bandwidth of a video signal is 4.5 MHz.  Typically a sample rate of four times the video bandwidth is used or about 18 Mega samples per second.  The analog to digital converter or A/D typically have a sampling resolution of 8, 10 or 12 bits. This process generates a serial digital data stream of about 144 Mb/sec to 270 Mbps.  The video signal is typically encoded in a digital format at the video source or in the video camera.  Depending of the digital video format, the analog video will be samples at about 13.5 Mega samples per second and then encoded in one of several standards such as 4:2:2, 4:1:1 or 4:2:0.  While these encoding schemes are not referred to as compression, they omit or remove certain information to reduce the systems bandwidth requirement.  In the encoding schemes above, the three digits refer to the three common components of video.  The first component is luminance (Y) or the light intensity of the video signal.   The second is the color signal of red minus luminance or R-Y.  The third component is the color signal of blue minus luminance or B-Y.  These three components are referred to as YUV.  The numbers 4:2:2 have to do with the fact that twice the bandwidth is used for the Luminance (Y) channel than the two color channels. This technique is a form of compression that will be addressed later in the chapter.  HDTV or high definition video requires a data rate of 1.485 Gbits/second for one uncompressed signal.

The most efficient means of analog video transport utilizes analog to digital conversion.  Once video and audio signals are converted to digital information, many channels can be combined into one high speed data stream using Time-Division Multiplexing or TDM.   The high speed serial digital data stream is then converted to light via a laser or LED.  The block diagram below in Figure 19, shows the building blocks of an 8 channel video fiber optic transmitter.
Figure 19

The receiver unit performs the reverse function as shown in figure 20 The light or optical signal is received by a PIN photo detector. The optical signal is converted back into a serial data stream.  The data stream is de-multiplexed using TDM.  The digital data is then converted back to video and audio via digital to analog D/A converters.

Figure 20

Digital video transmission has many advantages over analog transmission.  Analog fiber optic system requires high linearity optical components that are expensive and require fine tuning and complex calibration procedures.  Once a video or audio signal has been digitized, it can be transported via fiber using readily available digital telecom optical components for both Multimode and Singlemode applications.  A digital system has a higher immunity to noise and superior performance characteristics compared to an analog system.  A digital signal can be regenerated and repeated virtually indefinitely without signal or performance degradation.

Digital in The Television and Video Industries, Fiber Optic Transmission Systems, Fiber Optic Transport Systems for Broadcast Television , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

MultiDyne Introduces a New Member of the LiGHTBoX® Family for Larger Configurations and Greater Flexibility

February 5th, 2009

The NEW LiGHTBoX LB-1430 offers a slightly larger platform with more room for additional fiber transport channels with all connector I/Os on the side

LOCUST VALLEY, NY – MultiDyne Video & Fiber Optic Systems, a leading provider of fiber optics for the transport of video and audio for broadcast & pro A/V applications, is addressing the need for fiber transport in applications where battery-powered equipment is required with the introduction of its LiGHTBoX LB-1430 fiber optic field transport system.

LightBox LB1430 Field fiber optic transport system

LiGHTBoX LB1430 Field fiber optic transport system

The new larger LiGHTBoX LB-1430 is fully customizable offering virtually any signal configuration and can be linked via a single fiber to most of the MultiDyne fiber optic transport product line. Now just about every MultiDyne product can be packaged in a LiGHTBoX. The new platform offers endless possibilities and configurations.

“MultiDyne is expanding the LiGHTBoX product line to meet our customer’s ever changing needs.” said Frank Jachetta, senior vice president of sales & operations for MultiDyne. “The LiGHTBoX LB1430 will give our ENG and sports customers greater signal throughput and flexibility.”

About MultiDyne:

MultiDyne provides fiber optic transport systems for video, audio, SDI, HD-SDI, 3G HD-SDI, AES, Ethernet, data, PTZ, RGB/VGA, DVI, HDMI, and CATV; optical multiplexing, CWDM; automatic protection switching; loss detectors with automatic switchover; test signal and character ID generators; video, audio and digital distribution amplifiers; cable equalizers; automatic gain AGCs; electrical and fiber optic routing switchers; tactical cable assemblies; XLR adapter panels as well as other television accessories. MultiDyne has been serving the broadcast, cable, satellite, production, digital cinema, pro AV, corporate, retail, surveillance, teleconferencing, judicial arraignment, transportation, government and health care sectors for over 30 years. For more information, call MultiDyne at 1-800-488-8378 or 1-516-671-7278, visit our Web site at www.multidyne.com, or send an email to sales@multidyne.com.

Download Photos:

http://www.multidyne.com/images-new/LiGHTBoX-1430-Side-LG.JPG

http://www.multidyne.com/images-new/LiGHTBoX-1430-Inside-LR.JPG

http://www.multidyne.com/images-new/LiGHTBoX-1430-Top-LR.JPG

LiGHTBoX, LiGHTCoRD, MultiDyne and the MultiDyne logo are registered trademarks of MultiDyne Electronics Inc. All products mentioned herein are trademarked property of their respective owners.

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Your Digital Facility: 3 Gb/s HD Fiber Optic Transport

January 7th, 2009

Written by Jim Jachetta, senior vice president of engineering and product development at MultiDyne.

Your Digital Facility: 3 Gb/s HD Fiber Optic Transport presented at the Government Video Technology Expo 2008 by Jim Jachetta, MS EE, Sr. V. P. of Engineering & Product Development for MultiDyne Video & Fiber Optic Systems

Your Digital Facility: 3 Gb/s HD Fiber Optic Transport

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