March 2016
DISTRIBUTION 27
Harmonic ties up with AsiaSat for new 4K / UHD channel
Harmonic and AsiaSat have announced a partnership to launch 4K-SAT2 / HVN , a new 4K / Ultra HD ( UHD ) channel , and AsiaSat ’ s second free-to-air ( FTA ) 4K / UHD channel on AsiaSat 4 at 122 degrees East for Asia-Pacific .
Launching on 4K-SAT2 / HVN on March 1 next year will be 4K / UHD content from Harmonic ’ s broad video library , as well as content from the new NASA TV 4K / UHD channel , which will be presented in 2160p60 with HEVC / H . 265 Main 10 profile , utilising an end-to-end 4K / UHD video processing system from Harmonic .
Sabrina Cubbon , VP , marketing and global accounts at AsiaSat , said : “ With the cost of 4K / UHD TV sets dropping dramatically over the past year , demand for 4K / UHD content in Asia is expected to grow exponentially in the next couple of years . Our partnership with
Harmonic for this new channel , following the successful launch of our first 4K / UHD channel last year , enables the delivery of a choice of rich and compelling 4K / UHD content on AsiaSat 4 , allowing us to demonstrate the superior quality via satellite of a linear 4K / UHD channel in 2160p60 resolution .”
The channels on AsiaSat 4 ’ s 4K / UHD platform are available FTA across the satellite ’ s footprint , spanning from New Zealand to Pakistan and part of the Middle East , encompassing more than 50 countries and regions . Asian TV operators and home viewers with an AsiaSat 4 C-band antenna and an HEVC / H . 265 set-top box will be able to receive the FTA 4K / UHD channels in native 4K / UHD quality .
The 4K-SAT2 / HVN channel deploys Harmonic ’ s MediaGrid shared storage system , a highly scalable ,
Harmonic and AsiaSat have launched a new 4K / UHD channel , which deploys among other Harmonic solutions , the MediaGrid shared storage system .
Ethernet-based shared storage system optimised for digital media workflows ; Polaris playout management suite ; Spectrum X advanced media server system ; and the Electra X3 4K / UHD media processor , to enable full 4K / UHD channel production and transmission from AsiaSat ’ s Tai Po Earth Station in Hong Kong .
Peter Alexander , chief marketing officer at Harmonic , added :
“ Harmonic is the only video infrastructure provider to offer a complete 4K / UHD workflow solution for the delivery of live and linear 4K / UHD broadcasts . This expertise , combined with our 4K / UHD channel-as-a-service offering , technology leadership and active involvement in standards bodies and other industry groups , is creating the momentum needed for global 4K / UHD service deployment .
“ By providing AsiaSat with a full-scale workflow for delivering 2160p60 4K / UHD video content , and also providing a complete slate of compelling content that showcases the medium of 4K / UHD , Harmonic is enabling 4K / UHD services to be rolled out quickly and affordably to consumers across the region , with amazing video quality .”
G & D releases KVM extender for high-performance applications
With 4K / Ultra HD ( UHD ) increasingly finding its way into IT installations , and to enable the safe removal of computer equipment into central technology rooms , Guntermann & Drunck ( G & D ) has developed the DP1.2-VisionXG , a new KVM extender system that enables the remote operation of systems , offering uncompressed transmission of DP1.2 signals .
According to G & D , high resolutions are not only “ extremely popular ” in the consumer segment , but are also continuing their advance in professional control room applications . Some advantages high resolutions bring , added G & D , include the ability to display content on a continuous area without disturbing monitoring frames , and the flexibility to arrange information in accordance with users ’ tasks and preferences .
However , high resolutions also bring about technical challenges . For instance , computers need to be even more powerful in order to provide the required image data . On top of that , industry standards of interfaces need to be updated in order to support a range of 4K / UHD
Guntermann & Drunk ’ s DP1.2-VisionXG KVM extender system is designed to meet the increasing requirement for high resolutions within professional control room applications .
content at refresh rates of 60Hz .
This was the basis from which G & D developed the DP1.2- VisionXG — to enable users to comply with the new standard for DisplayPort 1.2 signals . With high-performance computers equating to more heat and noise , G & D recommends them to be removed from the working environment . With the DP1.2-VisionXG , fibre optics connect the KVM transmitter at the computer to the KVM receiver placed at the workstation . Even at long distances between the computer and workstation , users are able to operate their systems in a 1:1 connection without any latency .
To ensure high-quality video quality , the DP1.2-VisionXG system transmits uncompressed video signals pixel-to-pixel , allowing all details to remain visible even for 4K / UHD images at a full refresh rate of 60Hz and across the entire transmission distance .
Other features of the DP . 12- VisionXG include the Screen- Freeze function and a monitoring tool . With the former , users can continue to temporarily operate the system even if they lose the image source , particularly in control processes , because the last available image is “ frozen ” by the system .
MultiDyne builds POV / PTZ system for unmanned camera applications
MultiDyne Video & Fibre Optic Systems has developed a new POV / PTZ camera system designed for a wide range of unmanned camera applications . It includes a built-in MultiDyne HD-3500GE series multi-rate serial digital video fibre-optic transceiver to support the live transmission of fullbandwidth SDI video signals over long distances without degradation .
The new point of view / pan-tilt-zoom ( POV / PTZ ) system includes bidirectional GigE ( Gigabit Ethernet ) transport capability and the ability to accurately synchronise
( SYNC ) multiple cameras during a live event or studio production .
The weather-resistant , machined aircraft aluminium camera basehousing is designed to stack under a Panasonic PTZ camera unit — although it is able to accommodate PTZ camera systems from a variety of manufacturers — and feature all of the connectivity necessary for highly accurate remote camera control , according to MultiDyne .
The MultiDyne HD-3500GE includes GigE connectivity , which can be leveraged to control PTZ cameras from up to 3,000m ( nearly two miles ) over a single-mode fibre-optic cable . The GigE feature will also benefit streaming video applications and the fast transport of signals over a local area network ( LAN ).
The HD-3500 provides a multi – rate , HD , fibre-optic transport link for up to 1080p 3G HD-SDI signals . The system supports two channels of outbound digital AES audio or four analogue audio channels with two bidirectional auxiliary audio channels for four-wire intercom systems . The HD-3500 also supports two bidirectional RS-232 or RS 422 data channels , as well as four GPI and one tally feeds .
Frank Jachetta , president of MultiDyne , said : “ We see new opportunities in the field of POV / PTZ cameras , as many customers have expressed an interest in unmanned camera operation in a variety of applications . Our extensive expertise in signal transport over fibre is a clear advantage for MultiDyne and our customers as they migrate to these types of remote control environments .”