Technology Showcase: Fiber-optic Video Extenders
Mar 1, 2009 12:00 PM,
By Bennett Liles
Video signals ride the light to far-off places.
Communications Specialties Pure Digital Fiberlink 7502
With long-term fiber costs going down and copper going up and the new considerations on weight and fuel use for mobile units, the momentum that fiber transmission already possessed has increased. The new ease in field termination and the exploding variety of small throwdown and rackmount fiber transmitter/receiver units has also stoked the fire for fiber. The great news is there is now hardware for fiber video-transmission links available for any scenario and every budget. Let’s have a look at what the market currently offers for video on fiber.
The Digital Generation (DG) DVI MTP fiber transmitter and receiver modules from AMX work in pairs or matched with MTP fiber boards in the AMX AutoPatch Distribution Matrix. Operating on 12VDC to 24VDC, the transmitter includes a rear-panel EDID write-protect switch and three video-signal indicators. The green LED shows the DVI path has a valid signal while the red LED indicates that the DVI signal has been lost. A red indicator light shows an optical converter fault. The system supports a pixel bandwidth up to 1.65Gbps for single-link DVI, a resolution of 1600×1200 at 60Hz, and up to 1920×1200 with reduced blanking at a 60Hz vertical scan rate. The units connect with 12-fiber multimode MTP 50/125µm or 62.5/125µm cable and can extend the video signal up to 3000ft.
The Atlona AT-SDI10SR-LC transmitter/receiver pair consists of two tiny units for fiber transmission of SMPTE 259M (270Mbps), 259M (360Mbps), 292M/HDTV (1.485Gbps and 1.485Gbps/1.001Gbps), and DVB-ASI (270Mbps) with automatic reclocking. Through standard LC fiber connectors, video signals can be extended up to 50 miles. There is also an HD-SDI input signal-detection LED. The pair uses a transmission wavelength of 850nm on multimode fiber with optical power better than -7.5dBm. The transmitter’s input and receiver’s output connectors are 75V BNC for SDI video, and it uses a 5VDC 4A power supply. The units also feature cable EQ up to 1000ft. at SD-SDI or 500ft. for HD-SDI. The product has a one-year manufacturer’s warranty on parts and labor, and it weighs 3lbs.
AMX Digital Generation (DG) DVI MTP
The FO-HDSDI-SET from Avenview consists of small transmitter and receiver units that carry multirate SDI video with embedded audio and metadata over multimode fiber-optic cable. The transmitter module (FO-HDSDI-S) accepts an HD/SDI input on a BNC connector and transmits SMPTE 292M, 159M, 259M, or DVB-ASI on the fiber-optic link. Video signals are automatically reclocked, and there is an optional manual bypass. The transmitter unit also includes a green HD/SDI input signal-detection LED. The pair uses automatic cable EQ up to 1000ft. for SD-SDI and up to 500ft. for HD-SDI. The package includes an operator manual and a 5VDC power supply.
The Black Box AC1020A RGBHV/stereo-audio fiber extender kit sends high-resolution RGB and stereo audio up to 2460ft. on multimode fiber-optic cable or up to 18.6 miles on one single-mode fiber. Supported resolutions include VGA, SVGA, XGA, and WXGA. The unit is intended for applications such as broadcast studios, corporate theaters, stadiums, and airport kiosks. The AC1020A operates in the 1310nm wavelength window, exhibits an optical loss budget of 15dB when used over single-mode fiber cable, and requires no drivers or special software. The audio connects on a 3.5mm stereo jack, and the fiber ports use ST connectors.
If space is a prime consideration, the Mini-3GHD miniature fiber optic 3Gbps HD-SDI digital video transport system from Broadata Communications is the big answer in a small box. Designed to transport a one-channel SMPTE-424M3G HD-SDI, SMPTE-292M HD, or SMPTE-259M serial digital video signal over long distance through single-mode or multimode fiber, the unit requires no user adjustments. The power connector has a latch-locking mechanism to prevent any power disruption due to mishandling. This is especially important in such a small unit. Panel connectors are provided for digital HD-SDI video with a BNC connector while single and multi-mode fiber interfaces with an ST connector.
Technology Showcase: Fiber-optic Video Extenders
Mar 1, 2009 12:00 PM,
By Bennett Liles
Video signals ride the light to far-off places.
Atlona AT-SDI10SR-LC
Communications Specialties’ Pure Digital Fiberlink 7502carries single-link DVI at resolutions of 640×480 up to 1920×1200 on dual multimode fiber outputs. The unit uses no compression, color-space conversion, or scaling. It features a DVI input loop-through and supports EDID from the loop-through or on internal emulation. The 7502 supports EDID capture and storage. It requires no adjustments, equalization, or de-skewing during installation. The 7501 receiver can feed two monitors with video and stereo audio signals. Internal circuitry automatically equalizes and reclocks noisy and distorted DVI input signals. The maximum input DVI cable length is 45ft., and the maximum output DVI run is 16ft. The audio frequency response is 20Hz to 20kHz +0/-0.5dB. LED indicators include power, video, and audio. It runs on 9V to 24V at 10W.
DVIGear‘s DVI-7315 single-link DVI fiber-optic extender transmits high-resolution DVI signals up to 1640ft. In a package no bigger than a standard DVI connector, it supports HDTV resolutions up to 1080p and PC resolutions up to 1600×1200 and 1920×1200 with digital bit rates up to 1.65Gbps on a single strand of multimode fiber. The built-in programmable EDID memory eliminates the need for DDC connection. The transmitter can be powered either by the DVI source or with an optional 5VDC power supply that uses a connector on the rear of the transmitter unit when the receiver is powered by a separate 5VDC power module. The transmitter unit uses quad class-1 vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSEL) for CWDM, and the receiver uses quad PIN photo diodes for carrying the signal through 50/125µm multimode QM3 fiber with one SC connector per module.
For applications calling for extension of DVI, audio, and RS-232 control signals over a single fiber-optic line, Extron suggests the Foxbox 4G DVI in a transmitter/receiver pair using Extron’s all-digital, zero-compression technology. The system can handle HD video at 1080p60 and pixel resolution at 1600×1200 with wavelengths of 850nm on multimode fiber and 1310nm on the single-mode model with industry-standard LC fiber connectors. The pair features realtime-status LED indicators for troubleshooting and monitoring, along with alarm notification of fiber-link loss and auto-input memory. Alarm notification requires a second fiber link. For proper communication with the DVI source, the Foxbox transmitter has an emulation mode for specifying the rate of the incoming DVI signal through the RS-232 signal port. There are also 30 user memory presets to store position and detail information for multiple incoming sources.
Black Box AC1020A
The Gefen HDMI 1.3 over fiber with IR provides up to a 1000ft. extension of 1080p HD video and multichannel digital audio with Dolby TrueHD and DTS master audio, along with an IR back channel carried on Cat-5 for local control of video sources. Gefen recommends using solid-core cabling and Cat-6 for best results. The HDCP-compliant fiber link is SC-terminated and uses multimode fiber. The transmitter has a power-indication LED, a 3.5mm IR blaster output port, an HDMI input port, an RS-232 input port, an RJ-45 port for the IR back channel, a fiber SC connector, and a 5VDC power connection. The receiver has the RS-232 output port on a DB-9, the fiber SC, an IR sensor for the back channel, and an LED power indicator. The input DDC signal is 5V peak to peak, the video amplifier bandwidth is 340MHz, and the HDMI I/O connectors are Type-A, 19-pin.
Technology Showcase: Fiber-optic Video Extenders
Mar 1, 2009 12:00 PM,
By Bennett Liles
Video signals ride the light to far-off places.
DVIGear DVI-7315
Hall Research Technologies designed the HR-722A for direct connection of VGA computers in transmitting video and audio up to 2500ft. on multimode fiber or 21 miles on single-mode fiber. The system supports VGA, SVGA, XGA, and WXGA with HDTV resolutions of 480p, 720p, and 1080i (RGBHV format). Using all-digital processing and transmission in the 1310nm window, the HR-722A requires no adjustments, equalization, or de-skewing during installation.
For long-distance extension of dual-link HDCP-compliant DVI with resolutions up to 2560×1600 at 60Hz, Kramer Electronics has the 622T and 622R transmitter/receiver pair on eight simplex or four duplex LC optical connectors with a maximum data rate of 3.3Gbps. The DDC and HDCP bidirectional data are carried on a Cat-5 link with unshielded twisted-pair cable. One unit in the system, either the transmitter or receiver, needs to be connected to a power source to carry the signal up to 320ft. The front panel includes single- and dual-link LED indicators, a power-indicator LED, and fiber and RJ-45 terminals. The back of the unit has the DVI and power connections. Two units can be rackmounted side by side in a single-unit space using an optional rack adapter. The power source is 12VDC at 200mA, and it is included along with a bracket-installation kit and a DVI/DVI male/male connecting cable.
The Magenta Research Infinea DVI carries video at 1600×1200 and 1080p on single-mode fiber for distances up to 6.2 miles or on Cat-5e/6 up to 500ft. As an option, the SA model can carry CD-quality line-level stereo sound and full-duplex RS-232. In either case, a single twisted-pair or fiber cable carries all the signals. Multimode fiber can provide transmission distances up to 1640ft. Switch-selectable signal algorithms optimize DVI fidelity for various types of source content. The audio and COM connections use Phoenix connectors, and the fiber connectors are LC. The DVI-SA/-SAP unit has four link-status LEDs. The system’s real strength is that the receiver units can be daisy-chained for nearly unlimited signal-transmission distances. The manufacturer’s MTBF listing for Infinea DVI is 100,000 hours, and it can accept any format up to its maximum resolution with no manual adjustments.
Extron Foxbox 4G DVI
Having taken the spotlight at December’s Government Video Expo, Multidyne‘s new DVI-6000 fiber-transport module handles single- and dual-link RGBHV and DVI-D with a DVI-I interface. The DVI-6000 supports WQXGA 2560×1600 resolution over a single fiber, and it has optional stereo audio and bidirectional data for monitor control. The unit also has a loop-through DVI-I input with dual DVI-I outputs and a throughput bandwidth of 4.25Gbps. This provides optical transport for SMPTE 292M HD-SDI and SMPTE 424M 3G HD-SDI. The unit also provides EOS 4000 Electro-Optical Switcher support at 4.25Gbps, and HD and 3G HD switcher support at 1.485Gbps and 2.97Gbps, offering adaptive bandwidth reduction for resolutions greater than 1920×1200. An adaptive algorithm senses high- and low-motion content and adjusts accordingly. EDID monitor resolution is supported from the loop-through or from internal emulation.
Technology Showcase: Fiber-optic Video Extenders
Mar 1, 2009 12:00 PM,
By Bennett Liles
Video signals ride the light to far-off places.
Kramer Electronics 622T and 622R
The DDI series DVI extension cable system from Ophit is intended for long-distance signal distribution to flatpanel displays. The system consists of two male DVI-D transmitter and receiver module/connectors joined by hard polymer-clad fiber (HPCF) and copper cable. The DDI series features automatic EDID detection using the copper wire within the cable’s outer jacket. The RGB video and clock signals are carried over the four HPCF lines. The product supports VESA resolutions up to 1920×1200, is fully compatible with DVI 1.0 standards by DDWG, and extends the video up to 330ft. The DDC signal and 5VDC power are carried on the copper line within the cable, and the product is available in cable lengths from 10 meters up to 100 meters. For situations in which adequate power is not available at the source, an external 5V power supply can be purchased. Ophit markets the system for digital signage, military, sports venues, conference rooms, and kiosk applications.
Multidyne DVI-6000
The Opticis M5-1003 optical DVI/RS-232/USB/audio extender handles the long-distance transmission of multiple signals in many applications up to 6600ft. for DVI with 24-bit color and 60Hz refresh rate. The audio is stereo, and the USB support is for version 1.1 at 12Mbps. The fiber link consists of four single-mode or multimode fiber lines on two duplex or four single-LC connections that also carry support for the DDC command interface and automatic EDID programming. This feature detects EDID data from the display and restores it to an EEPROM in the transmitter simply by connecting the display. The transmitter and receiver modules are each powered by a 12VDC 3A power adapter. The audio interface is a 3.5mm mini jack, and the RS-232 connects on the receiver with a male DB9 and on the transmitter with a female DB9.
QuStream QFX Quadbox
The QuStream QFX Quadbox extender modules are part of the company’s newly developed QFX series, and they provide copper-to-fiber conversion for increased port density and routing-system cost savings. The units can support up to four SDI, HD-SDI, or 3G-SDI signals using a 2.97Gbps transport on each fiber terminal. With SFP fiber connections, the units can be used in a field-throwdown or 1RU rackmount installation. Up to four units can be mounted in a 1RU space with support for redundant power. The product is compliant with SMPTE 259M, 292M, 372M, and 424M video standards, allowing high-definition video as well as DVB-ASI. With single-mode fiber, the units can send video up to 6.2 miles, and with multimode fiber, distances up to 1960ft. are supported. The modules are made to operate seamlessly with any of QuStream’s HD router systems. A simple GUI is supplied for easy setup.
RapcoHorizon‘s HDMI-X-Kit is offered as a solution for extending uncompressed HDMI video and audio up to 330ft. The kit includes two 2-meter HDMI cables, one transmitter, one receiver, a four-strand 50/125µm fiber-cable assembly, one Cat-5e cable, and a 12VDC power supply. The four fiber-termination points use LC connectors. The transmitter and receiver modules support resolutions up to WUXGA, are optimized for high-definition multimedia, and are HDCP-compliant. The kit is marketed for applications such as videowall systems, large LED sign boards, medical imaging equipment, home theater, and broadcast.
Technology Showcase: Fiber-optic Video Extenders
Mar 1, 2009 12:00 PM,
By Bennett Liles
Video signals ride the light to far-off places.
RapcoHorizon HDMI-X-Kit
For long-distance transmission of DVI signals up to 2300ft. from the source, RTcom USA has introduced the OLC-FX consisting of one transmitter and one receiver unit. The system is HDCP-compliant and includes DDC2b support through a Cat-5 line at a maximum distance of 656ft. The transmission is made over four strands of LC-terminated fiber that are all integrated into a PVC-jacketed cable. Supported resolutions include SVGA, XGA, SXGA, UXGA, and WUXGA. EDID support is factory programmed. A 5VDC power adapter is included.
Telecast Fiber Systems Python II series
StarTech‘s DVIEXTFIBLC provides Cat-5 unshielded twisted-pair and fiber extension of DVI video for distances up to 330ft. The unit supports a maximum video resolution of 1600×1200 pixels at a DVI bandwidth of 1.65Gbps per channel and uses either 62.5/125µm or 50/125µm multimode fiber. The front panel includes a red power LED, a green status LED, two duplex LC optical-link ports, and an RJ-45 DDC port. The rear panel has a DVI video connector and a power terminal. The total shipping weight of the unit is 4.18lbs.
Thinklogical VIS-33 Triple Link Extender
For more complex setups where a number of HD video signals have to be transmitted on fiber links, Telecast Fiber Systems offers the Python II series with a capacity of up to 16 SDI signals including 19.4Mbps ATSC, 143Mbps NTSC composite, 177Mbps PAL composite, 270Mbps serial component, DVB-ASI, 360Mbps serial component and compressed HDTV, 540Mbps proprietary, and 1.5Gbps uncompressed HD-SDI including SMPTE 292M and 259M all in a 1RU frame. The units are available in channel counts of eight or 16 one-way or as bidirectional transceivers carrying eight video channels in each direction. With its CWDM multiplexing options, the Python II can carry 16 HD signals over one optical fiber. Operating either in the 1310nm or 1550nm wavelength windows, the unit exhibits a link margin of up to 22dB and offers output power options of -7dBm or 0dBm with a receiver sensitivity of -22dBm. The transmission circuits use a laser diode for either single-mode or multimode fiber. Electrical video connections are BNC, and the optical terminals are ST. The weight of the rack unit is 5lbs.
The VIS-33 triple-link extender system from Thinklogical is marketed for high-resolution video extension on fiber for applications such as remote projection centers, theaters, assembly halls, and secure computer centers. The unit supports three single-link DVI video signals with a maximum resolution of 1920×1200 for distances up to 3280ft. on standard multimode fiber. The transmitter is compatible with all Thinklogical DVI extender receivers (except dual-link DVI), which allows three video sources to be displayed up to 3280ft. from each other. The video connections are DVI-D, and the units are available with fiber connections in SC, ST, or LC. The unit consumes less than 15W, and the transmitter and receiver weigh 5lbs. each.
