Maximising Director's Options In Challenging Broadcast Environments

Traditionally technicians utilise myriads of cables or batteries to power equipment and deliver end product.

In challenging environments such as 'hidden camera' pieces for consumer affairs shows, the ability to minimise the size and footprint of broadcast equipment is critical.

For many years, "Phantom" power over cable has been used to power microphones. LEN have now extended this technology so that it can be used for cameras, developing modules that significantly increase the DC power that can be delivered over the cable.

In these situations, utilising coaxial cabling combined with LEN's Power-over-Coax Injector/Stripper modules enables a single cable to provide DC power to the camera (4A max), whilst also providing a broadcast quality HD or 3G SDI feed to production. For example, The BBC chose LEN's Power-over-coax Injector/Stripper modules whilst filming episodes of Rogue Traders, with pairs of modules deployed to power remote concealed cameras, where batteries could not be changed during the day, eliminating the need for battery power or DC cabling whilst delivering broadcast quality footage.

In hidden camera situations a major risk is that too many cables draw attention to equipment or prevent the installation of cameras in certain places. Therefore the ability to provide DC power to and receive the SDI video feed, over a single, small diameter coaxial cable is extremely valuable.

Applications including filming inside a vehicle and powering remote monitors are also ideal for the power-over-coax approach.

www.len.co.uk

(JP/LM)