Bluebell Opticom Unveils BroadcastAsia Lineup

Bluebell Opticom has unveiled its lineup for BroadcastAsia 2016.

Among the products the company will display at the show will be the new BCX-760 Series 10G Ethernet point-to-point fibre link. This camera-back interface enables an easy connection and signal transport between a camera and an OB truck or a base station. BCX interfaces map all signals presented at the back of a broadcast camera onto a 10G Ethernet point-to-point link for safe, interference-immune, high-quality transport over longer distances than before.

The BCX-760 Series products have been designed to create connections in OB environments such as special-event venues, ENG sites, sports arenas, and golf courses. They can also serve as a replacement for heavy SMPTE hybrid connections on cameras in a studio setting and, in certain variations, can be deployed to link and control remote robotic cameras. The BCX range transports both digital 3G-SDI program video and return video, as well as composite feeds for genlock, analogue audio for intercom signals, and Gigabit Ethernet for network access. A single, lightweight fibre cable eases rigging, and customers can link multiple cameras over the same cable using Bluebell's muxing and wavelength-management systems.

The company's TDM-750 HD-SDI module with Ethernet fibre interface will make its Asian debut at the show. It requires only two fibres with an option for single-fibre operation, and is ideal for smaller robotic/POV camera systems that require a single video path and bidirectional data via Ethernet. The unit can be used in broadcast and security applications.

The BC364 multiformat interface takes in multiple optical signals and retransmits them at wavelengths that can be inserted into a CWDM mux. On the other end of the link, the signals are returned to their individual state. This, coupled with Bluebell's ShaxX power-insertion technology, is what makes camera multiplexing possible. The BC364 is packaged with ShaxX in a flight case to facilitate the operation of multiple broadcast HD-SDI camera systems over a single fibre. Remote monitoring capabilities make it easy to oversee the system from a distance via a network connection.

Bluebell Opticom's ShaxX will also feature at BroadcastAsia 2016. The system is designed to provide full bidirectional signalling and power for broadcast cameras fitted with standard SMPTE 304M hybrid connectors. The ShaxX enables OB and remote production crews to forgo SMPTE hybrid cables and take advantage of preinstalled fibre networks on location in order to cut rigging time and position cameras where they are needed, regardless of distance or the location of mains power sources.

The ShaxX works with Bluebell's Shax hybrid alternative interface to provide power to the camera without having to transport it from a remote CCU. Users can multiplex complete camera chains onto a single duplex single-mode fibre and power them locally. In addition, by using the company's BC Series footprint, ShaxX offers a complete wavelength-management capability while providing all camera and CCU communications. Through this, users can deploy up to 16 cameras and connect them over a single cable.

The WB170 is a compact, 19-inch rack-mount media converter for converting up to 32 independent 3G-SDI, HD-SDI, SD-SDI, or ASI signals onto fibre. The WB170 can be populated with WB172 transmitter or receiver cards inserted in the front of the frame. Additional frame options for the range will be introduced at BroadcastAsia 2016 and will include electrical-to-optical conversion and optical multiplexing.

The latest addition to the WB170 system – the WB172-63 card for format conversion and HDMI monitoring within the WB170 frame will be on show. A compact, rack-based multiformat converter for use with a wide range of broadcast signals, the WB172-63's base unit comprises two SFP cages. By using different SFP converter modules, the unit's functionality can be adapted to suit different applications. The WB172-63 card offers a range of options such as distribution, format conversion, monitoring, and wavelength management including CWDM.

Image: ShaxX Broadcast-Camera Interface.

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(JP/LM)