Appear TV Brings New Updates To X-Series Platform

Appear TV has introduced a series of new functionalities to its high-capacity, ultra-low latency X-Series platform.

The provider of next-generation video processing platforms demonstrated the updated platform on its booth (SU7910) during the 2019 NAB Show.

The X-Series (X10/X20) offers the complete spectrum of encoding codecs, and helps broadcasters adopt the many benefits of an IP-centric operation in their own timeframe and with extreme simplicity. The platform now features an S2x contribution modulator that supports DVB-S2x DSNG and professional services profiles. The modulator has an RF input that can be connected to a backup transponder, which can then be routed to the main output in case of a hardware failure on the main transponder. The X10 and X20 can output two transponders featuring switchable L-band or Intermediate Frequency (IF) with 72 Mbaud bandwidth.

In addition to the new modulator, the X-Series will also feature a new hardware design for its DVB-S2x contribution demodulator, an advanced platform that supports the DVB-S2x DSNG profile. It can demodulate four transponders from four RF inputs with up to 64 MBaud bandwidth. BISS-1 and fixed-key AES-128 descrambling are embedded into both the modulator and demodulator.

Video Assisted Referee (VAR) Low Latency Contribution Solution
Appear TV's X20 is ideal for VAR as it fulfills the highly demanding requirements for this application. With its unique offering of channel density and ability to combine encoding and decoding of multiple contribution formats in the same chassis, the X-Series delivers excellent video quality in a redundant architecture to ensure the highest availability. The need for high-quality video with low latency is crucial for the referees to verify calls made on the field. With the X-Series, content can be sent to the referee monitors immediately following capture allowing them to make the right call, and not hold up game play.

Appear's X20 contribution links are currently being deployed in OB vans that are covering top football leagues in Europe and Asia. A single X20 chassis encodes more than 20 signals with low latency before being encapsulated to IP and sent to the video operation room (VOR). At the reception site, the X20 system decodes the signals for further analysis. Some of these signals are then encoded in the same chassis and sent back to the OB vans. This VAR solution is also future-proofed, for UHD, SDI over IP, and more, and can be adapted to customer's specific needs.