SMPTE-hybrid cameras employed during coverage of World Expo 2005

Telecast Fiber Systems have announced that its SHED (SMPTE hybrid elimination device) modules have been employed in Aichi, Japan, for the coverage of the 2005 World Exposition.
Broadcasters CBC and Tokai TV have integrated SMPTE-hybrid cameras with the single-mode fibre optic infrastructure installed over the venue's 2.7 million square feet of educational exhibits and demonstrations.
Around 15 million people are expected to attend the 2005 World Exposition, but far more will depend on footage captured by CBC and Tokai TV to experience the event.
The 2005 World Exposition, with a theme of "Nature's Wisdom," launched on March 25 and spans 185 days before ending on September 25.
A dozen main areas representing every continent are clustered around a 1.6-mile elevated walkway, the Global Loop. With such a large and complex venue, the transportation of video signals from all of the various pavilions, demonstrations, and educational zones to the base studios for storage, editing, and broadcast was a major challenge.
A single-mode fibre backbone was installed because it is inexpensive, easy to use and repair, and supports high-definition signal quality over long distances -- features that made it more attractive than coaxial cables or SMPTE fibre/wire hybrid networks.
In order to tap into this infrastructure, CBC and Tokai TV needed a solution for adapting Ikegami HDK79EXs and Sony HDC-950s for use with the fibre infrastructure. With the help of supplier General Traders, Ltd., they found the answer in Telecast's SHED family of products. Each SHED system consists of a pair of adapters that allow communications between the camera and base station via two single-mode fibre strands.
The SHED device at the base station interfaces via hybrid cable with the CCU. The fibres then link to the SHED HDX at the camera, where the HDX unit safely powers the camera. Up to an additional kilometre of SMPTE hybrid cable can be supported between the HDX and the camera head. A pure optical path is maintained to preserve signal quality, even over individual cable lengths that can exceed 10 kilometres.
Telecast Fiber Systems is a leader in portable and fixed fibre optic systems for television broadcast production.
More information may be found at www.telecast-fiber.com.
(SP)