Looking for Broadcast quality Wireless Fiber solutions

[Mike Germond SOC]

To follow up with what Tim said, we had Link in our studios today demoing their RF link, and they had some demo units from AVS in fact. The results were very pleasing. We found that we can cover all 3 studios, 3 control rooms, master control, our newsroom, and everything in between with 1 strategically placed antenna pair. The antenna location is also close enough to Shading that we can use standard 75ohm coax to connect them to the CCU/receiver. The delay was about 45ms behind the fiber cameras when interfaced with our system (very unnoticable lip sync). They split screened it and recorded the talent discussing for reference.

 

In a nutshell, everyone on up to the VP of the network was pleased. I think I got their attention once I was poking around in the VP's office, then they really grasped the versatility of that unit. In the whole demo, we didn't take a single wireless hit (the Link unit we demo'ed was using the 6.5ghz range). As you can imagine, the world headquarters of a major cable network has a multitude of frequencies swirling around, not to mention the make-up of the building's structure.

 

On a sidenote, I had a seperate Hytron 140 dedicated to running the Link and the camera. I drained 1 battery per hour on a consistent basis. On the final camera package, all of that plus the monitors and the rig will be pulling off 2 IDX PowerCubes. We will be changing batteries after every half-hour show at this rate..

[Fabian Pempelfort]

We recently had a show at a horse derby where - as a highlight - one camera was covering the race from an SUV alongside the race track (not steadicam though).

 

We used a Link system (but without remote and PGM) provided by Bert Blümer here in germany. The result was very pleasing! Not a single dropped frame. And we covered an area of about 23 acre with the farthest distance to the antennas of about 400 meters. And all this from a moving vehicle going up to 40 mph.

 

We placed three antenna-clusters on the roof of the betting house facing the race track and had no problems to cover the whole area.

 

I'd highly recommend this system. Easy set-up and very reliable. I think it's quite popular here in europe and also available for wireless HD, including remote, return, tally.

 

Regards!

Fabian

[Mike Germond SOC]

yes, they mentioned to us that they can furnish teleprompter and PGM return as well. We only tested the HD Link and camera control..

[Mike Germond SOC]

 

[Richard W. Davis]

 

 

 

Mike,

 

 

Got to get yourself a rolling stand... Much much easier than the old C stand.

 

Best,

 

Rich Davis

LA

[Mike Germond SOC]

The single riser American Stand with 8" pneumatic soft wheels is on our order list...Tiffen sent over a couple demo sleds, and we ran out of stands.

[Matt Lingerfelt]

Mike-

 

Quick question for you. Are you always using the TV Logic monitor for your PGM return?

 

Also, are you using the artificial horizon on the Ultrabrite monitor? (noticed the bubble on the top of the monitor)

 

And last one... is that the sled you're going to be using now or is that just a demo?

 

Matt Lingerfelt

Atlanta, GA

[Mike Germond SOC]

Mike-

 

Quick question for you. Are you always using the TV Logic monitor for your PGM return?

 

Also, are you using the artificial horizon on the Ultrabrite monitor? (noticed the bubble on the top of the monitor)

 

And last one... is that the sled you're going to be using now or is that just a demo?

 

Matt Lingerfelt

Atlanta, GA

 

That U2 was only a demo, but the one we are purchasing will have the TV Logic monitor instead of the Ultrabrite2. The reason I was using a TV Logic for PGM return is because Golf Channel has so many of them that they're turning into paper weights. It's obviously a little overkill to have a HD monitor for PGM when the fiber only supports an SD return. I have a couple of slim 7" SD panels that I'm shopping around for, because we'll also use one for prompter above the lens. I had Tiffen include a 2nd monitor arm in the PO so we can use the 2nd mount, so besides the weight, I wouldn't be totally opposed to slapping another TV Logic on there..

 

Therefore I won't have an artificial horizon on my monitor. I'll probably stick my bubble level somewhere nearby. It's been serving me well thus far.

[Tim Sutton - AVS]

To follow up with what Tim said, we had Link in our studios today demoing their RF link, and they had some demo units from AVS in fact. The results were very pleasing. We found that we can cover all 3 studios, 3 control rooms, master control, our newsroom, and everything in between with 1 strategically placed antenna pair. The antenna location is also close enough to Shading that we can use standard 75ohm coax to connect them to the CCU/receiver. The delay was about 45ms behind the fiber cameras when interfaced with our system (very unnoticable lip sync). They split screened it and recorded the talent discussing for reference.

 

In a nutshell, everyone on up to the VP of the network was pleased. I think I got their attention once I was poking around in the VP's office, then they really grasped the versatility of that unit. In the whole demo, we didn't take a single wireless hit (the Link unit we demo'ed was using the 6.5ghz range). As you can imagine, the world headquarters of a major cable network has a multitude of frequencies swirling around, not to mention the make-up of the building's structure.

 

On a sidenote, I had a seperate Hytron 140 dedicated to running the Link and the camera. I drained 1 battery per hour on a consistent basis. On the final camera package, all of that plus the monitors and the rig will be pulling off 2 IDX PowerCubes. We will be changing batteries after every half-hour show at this rate..

 

I'm glad to hear things went well. I assume you saw Newlin for the demo. Good guy!

 

As far as your batteries go, we've started using Lithium-Ions....big ones from Ansso. The problem is shipping them....long, expensive story. Bottom line, it they live in your studio, they rock. If you have to ship them, DON'T!!! If you have to ship, keep them under 100wh. However, we've found much longer run-times over the old 160 AB's.

[Anthony Violanto]

Does anyone know how much the vislink system would be?

[John atkinson]

Mike-

 

Quick question for you. Are you always using the TV Logic monitor for your PGM return?

 

Also, are you using the artificial horizon on the Ultrabrite monitor? (noticed the bubble on the top of the monitor)

 

And last one... is that the sled you're going to be using now or is that just a demo?

 

Matt Lingerfelt

Atlanta, GA

 

That U2 was only a demo, but the one we are purchasing will have the TV Logic monitor instead of the Ultrabrite2. The reason I was using a TV Logic for PGM return is because Golf Channel has so many of them that they're turning into paper weights. It's obviously a little overkill to have a HD monitor for PGM when the fiber only supports an SD return. I have a couple of slim 7" SD panels that I'm shopping around for, because we'll also use one for prompter above the lens. I had Tiffen include a 2nd monitor arm in the PO so we can use the 2nd mount, so besides the weight, I wouldn't be totally opposed to slapping another TV Logic on there..

 

Therefore I won't have an artificial horizon on my monitor. I'll probably stick my bubble level somewhere nearby. It's been serving me well thus far.

[John atkinson]

Most operators usually like to carry the least amount of weight for specific task. That set up looks way to heavy for studio work. I prefer wired lightweight adapters unless absolutely necessary, engineers are always trying to make the job harder than it has to be. If you want a long and prosperous career, you must be prudent in your physical demands early on. What focus do you use.

 

JA

[Mike Germond SOC]

John-

 

We have the same Canon HJ11x4.7 HDTV lenses that you have. I use the G-zoom, which wraps tightly around the gimbal and utilizes the lenses built in servos for zoom and focus control. It also has a VTR button to view any of the camera's 4 returns. In the photos, we hadn't gotten it yet so I had a tripod zoom controller on there.

Edited May 12, 2010 by Mike Germond