PatchAmp offers reliable HD signal distribution

PatchAmp Distribution Systems are used to streamline connections when designing and installing new digital facilities.

New York City-based PatchAmp has been gaining a reputation throughout the broadcast industry as a reliable vendor for standard-definition (SD) and high-definition (HD) signal distribution. PatchAmp's patching and distribution technology was used to process and distribute the HD signals for in house feeds to the All Mobile Video production mobile units on-site at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards at New York's Madison Square Garden in February. This year, for the first time in its history, the Grammys were telecast in the 1080i HDTV format, accompanied by Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. PatchAmp's distribution products handled all of the incoming and outgoing signals and camera feeds with ease, according to the company.

The PatchAmp Distribution systems were chosen for its integrated patching and distribution interfaces and its high-end multi-format HD distribution capability. The company's multi-format distribution amplifiers support all SMPTE-292M standards and offers 75 ohm coaxial-type, edge-launch connectors for superior impedance matched patching and distribution.

The PatchAmp Distribution Systems include a low-insertion loss mid-plane design, low-power consumption (less than 3W per module), high-density 24 high-end module or 32 high-end module frames, hot-swappable circuit boards and a hot-swappable, redundant power supply.

PatchAmp Distribution Systems are used to streamline connections when designing and installing new digital facilities. Sources are connected to a rear panel input connector on the PatchAmp system, which is wired internally through a self-normaling jack to each module input. Outputs of each module are then wired to the rear panel output connectors. System components include Gennum. (Burlington, Ontario) processing chips in the main modules, cable from Belden Electronics (Richmond, Ind.) and jacks manufactured by Trompeter Electronics (Westlake Village, Calif.).

The company's patchbays and distribution amps are currently in use at Cablevision, CBS affiliate WJZ-TV, Nickelodeon, TNN and Viacom.