Amsterdam, The Netherlands, September 11, 2008 – Nucomm’s products are taking on IBC 2008 (Stand 1.A30), offering a number of innovative solutions to today’s broadcasters. Among its new products are its 7 Series HD ready line, the Analog CoderTM 2 modulator, its Messenger IP Media Gateway – Native file transfer system, the CC-1 camera control unit and the Newscaster DR 2 diversity receiver.
The 7 Series represents Nucomm’s entire ENG/OB product line, which is now capable of HD operation using built-in encoding/decoding technology. Presenting today’s broadcast arena with the convenience of field upgradeability, all 7 Series products can be delivered with HD capability or as SD for a future field upgrade to HD via a software key. Prior to this announcement, Nucomm’s HD product line consisted of the CamPac 2 HD/SD wireless camera transmitter and Newscaster DR HD/SD diversity receiver, which have both been well received as the industry’s premier wireless camera systems. The 7 Series replaces the SD product line as Nucomm’s standard product. All 7 Series products still contain the features and capabilities that have made Nucomm products the first choice of broadcasters worldwide, such as multiple modulation modes (VSB, COFDM, DVB-S, FM), dual/tri band RF outputs and ease of operation to name a few. Among the several products making up the series are the Channel Master TX7 Portable Transmitter, the Channel Master RX7 Portable Receiver, the Newscaster VT7 ENG/OB Van Transmitter and the Newscaster CR7 Central Receiver. For more information about Nucomm and its new 7 Series, call +1-908-852-3700 (USA) or +44-1449-736033 (UK/Europe).
Expanding on its original Analog Coder TM that debuted in 2001, which had a max data rate of 19.39 Mbps, the Analog Coder 2 is capable of accepting input data rates from 1 to 25 Mbps plus a T1 Data Pack. Using existing analog infrastructures, the Analog Coder 2 allows signals such as the ATSC 19.39 Mbps data stream plus a full T1 Data Pack to be transmitted without any loss in signal quality. The device can accommodate DVB-ASI and SMPTE-310M as either input or output formats. It is ideal for single or multi-hop links, of which field tests have shown that transporting HDTV through a 24-hop repeater system results in no degradation in signal or picture quality. The ATSC stream plus the T1 Data Pack are modulated onto a 1 Vp-p baseband signal, which can be input into any analog microwave link by using a proprietary modulation design that offers excellent link performance and reliability. Additionally, features like automatic forward error correction using Reed Solomon, Viterbi and Interleaving methods, and highly efficient adaptive equalization, are provided to overcome frequency selective multi-path and adverse environments.
Nucomm’s Messenger Media Gateway system enables broadband IP connectivity between an ENG/SNG truck or OB van and the broadcast studio through integration with the existing broadcaster digital transmission infrastructure. Designed to support today’s emerging, distributed news editing workflows, the new product makes it easier for television news stories to be edited in the field and delivered to the studio over the existing broadcast digital infrastructure or alternative networks without complicated user configuration or support. With an IP network in place, other applications, such as remote queuing, remote truck control and VoIP technologies, can also run between the studio and the news vehicle. An integrated File Transfer system is embedded inside the Messenger Media Gateway system. To transfer a file from the field to the studio, users can simply drag and drop files onto the internal Hot Sync folder. The Messenger system then automatically steps in and manages the file transfer process, which has been specially designed to move large video files across networks with large latencies or asymmetric channels. With as little as a 7kbps return channel the Messenger can sustain 98% utilization of a 40Mbps link.
Designed to work with Nucomm’s signature CamPac 2 HD/SD COFDM camera-back transmitter, the company’s new CC-1 camera control unit expands the features of the CamPac 2 through a software-based data interface that allows the CP2/CC-1 to work with various camera manufacturer’s control panels and command protocols. It uses the camera manufacturer’s original remote control or operations control panel, allowing video operators to work within a seamless environment between wired and wireless cameras. In addition, the system provides users with access to all of the features and menus of the original control panel. It also offers remote control capabilities over the CamPac 2, accessing all menu-driven features via a companion remote interface panel. The CC-1 is available in two radio options, either a licensed 450 MHz or an unlicensed spread spectrum 900 MHz. For more information about Nucomm and its CC-1, call +1 908-852-3700 (USA) or +44-1449-736033 (UK/Europe).
The Newscaster DR 2 diversity receiver, an updated version of its industry leading predecessor Newscaster DR, offers new features such as a split box and the ability to receive UHF digital signals in the 150 to 850 MHz band. Since the DR 2 can receive lower frequency UHF digital signals, the unit works with external block down converters (BDC). The DR 2 can be supplied with BDCs that can receive a wide range of frequencies from 1.99 GHz to 7.1 GHz, depending on customer requirements. The DR 2 is equipped with four RF inputs that communicate directly to the external BDCs, which form a maximum ratio combination that offers up to four input diversity receive signals. In using the external BDC, the Newscaster DR 2’s receive antennas can be remotely mounted at a distance from the main unit. It is outfitted with an integrated COFDM demodulator, an MPEG2 HD/SD decoder, internal power supply, an integrated spectrum analyzer and an on-screen display.
About Nucomm
Nucomm, Inc. is a worldwide provider of premier digital and analogue video microwave systems (including COFDM and VSB) for the broadcasting industry’s portable and fixed link applications. Offering video microwave transmission equipment for the military, law enforcement, telecom and cable television circuits, Nucomm’s products have helped revolutionise live broadcast coverage of major outdoor events including sports, auto racing, marathons and parades. Nucomm, along with RF Central and Microwave Service Company, forms The Vitec Group RF Systems business unit, part of The Vitec Group Broadcast Systems Division. For more information about Nucomm, visit www.nucomm.com.
About The Vitec Group plc
The Vitec Group plc is acknowledged as a global leader in the supply of equipment and services to the broadcasting, entertainment and photographic industries and has established a reputation for technical excellence and superior engineering along with an astute business strategy which has seen it grow by acquisition. Innovation is a cornerstone of the Group’s activities and the organisation is committed to a policy of continuous product development. With revenues (2007) of $546m (£274m) and over 2200 employees world-wide, its products are distributed in almost 100 countries, through a strong, fully-resourced distribution network or direct to the end user or corporate customer. More information can be found at www.vitecgroup.com.
