News

Canon announces the Canobeam DT-150 HD wireless video tranceiver for relaying uncompressed HD-SDI video where RF and Fiber cannot be used (6/6/2008)

1.5 Gbps Link Transmits Digital HD/SD Video, Audio, and Control Signals
Bi-Directionally Without Delay Via Free Space Optics at Up to One Kilometer

Whether it's live network coverage of the partygoers in Times Square on New Year's Eve, cameras capturing video of jets zooming above crowds at an air show, or a network's permanent HD video link, there are many locations where RF or fiber can not reasonably be used for relaying HDTV signals. The dramatic growth in HDTV coverage of special events, sports, and other forms of programming has created the need for a new video-transmission solution that will easily work in RF-dense cities, radar-heavy airports, and other challenging environments. That solution is the Canobeam DT-150 HD transceiver from Canon U.S.A., which can wirelessly transmit uncompressed, high-bandwidth (HD-SDI and SD-SDI) video, audio, and camera-control signals bi-directionally without delay using convenient and inexpensive Free Space Optics.

The Canobeam DT-150 HD transceiver, on display at the 2008 NAB Show (Canon booth #SU3020), draws on Canon's worldwide leadership and expertise in optical technologies, and is the newest member of Canon's acclaimed series of point-to-point Free Space Optics transceivers, which use infrared light to bridge gaps in high-bandwidth transmission situations. In addition to transmitting a 1.5 Gbps stream of embedded digital video, audio and camera-control signals on a single HD-SDI or SD-SDI stream, the Canobeam DT-150 HD transceiver can also relay embedded HD-SDI and SD-SDI video from multiple cameras or other HD/SD video sources, along with embedded return video and audio to the camera operator, or robotic camera-control data. The Canobeam DT-150 HD transceiver has a range of up to one kilometer and - like all Canobeam DT-100 series products - features Canon's exclusive Auto Tracking feature to maintain beam alignment despite vibration due to wind, rain or unsteady camera platforms.

"Since its introduction at last year's NAB, the Canobeam DT-150 HD transceiver has been used by the broadcast television and mobile production industry for HDTV sports and entertainment telecasts where fiber or RF were impractical," stated Gordon Tubbs, director of Canon U.S.A.'s Broadcast and Communications Division. "These telecasts have included network coverage of Times Square on New Years Eve, the leading Hollywood awards ceremony, and a major military air show. By seamlessly providing an affordable, wireless, point-to-point uncompressed digital transmission solution, the Canobeam DT-150 HD transceiver is playing an important role the industry's transition to HDTV for all kinds of location productions."

The Canobeam DT-150 HD also features an important advance in the Canobeam DT-100 series with the addition of a Small Form Pluggable (SFP) module system. Use of an SFP HD module allows the Canobeam DT-150 HD to interface via single-mode fiber LC connectors. Users who are already using single-mode fiber connections can simply plug into the Canobeam DT-150 HD transceiver and instantly transmit embedded video, audio and camera controls via the FSO connection. Users who do not have an existing single-mode fiber connection will be able to use third-party media converters to convert HD-SDI signals or SD-SDI signals from either coaxial or SMPTE hybrid fiber cable into single-mode fiber for transmission. As with any SDI stream, audio and/or multiple video signals will be embedded into the stream via a multiplexer.

All of Canon's Canobeam products, including the DT-150 HD use Free Space Optics, which requires no FCC licensing or frequency coordination. Free Space Optics provides a highly secure and reliable video/audio link that is free from RF interference and signal interception. Canon's other Canobeam DT-100 series systems are proven high-bandwidth data-networking solutions used by corporate and university campuses, government and military facilities, and other situations where existing bandwidth is insufficient, fiber is cost-prohibitive or logistically impossible, or a redundant disaster/recovery system is essential.

In addition to temporary use for live HD and SD television events - such as golf matches where ponds and fairways can't be bridged by fiber cables, major outdoor concerts where remote camera platforms make fiber links impractical, or sports where images from manned and robotic cameras may need to be relayed to a central point from inaccessible locations - the Canobeam DT-150 HD transceiver can also be used for permanent installations. These include STL's (studio/transmitter links) or other high-bandwidth video connections between buildings at broadcast networks, TV stations or media production complexes.

www.usa.canon.com

[more camera news]