New Downlink Transmitter Improves Broadcasts From News Helicopters

The perennial and unique problem of ensuring reliable broadcast from news helicopters was given a boost today when Integrated Microwave Technologies, LLC (IMT), part of the Vitec Group, unveiled a new transmitter.
The SkymasterTX Digital COFDM Video Downlink Transmitter features ARINC mounting with connections and controls all located on one side of the unit, meaning it can be easily moved between aircrafts, or between the deck and bulkhead on one helicopter.
It has secure BCRYPT AES 128/256 encryption, so can be used with customers’ existing standard-compliant equipment.
And the lightweight transmitter is equipped with built-in H.264 (MPEG-4) encoder, which has a bit rate of 50% less than MPEG-2, improving transmissions' reliability and allowing users to transmit high-definition video without sacrificing performance.
But SkymasterTX can also be set to MPEG-2 for those with legacy receive systems who want to take advantage of the new technology but not lose their earlier investment.
It was launched in Sao Paulo at the SET Congress and 21st edition of the Broadcast & Cable Show.
Stephen Shpock of Integrated Microwave Technologies said: "We are bringing the latest in news helicopter technology to the Brazilian market. Brazilian broadcasters will be able to provide unparalleled coverage of high-profile sports events to worldwide viewers from their fleet of news helicopters."
SkymasterTX can operate in a wide variety of bands. It can output up to 8W of RF power, extending and improving link reliability. SkymasterTX also features COFDM digital modulation which, unlike single carrier modulation formats such as FM, CDL or QAM, is unaffected by multipath.
www.vitecgroup.com
(NE)