Vistek launch expanded fibre optic range at IBC

Although several modular interface manufacturers can now offer some fibre optic interfaces, few can provide the range of products now being delivered by Vistek.
There are converters for both SD and HD format signals, with a wide variety of optical formats to choose from. Audio and Data are also covered, with modules designed to allow linking over considerable distances. At IBC, Vistek are demonstrating an edit control system, using standard industry products, but with both control and video/audio being passed via fibre - effectively an edit suite with the VTRs located 22 kilometres away.
The other attraction to Vistek's Fibre Optic products is that they all fit into the standard Vistek rack frames, and can be freely mixed with non-fibre products. This allows, for example, an incoming fibre line to be converted to copper, with video and audio synchronised and controlled for level and channel swapping, all within just 2 modules - allowing 7 such lines to be so terminated in a 3RU rack frame.
In addition to converters and interfaces, the Vistek Fibre Optic range also encompasses both passive and active fibre optic processors. Simple products such as Opto-couplers are available in a variety of formats, along with a full range of WDM (Wave Division Multiplex) and CWDM (Coarse Wave Division Multiplex) products, allowing the best possible use of the enormous bandwidth capacity of fibre links. Active fibre processors include a family of fibre optic switches, which can be directly linked to fibre receivers and transmitters to allow for automatic changeover applications.
Commenting on the range, Andrew Osmond, Vistek's Managing Director said: "We see fibre optic as the next major development in broadcasting infrastructure. The cost of fibre is now at a level where anyone contemplating a major expansion or re-development of their existing copper systems would be foolish not to look at switching to fibre.
“The enormous bandwidth potential of fibre and the flexibility of the interconnects that we can offer means that it is possible to install a cabling system that is genuinely future proof - regardless of the arrival of HD, video-over-IP, or other digital transmission technologies. Indeed, one major broadcaster has already placed a massive order for this leading edge Vistek technology."
(GB)