Broadcast Technology introduces DTDA 3000

Broadcast Technology has announced a new addition to its rapidly expanding 3000 series of modular digital television equipment.
Combining DVB-ASI transport stream monitoring, switching and distribution in a single module, the DTDA 3000 is a three input, six output, DVB-ASI distribution amplifier. It can detect and report defects in incoming signal feeds and perform ASI switching/routing actions either automatically or by command from an external control system.
Typically aimed at monitoring and redundancy applications, the DTDA 3000 is ideal for operational monitoring of ASI transport streams and service switching in fully redundant broadcast solutions. The DTDA 3000's speed of operation enables practically uninterrupted channel switchover, even in a completely unmanned environment.
All three input streams are continuously monitored for the presence of a valid DVB-ASI signal stream. Alarms may be activated automatically if the data rate deviates from a specified range, if null packages exceed a specified threshold, in the absence of transport stream sync, or on loss of a specific PID. Interruptions can be reported to a network management system or set to trigger a predefined response such as an automatic channel change. This enables Broadcast Technology's 3000 modular product range to be configured in highly reliable no-single-point-of-failure systems which are essential in modern broadcast operations.
The DTDA 3000's compact modular construction is ideally suited to digital television head-ends and rebroadcast networks where space is at a premium. Up to 14 modules can be accommodated in one DTRS 3000 chassis occupying just 3U of rack space. Power consumption is just 8W per module, meaning very low running cost.
Combinations of cards from the 3000 series of DVB receivers, MPEG decoders, switchers and DAs can be integrated in the same chassis. This allows receiver systems to be structured for applications ranging from single-channel acquisition to multi level fully-automated redundancy configurations. Typical 3000 series solutions occupy only a small fraction of the rack space and power requirements of comparable IRD-based implementations. Each card can be hot-swapped and is controllable via a local RS-232 port. On large scale systems, multi-chassis operation can be achieved through SNMP control.
Available now, the DTDA 3000 will make its first exhibition appearance at NAB 2004 in Las Vegas, April 19-22.
(GB)