MultiDyne Simplifies Live Aerial And Ground Production Workflows For GSS

MultiDyne Video & Fiber Optic Systems has simplified live aerial and ground production workflows for Gyro-Stabilized Systems (GSS) with the integration of its SilverBULLET miniature transceivers within the GSS Cineflex Series of broadcast gimbals.

All three Cineflex Series models can ship with two or more SilverBULLET Tx/Rx sets to convert 4K UHD video signals from copper to fiber as they exit the cameras housed within the gimbal's durable structure.

MultiDyne's SilverBULLET transmitters and receivers are built for a variety of production purposes, including specialty use cases where a small footprint, minimal weight load and a ruggedized form factor are key design requirements. These characteristics are a direct fit for Cineflex broadcast gimbals, which often mount to helicopters and vehicles for sports coverage, electronic news gathering (ENG), and live event or TV productions. At just over three inches long and weighing 2.5 ounces, the ultra-slim SilverBULLETs securely clamp to the gimbal with no structural changes, and its machined aluminum encasement ensures durability in harsh production environments.

The SilverBULLET's CWDM wavelength order options are essential for GSS customers that manage the throughput of high-bandwidth video feeds from the acquisition stage. This allows GSS customers to separate camera feeds and send them into the SilverBULLETs which then output at different wavelengths, which are then multiplexed for fiber-optic transport.

"This is an ideal solution for our clients that are pushing many 12G channels from origination to destination," said Steve Rudolph, CTO. GSS. "A typical situation may have several to many 12G copper connections out of the cameras that we need to place on a single fiber. Three 12G camera outputs would present a situation for three different wavelengths, perhaps one at 1550, one at 1570 and one at 1590. The SDI signals are sent into SilverBULLETs and their CWDM outputs are combined onto one line without any signal interference or degradation in quality."

GSS's careful gimbal designs fully encase the cameras to optimise protection, and their thoughtful approach also applies to the SilverBULLET. "After we clamp them into the gimbal’s fixtures, we cushion them for added protection," said Rudolph. "We're providing a completely sealed environment and in the unlikely event of damage, we can quickly ship a new SilverBULLET for onsite replacement."

Rudolph adds that the SilverBULLET's wide-ranging power input (5-16VDC) and on-board LEDs provide additional benefits for all three models (Cineflex 512, Cineflex Pro 512EX and Cineflex Pro 516). "The LEDs are excellent for troubleshooting because multiplexed signals can be sensitive to loss, especially when dealing with a bent fiber or bad connection," he said. "Having that power meter on the other end provides that confidence monitoring we have grown accustomed to, while helping us quickly chase down a problem when we do encounter a weakness in the fiber-optic network."

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