In Broadcast - July 2020 - 56

56

www.inbroadcast.com | Vol: 10 - Issue 7 | July 2020

InTech

Dielectric Presents RF System
Checklist for NextGen TV
W

ith NextGen TV's adoption
accelerating,
Dielectric
has prepared a transition plan for
broadcasters that checks every critical
box. While Dielectric expects that
many broadcasters will have most
critical components in place - notably
stations that upgraded RF systems
during repack - the transition requires
a thorough evaluation of RF systems to
ensure readiness for all that the ATSC
3.0 standard offers.
As Sales Manager Cory Edwards
recalls, one of the greatest technical
challenges of the DTV transition
was establishing proper signal
correction within the exciter to
meet the "shoulders" of the FCC
Mask. Transmitter and RF suppliers
developed eight-pole filters to help
solve the problem, and there are a
significant number still in service
today. However, the ATSC 3.0 standard
is significantly different from ATSC 1.0,
and what worked for one standard may
not apply to what's ahead.

"The eight-pole filter does not
allow utilisation of the full bandwidth
required for NextGen TV services,
which includes options for 4K video,
mobile device reception and Internetconnected OTT devices," said Edwards.
"There is a tendency to believe that the
RF filter and associated components
will work just the same for NexGen TV
if remaining on the same channel. The
reality is that's not always true."
The chief advantage of the ATSC
3.0 standard, as Edwards explains,
is the OFDM platform which uses
multiple carriers to support new
multimedia services. Where ATSC
1.0 used approximately 5.38MHz of
the allocated channel, ATSC 3.0 will
use up to 5.83MHz - a bandwidth
measurement that six-pole filters will
readily accommodate.
"The difference is substantial
enough for older eight-pole filters to
require a reduction in the maximum
number of carriers, thus reducing
channel capacity - and potential

revenue
recognition
opportunities - which
defeats the purpose
of adopting NextGen
TV,"
said
Edwards.
"Filter replacement will
retain full-channel data
capacity, which is critical
for potential NextGen TV
revenue streams."
Dielectric's RF System
Considerations
for
ATSC Change checklist
addresses
the
two
major
consequences
of transitioning to NextGen TV: The
increase in occupied bandwidth as
explained above, and the increase in
peak power. Similar to the bandwidth
challenge,
older
filter
designs
(including eight-pole models) did not
anticipate the higher peak levels of
the ATSC 3.0 standard. Transitioning
to a modern high-efficiency filter will
provide ample peak power headroom
to support NextGen TV transmissions.

Dielectric has prepared a checklist for
the transition to NextGen TV

Dielectric offers the whitepaper
checklist to any broadcaster, and it is
available on the technical resources
page of its website.
The company will also work closely
with leading transmitter suppliers
to ensure that broadcasters have all
bases covered from the initial planning
stage.

CP Communications Updates
CamSTREAM Systems
C

P Communications has announced
the immediate availability of
CamSTREAM2 and CamSTREAM2B, the
second generation of the company's
Red House Streaming (RHS) all-in-one
live production systems.
Available to rent or purchase, both
systems support content acquisition,
on-board recording and live streaming
in fully integrated, turnkey packages,
with CamSTREAM2 built for ProAV
productions and CamSTREAM2B for
professional broadcasts. Both systems
are configurable to serve cloud
streaming and user-hosted playout
workflows.
Ease
of
setup
represents
the main departure from firstgeneration CamSTREAM systems.
The new systems simplify and
accelerate configuration for content
creators, and cede production and
control operations to remote CP
Communications technicians. These
two benefits remove the intimidation
factor for less experienced content

creators, including athletes, musicians
and gamers, while providing the
same premium technology and
visual experience that professional
organisations and viewers expect.
"We built our second-generation
STREAM systems to reflect customer
feedback, including the demand for
more streamlined workflows and a
cost-efficient at-home production
model," said Kurt Heitmann, CEO, CP
Communications. "These systems will
allow content providers to shoot and
stream broadcast-quality video direct
to Facebook, YouTube, a CDN, and/
or studio-based playout servers with
virtually no advance labour or local
production expenses."
The all-in-one packages, which
integrate a Sony SRG-360SHE PTZ
camera, a Mobile Viewpoint Agile
Airlink encoder, a return video monitor
and connections for audio, can attach
to the top of a tripod or be set on
a table top. The user then flips two
switches to the on position to obtain

power and begin shooting.
Once
shooting
commences
the
Agile
Airlink device streamlines
connectivity by bonding
WiFi, Ethernet and mobile
data paths into a single,
robust H.264 or H.265
transmission stream. The
CP Communications team
picks up the production
from
their
network
operations centres (NOCs) in New York,
Florida or Nova Scotia from there,
with remote control and management
supported through Mobile Viewpoint's
LinkMatrix system.
Both systems include the Sony
camera
and
Mobile
Viewpoint
systems, along with wired or wireless
microphones and IFB systems, as well
as HDMI outputs for return video and
autocue. A second video input provides
capacity for a second camera or a
gaming device. The CamSTREAM2B
system
strengthens
technical

CamSTREAM2B on a tripod

capacities to support live sports and
broadcast productions, adding full
remote PTZ control (via a joystick
controller), camera paint control, and
remote audio functionality, including
the ability to control gain structure.
"Anyone that can remove a TV from
a box, set it on a tabletop stand, and
plug in a power cord can operate
either system," said Heitmann.
"There are truly nothing else like
these systems on the market today,"
he concluded.
http://www.inbroadcast.com http://www.dielectric.com http://www.dielectric.com http://www.cpcomms.com http://www.cpcomms.com
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