Belden has the right products for HDTV

While an estimated 95% of all broadcast facilities still have to adopt the HDTV format, Belden already has the products and the experience to help companies make the switch. At a recent Press Briefing, Werner Eich, Marketing Manager Entertainment for Belden EMEA, provided an overview of Belden’s range of products for Broadcast, sports and residential use.

“We are experiencing a digital revolution: broadcasters, television production studios and post-production enterprises are adopting high definition, serial digital imaging (HD/SDI) as their format of choice because of its superior performance and other advantages. Precision digital video is processed in real time and is extremely stable, which reduces equipment adjustments and allows copies or reproductions to retain the same quality as the original. Moreover, signal degradation is virtually eliminated and noise immunity is greatly improved. Digital technology not only promises to improve picture and sound quality, but also paves the way for interactive on-demand TV and other digital services.

“In the 1080i (interlaced) format, the image resolution is 1920x1080 pixels, sent at 60 interlaced frames per second. In the 1080p (progressive) format, the image resolution is the same but is sent at 60 complete frames per second.

Thus, in the progressive format, the complete image updates every 1/60th of a second and in the interlaced format, only half of the image updates every 1/60th of a second. As a result, progressive images result in better image definition and quality.”

“Cable manufacturing consistency and quality are both key to achieve minimal return loss. Good practice requires testing to the third harmonic of the operating frequency. For serial, single cable 1080p, that means testing to a frequency of 4.5 GHz. This 1080p format is expected to transmit serial digital video signals at 2.97 Gb/s, requiring an operating frequency of 1.485 GHz. This translates to a shorter wavelength and a greater chance that inconsistently manufactured cables will choke off the signal with a high level of return loss. This may be caused by even the slightest irregularity in the cable manufacturing process. A slightly bent shaft, bad bearing or uneven cable tension, for example, can cause reflection and affect the signal wavelength. Therefore, utmost consistency and control in the manufacturing process is essential to the reliability of the cable’s signal transmission at high frequencies and to minimize return loss.

Increased sweep testing

“Therefore, broadcast camera and video cables need to deliver top performance, whilst at the same time meeting extended international and European standards.

It is for this reason that Belden became the first cable manufacturer to increase its sweep testing from 3 GHz to 4.5 GHz for all coaxes designed for maximum bandwidth, minimum return loss and minimum attenuation loss. These cables already meet the very tight specifications for electrical properties and are ideally suited for both analog and digital video in broadcast, post-production and other critical video applications. In addition, Belden performs 100% sweep testing to 4.5 GHz on every reel of HD cable and provides certification to assure unequalled levels of cable signal integrity and reliability, with lower return loss (RL) at higher frequencies.

“We are prepared for the future. As a pioneer and leader in cable technology, Belden has always taken a stringent approach to cable quality assurance. Rather than simply inspect and test random batches of cables after manufacturing, Belden begins its quality process in the product development and manufacturing stages.

“When an independent test laboratory took an in-depth look at the HD performance of the video coaxes used in TV studios, cables were tested for return loss, attenuation and maximum cable run on HD (1080i and 720p). In the end results all Belden products delivered performance values that exceeded those listed in Belden's own catalogues.”

“Belden continually introduces new developments and products for a range of different applications for the creation, management and delivery of entertainment content, including Mobile TV, IPTV and D-Cinema. New products recently introduced include:

Digital and analog audio/video composite camera cable 1347A – This new composite design, using 1505A Precision Video cable and 9451 Audio cable, provides exceptional video, audio and power for ENG/EFP cameras standard setting cables.

Outside broadcast

Tactical fiber optical cable for Outside Broadcast – Rugged, resilient and lightweight, these cables are designed for fast and easy use in mobile communication systems, digital camera transmissions in electronic news gathering (ENG) vehicles, as well as mining and industrial applications, especially for long haul HD transmissions.

Halogen-free cable – A version of Brilliance® DigitTruck 179DT lightweight RG-179 Type 75-ohm coaxial cable. It is designed to lighten the load on the truck, reduce the amount of space needed and to improve air-conditioning air flow and gas mileage.

Wireless Access System – The unique design with channel blanket technology greatly simplifies installation and offers improved performance over current technology. Consisting of intelligent 8 and 24-port switches and dual and four-radio Access Points (APs), this enterprise-grade WLAN eliminates the need for deep RF enterprise while eliminating the trade-off between coverage, capacity and mobility.

New Product Bulletin NP260.

Expanded line of FRNC speaker cables – A new line designed for audio professionals who require exceptionally clear and very precise sound for PA installations. All the single pair and speaker snake cables are halogen-free but still flexible. The Brilliance® line of unshielded speaker cables consists of three products with 1.5mm², 2.5mm² and 4.0mm² constructions.

Expanded line of FRNC OFHC premium construction speaker cables – All single pair and speaker snake cables are halogen-free but still flexible, with low capacitance and made with oxygen-free copper for exceptional sound clarity. Print legends facilitate location Identification (such as Room 12345, Zone ABCDE).

Banana Peel Precision Video Snake Cables – This line now features three of Belden’s most popular SDI/HD coaxes to include a 1694A composite construction. It gives outstanding video performance using multiple coaxes in a single pull.

Halogen-free VideoFlex® Snake Cable - A new line of halogen-free component video cables designed to deliver optimum performance while helping to reduce installation and labor costs. An extension of Belden’s highly popular VideoFlex® Snake Cable with an easy-to-install bundle of 1855ENx, which has the very common European video coaxial dimension of 0.6/2.8.

CATV Multicore Cable for Multi Switch Systems - An extension of the highly popular CATV cables, with an easy-to-install bundle of H121A, designed for optimum performance in multi-switch systems and to reduce installation time. This has the very common European video coaxial dimension of 0.8/3.5 and provides optimum signal transmission performance for MATV/SMATV.

CatSnake™ Four-channel, Heavy-duty Cat5e Snake - The ideal solution for applications that require multiple or redundant channels of Cat5e cables in remote production or staging applications.

Halogen-free Mini High Resolution S-Video Cable - The ideal cable for residential installation in home theater and music environments using BNC connectors.

NanoSkew™ Brilliance® VideoTwist™ in S/FTP design – Belden’s new shielded design of the well-known NanoSkew™ is now available for Digital Signage applications.

SMPTE 311M Heat-resistant Hybrid Fiber Cable for HDTV Camera – This mobile cable is for use in studios or fields and also as a static cable in permanent installations. The three versions have flexible black jackets in either halogen-free, PUR or PVC while all the elements now feature heat-resistant PE insulation with a special put-up for easy connection on the drum.

CA00270 Brilliance® Assemblies™ SMPTE 311M HDTV – With the increase of high-definition video applications, such as 1080i/p and 720p, the bandwidth demands on camera cables has grown significantly. To meet these new requirements, Belden now offers new generation, heat resistant) 7804E. This consists of dual single-mode fiber optic cables and copper components for power and data together with a special connector made by Lemo 3K.93C or ADC ProAx™.