BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND—Bluebell Opticom has a new tool for 4K robotic-camera productions, introducing the Hothead Silhouette, an end-to-end, self-contained power, control and video tool. The Hothead Silhouette replaces copper cabling with one hybrid cable and allows camera operators to sit away from the robotic head.

In the Hothead Silhouette’s fully integrated system is a combination of 4K UHD transport, an open-architecture data-control system and up to 60 W of power insertion. Users can place the portable unit between the robotic camera head and the base station, and with the addition of an external interconnect users can remotely power, control and receive 4K UHD pictures from a robotic camera head over a single hybrid fiber cable at distances up to 20km.

With the Hothead Silhouette, operators can manage robotic heads from the same place as standard manned cameras and all control, services and ingest can be sent via fiber to a production truck and consolidated with other production facilities.

Bluebell is now offering Hothead Silhouette and will showcase it at IBC 2017 at booth 10.F24.

LAS VEGAS—Bluebell Opticom is putting the spotlight on its new Edgware IP gateway products, which bridge 3G-SDI-based broadcast infrastructures with those built on IP-based technology, at the 2017 NAB Show. By using BNC and XLR technology to transport broadcast signals over IP, broadcast facilities save money by repurposing their existing equipment for IP delivery.

The BCX-760 Series 10G Ethernet point-to-point fibre link system is set for the show as well. This camera-back interface allows easy connection and signal transport between a camera and mobile unit or base station. With a compact interface, the system converts a basic camcorder into a rackable professional camera channel. The BCX-760’s interfaces map all signals at the back of a broadcast camera onto a 10G Ethernet point-to-point link, ensuring robust, interference-immune, high-quality transport over longer distances than previously possible.

Bluebell Opticom will also show fibre-optic transport products that provide a single coax or fibre connection to a 12-Gbps SDI video interface for 4K/UHD applications. This includes the BC390 mux/demux card designed to associate UHD with multiple SDI signals. Created for the 12G market, it receives four 3G-SDI inputs and serializes them to one 12G-SDI output on both BNC and fibre ports simultaneously, or vice versa, and handles up/down/cross-conversion of HD-SDI, 3G-SDI, 6G-SDI, and 12G-SDI.

BC365 modular dual-channel 12G-SDI-to-single mode fibre converter cards will also be shown. Designed for Bluebell's BC Series 19-inch rack-based system, the BC365T converts electrical 12G signals to fibre, while the BC365R converts fibre signals to 12G electrical.

The 2017 NAB Show takes place in Las Vegas, April 24-27. Bluebell Opticomwill be in boothC6648. For more information, visit www.nabshow.com.

BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND—Bluebell Opticom Ltd. scored a prime place at the table for the recent UEFA Europa League and Champions League finals, as outside broadcast company Telegenic installed multiple sets of Bluebell SDI interfaces. The Bluebell technology was used to transmit high-quality, high-bandwidth signals over fiber, which helped support 4K signal transport for the soccer matches.

BC323

Telegenic deployed four sets of Bluebell Quad 3G-SDI fiber interfaces and eight sets of BC323 converters for coverage of the matches. The Quad 3G four-channel multiplexers/demultiplexers take in 3G-SDI signal from up to four cameras, convert them to optical signals and transmit them over standard SMPTE hybrid cable. Each signal has a different optical wavelength, allowing for reduced interference over longer distances.

The BC323 units convert two independent 3G-SDI, HD-SDI, SD-SDI or ASI signals onto fiber. The units then receive, auto-sense, equalize and relock each optical signal before converting it back into an electrical signal.

Bluebell is a designer and manufacturer of fiber optic links for the broadcast telecommunications and satellite industries.