MADISON, WIS.—WisconsinEye provides unfettered access to the actions of Wisconsin’s state government, broadcasting public policy debates and decision-making processes to viewers with a balanced presentation. Our studio facilities near Capitol Square are equipped for high-end live production, with broadcasts delivered to local cable TV systems and over the internet.

We’ve been operating with the same broadcast and production infrastructure since we went on the air in 2007 and the system has recently shown signs of age. We needed a more reliable system to deliver 1080i HD content to our viewers so we hired Heartland Video Systems to upgrade our complement of 1080i cameras, production switchers, graphics systems and other related equipment.

GOODBYE PATCHBAYS

One of our primary goals was to use our existing fiber infrastructure to move content between the state capitol and our remote production studio two blocks away, but in a far more simplified, reliable and flexible manner. We had long used a patchbay system to connect up to 72 camera positions—a mix of fixed and roaming cameras—across four floors of various committee, assembly and senate rooms. The Heartland Video Systems team recommended transitioning to a MultiDyne HD-3500 fiber-optic system to replace this setup.

The move to MultiDyne has immediately streamlined connectivity through the permanent patching of 19 camera positions. This has reduced the time and labor required to patch and troubleshoot systems and eliminated the need to constantly plug and unplug the cameras. The system allows to very quickly bring up fixed and roaming cameras, adjust color and exposure, and reliably transport 1080i video, tally, RS-485 control, and other signals from the capitol to our studio. MultiDyne’s tally support has been a major added benefit, offering a clear indication as to which camera is on-air at any time.

The HD-3500 architecture comprises a series of transmitters (capitol) and 24 rackmounted receivers (studio). The transmitters are highly adaptable from an integration standpoint, and cleanly connect to our Ross PIVOTCam cameras and Vinten tripod base plates. Multidyne’s custom, bracket-mounted interfaces and connectors are far more flexible and adaptable than competitive systems we evaluated.

MAXIMIZING DISTANCE AND BANDWIDTH

The transmitters have also proven highly durable, an important benefit in production environments with roaming cameras. The black powder coat finish adds a sharp look and feel, making our camera systems look more professional.

The MultiDyne system allows us to move signals over single-mode fiber to maximize transport distance and optimize bandwidth usage. The architecture is clean from a connectivity standpoint at the receive points, using splice cabinets and a fiber patch panel with LC connectors to support the cable runs at the studio. This also eliminated the need for a fiber router, which reduced overall project costs.

The reliability of the MultiDyne system cannot be overstated. Signal drop-outs are non-existent, and signal integrity and quality is consistently robust. MultiDyne’s built-in monitoring capabilities are also clear and easy to understand. The LED interfaces on transmitting and receiving units display solid link lights as signals move over the fiber infrastructure. Similarly, blinking lights indicate the presence of RS-485 control and other data. There is never any uncertainty in regard to signal presence and connection quality.

The team at Heartland Video Systems expertly specified and installed this customized system on behalf of WisconsinEye, with MultiDyne delivering exactly what we needed across reliability, flexibility, adaptability, signal integrity and ease of use.

John Schroeder is the director of program production at WisconsinEye. He can be reached atjohn.schroeder@wiseye.com.

For more information visitmultidyne.comor call 516-299-9513.

WUPPERTAL, GERMANY—Traveling from the Italia Riviera to Milan, Italian broadcaster RAI relied on Riedel Communications to provide a fiber-based network supporting real-time distribution of audio, video and communication signals for the 98th Giro d’Italia cycling race. Riedel’s MediorNet Compact Pro and RockNet systems were used to link the announcers’ booth, the finish line, helicopters, and other key production areas for complete race coverage.

Inside an OB van during Grio d'Italia

RAI created a distributed real-time network made up of four fiber rings with the Riedel gear, which in total included 102 fiber links with 712 audio, video and data connections. Connection points included OB trucks; a fleet of vans; the Italian national feed; an edit truck; and a compact mobile unit, which allowed for connections up to 2 km from the main production area.

With Riedel’s network management software, the MediorNet media network and RockNet audio network allowed RAI to configure and reconfigure frames quickly throughout the 21-stage race. Supporting both routing and transport, the Riedel systems enabled RAI to make every signal available at every node as needed.

The 98th Grio d’Italia took place from May 9-31.

AMSTERDAM—MultiDyne has announced that it will premiere its new FiberNet system at the upcoming 2015 IBC show. A real-time uncompressed optical network topology, FiberNet takes interconnects multiple nodes of fiber infrastructures for managing, controlling and distributing uncompressed signals from one centralized location to a production crew anywhere in the world over a single fiber cable.

Professionals can either use control devices on the FiberNet network or their own control platform to monitor, manage and control bi-directional signals coming from an on-site production truck or studio control room. FiberNet also allows users to send any incoming signal to any output with a touch of a button.

FiberNet includes control software, a hardware or software control panel and supports all standards required on a patented hardware platform.

IBC 2015 runs from Sept. 11-15 in Amsterdam. MultiDyne will be located at booth 9.D40.

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. – Fiber-optic cable provider MultiDyne is bringing a quartet of new products to Amsterdam for IBC 2015, focusing on bringing higher resolutions videos to broadcasters faster and sending uncompressed signals further over a single fiber-optic cable.

MultiDyne will have its new SMPTE Hybrid Universal Transmission Extender on hand, which works with any SMPTE-based HD camera. The HUT system allows users to separate their cameras from their CCUs by distances over 10km with single mode fiber. The new HUT is about half the size of the previous edition and includes a backup battery option.

Mini eXchange converters

A trio of MultiDyne’s SilverBack transceivers will also be on display. The two new products are the SilverBack-III and the SilverBack-III 4K6 camera back transceivers. The SilverBack-III offers all of the same features as the SilverBack 4K5, but is designed for high-quality, multi-camera 1080p/30/60 fps HD productions. The SilverBack-III 4K6 provides six 3Gbps signals to a base station up to miles away. New features for the SilverBack 4K5 will also be demonstrated.

In addition, the new Mini eXchange Converter for HDMI-to-Fiber/Fiber-to-HDMI conversion and the EOS 4000 and 5000 optical electrical switches for video file delivery over an IP infrastructure will also be at IBC 2015.

These products and more can be found at MultiDyne’s booth, D.940. IBC 2015 takes place from Sept. 11-15 in Amsterdam.

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. – Fans got a closer look at what a golf swing is supposed to look like during the Fox Sports broadcast of the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay Golf Course in June. With the MultiDyne Video & Fiber Optic Systems SilverBack 4K5 camera back transceiver serving as the fiber link for X-Mo 4K camera system, ultra high-def and ultra high-speed acquisition was provided while also enabling data to travel 5,000-7,000 feet over a single fiber cable without image degradation.

SilverBack 4K5 attached to X-Mo 4K camera

The SilverBack 4K5 gives up to five 3Gbps paths required for 4K acquisition and brings those signals back to the on-site production truck to include into the main broadcast. The transceiver is used to systemize the most bandwidth intensive cameras by providing all bi-directional signals needed between camera and the base station, including up to six 3G HD paths, intercom, camera and lens control and gigabit Ethernet paths. Camera transceivers are connected with a single fiber-optic cable. Combined with the X-Mo 4K, the U.S. Open broadcast was able to capture golfers’ swings at 4K resolution at 1,000 fps and then slowed them down when put on air.

MultiDyne’s Fiber Saver HD-6000 system was also used during the tournament to move HD video signals around the course.

MultiDyne is a Hauppauge, N.Y.-based provider of video and fiber-optic-based transport systems.