SALT LAKE CITY—Utah Scientific will feature its growing portfolio of hybrid SDI-IP routing, conversion, control and signal-management solutions during the 2026 NAB Show, April 18-22, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

This year’s exhibit will focus on live, end–to–end demonstrations of the Utah Scientific’s advanced ST 2110 workflows, featuring On–Ramp, Pass–Through Cards, NBOSS, and the UTAH–400 Series 2 Gateway Router anchored by the company’s 10–year hardware warranty.

Utah Scientific will also showcase complementary high–density signal transport and distribution tools, including the MAXMUX multiplexing system and the UHD configurable distribution amplifier, demonstrating efficient ways to manage UHD and multi-signal environments.

The company’s fully integrated, hybrid SDI-ST 2110 workflow is built around On–Ramp, its 1RU SDI–to–ST 2110 gateway and processing engine. The unit supports hot–swappable encapsulation/de–encapsulation cards and 16 SFP cages on the front of the chassis to enable incremental migration to IP with a routable SDI backup of all signals.

On–Ramp is part of Utah Scientific’s E.D.G.E. (Equally Distributed Growth Environment) platform. Every node shares the same compact footprint, allowing routing capacity to be distributed exactly where needed. Users can connect nodes through a network switch to create a highly scalable routing environment with virtually unlimited growth.

On–Ramp is the newest E.D.G.E. device, which also includes MAXMUX (which can increase CWDM channel capacity from 18 to 72 channels) and UHD distribution amplifier, configurable through Utah Scientific software.

Pass–Through cards deliver hybrid 2110-SDI gateways without needing external gateway devices. They can be installed in any new or existing Series 2 router, providing ST 2110 encapsulation/de–encapsulation in addition to SDI routing. This gives users the option to migrate a single device from an SDI core to a hybrid core to an edge device.

The hybrid SDI-2110 products will be shown under the NBOSS control layer, the company’s NMOS control solution. Built on AMWA NMOS standards, NBOSS provides IS–04 discovery and IS–05 connection management, IS–09 system parameters and IEEE 1588 PTP awareness, enabling operators to switch 2110 flows as easily as SDI using Utah Scientific’s SC–4, hardware panels, Soft–LC or Web Panel interfaces.

See Utah Scientific in 2026 NAB booth N.941.

More information is available on the company’s website.

SALT LAKE CITY—Utah Scientific has expanded its Technology Partner Program, adding Audinate, Bitfocus and Skaarhoj, each of which offers solutions that enhance hybrid SDI/IP workflows.

The integrations with Utah Scientific build on the company’s focus on interoperability, which gives broadcasters, production facilities and AV organizations more ways to incorporate emerging technologies while preserving the tools and workflows upon which they rely.

“We are always looking for ways to help customers build hybrid systems that blend the best of SDI and IP,” said Brett Benson, CEO of Utah Scientific. “By integrating with innovative solutions from Audinate, Bitfocus and Skaarhoj, we’re giving users more freedom in how they move audio and video, automate device control and interact with our routing infrastructure. At the heart of every system are Utah Scientific products backed by our legendary 10–year warranty — and these new integrations make it even easier for organizations to streamline operations, reduce system complexity and adapt their workflows as production demands evolve.”

Through its new relationship with Audinate, Utah Scientific is implementing native Dante audio I/O within its routers, eliminating the need for external MADI–to–Dante conversion and greatly supplementing IP audio routing for engineers. This enhancement aligns directly with the Dante–enabled mixers and consoles widely used in broadcast and AV environments, making it easier for facilities to move high–channel–count audio over Ethernet and streamline their transition toward more flexible IP–based audio workflows.

Bitfocus introduces seamless interoperability with the company’s Buttons facility–wide control platform. As part of the Bitfocus Connections Program, Utah Scientific routers can now be switched and automated alongside other devices in a hybrid SDI/IP production environment. This enables facilities that rely on modern, flexible automation tools to incorporate Utah Scientific routing without custom engineering, proprietary interfaces or workflow workarounds.

The addition of Skaarhoj expands Utah Scientific’s control surface options by enabling the Skaarhoj AirFly Pro to function as a streamlined and cost–effective desktop control alternative. This integration gives operators a compact, affordable desktop control surface that complements Utah Scientific’s existing control solutions.

Utah Scientific’s broader partner ecosystem further strengthens a hybrid approach, encompassing companies whose technologies complement Utah Scientific’s routing and master control platforms across IP, SDI, and fiber–based workflows.

Other ecosystem partners include:

• Apantac, offering multiviewers for production monitoring.
• Arista with switches that anchor many large–scale ST 2110 deployments.
• Embrionix, offering ST 2110 processing, JPEG XS capabilities and SFP–based conversion tools supporting IP transition paths.
• Norwia with fiber–transport solutions for broadcasters.
• NETGEAR, offering its M4350 switch family for the foundation of IP infrastructures.

More information is available on the company’s website.

SALT LAKE CITY—Utah Scientific has introduced a new UTAH-400 Series 2 gateway router configuration that addresses the complexities of setting up an IP core workflow.

The configuration is aimed at facilities requiring hybrid SDI-IP functionality as they transition to SMPTE ST 2110. It consists of a UTAH-400 gateway device and a Serial Digital Interface (SDI) backup in one chassis. Available in multiple frame sizes and configurations, ranging from 72 x 72 to 1056 x 1056, the solution has a 10-year hardware warranty, the company said.

One configuration, for example, is a UTAH-400 gateway router equipped with six Utah Scientific PassThrough cards and six standard input and/or output cards in a 72-frame configuration, which offers up to 72 SDI-to-2110 conversions or 72 2110-to-SDI conversions. In this instance, this capability is available a 72 x 72 SDI router, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices, Utah Scientific said.

Whether switching 2110 or SDI, the new configuration operates like a router, making 2110 routing as easy as SDI. It is configured to operate as either a core router in a SMPTE ST 2110/SDI hybrid solution or as a gateway and an edge device in an ST 2110 core. In the ST 2110 core, it serves as a bridge between SDI and 2110, also providing a traditional SDI router as a backup in case of emergencies, the company said.

The configuration ensures the system will continue to function if there is an interruption to the 2110 core, such as the switch control system crashing. The gateway router can work with other vendors’ SDI-to-2110 gateways or on its own, Utah Scientific said.

“We have seen and been involved with multiple 2110/SDI hybrid workflows,” Utah Scientific CEO Brett Benson said. “They all require gateway devices, and they all require some kind of emergency backup, ideally with control independent of the IP fabric. Why not have both in one product that also includes a 10-year hardware warranty?

“Whether a user is planning to keep SDI workflows or move to ‘all IP,’ the gateway router will provide conversion and peace of mind,” Benson continued. “Wherever they are in the transition to 2110, the gateway router fits. Plus, not only will it be there when users launch their 2110 systems, it will still be under warranty when it’s time to upgrade.”

More information is available on the company’s website.

SALT LAKE CITY—Utah Scientific has launched On-Ramp, a rack-mountable device that integrates with routing systems to ease the difficult and expensive process of transferring broadcast and live production operations from SDI signals to IP.

With On-Ramp, broadcasters can adopt a hybrid of IP and SDI signals (12G UHD, 3G HD, and 1.5G) for a gradual transfer to IP, thereby extending the life of their current equipment, curbing future costs, and easing burdens on staff.

“Not only is it important for us to develop new technology, but—due to our unique 10-year warranty—we also need to make sure our technology enhances the products our current customers own. On-Ramp checks all the boxes,” said Brett Benson, Utah Scientific CEO.

On-Ramp is a flexible device in a 1-RU frame with up to five hot-swappable card slots and 16 SFP cages. Configurable for the application, On-Ramp makes it possible to copy and route 12G UHD and 3G HD signals and encapsulate them into SMPTE ST 2110 signals. It can also de-encapsulate IP signals into 12G UHD and 3G HD signals.

On-Ramp’s most important feature is its ability to create an ST 2110 version of video up to 12G UHD and process the signals with precise control, including frame synchronization, audio embedding/de-embedding, and noise reduction. On-Ramp expands on Utah Scientific’s 3G HD PassThrough card to include these features. Users can mix and match cards for encapsulating, de-encapsulating, processing, or a mix of all three.

On-Ramp can be used as a stand-alone device or as an accessory to Utah Scientific’s UDS, Series 2, and especially UHD router lines, enhancing their value. It will also be compatible with the company’s future line of next-generation routers, the company reported.

The company reported that engineers will appreciate using On-Ramp in all sorts of scenarios to encapsulate SDI signals into ST 2110 because of the increased flexibility, scalability, and efficiency that IP-based workflows offer compared to traditional SDI.

For example, broadcasters and content providers with a mix of aging SDI equipment can use On-Ramp to integrate IP capabilities into an existing SDI setup incrementally, starting with 3G modules to encapsulate key SDI feeds into IP streams for online broadcasting. On-Ramp’s distributed routing capabilities create a bridge between SDI and IP domains, simplifying workflows. As needs grow, the stations can easily upgrade to 12G capabilities for UHD IP streams. This phased approach minimizes upfront costs, allows staff to gain IP experience over time, and prepares the station for future broadcasting technologies without a complete infrastructure overhaul.

In addition, production companies specializing in live coverage of extreme sports can produce high-quality multicamera broadcasts using On-Ramp units for flexible, on-the-fly signal conversions. Deployed at strategic points around the venue and in a mobile production truck, On-Ramp enables remote camera contribution via SDI-to-IP gateways, eliminating long cable runs.

In the truck, On-Ramp units configured as IP-to-SDI gateways convert feeds for backhaul to existing switchers, while other modules are configured to receive IP feeds from cloud-based graphics and replay systems. On-Ramp also facilitates multiplatform streaming, flexible signal processing, and distributed routing with redundancy. This setup makes it possible to produce high-quality broadcasts with minimal equipment, streamlined remote contribution, and seamless integration of cloud resources, the company said, adding that these are just a few possible uses of this new device. On-Ramp is now available for preorder.

More information about Utah Scientific and the company’s product line is available at www.utahscientific.com.

SALT LAKE CITY and BEAVERTON, Ore.—Utah Scientific and Apantac have announced a new combined warranty policy and the companies will highlight their technology partnership at the 2024 NAB Show, April 13-17, in Las Vegas. 

Effective immediately, Apantac customers will benefit from an extended five-year warranty when purchasing a multiviewer with a Utah Scientific routing switcher, the companies said.

Apantac and Utah Scientific have worked closely together for several years, and this collaboration brings together the former’s expertise in video processing and multiviewer solutions with the latter’s proficiency in routing switchers and related broadcast infrastructure, they said.

Apantac has integrated Utah Scientific protocols into its multiviewers, which allows them to communicate and interact effectively with Utah Scientific routing switchers. Under-monitor display (UMD) protocols make it possible to display source name information alongside video feeds on the multiviewers' UMDs. The integration enhances operational efficiency and simplifies monitoring and control processes in broadcast and production environments, they said.

Utah Scientific seamlessly incorporates Apantac's multiviewer software into its hardware panels, allowing engineers to build and retain custom viewing presets accessible at the touch of a button. Because of the seamless integration, joint customers get enhanced functionality, more options in their broadcast workflows and more choices for building a scalable visual monitoring system, they said.

Apantac will demonstrate its T# mixed-format, modular multiviewers integrated with Utah Scientific routers in its NAB Show booth. Utah Scientific will showcase the technology integration between its UTAH-400 Series 2 UHD router and the Apantac multiviewer in its booth.

See Apantac at NAB Show booth SU7014.

See Utah Scientific at NAB Show booth SU1027.

More information is available on the Apantac and Utah Scientific websites.

SALT LAKE CITY—Utah Scientific has appointed Mark Playdon as its western regional sales manager with responsibility for oversight of sales and customer management in the Western United States and Canada, the company said today.

Based in Phoenix, Playdon will make regular visits to existing customers and prospects in the region to assess their needs and offer product and system recommendations, it said.

"Mark's engineering roots and industry experience afford him a deep comprehension of television and M&E systems," said company vice president of sales Barry Singer. "His previous tenure managing the Western U.S. broadcast market, as well as the channel, is perfect for this role. A military veteran and a successful entrepreneur, Mark will be an asset to the continued growth here at Utah Scientific."

After serving in the British Royal Air Force, Playdon started his career in 1993 as a systems design and installation engineer for FOR-A. Before joining Utah Scientific, he worked for JVCKenwood as director of broadcast sales for the Western U.S. region, where he managed all direct account sales west of the Mississippi at each broadcast group's executive and station levels.

"I believe wholeheartedly in having direct contact with customers to help them grow their businesses, and I am delighted to do so on behalf of Utah Scientific," said Playdon.

More information is available on the company’s website.

SALT LAKE CITY—Utah Scientific has appointed Bob Pennington as its southeastern and central regional sales manager, the company said this week.

Pennington will oversee sales and customer management in 15 states from central Florida, it said.

"As a former northeastern RSM who performed beyond goals and expectations, Bob's return to Utah Scientific is welcomed by all," said Barry Singer, vice president of sales at Utah Scientific. "Bob's knowledge of the industry, both technical and commercial, is key to his success. His acceptance of the RSM position is excellent timing, considering our year-over-year growth and planned progression."

Pennington is a current AVIXA and SMPTE chapter manager. 

"As always, Utah Scientific has an outstanding reputation for not just its quality of products and services but also its innovative spirit," said Pennington. "To come back at such an opportune time in its history is such a great honor. I'm thrilled to reenter this amazing company as we continue to go beyond our customers' expectations in terms of care and professionalism."

More information is available on the company’s website.

SALT LAKE CITY—Utah Scientific, has promoted Barry Singer to vice president of sales. He previously served as the company’s western regional sales manager. In his new role, Singer will primarily manage and work with the sales team and channel partners.

Utah Scientific President and CEO Brett Benson said, "[Barry’s] extensive experience as a regional sales and channel manager for major manufacturers in the broadcast industry makes him the right person to lead Utah Scientific's outstanding sales team. We're excited to see the results of the new initiatives Barry will bring."

Singer has more than 35 years of experience working with manufacturers such as Ampex, Tektronix, Grass Valley and Ross Video, giving him a solid base for understanding many diverse technologies. He also owned and operated a dealership and systems integration company, providing a well-rounded perspective of the sales channel.

Singer said he was looking forward to continuing the company’s growth “while never losing sight of our customers' requirements and circumstances. Utah Scientific is staged to continue providing rock-solid product and support while delivering on our customers next-generation goals."

SALT LAKE CITY— Dave Burland, president and CEO of Utah Scientific, will step down after three decades with the company, vacating his position as president on Oct. 1 and resigning as the chief executive Jan. 1, 2022, the company said.

Brett Benson, vice president of sales, will assume the roles of Utah Scientific president and CEO.

"Dave is leaving Utah Scientific in great shape," said Benson. "His leadership has guided us through some challenging times in the industry, including through the uncertainty of the pandemic, causing Utah Scientific not only to survive but even to flourish, and the momentum continues in 2021. It's an exciting time to be taking on a new leadership role within the company, and I look forward to working with Dave to make it a seamless transition."

Under Burland's direction, Utah Scientific expanded its global position in video routers, master control switchers and related control software.  

Benson, who joined the Utah Scientific sales team in April 2017, is a 25-year veteran of the broadcast industry. Prior to joining Utah Scientific, Benson worked as both a vendor to the broadcast industry and as a professional broadcaster. His experience includes everything from television station management and regional sales management to chief meteorologist. 

"Brett has consistently demonstrated the ability to grow revenue and profitability for Utah Scientific, and he has been critical in building and nurturing deep ties with our customers,” said Burland.

In retirement, Burland plans to catch up on his reading, spend additional time with his grandkids, play his guitar, and put more miles on his mountain bike.

More information is available on the company's website. 

SALT LAKE CITY—Utah Scientific today announced it has partnered with EVS, which will now offer the company’s video routers with the new EVS MediaInfra Strada routing solution to support broadcast productions operating in a native SDI routing infrastructure.

The MediaInfra Strada solutions are available for pure IP, native SDI and turnkey solutions for mixed environments, EVS said.

“Our partnership with Utah Scientific will greatly strengthen our native SDI offering for those customers who are not ready to invest in an IP-based operation,” said Peter Schut, senior vice president of Media Infrastructure at EVS.

The solution packages Utah Scientific’s Utah-400 Series 2, UHD-12G and UDS routers with EVS’ Cerebrum control and monitoring system.

Cerebrum offers a logical routing control system with dynamic tie-line management and has options such as integrated tally management to help customers streamline their workflows. With the exception of Italy, EVS will resell this SDI solution to its worldwide markets, the company said.

“Our partnership with EVS is a strategic milestone for Utah Scientific and will deliver big advantages to broadcast customers of both companies,” said Brett Benson, vice president of sales at Utah Scientific.

“From the customers’ perspective, live broadcasters still active in the SDI world will be able to benefit from a best-of-breed routing and control solution from two best-of-breed companies. And, from a corporate perspective, the collaboration with EVS means Utah Scientific will be able to expand its reach in the live broadcast arena by working with one of the industry’s best known power players,” he said.

More information is available on the Utah Scientific and EVS websites.

LAS VEGAS—Broadcast Management Group (BMG) has selected Utah Scientific’s Utah-400 Series 2 288x288 routing switcher for signal distribution at its new Las Vegas production center being built from the ground up to enable Remote Integration Model (REMI) production, Utah Scientific announced.

"One of the silver linings of the current pandemic is that it has accelerated several important trends that were already shaping the future of broadcasting, and REMI is no exception," said Todd Mason, BMG founder and CEO. "With so many productions suddenly having to rely on remote workflows and key talent working from home offices, we saw an opportunity to offer a one-of-its-kind, world-class REMI facility that could meet their needs both now and in the post-COVID future."

The facility, which cut over to REMI operations March 8 with the live broadcast of the U.N. Women’s global conference and daily live shows, is using the routing switcher as the core of the facility’s signal routing infrastructure. 

The REMI production facility will take over production of regular game and post-game coverage March 20 for the American Hockey League’s (AHL’s) Henderson Silver Knights presented by Sinclair Broadcast Group’s KVCW-TV, the company said.

The facility’s production control room is rather small. However, BMG has deployed a datacenter approach to REMI, which enables production talent to access content and workflows remotely without having to be on site.

This approach requires a high degree of reliability. Utah Scientific’s no-fee, 10-year hardware warranty, which includes maintenance and support, therefore proved to be a big reason for BMG’s selection of the Utah-400 Series 2, the company said.

"Choosing the right routing system was one of the biggest decisions we faced for the new facility, and we knew we couldn't go wrong with Utah Scientific,” said Mason. “With its expandability and support for every type of signal format, the Utah-400 Series 2 is the future-proof router we need as we continue to grow and migrate to full IP-based operations in the years ahead.”

More information is available on the Utah Scientific website.

SALT LAKE CITY—Utah Scientific and NVerzion have officially announced a partnership that will see the two companies integrate their respective product lines, including automation, video servers, master control switchers and video/audio routers, to facilitate a master control environment.

The duo will offer three special packages that will be called Uinta. These packages merge the companies offerings—automation and video servers for NVerzion, master control and routing for Utah Scientific—to address PEG, low-power and full-power markets. Uinta packages can be integrated into existing infrastructures.

The partnership covers all media markets worldwide. The Uinta packages are now available.

LAS VEGAS—As the U.S. distributor for Axon Digital Design, Utah Scientific will showcase Axon 4K and Ethernet infrastructure solutions at the 2018 NAB Show and demonstrate the integration between Axon, Utah Scientific and other broadcast manufacturers’ products.

Whether for broadband, IP or a hybrid infrastructure, Axon offers the Cerebrum control and monitoring system, which is an advanced, widely adopted system for live mobile, news, studio and remote production, as well as master control. The company will demo Cerebrum’s integration with Utah’s S2022 IP router, which delivers SDI, including UHD and S2022 content, in compliance with the AIMS IP transition roadmap.

Axon’s new SynView Multiviewer handles 4K and IP video formats for a wide range of applications and small to extremely large monitoring walls. Capable of supporting any video transport mechanism the industry adopts, SynView offers two models in SDI I/O or Ethernet I/O versions. These versions can be mixed and matched to build a hybrid multiviewer with up to hundreds of inputs and eight 1080p heads (on SDI) or two heads with UHD resolution. It can scale, position, de-embed, overlay and process eight video channels.

The SynView multiviewer, IP bridge and Cerebrum control and monitoring solution will also be featured in the AIMS IP interoperability demonstration, booth C12634. Arista Networks will also demonstrate Axon’s IP signal processing, multiviewer and control and monitoring solutions at booth SL12105.

The 2018 NAB Show takes place in Las Vegas, April 9-12. Utah Scientific will be in booth SL6324. For more information, visit www.nabshow.com.

Read up on all of TVT's NAB Show Sneak Peeks and other 2018 NAB Show news here.

SALT LAKE CITY—Utah Scientific looked within to find its new Vice President, North American sales, announcing the promotion of Troy Davis, the company’s sales manager for the Western region. Davis will continue to manage the Western region in addition to his new responsibilities overseeing the entire Utah Scientific sales operation in North America.

Davis has been with Utah Scientific in 2003, managing sales territories across North America, including the nine-state Western region. In that role, he was responsible for direct and dealer/reseller sales to call-letter broadcasters, as well as educational, telephony, corporate and government customers.

Previous jobs for Davis included time as a regional sales manager at Vela Broadcast and an earlier stint with Utah Scientific/Dynatech Video Group.

LOS ANGELES—Utah Scientific is showing its IP/SDI hybrid solutions including multiviewing and new integrated playout offerings. Utah Scientific’s new UTAH-400 Series 3 platform is a suitable choice for high-density SDI coupled with the ability to create high- density IP signals from the same central frame. The 400 Series 3 can handle any number of IP and SDI professional video signal formats along with a number of audio and data formats.

The company’s UTAH-400 Series 2 configured with IP gateway input and output cards provides dual 10GigE SFP ports for uncompressed, baseband video using SMPTE 2022-5 or 2022-6, supporting the ongoing transition from SDI to IP. A third SFP provides a switched SDI version of the 2022 streams, simplifying the monitoring of IP streams. The input card accepts one or two encapsulated streams, automatically detecting the format and decoding up to 12 SDI video streams. Once decoded, these signals are available for use in the video matrix. The output card accepts up to 12 separate SDI streams and multiplexes them into two 10 GigE IP streams that are ready for transport over a standard 10GigE network.

NEW YORK—Utah Scientific will demonstrate its new 400 Series hybrid digital router, a flexible platform designed to accommodate next-generation IP signals along with high-density SDI. All within a common frame, the company says the 400 Series can handle any number of IP and SDI signal formats along with audio and data. The new SMPTE ST 2110 and SMPTE ST 2022-6/7 IP formats are supported, together with 3G-SDI, analog, HD, SD, and audio signals including analog, digital AES3, MADI, TDM, and AES67. The router also handles major digital and analog audio formats, and features advanced signal processing for embedding and de-embedding.

Also to be featured is the UHD-12G digital routing switcher, an enterprise-class router to enable distribution of a range of SDI video signals, from SD data rates up to 2160p60 in a single-link interconnect. Suitable for live acquisition of UHDTV content, the UHD-12G simplifies installations and reduces the rack space and cables needed to process 4K signals. The UHD-12G is able to receive, route and distribute SDI signals up to the latest 4K/60 standards on a single cable. The router is compliant with SMPTE ST 2081 and ST 2082 standards for SDI video and compatible with the full line of Utah Scientific products. 

Utah Scientific will exhibit at booth N758.

SALT LAKE CITY—Utah Scientific is spreading out on the floor at this year’s IBC show, taking part in the IP Showcase and having a presence in partner Axon’s booth.

400 Series 3

The IP Showcase brings together the AES, AIMS, AMWA, EBU, IAMB, MNA, SMPTE and VSF standards to allow visitors to learn about IP use for real-time media. Utah Scientific will use the space to show the latest development of its 400 Series 3 hybrid router, as well as work with 40 other vendors to demonstrate real-world IP interoperability.

At Axon’s booth, Utah Scientific will continue to feature its 400 Series 3 hybrid router and also highlight its UHD-12G digital routing switcher. The company will use the products in three demos: IP hybrid, Axon Cerebrum control and 4K UHD. The demonstrations will include a new frame controller card enabling integration of the 400 Series 3 with Axon’s Cerebrum control and conversion cards for SMPTE ST 2110 and SMPTE 2022-6/7. Utah Scientific is also planning on previewing its prototype transceiver cards for both the 400 Series 2 and 400 Series 3.

IBC 2017 runs from Sept. 15-19. Utah Scientific will be located in Axon’s booth, 10.A21.

SALT LAKE CITY—As Maryland Public Television has begun its transition to IP operations with a facility upgrade, one of the products it chose to help make up its new infrastructure is the Utah Scientific UTAH-400 Series 2 hybrid router.

The UTAH-400 system replaces the broadcaster’s two legacy routers that it utilized. With the UTAH-400, Maryland Public Television can continue to operate in its existing SDI environments while gradually transitioning to IP operations. The router is also expected to assist with a future transition to 4K and possibly 8K resolution.

Digital Video Group handled the design and integration of the new router. 

Maryland Public Television is a PBS affiliate that serves Maryland, D.C., and parts of Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

SALT LAKE CITY—A new partnership between Utah Scientific and Arista Networks will strive toward the development of next-generation technology with a focus toward IP-based operations.

Key to these developments will be the integration of Utah Scientific’s hybrid router technology and Arista Network’s switching platform.

“Arista’s Extended Operating System, media and entertainment-specific APIs, and other features, along with our 30-year track record perfecting SDI routers, make a formidable team to prove the hybrid SDI-IP model completely and develop comprehensive router-switcher solutions,” said Scott Barella, chief technology officer for Utah Scientific.

SALT LAKE CITY—City Channel Pittsburgh, a government-access TV channel, is in the process of upgrading its master control facility and has gone with Utah Scientific for some of its new gear. Specifically, City Channel Pittsburgh has acquired the UTAH-100 UDS router to serve as the station’s main studio router.

According to the station manager, David Finer, the UTAH-100 can handle five times the programming output of the station’s previous facility. RPC Video recommended and helped implement the Utah Scientific system for City Channel Pittsburgh, with its sales manager, Steve Obenreder, claiming that the system offers “advanced capabilities and scalability necessary to support City Channel Pittsburgh well into the future.”

Utah Scientific is a provider of routing switchers, master control switchers and related control software.

George Wicker

SALT LAKE CITY—The duo of George Wicker and Brett Benson will now serve as the U.S. Southeast regional sales managers for Utah Scientific, per the company’s press release. Wicker and Benson will be responsible for leading all direct sales activities and partner relationships throughout the region that covers Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Florida.

Wicker returns to Utah Scientific after previously serving as the company’s Southeast regional sales manager in the 1990s. Since leaving Utah Scientific he has worked for ACS Solutions, ADC, Harris Broadcast and U.S. JVC Corp. He is also a member of the board of managers for the SMPTE Southern Region.

Brett Benson

Benson joins the Utah Scientific team after most recently serving as the chief meteorologist for KTSU Fox 13 in Salt Lake City. He has previous sales experience as a Southeast regional sales manager for Weather Central in Madison, Wisc. He has also served as general manager and chief engineer for Park City Television.

Wicker and Benson will report to Tom Harmon, Utah Scientific’s president and CEO.

AMSTERDAM—Utah Scientific will be demoing its IP Gateway Card prototype, which contains its new core IP engine, at IBC 2016 in Amsterdam. Known as the UTAH-400 IP Gateway, the prototype provides two-way conversion of SDI video signals and VSF TR-03, which complies with the AIMS roadmap for transiting to IP operations.

UHD-12G

Utah Scientific will also be showing off its newest routing switchers, the UHD-12G 4K Digital Routing Switcher and the Foundation Series Routing Switcher.

The UHD-12G 4K switcher is meant for live acquisition of UHDTV content and can distribute 4K SDI video signals, from SD data rates up to 12G, in a single-link interconnect. The new Foundation Series Routing Switcher is a hybrid digital routing system ideal for broadcast, mobile, corporate, and postproduction applications and can handle all digital signal formats.

To see the demontration of Utah Scientific’s IP Gateway Card prototype as well as the UHD-12G 4K Digital Routing Switcher and Foundation Series Routing Switcher, visit booth10.A21. The IBC Show takes place at the RAI in Amsterdam, Sept. 8-13. 

SALT LAKE CITY—KSPS-TV, the PBS affiliate in Spokane, Wash., is looking to bring new levels of flexibility, modularity and signal processing power with the addition of Utah Scientific’s Utah-400 Series 2 router.

The Utah-400 is expected to be at the center of the operation for KSPS-TV, which includes three broadcast channels, six educational channels and provides master control operations for two other stations. The router features a 144x144 frame configured for 96 inputs and 72 outputs, and comes with Utah Scientific’s SoftPanel-2 software and UCP-Series panels providing router control. KSPS-TV expects the router to be fully operational by September.

Utah Scientific is a provider of routing switchers, master control switchers and related control software.

LOUISVILLE, KY.—For 28 years, “Thunder Over Louisville” has marked the opening of Kentucky Derby season, delighting Louisville citizens with an air show and nightfall pyrotechnics. As the local Fox affiliate, WDRB-TV has provided the live broadcast of “Thunder” for three past years, including the first all HD broadcast in 2007.

For our 2016 “Thunder Over Louisville” coverage, we decided to up the ante. With F&F Productions, we expanded our HD coverage from 12 cameras to 22. These included a gimbal-mounted camera on a drone, a roving/non-tethered HD camera, and a camera shot from atop the Humana Corporation skyscraper in downtown Louisville. We also deployed LiveU cellular bonding transmitters at two local airports for live footage from GoPro cameras mounted in the aircraft participating in the air show.

A production on this scale presented numerous challenges, which we overcame with signal routing gear from Utah Scientific.

Fiber from the entire “Thunder Over Louisville” production was streamed through Utah Scientific routers.FITTING OUR NEEDS
Utah Scientific designs solutions that reflect clients’ exact requirements, so we knew they would come back with a plan to meet our needs. The result: a bidirectional fiber unit based on Utah Scientific gear that established a fiber link between the WDRB production truck and the WDRB studio about three miles away.

Over one single-mode fiber, we gave the onsite production team extra show elements, like weather graphics, traffic updates, and the airport feeds. Over the same bidirectional link, the truck sent program feed to the studio for delivery to air. The link also provided an Ethernet connection to the truck for access to any content on the WDRB network.

Still, we achieved pristine HD signal quality with the UTAH-100/XFD. With fiber the longer the fiber run, the more signal attenuation and signal degradation you can expect. But even with a 10db pad on the output of the UTAH-100/XFD system, we still had a solid signal at the studio and plenty of headroom, even after going through a 10-mile run.

FROM THE TOP DOWN
With such a complex production, we relied heavily on Utah Scientific systems. The stream of the entire show traveled through Utah Scientific equipment, beginning with the UTAH-100/XFD that transmitted the main feed to our UTAH-400 Series 2 router in the studio. After receiving the feed, the UTAH-400 Series 2 routed it to a Utah Scientific MC-4000 digital master control processor for playout to air.

We know we can count on Utah Scientific to provide equipment with bulletproof reliability for even the most complex productions, and fantastic customer service in the rare event that problems do arise.

Gary Schroder is chief engineer for WDRB-TV FOX41 in Louisville. He can be contacted atgschroder@wdrb.com.

For more information, please visitwww.utahscientific.comor call 800-453-8782.

SALT LAKE CITY—Omega Broadcast Group is providing a 4K-capable mobile broadcasting vehicle to the Austin, Texas market, complete with a UHD-12G digital routing switcher from Utah Scientific. The new truck will be used for local events like Austin City Limits and South by Southwest music festivals, and the Formula One Grand Prix, Austin.

The UHD-12G is an enterprise-class router that enables distribution of a full range of 4K SDI video signals, including data rates from SD up to 12G, in a single-link interconnect, per to Utah Scientific. It is configured as a 144x144 chassis in Omega’s truck and will be used to route quad-link 4K signals with an expansion path for switching single-link 12-Gbps 4K signals in the future.

Utah Scientific is a provider of routing switchers, master control switchers and related control software.

SALT LAKE CITY—Routing switchers and control software provider Utah Scientific has announced that Scott Barella has been appointed as its new chief technology officer. Barella will work with the company’s engineering team and manage product development, as well as handle involvement with the Alliance for IP Media Solutions.

Scott Barella

Barella joins Utah Scientific after working as the CTO for 5280 Broadcast Inc. He also previously served as the vice president of technology at Larcan Inc., vice president of engineering at Burt Communications, and as chief engineer at different TV stations and AT&T Broadband (now Comcast).

Based in Centennial, Colo., Barella will report to Utah Scientific’s President and CEO, Tom Harmon.

LAS VEGAS—Utah Scientific will launch the Foundation Series, the latest offering in its advanced hybrid digital routing line at the 2016 NAB Show. Leveraging technology in the company’s Utah-400 Series 2 routers, the Foundation Series provides double the outputs for signal routing to monitoring devices, like multiviewers, which display multiple images on a single screen.

Foundation Series routers include newly designed output cards that use the same physical footprint as Series 2 routers, while providing twice the outputs. These outputs can be connected directly to multiviewers and other monitoring devices that are installed locally with the router. The outputs can also be repurposed as standard outputs to drive up to 100 meters of standard cable runs.

Users can deploy the routers in a rectangular configuration, rather than the traditional square design, and outputs can be added while still maintaining full cross-point redundancy. Outputs can also be loaded with the Series 2’s advanced feature cards, including IP gateways, embedders, de-embedders, frame synchronizers, advanced audio features, and clean, quiet outputs.

The 2016 NAB Show takes place in Las Vegas, April 18-21. Utah Scientific will be in booth N4524. For more information, visit www.nabshow.com.

SALT LAKE CITY—A new family of input and output cards are now available for users, as Utah Scientific has announced the release of its Utah-400 IP Gateway line. The company says the cards provide two-way conversion of SDI video signals and SMPTE-2022 signals over a 10G Ethernet connection.

The Utah-400 cards are controlled by Utah Scientific’s Ucontrol software layer to allow the addition of IP devices, 12 signals at a time, to an existing SDI switching infrastructure. According to Utah Scientific, this enables legacy SDI video devices to be utilized like native IP.

The new gateway cards are designed to be used with all Utah-400 Series 2 enterprise routers or with a stand-alone 2RU utility chassis.

Utah Scientific is now shipping the Utah-400 IP Gateway cards.

SALT LAKE CITY & WATERLOO, ONTARIO—The Alliance for IP Media Solutions has added two more members, Canadian-based Dejero and Utah Scientific from Salt Lake City.

AIMS is an organization whose goal is to bring IP technologies to the market that feature open standards, interoperability, and integration across media workflow environments. AIMS says it endorses an IP transition plan that supports SMPTE 2022-6, AES67, and VSF recommendations TR-03 and TR-04. It’s focus is on promoting the adoption, standardization, development and refinement of open protocols for media over IP.

Dejero is a provider of cloud-managed systems for the transport of live video across IP networks. Utah Scientific develops routing switchers, master control switchers and related control software.

The two companies join previously announced AIMS members, including AJA, CBS, Cobalt Digital, EVS, Grass Valley, Harmonic, Imagine Communications, Lawo, Panasonic, SAM, TVU Networks and more.

SALT LAKE CITY—Utah Scientific has unveiled its new digital routing switcher, the UHD-12G. This enterprise-class router allows distribution of a range of SDI video signals, from SD rates up to 2160p60 data rates, in a single-link interconnect, according to Utah Scientific. The company designed the system for live acquisition of UHDTV content by reducing rack space and cables needed for processing 4K signals.

The UHD-12G is compliant with SMPTE ST 2081 and ST 2802 standards for SDI video. The company also says it is compatible with all Utah Scientific products. The product can be controlled by any version of Utah Scientific’s current routing control systems, including the SC-4, SC-40 and SC-400.

Utah Scientific is now shipping the UHD-12G in 32x32, 144x144 and 288x288 frame configurations.

SALT LAKE CITY—Harry Davis has been appointed to the position of Southeast regional sales manager for the U.S. by Utah Scientific. Davis takes over the position from Troy Davis (no relation), who will now take over the Northwest region.

Davis joins Utah Scientific after most recently serving as a regional sales manager role with Elemental Technologies. He also has previous senior sales manager experience with Harmonic and Omneon.

Harry Davis is based in Tampa, Fla. Troy Davis is based in Salt Lake City. Both will report directly to Tom Harmon, president and CEO of Utah Scientific.