IBC 2005: Link Research to Launch HD Wireless System

Link Research will show its first digital wireless camera system for HD television, LinkHD, at IBC in Vienna, Austria, July 17-23. The company has added a new HD receiver to the prototype transmitter displayed at NAB in April and is accepting orders for its complete HD wireless camera system, with deliveries geared for the first quarter of 2006.

LinkHD is an end-to-end HD system designed to maintain full detail and resolution of HD video throughout transmission by using the company's own MPEG compression and modulation techniques. Link Research said the system provides low transmission delay, a low-power requirement, and a robust diversity signal. It expects LinkHD to equal the robust RF performance of its LinkXP SD system that Link launched at IBC three years ago.

Like the LinkXP system, LinkHD's performance and low delay could mean it will be suitable for use alongside non-wireless HD cameras in live broadcast productions. The LinkHD has bit rate between 18-50 MB and will operate in HQ mode or rugged mode with bandwidth of 20 MHz or 10 MHz. The frequency range is 1.95-2.7 GHz, or 3.4 - 3.6 GHz. The new system supports all HD formats: 1080i 59.94Hz, 1080i 60Hz, 1080i 50Hz, 720p 59.94Hz, 720p 60Hz and 720p 50Hz.

Link Research, headquartered in Watford, England, has opened a U.S. office in Los Angeles, and is now part of the Vislink PLC Group. Current customers include ABC, NBC, CBS, BBC, BT, ITN, Sky and NTL.