Thomson Grass Valley Broadens Modular/Interface Offering With Kameleon Media Processing System, Gecko 8900 Product Lines
(International Broadcasting Convention 2002 – Booth 8.151) Amsterdam, 12 September 2002 – Offering the flexibility necessary to manage the growing number and an increasingly complex range of signal-processing challenges in broadcast facilities, Thomson Grass Valley today debuted its Kameleon Media Processing System and Gecko 8900 modular/interface product lines. Working together or separately, the signal-processing systems enable broadcasters and video professionals to simultaneously realize workflow efficiencies, cost savings, and increased return on their equipment investments.
Untangling the knot of integrated modular devices often found in large cable installations, satellite facilities, and network hubs, the Kameleon Media Processing System integrates discrete video, audio, and data functions in a single, programmable module. Kameleon system functions include frame synchronization, audio synchronization, multiplexing, and de-multiplexing plus multiple additional capabilities. Users can use these functions discretely or in any combination, reducing significantly the rack space, time, and operational costs required to process complex video and audio signals in multi-format digital facilities. In fact, the Kameleon system offers one of the highest device packing densities available to greatly reduce the amount of rack space required.
Complementing the Kameleon system is the Gecko™ 8900 Signal Processing System, which offers a comprehensive range of discrete products for signal conversion, distribution, multiplexing, de-multiplexing, encoding, delay compensation, and synchronization. Users can deploy Gecko 8900 products discretely, or in the same frame with Kameleon multimedia modules to create a custom signal-processing system that fits their needs precisely.
"At a time when capital budgets are being spent very selectively, our Kameleon and Gecko 8900 systems enable broadcasters and video production professionals to cost-effectively manage the increasingly complex signal-processing demands of their business models," said Marc Valentin, vice president of the Thomson Grass Valley business. "Whether it's a satellite broadcaster adding 50 new channels or a production company trying to keep up with the explosion in DVD audio processing requirements, these systems are foundational components that provide the flexibility our customers are demanding."
Kameleon System Combines Best of Modular, Monolithic Approaches
The Kameleon system leverages the best of modular and monolithic box approaches. Like modular products, it is flexible and robust. Like monolithic solutions, it minimizes system cost by eliminating the need for multiple input and output circuits when numerous processes (and modules) are required. Best of all, the Kameleon system enables users to cost-effectively configure a system with the specific features necessary for their single- or multi-channel broadcast infrastructure.
In a departure from traditional modular system architectures, the Kameleon system also leverages a networked, field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based design that lends itself to easy updating in the field, extending an organization's signal-management investments further.
The Kameleon system is available in two basic configurations: one that supports digital video with either analog or digital audio signals exclusively and another that supports both component digital and composite analog video signals. Kameleon system functions include frame synchronization, audio synchronization, multiplexing, and de-multiplexing as well as superb audio processing capabilities. Users can choose between a 1 RU frame that holds four cards, each supporting one channel of video and up to eight audio channels; and a 3 RU system that supports 12 cards, each supporting one channel of video and up to eight channels of audio. Each system includes an 8x8 audio router with independent delay and processing for every channel.
Gecko 8900 System Offers Comprehensive Discrete Signal Processing Modules
The Gecko 8900 Signal Processing System offers a broad array of the conversion, distribution, timing, and processing functions necessary to support a wide variety of signal-processing applications.
The Gecko 8900 system supports a broad range of discrete signal-processing modules—including the entire Thomson Grass Valley 8900 Series line. These modules include A-to-D and D-to-A converters, decoders, encoders, distribution amplifiers, frame synchronizers, multiplexers, and de-multiplexers. The Gecko 8900 system is also well suited for a variety of other applications including monitoring, signal distribution, signal timing, and digital processing, as well as aspect-ratio conversion, level adjustment, and noise reduction.
The Gecko 8900 system has two available frames: one optimized for video and unbalanced audio applications; and one optimized for balanced audio and mixed audio/video applications. The frames contain common internal elements and offer frame-specific rear connector sets, eliminating the need for, and cost of, configurable rear connector panels.
To help maximize uptime, Gecko 8900 frames feature unsurpassed power isolation and redundancy for reliable hot swapping, front-to-back forced-air cooling, a LAN interface for pro-active configuration, and automatic status monitoring using the industry-standard Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).
Both the Kameleon and Gecko 8900 systems support the Thomson Grass Valley NetCentral™ software for local and remote monitoring. Using the industry-standard Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) protocol, the NetCentral application proactively monitors the status of system components and can warn users via e-mail, pager, cell phone, or system interface should that status change.
b>About Thomson
With sales of 10.5 billion Euros (U.S. $ 9.3 billion) in 2001 and 73,000 employees in more than 30 countries, Thomson (Euronext: 18453) (NYSE: TMS), provides a wide range of video (and enabling) technologies, systems, finished products and services to consumers and professionals in the entertainment and media industries. To advance and enable the digital media transition, Thomson has five principal activities: Digital Media Solutions, Displays and Components, Consumer Products, Patents and Licensing and New Media Services. The company distributes its products and services under the THOMSON, RCA and TECHNICOLOR brand names. For more information: www.thomson-multimedia.com.
A business within Thomson Digital Media Solutions, Thomson Grass Valley delivers open, integrated digital products that work together along the entire digital video chain to support a variety of workflows, from content capture and acquisition through production, post production, and transmission. With a proven track record in broadcast, including 17 Emmy® and multiple industry awards, it offers an award-winning, robust product portfolio that touches more high-quality content than any other; product and systems expertise that has yielded hundreds of patents and a number of industry standards; and worldwide software engineering expertise and customer support teams that are second to none.
For information about Thomson Grass Valley products please visit www.thomsongrassvalley.com.
Grass Valley Group, 400 Providence Mine Road, Nevada City, CA 95959. Tel: 888-526-8554 ; Fax: 503-627-5224.