AXON committed to innovation at IBC '08August 18th, 2008

AXON, a leader in analog/digital audio and video signal processing systems, will launch a host of new technologies at IBC 2008 (Booth#10 A.21 & B.21) that expand its product portfolio, and underline the company’s commitment to innovation. Highlights include new 3Gb/s-enabled modular products and video routers, the company’s third generation compliance recording system and a multi-channel master control switching system. AXON is exhibiting at IBC’08 with its global business partner NVision.

Synapse 3Gb/s products:

AXON will showcase its 3Gb/s-capable modular multi-viewer (GQW200), as well as four new frame syncs – all developed in line with the industry move towards 3Gb/s.

“In less than a year we have added no fewer than 12 3Gb/s-capable products to range, and are launching two more at IBC,” said Peter Schut, AXON’s CTO. “Our customers want 3Gb/s-ready products, although some do not have immediate need for 3Gb/s capability. We therefore supply these modules as HD/SD-functional only and, when the need for 3Gb/s arises, they need only purchase firmware to upgrade.”

The new 3G/s-capable frame synchronizers (GFS100/GFS110) have back-up inputs, 16-channel audio transparency and color correcting capabilities. The GFS110 adds a full audio shuffler and audio proc-amp with gain and phase control. Both are available as HD/SD-versions (HFS100/HFS110), and both can be upgraded to 3Gb/s.

AXON is also introducing three other modules and a 2RU frame for its Synapse modular broadcast system. Brand new is a dual channel HD up-converter (2HU10), which is also available with a full audio shuffler (2HU11). The new analog-to-digital A/V converter, with composite or component input capability (ASM08), is the counterpart of the Synapse SAM08. The new 2RU frame (SFR08) adds to the

Synapse range of 19”-rack units. It can house eight modules, has two individual reference inputs, a front removable fan tray, and offers redundant power supplies. 

Cortex set-up, monitoring & control:

Cortex, the new set-up, monitoring & control software, provides comprehensive configuration, monitoring and maintenance tools for Synapse. This Windows based application includes a range of features enabling users to remotely…

• configure a complex system quickly
• view, record and archive system events and report them via a hierarchical system status
• control devices using an intuitive graphical interface
• maintain the system over its lifetime.

Routers & Master Control products

New to AXON’s router product line are a large-matrix format router (NV8576), and a multi-channel master control switching system (NV5100MC). The NV8576 is the next generation of large-matrix, multi-format routers with increased system features and twice the density – two frames now replace what has traditionally required four.

The foundation of these routers is AXON’s newly-advanced Router Technology Platform, which includes N-on-1 redundant cross points; linear expansion for high-speed serial video routers; and error-free operation for 1.5 and 3.0 Gb/s digital data.

“Linear expandability offers a high level of scalability and reliability,” said Harry Kanters, AXON’s director of marketing and sales. “Customers can extend the router’s capabilities in the field without the use of splitters or combiners. It also enables users to manage up to 1152x1152 signals using a non- blocking architecture that provides a router access to any source from any destination in the facility.”

The NV5100MC’s modularity allows broadcasters to tailor a powerful master control system to fit their current needs and budget, and then to cost-effectively add functionality as required. Key advantages of NV5100MC Series include increased

audio and video processing capability; field programmable processing for SD/HD; a choice of four easy-to-use control surfaces; and full-video preview including effects. 

TRACS – 3rd generation recording and compliance system

AXON has distilled its 25-year experience in broadcasting technology, plus a further six years of specific disk-recording development, into the 3^rd generation release of its compliance recording system. This has resulted in completely new system hardware and software offering greatly improved features and performance.

The new TRACS is built on custom-developed 1RU frames, which now include redundant power supplies and three RAID 5-configured, front-removable hard disks. The newly designed front panel has a display that is controlled using a rotary dial. The display shows system-alerts, and users can adjust system-settings via the rotary dial. The U/I is completely redesigned as well; it is more powerful and is still free-of-charge.

To make compliance recording even more efficient and compact for large companies, AXON is launching an eight-input encoder. This 1RU unit has eight SDI inputs and no local storage. It encodes all inputs to MPEG2 or MPEG4 and stores material, via FTP, on third-party servers.