JP Delport

DTC Broadcast has announced a formal and extensive North American partnership with U.S. based Wave Central, a major provider of wireless broadcast camera and transmission technologies. High-end Radio Frequency (RF) solutions  Wave Central specialises in providing high-end RF solutions for major sports venues across North America. The partnership is structured in a way that gives Wave Central full access to the DTC product portfolio. DTC’s OEM technology will continue to be used within Wave Central’s product portfolio, providing the North American market with regional sales and support, reinforced by Wave Central’s vast RF expertise. Wave Central’s General Manager Tom Doyle, said, “The benefits of being able to quickly sell, service and support these powerful, well-proven technologies across North America will be huge for fans of Wave Central and DTC’s professional wireless products.” DTC transmitters Wave Central now has a major hand in augmenting and extending our technology roadmap" Existing DTC transmitters and other broadcast technologies will gradually be re-branded in North America to reflect the new association with Wave Central. The first official public showcase for the partnership and products is at NAB 2019 in Booths C6934 and C1108. DTC Vice President, Broadcast Sales, JP Delport said, “This partnership with Wave Central is not only one of selling product, but also providing world class customer support. Wave Central now has a major hand in augmenting and extending our technology roadmap with more tailored solutions to suit the various markets that exist within North America. The partnership is a major milestone in the ongoing growth and success of DTC Broadcast worldwide.” Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology Wave Central Executive Vice President, Anthony Sangiovanni, concurs, “North American customers demand cutting-edge technology, require custom solutions and expect good value for their investment. This new partnership with DTC Broadcast will deliver on these demands and so much more. By combining both our companies’ strengths, we can better serve North American broadcasters with world class technology and the after-sales service they deserve.”

Domo Tactical Communications's broadcast subdivision is now called ‘DTC Domo Broadcast’ The company formerly known as Cobham Tactical Communications and Surveillance recently announced that it has formally adopted ‘Domo Tactical Communications’ (DTC) as its new company name. Its broadcast subdivision is now called ‘DTC Domo Broadcast’. The change follows an announcement on 15 January 2016 by former parent company Cobham Plc that it had sold Cobham Tactical Communications and Surveillance (TCS) to Marlin Equity Partners, a leading private equity firm based in Los Angeles, California. The sale was part of Cobham Plc’s strategy to divest “non-core” entities, several of which have been sold by Cobham over the past year. Operate independently under Marlin ownership Upon the January announcement, four Cobham TCS organisations, one of which was broadcast sales, became a unified business under Marlin ownership. DTC Domo Broadcast Sales Director JP Delport said, “This is an exciting opportunity that will significantly enhance our products and services. We operate independently under Marlin ownership and are well-positioned for internal and external growth. Our customers remain our highest priority and all existing support and communication channels not only remain intact, but will be significantly enhanced under own new ownership.”   For the first time in North America, and the first under its new name, DTC Domo Broadcast will introduce the feature-packed SOLO7-OBTx camera-back transmitter and a range of other exciting new products at NAB 2016 on Booth C8739.

Also new to NAB is SOLO8 SDR dual input HDSDI, COFDM, & IP mesh transmitter that includes integral video analytics, recording, & streaming Domo Tactical Communications (formally Cobham TCS) will introduce the SOLO7-OBTx camera-back transmitter to the North American market at NAB 2016. Domo’s SOLO7-OBTx is a feature packed camera-back transmitter that includes 1080p60 and 4:2:2 compression; integrated camera control; swappable RF modules; and H.264/MPEG-4 video encoding. The SOLO7-OBTx offers superior latency ranging from 1s to an ultra-low 10ms along with ultra-low power consumption for extended field performance.   SOLO8 - new-gen wireless broadcast products from DTC Also new to NAB is the SOLO8 SDR (software-defined radio) a dual input HDSDI, COFDM, and IP mesh transmitter that includes integral video analytics, recording, and IP streaming. It can be implemented via PC software or embedded system. SOLO8 represents the first of a powerful new generation of wireless broadcast products emerging from Domo.   Domo’s SOLO7 1W Nano Power Amplifier, an ultra-miniature digital video TX power amplifier with proven COFDM technology at its core, will also feature at NAB. Its remarkably small size and low power consumption (typically 3W at 0.5W TX Power) makes it ideal for broadcast deployments that require long-term, battery powered performance. Completing Domo’s NAB product portfolio is the PRORXD - 2RU Professional Receiver/Dual Decoder. The PRORXD - 2RU is feature-rich COFDM receiver/decoder that includes receive and HD decoding capability in a single enclosure. Designed specifically for the broadcast market, it is packed with features that include DVB-T and UMVL demodulation; 2, 4, 6 or 8 RF inputs with 9/12DC switchable down converter power; plus fully compliant MPEG2 and H.264 SD/HD decoding. Domo’s Broadcast Sales Director JP Delport said, “This showcase represents the most powerful NAB offering we’ve had to date. We’re very excited about the prospects for our new product line-up for Domo, with the SOLO7-OBTx leading the way.”

Cobham Solo7 transmitters were deployed for Group E match between FC Barcelona and FC Bates at Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona Cobham Tactical Communications and Surveillance, the RF specialist company, has announced the on-pitch deployment of its Solo7 Nano TX transmitters for coverage of the 2015-16 UEFA Champions League. The Solo7 transmitters were deployed for the Group E match between FC Barcelona and FC Bates on 4 November at Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona.   The Cobham Solo7 Nano TX transm+itters were attached to the Grass Valley LDK 8000 Elite camera with OCP 400 camera control panels; Videosys CCCAM-403473 UHF camera control receivers; and Steadicam stabilisation system - all supplied by Sobatech Group SL, a Spanish production company. Sobatech provided the systems to Mediamovil, which is part of leading technical services supplier, content producer, and post-production services provider, Mediapro Group. Mediapro holds exclusive rights in Europe to 112 Champions League matches. Sobatech Managing Director Xavier Soler Urra said, “It can be challenging to maintain a reliable, uninterrupted wireless signal in a stadium environment, which is typically full of potential RF interference. The Solo7 Nano TX is immune to such interference, and its range enabled the camera operators to roam freely while retaining excellent HD image quality.” The transmission package also included Cobham’s PRORXD receiver platform with its 1080p60 4:2:2 10-bit decoding capabilities. The PRORXD is fully compatible with all leading encoders and can decode separate HD signals, including MPEG2 HD, which makes it a dual COFDM and IP receiver/decoder. Its bit rate encoding capacity is automatically adjusted to compensate for various rates of contention on IP networks. Cobham’s Broadcast Sales Director JP Delport said, “The Solo7 Nano TX and PRORXD package has once again proven itself to be the go-to transmit/receive package for high-end, live sports production.”

Cobham’s 2RU PRORXB wireless receiver platform is a feature-rich COFDM receiver/decoder Cobham Tactical Communications and Surveillance, the RF specialist company, has announced the use of ten simultaneous RF video links comprising of SOLO H.264 ENG Transmitters, SOLO BTX SD Broadcast Transmitters, and PRORXB receive stations, for the upcoming seventh series of American Ninja Warrior, an action-packed series that follows competitors as they tackle a series of challenging obstacle courses, in an attempt to reach qualifying and finals rounds that take place across the United States. Monitoring obstacle courses: Cobham’s SOLO H.264 ENG Transmitter, provided by Clair Broadcast, which caters to video and audio productions across the globe, with technology and services for broadcast television, is rugged, and for American Ninja Warriors, it needs to be. The SD/HD COFDM digital video transmitter is specifically designed for ENG applications and is equally at home at live events such as concerts, sports and entertainment productions. This SOLO transmitter docks neatly onto all types of ENG cameras, including the Sony XD’s being used for American Ninja Warrior. Roaming camera operators with hand-held, Solo-equipped cameras closely follow each contestant as they manoeuvre through challenging obstacle courses. The transmitters are also used for on-the-fly interviews produced remotely from the MCR. Clair Broadcast Vice President of Sales and Service, Erica Bell said, “The SOLO H.264 provides not only good reference monitoring, but a rock-solid, high quality signal to record off of due to its superior encoder processing.” Benefits: The increased compression and efficiency of the SOLO HD transmitter’s MPEG4 H.264 encoder offers additional range with the added benefits of small size, low latency and low power consumption. HD transmission is achieved at only 60 percent of the bit-rate that conventional MPEG2 systems require. The unit is also able to transmit images in a non-line of sight environment up to 1km and can achieve even further range with an optional clip-on booster. “The SOLO H.264 provides not only good reference monitoring, but a rock-solid, high quality signal to record off of due to its superior encoder processing.” These SOLO’s transmit images to a Cobham PRORXB receive station in the master control room, for director to treat as a live show. Video transmissions received by the PRORXB are sent to the engineering core for ISO record and line cut. The production team is also using Cobham technology to transmit four channels of wireless paint systems for video control. Ideal for broadcast market: Cobham’s 2RU PRORXB wireless receiver platform is a feature-rich COFDM receiver/decoder, designed to work with the next generation of H.264 wireless camera systems. Designed specifically for the demanding broadcast market, the PRORXB ensures that video is recovered free from the distortions typically associated with fading and multipath interference. Cobham Head of Broadcast Sales, JP Delport said, “Smaller, lighter and extremely robust wireless transmission systems are having a major impact on live or as-live events. The freedom that SOLO provides to American Ninja Warrior producers is highly valuable because it gives camera operators the ability to follow the action as closely as possible and maintain an HD signal without dropping a frame, which in turn provides compelling new options for directors.” The new season of American Ninja Warrior premiers May 25

Cobham installed transmitters on two race event chase boats and a helicopter, a receive and transmit ship Cobham, the RF transmission specialist company, has announced the successful deployment of its SOLO 4 Wireless Transmitter and PRORXB receive system for live television coverage of the Abu Dhabi Yacht Club’s Ghanada Dhow Sailing Championship on 7 June. Cobham, in conjunction with Dubai-based technology solution provider GloCom SNG, installed transmitters on two race event chase boats and a helicopter, a receive and transmit ship, plus onshore receive systems at the ADYC headquarters and ‘Nation Towers’, the two skyscrapers near the southern tip of Abu Dhabi. According to GloCom Senior Engineer Rakesh Mishra, “Cobham’s transmit and receive systems worked perfectly. Reliable, high quality video and audio was sent and received from the chase boats and helicopter throughout the race from all the supplied links. “These events are extremely challenging for the race participants and due to the performance of Cobham’s technology we were able to show just how challenging and difficult these races are to their enthusiastic, land-based, followers around the world.” The dhow races are an important part of the rich, long-standing heritage of sailing races in the UAE. GloCom SNG and Cobham have become very much a part of that heritage by ensuring that the appropriate technologies are deployed for uninterrupted coverage of the races, often in tough weather conditions. Eighty of the 60ft dhows, each rigged with two masts and sails that closely resemble the historic dhows used for pearl diving and fishing in days gone by, were involved in the 2014 race. The highly sophisticated racing dhows require significant skill from their respective skippers and crews to deal with wind and waves. The same resilience to challenging race conditions is expected of the technology used to cover it, and the Abu Dhabi Yacht Club has come to rely on GloCom and Cobham to provide technology that doesn’t just survive, but thrive, in the conditions thrown at it. Cobham’s Broadcast Sales Manager JP Delport said, “The Cobham RF solution was comprised of a few different aspects. The onboard video from the chase boats was transmitted to the ADYC and Nations Towers using our 10W "All systems had been rigorously tested beforehand and performed flawlessly during the event” SOLO 4 H.264 ENG TX. The receive points were equipped with our high-gain PRORXB receive antennas as part of a rebroadcast solution. We also equipped a ship as a mid-point with receive and transmit capabilities, plus two fixed-camera positions.” The 2RU PRORXB wireless receiver platform is a feature-rich COFDM receiver designed to work with the next generation of H.264 wireless camera systems. Designed specifically for the demanding broadcast market, the PRORXB ensures that video is recovered free from the distortions typically associated with fading and multipath interference. Delport added, “The challenge we faced was to ensure that all of our onboard transmitters were not just completely splash proof, but able to work inside specially designed splash-proof housings at an ambient temperature of at least 50C. All systems had been rigorously tested beforehand and performed flawlessly during the event.” The battery-powered Cobham SOLO 4 transmitters performed, uninterrupted, for up to 10 hours at distances of 80 kilometres with no impact on image quality or continuity. With proprietary Cobham COFDM and H.264 encoding technology at its core, the SOLO 4 transmitter and PRORXB receive units has proven their ability to provide excellent live production image quality over wireless links, with support for composite, SDI, HD-SDI and HDMI video input formats. Cobham will be at IBC 2014 on stand 1.F41.