On February 17 of next year, major broadcasters must convert from Standard Definition TV (SDTV) to two new standards, Digital TV (DTV), and High-Definition TV (HDTV).
Fiber, Fiber, Everywhere
Fiber optics is the key technology that is enabling broadcasters to meet the new requirements, both inside the production studio, and out.
In fact, fiber is the only medium capable of providing the bandwidth necessary to support the new HDTV standards in terms of signal transport. A standard NTSC video generally requires a serial bit rate of 143.2 Mb/s. Contrast this to the new HDTV standards, which require bit rates of 1,485 Mb/s. To put this in perspective, coax cable can carry TV signals at these higher speeds for only 30-60 meters before signal re-amplification is required. This limitation makes copper impractical for HDTV, especially for long haul transport to the home.
Fiber in the Production Studio
In studio facilities, fiber optic cable is replacing much of the copper cabling used to carry video signals. That's because copper cables running between video cameras, control rooms, and editing equipment are subject to electrical interference. Equipment fans, electrical switches, and electrical light fixtures within the studio environment all generate Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), which is picked up by copper cabling and degrades the video signal. On the other hand, fiber optic cabling is 100% immune to EMI.
In the past, minor imperfections in the TV image were not such a big deal, since viewers watched TV on fuzzy, low-res analog TVs. Now, super-sharp, high-resolution HDTVs make any image ghosting, artifacts or other imperfections in the TV image glaringly obvious to the viewer.
FIS Blue provides broadcasters with the specialized fiber optic cable assembles they require for broadcast applications, including expanded beam cable assemblies. In addition to being immune to EMI, expanded beam connectors resist contamination, wear, and the frequent coupling and decoupling required of broadcast equipment.
Fiber to the Home (Finally!)
To ensure that there are no "weak links" in HDTV production and delivery, major broadcasters have been striving to remove copper cabling wherever possible. Just about the only "weak link" that remains is that short segment of copper coax that picks up the TV signal from a local hub and brings it into the home. Largely as a result of HDTV, local telcos are rapidly replacing this copper cabling and bringing fiber all the way into the home
About FIS Blue
FIS Blue, an affiliate of FIS, was founded to meet the needs of the Broadcast Industry for specialized fiber optic patchcords and cable assemblies. FIS Blue also supplies specialized cable assemblies to the U.S. military. These include TFOCA-style connectors and termini-style fiber optic cable assemblies.
FIS Blue manufactures its own patchcords, and can custom-manufacture cable assemblies any length, terminated with any type of fiber optic connector. FIS Blue is also a distributor for major companies including Amphenol Fiber Systems International, Stratos, Tyco, Lemo and Fischer. To learn more about FIS Blue, visit their website, www.fisblue.com.
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