Telecast Fiber Systems Provides All-Fiber Interconnect of Senior PGA Tour
Telecast Fiber Systems, Inc. today announced that its fiber optic interface solutions have been integrated into the latest all-fiber interconnected sports truck built by NEP. The truck, which debuted in January on the Senior PGA Tour on CNBC, features Telecast's Cobra camera links, the DiamondBack video and audio multiplexer, and the Adder 162 audio multiplexer. Additionally, Telecast's TAC series of fiber optic cable assemblies is being employed as part of a new fiber management system, which has been implemented for the Senior Tour broadcasts.
The new fiber management technique gives PGA Productions more flexibility and speed in cabling each course in whatever configuration the producers wish. The new technique utilizes Telecast's TAC-12 (12-strand tactical fiber) and TAC-4 cable assemblies. The TAC-12 assemblies directly connect the two announcer booths to the truck, and a fiber "loop through" is installed on the booth packages allowing a TAC-4 cable extension to another tee or green. The TAC-12 can also be used as trunk cable that can be split into three TAC-4 cables, which can each be routed to a separate hole.
"I know firsthand the advantages of working with Telecast Fiber Systems equipment, having been introduced to them three years ago when I was working at CBS," stated Robert Brown, senior technical manager for PGA Productions. "At CBS we were eliminating all of our trucks and using< vendors instead, with the idea that the vendors would then be responsible for keeping up with the new technology -- and Telecast was a big part of that new technology. When I was hired by PGA Productions to organize and direct the remote operations, Telecast's equipment was the obvious choice. Telecast has always been able to make our broadcasts far more efficient."
Telecast's fiber optic interface solutions provide video and audio connections along with intercom and a data path for the booth telestrator, all connected over the tactical fiber. Telecast's Cobra provides a high-performance link that interconnects triax-equipped cameras to their base station using fiber optic cable. With the Cobra, a camera can be located up to 20 kilometers from the base station with no repeaters or equalizing. The DiamondBack digitizes and multiplexes up to 8 NTSC or PAL utility video channels on one optical fiber. The modular Adder 162 permits custom combinations of line or microphone source channels and return lines. The Adder includes up to six intercom channels, four high-speed data lines, and two bi-directional switch closure interfaces, all on one optical fiber conductor. The Adder also includes three-way optical splits, "hot standby" optical redundancy protection, and a built-in variable tone generator and signal meter.
Cobra, DiamondBack, and Adder are trademarks of Telecast Fiber Systems, Inc.
Telecast Fiber Systems, Inc., 102 Grove Street, Worcester, MA 01605. Tel: 508-754-4858; Fax: 508-752-1520.