The What: Fiber optic cable manufacturer VIVIFY has launched XENOS W30, a durable and high-performance fiber optic HDMI 2.0b cable. Offering custom lengths for orders over 50 feet (15.4m), XENOS W30 enables transmission of 4K resolution at 60Hz, 8-bit 4:4:4 or 12-bit 4:2:2, ARC, DTS-HD Master Audio, and HDR10 at cable lengths of up to 328 feet (100 meters).

The What Else: The XENOS W30 cable has a width of 4 millimeters (~0.08 inches) and is only approximately one fifth of the weight of a copper cable of the same length. It was tested to endure over 450 kgf (6400 psi) of ground force pressure before losing signal. The fiber optic construction of the XENOS does not conduct electrical currents, making it fully resistant to electromagnetic interference, lightning, or radio signals.

The Bottom Line: Signal transmission of high bandwidth video and audio over long distances ordinarily requires the use of inflexible, heavy and unwieldy copper HDMI cables and dealing with the hassle of power cords, mounts, and external boxes or converters. With the XENOS, a clear signal of up to 18Gbps is transmitted through a single cable at lengths of up to 328ft (100m); whereas copper cable solutions for HDMI 2.0 at 18Gbps without the use of signal amplifiers is limited to 25ft (7.6m).

The What: Extron has begun shipping the HD Pro Plenum Series of active, hybrid optical-copper cables for high-speed transmission of HDMI digital video and audio signals. They support data rates up to 18Gbps, video resolutions up to 4K60 at 4:4:4, HDR, EDID, HDCP, and CEC, as well as all HDMI audio formats.

The What Else: These active cables are unidirectional and draw only nominal power from the connected HDMI source device. Each cable is 0.16 inches (4 mm) in diameter and offers a narrow bend radius, for easier installation and higher performance. Providing the benefits of fiber optics with the simplicity of traditional copper cable, the HD Pro Plenum Series supports 4K60 video signals over long distances up to 300 feet (91.4 meters).

"Our customers wanted a high-performance solution for sending 4K/60 signals with full 4:4:4 color sampling over extended distances that didn't require transmitters and receivers for every endpoint," said Casey Hall, vice president of worldwide sales and marketing for Extron. "HD Pro Plenum Series cables are a convenient, high-performance solution that easily supports the 18Gbps data rate required to transport 4K60 video and maintain uncompromised signal quality."

The Bottom Line: The HD Pro Plenum Series uses glass multimode fiber, which allows for use in high-interference environments such as data centers and manufacturing facilities. Built-in active circuitry converts the incoming electrical signal into an optical signal on one end and back into an electrical signal on the other. Non-bandwidth intensive or low-speed signals are carried on the integrated copper wires, including EDID, HDCP, CEC, and 5V power. HD Pro Plenum Series cables are designed to provide a combination of performance and price for applications that require direct, long-distance signal connections.

After a trial run of its GTX 6.5GHz UWB wireless microphone system last year at the U.S. Open Tennis Championships in New York, Alteros upped its game for 2018. Utilizing the new Alteros Direct-to-Fiber system, host broadcaster ESPN was able to set up and cover multiple locations with Alteros’ wireless microphone coverage.

The standard GTX system allows up to 32 GTX32 transceivers to each be connected to the GTX3224 control unit with up to 1000 feet of Cat 5 cable, creating a L.A.W.N. (local area wireless microphone network) system to communicate bidirectionally with up to 24 GTX24 wireless microphone transmitters – 24 microphone channels and 24 talkback channels with an additional eight group channels. With the introduction of the GTX3224F, fiber connections measured in miles instead of feet can connect the control unit to GTX-FX8 8-port nodes for remote Cat 5 connection to up to 48 GTX32 transceivers (up to 16 GTX32s can be connected directly to the GTX3224F by Cat 5 for a total capability of 64), resulting in the ability to cover larger spaces and multiple locations.

While the Direct-to-Fiber system would allow coverage anywhere within the Arthur Ashe Stadium, three areas were covered with the Alteros GTX3224F system for the 2018 U.S. Open: practice court #1 and the broadcast sets at both the Stadium courtyard and practice courts. The Alteros GTX3224F main fiber control unit was housed in the ESPN Technical Operations Center. Fiber then connected to the remote locations where GTX-FX8 8-port fiber nodes supplied control and power. The high-resolution audio remained uncompromised and fully digital – 48 kHz/24-bit – throughout the system.

The GTX Direct-to-Fiber system fits perfectly into the IP-based and networked structures increasingly adopted by broadcasters for efficient production.

The What: Comprehensive Connectivity Company has launched the CHE-HDF18G01 - Pro AV/IT HDMI 18G Fiber Extender TX/RX Kit for distribution up to 3300 feet, featuring a compact design for flexible installation.

The What Else: Comprehensive’s CHE-HDF18G01 HDMI over fiber extender supports 18G, resolutions up to 4K60, and is HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2 compliant. This extender is designed to convert a full HDMI signal to a fiber signal, which can be transmitted over 3,300 feet using single-mode fiber cable or 1,000 feet over multi-mode fiber cable. Included are two IR receivers and two transmitters, allowing for bi-directional infrared control and supports RS-232.

The Bottom Line: Comprehensive’s CHE-HDF18G01 HDMI over fiber extender is particularly well suited for lecture halls, retail sales displays, and anywhere in between. All components are RoHS Compliant and come with a three-year warranty.