Monitoring remote railways in multiple locations can be a challenge. When Calgary’s Command Centre required remote monitoring at the busy transportation hub they called in Evolution Presentation Technologies to integrated sixteen 55-inch displays stacked in an 8x2 configuration to achieve a bird’s eye view of train locations with the ability to zoom in anywhere when needed.

“It’s like a mini-NASA in there now,” said Evolution Presentation Technologies’ Account Manager, Chris Meaney, who oversaw the system integration. “The video wall spans the entire wall so it’s ultimately very effective for the operators to keep their eyes on the areas they need to monitor daily.”

Cameras are installed alongside MuxLab’s processing equipment to transmit live video over IP to all video wall displays for 24/7 access. MuxLab’s Video Wall 4K over IP PoE Extender Kits (model 500759) connect many HDMI sources to many displays via a 1Gig Ethernet Switch. With this solution, 4K video can be delivered long-range to create a video wall of nearly any user configurable size. Each source connects to a transmitter, which delivers 4K through the switch to the receiver connected to a display. Ethernet connectivity enables anytime/anywhere viewing free from traditional cabling constraints.

By electing to use an IP-based solution, the entire installation was more cost-effective and easier to implement, Meaney noted. Evolution Presentation Technologies’ team was able to avoid traditional cable-based solutions for transmitting 4K HDMI such as fiber, which can be costly to implement. The biggest challenge was finding the correct Ethernet Switch.

“We went to a 48-port managed PoE switch because if you use a more cost-effective switch, your performance can suer. You can’t go low-end in this kind of mission-critical installation. We needed a heavy, reliable system and that’s what we went with,” added Meaney. “MuxLab’s AV over IP solutions have proven to be exceedingly reliable; they’re not only easier to install but they’re also ultimately more cost-effective.”

The What: Bittree has launched the 12G Video Distribution Amplifiers series of video distribution amplifiers.

The What Else: Available in a coaxial model and a hybrid configuration that marries coax with fiber or SMPTE ST 2110-compliant IP network connectivity, Bittree’s modular 12G Video Distribution Amplifier family combines compact 2RU frames with one or more high-performance, 1x4 DA cards. Each frame can host up to 32 one-input/four-output distribution amplifier modules for exceptional signal density in a small footprint.

Bittree’s DAF32X frames combine with corresponding DABFX cards for signal distribution workflows requiring only coaxial connectivity. Each card features one input and four outputs with DIN 1.0/2.3 connectors on the rear of the module. The cards are compliant with SMPTE 259M, 292M, 344M, 424M, ST2081-1 and ST2082-1 technical standards and support data rates up to 12Gb/s, enabling reliable distribution of analog, SD-SDI, HD-SDI and 4K video with embedded audio. Automatic equalization and multi-rate re-clocking ensure maximum signal integrity is preserved.

The Bottom Line: The series condenses customers’ signal distribution requirements into a lightweight, high-density, modular form factor while supporting the 12Gb/s data rates needed for single-link 4K/Ultra HD transport.

VITEC, which produces advanced video encoding and streaming solutions, and ATX Networks, which specializes in optical and media access platforms, announced a strategic partnership to provide a fully secure architecture for distribution of IPTV content throughout the enterprise network via VITEC's EZ TV IPTV and Digital Signage Platform and ATX's carrier-grade UCrypt IP gateways.

"As content security becomes an increasing priority and a key requirement for any size IPTV project, this new AES content protection capability and the integration with VITEC's EZ TV Platform is an exciting expansion of benefits for customers," said Ian Lerner, chief product officer, Media Distribution Solutions, at ATX. "The addition of AES output encryption support allows partners like VITEC to have a more practical and cost-effective way to ensure encrypted streams from the UCrypt IP video gateway can only be viewed by authorized users. Together with VITEC's EZ TV Platform for managing DRM workflows, we are able to offer a secure, enterprise-grade, multiscreen experience with AES decryption for desktop users via a browser player, for TV and signage displays utilizing EZ TV end-points, and for Android and iOS users using EZ TV's mobile app."

"IP-based video distribution of live cable and satellite TV content brings a broad range of advantages for any organization seeking to cost-effectively and securely deliver high-quality content to any screen and any user in the organization," said Eli Garten, vice president of enterprise video solutions at VITEC. "VITEC's EZ TV Platform has been the architecture of choice for managing and distributing content originating from ATX's UCrypt gateways for hundreds of corporate, government, education, and sports venue customers. This latest integration enables our customers to achieve maximum protection with a simple, reliable setup that is approved by leading service providers."

VITEC's EZ TV IPTV and Digital Signage Platform automates video streaming workflows and signage campaigns over existing IP networks, allowing any organization to centrally manage IPTV and signage content from a single interface. With easy-to-use tools for signage authoring, administration, and analytics, the future-proof platform supports both H.264 and H.265 (HEVC) formats in resolutions up to 4K. The solution's hardware-based IPTV and signage endpoints feature low-latency playback, real-time updating of the electronic program guide, video-on-demand content with updating of new assets in real time, time-shifted TV, live video access via PC and mobile, and user-controlled mosaic viewing of multiple channels.

ATX's UCrypt family of cable gateways enables MSOs and service providers to secure and convert content for a variety of applications, including the secure delivery of content to commercial and hospitality locations. UCrypt's any-to-any capabilities extend across all formats, including analog, IP, and QAM.

Fourteen leading developers of the NDI video/IP protocol will join together at NAB 2019 to exhibit their latest products and solutions. NewTek, the developer of the royalty-free standard, will host the event from the NDI Central Pavilion. Those who can’t make it to NAB will be able to watch the exhibition on NewTek’s Twitch livestream. The stream will showcase NDI developers and creators who are at the forefront IP video production.

Since its introduction in 2015, NDI has become a popular industry standard for sharing video on a standard Ethernet network. The protocol is now in use by thousands of products and millions of users worldwide and is potentially the most widely used protocol of its kind.

“These fourteen companies represent some of the best innovators among the roughly 1,000 companies incorporating NDI into their products. NAB attendees will be able to explore the NDI ecosystem and discover the amazing devices and applications powered by NDI,” said Michael Kornet, executive vice president and general manager of NDI for NewTek. “These developers share our vision of the end-to-end all IP workflow that is a reality today and we’re excited to bring them together at the NDI Central Pavilion.” Located at booth #SL5516, the NDI Central Pavilion will be home to:

· AJT Systems

· Boinx Software

· Changsha Kiloview Electronics

· Production Bot LLC

· Easy Media Suite

· Etere

· FingerWorks Telestrators

· LiveXpert by 3D Storm

· Medialooks

· NewsMaker Systems

· NIXUS · Panasonic

· RT Software

· Stream Circle

The livestream starts at 10am on Monday 4/9, and at 9am each day after.