Stratos Connects BBC's largest studio to HD

Stratos Connects BBC's largest studio to HD

- Trials prove the Stratos HX-1080 Expanded Beam connectors best performer for the SMPTE 311M hybrid fiberoptic camera cable links -

CHICAGO, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Stratos Optical Technologies, a leading innovator of fiber connectivity solutions for broadcasters, has supplied and installed fiberoptic cables and connectors as part of the new infrastructure for BBC Resources' HD upgrade project for the largest BBC studio - the 10,250-sq. ft. TC1 at Television Centre. The first phase of the project was completed in time for the live production of the popular program, 'Sports Relief'.

After a number of tests and trials, the BBC selected Stratos' HX-1080 series of expanded beam connectors for the SMPTE 311M hybrid fiberoptic camera cable links. All the connectors were terminated and installed on-site, including 62 bulkheads and 18 in-line plugs for patch-panel connections. There are 20 SMPTE 311M-compatible camera cable connections on the studio floor, four on the studio framework that supports equipment, and four more in an adjacent production area. Two additional connections are outside the studio so cameras can be rigged for use around the famous 'horse shoe' at the entrance of the Television Centre.

The installation required adapting cameras to HX-1080 connectivity including 18 Sony HDC1500's and four Sony HDTX-100 Triax adaptors. In addition, supplying Lemo 3K.93c to HX-1080 adapter cables enables the use of Lemo-configured camera inventory in the new infrastructure.

To ensure cables would conform to studio operation, two sizes of cable were used. Twenty-six of the 31 floor cables supplied use 'fat' 16mm SMPTE cable from Furukawa, matching the diameter of traditional studio triax and allowing moving camera pedestal skirts to push cables out of the way. The remaining cables use the more typical 9.5mm SMPTE 311M cable.

About the HX-1080

The Stratos HX-1080 connector is designed for use with SMPTE 311M- compliant hybrid camera cable that includes power and data paths on copper conductors, as well as the two fiber optical paths. The connector includes many features designed to make frequent rigging on outdoor broadcasts and studio floors easy and reliable including hermetic seals and hermaphroditic plugging, which eliminates the need to match male and female ends.

Using Stratos' Expanded Beam (EB) technology for the optical connections means they do not degrade with repeated riggings, unlike the commonly used PC (physical contact) connectors. With EB, the fiber's light beam is magnified and collimated by a lens to making it many hundreds of times larger than the 9-micron single-mode fiber. The large beam ensures that dirt and pollen particles are too small to block all the light. Also, the lenses are recessed so there is no physical contact and no damage or wear to the optical path over repeated rigging and de-rigging.

About Stratos International - Connecting the Worlds of Copper and Fiber

Stratos International includes the Trompeter, Stratos Optical Technologies and Semflex brands. These brands include a unique collective capability in the design and manufacture of copper RF/microwave interconnects and fiberoptic subsystems, components and connectors used by telecom/datacom, industrial, military/aerospace, and HDTV broadcast video customers worldwide.

Stratos Optical Technologies has a rich history of optical and mechanical packaging expertise and pioneered several optical technologies using innovative form-factors for telecom/datacom and harsh environment applications. Today, Stratos Optical Technologies offers specialized product groups for fiber transport of HDTV video, FTTH provisioning, and harsh environment mil/aero communications. The company has a strong IP portfolio of more than 100 patents.

Stratos Optical Technologies has offices in Chicago, IL and Haverhill, United Kingdom. For more information call 800.323.6858 or visit the company website at http://www.stratoslightwave.com/ .

Stratos International (NASDAQ:STLW) shares trade on the Nasdaq market under the symbol STLW. The company headquarters is located in Chicago, IL. For more information call 800.323.6858 or visit the company website at http://www.stratosintl.com/ .

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Source: Stratos International

CONTACT: Camille Cox of OnRamp Communications for Stratos International,
+1-805-497-6400, camille@onrampcomm.com

Web site: http://www.stratoslightwave.com/
http://www.stratosintl.com/

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