Auxiliary routing and distribution equipment Kramer Electronics

By Arthur Frunzhan

Review contents:

Routing and Distribution Equipment Auxiliary routing units of “Profitt” Company Multipurpose modules of Synapse system New line of distribution amplifiers from Extron Electronics Auxiliary routing and distribution equipment Kramer Electronics Leitch distribution amplifiers Devices of Marshall Electronics Company Routing and distributive equipment of Netrwork Electronics Company New HDTV Patch panels from Oxygen DCT IQ series modules from Snell & Wilcox Redbox series audio distribution equipment of from Sonifex Company Modular units from Thomson Broadcast and Multimedia Solutions The distribution equipment of Vistek Company

Kramer Electronics Company lets out a wide assortment of the routing and distribution equipment of auxiliary purpose which allows building the branched out networks of distribution of analog and digital audiovideo signals within the range of TV complexes and systems of different scale.

Distribution amplifiers

These units of Kramer Electronics differ by small cross distortions between separate outputs, low values of nonlinear distortions factor and of internal noise level. Developed models are provided by through channels, disconnectable equivalent of loading, output blocking, adjustment of output level and AFC correction.

Structurally distribution amplifiers are carried out in the form of rack units (width of the cabinet is 19", sometimes less) with line supply, and also mini (Tools) and micromodules (Pico-Tools) with DC power supply from adapter.

Model line includes groups intended for operation with various signal types:

• Composite video. Performance: Tools, Mini-Tools and Pico-Tools, and Desktop also. Sockets — BNC. Bandwidth — 200…480 MHz. There are models with function of restoration of constant component of video signal with binding to level of black, with differential inputs, through channels, adjustments of output level and HF-correction. Dimensions: 1×2, 1×3, 1×4, 1×5, 1×6, 1×8, 1×10, 1×20, dual 1×10/1×20, 1:54/triple 1×18;
• S-Video. Performance: Desktop, Tools, Pico-Tools. Bandwidth — 150…420 MHz. The through channel, separate adjustment from the front level panel in the chrominance channel with AFC correction and a level in C channel with fine tuning of synchroimpulse phase (model VM-SYC). Dimensions: 1×2, 1×3, 1×5, 1×6, 1×8, 1×10;
• RGBS/HV — Performance: rack components 19". Bandwidth — 200…350 MHz. Through channels, sockets BNC, operation with RGB, RGBS, RGBHV, component video signals. Adjustment of output level and AFC correction. Dimensions: 1×2, 1×4, 1×5, 1×10, 1×15, 1×18;
• Composite video/S-Video + audio. Cabinets: Desktop, 19", Tools. Bandwidth — 70…430 MHz. Sockets BNC (video), RCA, 3.5-mm mini jack (stereo audio). Some models are carried out the bidirectional conversion “composite video — S-Video (VM-5YCx1)”, provided with symmetric audio path (sockets XLR) (VM-1411), and also provide an adjustment of video and audio signal level, AFC correction. Dimensions: 1×2, 1×3, 1×5, 1×0, dual 1×5, dual 1×10, 1×10/2×5, 1×20/dual 1×10;
• VGA/UXGA + audio. Performance: Tools, Desktop, 19". Bandwidth — 300…450 MHz. Through channels, choice of synchronization type, ID-bats, sockets HD15, BNC, level adjustment, AFC correction, audiopath in some models, including symmetric (V200NA). Dimensions: 1×2, 1x(1 + 1 through), 1×3, 1×4, 1×6, 1×8, 1×12;
• Multi-format video + graphics. Performance 19". Bandwidth — 450 MHz. Composite, S-Video, component video, UXGA. Adjustment of amplification and AFC correction, ID-bats. Sockets BNC, HD-15. Dimension 1×2;
• Digital video/audio (SDI + AES/EBU). Performance: 19", Tools. Bandwidth — 450 MHz. AFC correction, reclocking. Word length of video is 8 or 10 bits, audio format is 24 bits/96 kHz. Sockets BNC, XLR, clamping terminals. Dimension 1×2, 1×4, 1×8, 1×16/2×8;
• Digital video (DVI). Performance: 19", Tools, Pico-Tools. Dual Link DVI. Stream speed — 3…5 Gbit/s. Dimension: 1×1, 1×2, 1×4;
• Audio. Performance: 19", Desktop, Tools, PicoTools. Bandwidth — 20…100 kHz. Adjusted amplifiers for microphones with phantom power supply, symmetric and asymmetrical two-channel path with mutual conversion. Distributors for headphones, distributors of low and high level signals. Sockets RCA, XLR, 3.5-mm mini jack. Dimension: 1×2, 1×3, 1×4, 1×5, 1×8/dual 1×4, 1×10/dual 1×5, 1×20/dual 1×10, 1×54/triple 1×18;
• Distribution amplifiers/concentrators FireWire. Performance: 19". Protection, indication of channel status. Dimension — 2×20;
• Radio-frequency. Performance: Tools, Pico-Tools. Bandwidth — 3 GHz. Low level of own noise. Amplification — 6… dB. Dimension: 1×1, 1×4.

As an example it is possible to consider two models. Kramer VM-10ARII (19") is distribution amplifier 1×10 of audio and video signals. It is provided with through channels of video and stereo audio, and also provides an opportunity of symmetric or asymmetrical audio signal choice. Adjustment of level of output signals of audio and video, and also AFC correction is made from the front panel. Outputs for video signal are grouped in two blocks by five outputs in everyone. Each block can be individually adjusted on level of signal and AFC that allows setting of various levels of compensation of signal losses in cables of different length. Signal/noise ratio is more than 77 dB on video and more than 81 dB on audio. Bandwidth of frequencies: 224 MHz on video and 60 MHz on audio. Nonlinear distortions factor is 0.06%. Besides there is an opportunity of choice of type of input for video signal (closed or opened). Application: show-rooms and presentation systems, cable TV, distribution of component video signals, studios of duplicating and TV production, video monitoring.

Kramer PT-101DVI (superminiature Pico-Tools series) is linear amplifier (repeater) of signals Dual Link DVI-D, allowing to double the DVI transfer distance from five (standard) up to ten meters, and in the case of high-quality DVI-cable — up to 15 meters. Power supply is provided from external adapter or other system component through DVI interface. Compatibility with formats of the high resolution (better than UXGA) due to stream speed up to 3 Gbit/s is provided. Application: presentation systems, graphic and videostudios.

Switchboards

Switchboards Kramer Electronics include mechanical switches, relays and electronic keys. They provide individual and synchronous routing of different video and audio formats.

Switchboards are divided onto the following groups: Video + audio, composite video, S-Video + audio, RGB/RGBS/RGSHV/VGA/XGA/SHGA/DVI + audio, DVI, FireWire, SDI + digital audio AES/EBU. Performance: 19", Desktop, Tools, Pico-Tools. Bandwidth — 46…980 MHz. Routing is carried out in an interval of blanking frame pulse, manual and automatic scanning of inputs (at programmed switchboards). ID-bats is provided. Control is provided from the front panel, through ports RS-232/RS-485. Stream speeds are 3 Gbit/s (DVI) and 400 Mbit/s (FireWire). Microphonic inputs and audio overlay function, level adjusting, AFC correction are provided. Dimension: 2×1, 3×1, 4×1, 6×1, 8×1, 10×1, 12×1, 16×1, 20×1, 32×1, 4×1×2, 8×1×4, etc.

Matrix switchboards

These units are also divided on groups corresponding withn signal type: Composite video + S-Video + audio, composite video, component video, VGA/RGBS/RGBHV + audio, audio, SDI + digital audio AES/EBU, RS-422.

Performance: 19", Desktop. Bandwidth — 37…360 MHz video and 100 kHz audio. Units introduce itself as multistandard expanded matrixes. They provide reclocking, routing in interval of blanking frame pulse, delay of switching, AFC correction. Besides they are provided by inputs of external synchronization, symmetric and asymmetrical audio inputs. Control is provided from the front panel and through port RS-232/RS-485. Dimension: 4×2, 4×4, 5×4, 6×2, 6×6, 8×2, 8×4, 8×6, 8×8, 10×2, 12×2, 16×2, 16×4, 16×8, 16×16 and more.

Dual Link DVI router

For example, Kramer VS-21 DVI is switchboard 2×1 of DigiTools series for DVI-D Dual Link. Stream speed is 3 Gbit/s, UXGA-compatibility, buffering, level restoration and steepness of fronts are provided. Application: presentation systems (routing of graphic pictures), graphic studios, computer systems with combined monitor.

Kramer VP-1608 is matrix switchboard 16×8 RGBHV + audio (symmetric stereo). The cabinet is 19". There are modes of synchronous and separate routing of audio and video, 15 memory cells, option Take (queueing of several routing versions, activated by single press on button), routing with delay (without disruptions). Control is provided from the front panel and through RS-232/RS-485 interfaces. Bandwidth is 400 MHz on video and 30 kHz on audio. Application: broadcasting and industrial videostudios, professional presentation systems, cable TV, security systems.

Units for transmission of signal over twisted pair

These systems consist of the transmitter and the receiver. Performance: Desktop, Tools. Devices are provided by interfaces “coaxial line — twisted pair” (video) and linear amplifiers (extenders). Objectives: transmission of audio and video on available local networks on cables of type “twisted pair”, video observation, systems of video supervision.

There are the following groups of transmitters and receivers:

Kramer TP-41 (transmitter) and TP-42 (receiver)

• Composite video over one pair (up to 500 and 1000 m), on two pairs;
• S-Video over two pairs;
• Composite video + monophonic audio over one pair;
• Composite video + stereophonic audio over three pairs;
• Composite video + stereophonic audio over one pair;
• VGA/XGA over cable of 5-th category (185 MHz);
• VGA/XGA over cable of 5-th category (185 MHz) with expansion and linear amplification.

In particular, Kramer TP-41 (coder/transmitter) and TP-42 (decoder/receiver) can be used as a variant. Performance: Tools. They are intended for transmission of component video signal and a digital audio (S/PDIF) over twisted pair of category 5 on distance up to 100 m. In this case a separate adjustment of level of chrominance and brightness signals, loudness (in TP-41) is provided. In TP-42 AFC correction is carried out additionally. Power supply is provided from the adapter +12 V. Application: studio systems, presentation complexes, home theater (signal transferring from DVD-player on larger distances).

The material is provided by Russian representation of Kramer Electronics Company