BBC Resources has completed the first phase of an upgrade to HD production from the 10,250sq-ft TC1 studio at Television Center in London.
Relying on Stratos Optical Technologies for supply and installation of fiber-optic cable and connectors, BBC Resources completed the first phase in time for the live production of the popular “Sports Relief” program.
After tests and trials, the BBC selected Stratos’ HX-1080 series of expanded beam connectors for the SMPTE 311M hybrid fiber-optic camera cable links. All the connectors were terminated and installed on-site, including 62 bulkheads and 18 in-line plugs for patch-panel connections. SMPTE 311M-compatible camera cable connections include 20 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.
The installation required adapting cameras to HX-1080 connectivity, including 18 Sony HDC1500s and four Sony HDTX-100 triax adaptors. In addition, supplying Lemo 3K.93c to HX-1080 adapter cables allows the BBC to use its Lemo-configured camera inventory in the new infrastructure.
Twenty-six of the 31 floor cables supplied use 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.
For more information, visit: www.stratoslightwave.com.
