CCW 2010: Gepco Announces MultiDyne Partnership, Intros New Hybrid Fiber Cable

Gepco International has announced a new strategic partnership with MultiDyne Video & Fiber Optic Systems, a provider of fiber-based video and audio transport solutions for broadcast and pro A/V applications.  Through this partnership, Gepco will launch a new line of fiber optic transport products made by MultiDyne called Gepco Powered by MultiDyne at CCW. This marks Gepco’s first venture into active products. At the show, Gepco (CCW Booth #1320) and MultiDyne (CCW Booth #916) will link their two booths via fiber utilizing products in the new line.

“Gepco’s strong fiber and assembly capabilities coupled with MultiDyne’s leading fiber transport products make this partnership a natural fit,” says Zajac.  “Gepco has always been a solutions provider.  Extending our range of solutions to active products makes sense for our customers so they can get everything they need in one place.”

The Gepco Powered by MultiDyne line will feature six pairs of products (transmitters and receivers) designed to convert an electrical signal to an optical one, allowing for longer transmission distances, lower total weight of cabling, and significant cost savings.

Systems for the transport of SDI signals over fiber include the GP-3GSB, GP-1500, GP-3000 and GP-3500.  At only three inches in length, the GP-3GSB is a miniature, ultra-portable fiber optic link for the transport of up to 3 Gbps HDTV signals (1080p 3G-SDI).  In larger, yet still compact and portable configurations, the GP-1500 transports up to 1.5 Gbps HDTV signals (HD-SDI), while the GP-3000 transports up to 3 Gbps HDTV signals (1080p 3G-SDI). Finally, the GP-3500 provides up to 3 Gbps fiber optic transport (1080p 3G-SDI) with audio, intercom and bi-directional data for camera and POV. All four systems support embedded audio and data in the HD-SDI video signal.

Created to extend HDMI distance limitations, the GP-HDMI is a low-cost HDMI fiber link with HDCP copyright protection and EDID functionality. The fully uncompressed HDMI signal is transported over one fiber supporting WUXGA up to 1920 x 1200.

Designed for the transport of DVI-I, RGB-HV and DVI-D over one fiber, the GP-6000 is ideally suited for sending high-quality, high-resolution digital video—up to WUXGA 1920 x 1200—over long distances.  The GP-6000 can convert all formats into a SMPTE-compliant 3G optical and electrical transport stream that can be distributed through any standard 3G-SDI routing switcher providing extreme versatility and equipment interoperability.

“We’re pleased to be launching this new partnership with Gepco and providing the Gepco Powered by MultiDyne product line,” says Frank Jachetta, Managing Director of MultiDyne.” Gepco will not only be able to introduce these systems to new markets, but they’ll also be able to offer the convenience of stocked inventory as well as the corresponding assemblies necessary for operation.”

Gepco Intros New Hybrid Fiber Cable

Also at CCW, Gepco introduced the new HDC920HD Heavy-Duty 9.2mm Hybrid Fiber Cable to its family of camera cable products at the Content and Communications World Show (CCW) on Oct. 13-14 (booth #1320). SMPTE 311M-compliant, the HDC920HD was designed to provide improved durability in HD camera-to-CCU interconnects in studio or mobile production environments where extra durability is required.

The HDC920HD features an outer jacket made with an extra-tough polyurethane compound that is abrasion- and puncture-resistant and significantly aids in the reduction of cable kinking. Gepco uses a proprietary nylon-based polymer with increased tensile strength for the fiber coatings and a 16-gauge steel strength member at the center of the cable core. In addition, each fiber optic element has a Kevlar wrap and PVC jacket for greater strength and protection.

The electrical components consist of four 20-gauge auxiliary conductors and two 24-gauge signal conductors. All copper elements feature heat-resistant PE insulation and are shielded by a dense 95% copper braid.

“The HDC920HD has all the durability characteristics of the 12mm hybrid fiber cable in the smaller package of the traditional 9.2mm hybrid fiber cable,” says Joe Zajac, market development Mmnager for Gepco. “The introduction of the HDC920HD is one more example of how Gepco is dedicated to continually providing new and improved technologies for the industry.”