NAB 2016: PESA Partners With Cobalt Digital, Joins TICO Alliance, and Debuts Browser-Based Live Services System
PESA is debuting several products at the 2016 NAB Show (Booth SL4621), as well as demonstrating its Cheetah Flex IP integrated routing environment and expanded capabilities for its PESA Live Services system for private and webcast streaming presentations.
A new global strategic partnership with Cobalt Digital enables the two companies to integrate their complementary technologies and create bundled solutions for customers. The companies have integrated the Cobalt BBG-1070 multi-viewer and PESA’s Cougar and Cheetah digital video routers, with all parameters displayed on PESA’s Windows-based Cattrax management control software. The result enables plug-and-play functionality for both product groups in an expandable package.
PESA has also joined the TICO Alliance, a consortium of companies supporting TICO compression for the emerging IP-based live ecosystem. By using virtually lossless TICO compression with video-over-IP standards in studio infrastructures, the coalition is working to seamlessly update legacy SDI-based workflows to support IP and 4K without a complete and costly overhaul. Launched at the 2015 NAB Show, the TICO Alliance has more than 30 members.
To prepare for the increased demand for 4K video management and distribution, PESA is adopting the 12G-SDI chipset from MACOM Technology Solutions. The latest in the evolution of the SDI standard data rate, 12G-SDI supports 4K video resolutions at 60 frames per second. MACOM’s 12G-SDI chipset is a significant improvement over multiple 3G-SDI signals, because it provides higher density using less power and at less cost.
“NAB 2016 is going to be an exciting show for PESA and our customers,” says John T. Wright, SVP of sales and business development. “Baseband routing has been one of our core technologies for 43 years, and we are working closely with our technology partners to deliver products that also support today’s IP-based infrastructures. We are also looking to the future by adopting new MACOM hardware to expand our 4K capabilities, partnering with Cobalt Digital to expand sales opportunities, and supporting the TICO Alliance to help our customers upgrade to 4K and video-over-IP without having to entirely replace their SDI infrastructures.”
Last year, PESA introduced the Cheetah Flex IP integrated routing environment, which seamlessly integrates baseband and IP-based infrastructures. Considered the cornerstone of PESA’s integrated AV solutions, it combines the PESA Blade System with the Cheetah digital video router product line. The result is a seamless hybrid baseband and IP-based infrastructure that supports up to 4K resolution as well as H.264 streaming video sources, all controlled through Cattrax.
New for NAB, PESA Live Services now offers access a browser-based version of its multi-camera immersive experience. With support for all major Web browsers, PESA Live Services allows desktop and laptop viewers to customize their own visual experience. Like the app for iOS and Android portable devices, the browser-based interface features a quad screen display that allows each viewer to change between sources without missing the action or losing lip sync. Anchored by the PESA XSTREAM C58 streaming media appliance at the venue, PESA Live Services allows content creators to include content branding, advertising, and other information for viewers.
Also being shown at NAB for the first time is the new Vidblox HTR converter/extender. Available as a throwdown box or card for the PESA Blade System (PBS), it incorporates HDMI technology, supports a wide variety of resolutions, and is easily configured by the user as a transmitter (TX) or receiver (RX). Both versions support up to four identical inputs or outputs, with two coax ports that extend signals up to 140m (153 yards) are standard. Two optional single-mode fiber ports extend signals up to 10km (6.2 miles). The Vidblox HTR supports a variety of SD and HD formats and is controlled through Cattrax.
In partnership with VIQ, PESA is debuting the PESA ACES | Collaborative Content Manager (CCM) at NAB. An affordable, multi-channel digital content capture and playback system, it is an ideal live event recording system for media outlets. For e-learning, law enforcement, and research and development, CCM simplifies collaboration efforts on recordings with secure, browser-based remote access and indexed multimedia annotations. The system is built around the PESA XSTREAM C58 or C22 and the VIQ Satellite software for sophisticated file capture and management.
PESA is also introducing the Video Emergency Management Services International (V‑EMS‑I) mobile command and control AV system at NAB for international law enforcement and first responders. Designed to allow local agencies to quickly establish an incident command post and monitor multiple live camera feeds and/or workstations, it includes equipment from technology partner Cobalt Digital. Available in multiple configurations, the V‑EMS‑I supports up to 24 inputs with up to WUXGA (1920×1200) resolution, and its integrated multi-viewer includes layout presets for quick image sizing.
For U.S. government agencies, the Department of Defense renewed PESA’s Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC) certification of its Video Distribution System (VDS) solution for command and control operating environments through Oct. 21, 2018. The renewal includes PESA 4K I/O cards in addition to several Cheetah large-scale digital routers, remote control panels, and media conversion and extender modules. JITC certification is critical for DoD agencies that need to deliver high-quality imagery for C4ISR between distinct video chains, and the renewal allows agencies to add 4K video distribution.
PESA Live Services Adds Browser-Based Viewing Portal
The PESA Live Services multicamera immersive experience is now accessible by viewers through a browser-based version. Originally developed in 2014 as an app for iOS and Android portable devices, PESA Live now supports all major web browsers, including Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Internet Explorer 10, Mozilla, and Safari.
The PESA Live interface features a quad-screen display. Each viewer becomes the director of their own visual experience by easily changing between sources without missing the action or losing lip sync. PESA Live also provides integrated access to Twitter, allowing viewers to interact via social media without exiting the presentation.
“With new web-browser access, PESA Live continues to redefine the live-event experience by expanding potential audiences,” says John T. Wright, SVP, sales and business development, PESA. “Content creators are no longer limited to targeting attendees equipped with portable devices. Now people at laptops or desktops can watch customizable multicamera coverage of sports, concerts, company meetings, graduations, and other live events.”
Now accessible by viewers through all major web browsers, the PESA Live interface features a quad-screen display.
At the venue, PESA Live is anchored by the compact PESA XSTREAM C58 streaming-media appliance, which synchronizes up to four video sources and eight audio sources — and eliminates timing and latency issues. For content creators, PESA Live Services (PLS) creates an opportunity to deliver messages and advertising to audiences, including information about upcoming events, special offers, or statistics from the game. PLS also features logo insertion for content branding, and provides audience analytics for immediate feedback and ROI.
For webcasting applications, the multicam signal is connected to a content-distribution network (CDN) for relay to the audience. Private or intranet deployments use the PESA XSTREAM Hub turnkey server. For events with sensitive content, such as corporate meetings, PESA offers on-premises packages of its Hub services sized for intended viewership. PLS offers monthly service plans, as well as event plans for single productions.