NAB 2011: Cobalt Digital Launches Lines of Routers, Multiviewers

Cobalt Digital will launch two new major product lines, a router range and series of HD Multiviewers, at NAB 2011.

“This is a breakout year for Cobalt Digital with the introduction of these new product lines,” says Chris Shaw, Cobalt’s SVP of sales and marketing. “Combined with our ever-growing line of cards for the openGear® format, we are now able to offer our customers an even more complete solution.”

The new Cobalt Digital range of routers comprises matrix sizes from 64 x 64 up to 1024 x 1024, and smaller frame sizes of 32 x 32 and 16 x 16 in 1RU. The series of Cobalt Digital HD Multiviewers will initially launch with units that accept 16 and 32 HD/SD-SDI inputs (no composite) enabling the display of any input to the available windows. The Company plans to present additional configurations in the near future.

New Embedded Loudness Processor Paves Cost-Effective Path to CALM Compliance
Cobalt will also introduce a cost-effective embedded loudness processor to the Company’s 9000 series of COMPASS cards for openGear.  The 9086 card enhances the manufacturer’s growing complement of 3G/HD/SD conversion gear by offering broadcasters a cost-effective solution for compliance with the CALM (Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation) act.

The highly cost-effective 9086-SD offers stereo loudness processing for embedded audio on SD-SDI, and can be field up-graded to 9086-HD functionality at a later date. Featuring Linear Acoustic AEROMAX technology, the 9086-HD offers 5.1 channel or stereo loudness processing for embedded audio on HD/SD-SDI.  When ordered with the optional Linear Acoustic UPMAX upmixing, the 9086-HD provides an elegant solution for adapting upconverted legacy stereo programming to full 5.1 channel, loudness processed content.

“The addition of the 9086 enables us to present a complete, cost effective loudness solution that offers multi-channel processing at the same time, all from a single 2RU frame,” says Shaw.

Bob McAlpine Named Vice President of Sales, North America
In other Cobalt Digital news, Bob McAlpine has been named vice president of sales, North America. McAlpine, a well-respected industry veteran with over 35 years of sales management experience, will oversee Cobalt’s US-based sales organization. He will report to Chris Shaw.

“We are fortunate to have industry experts such as Chris and Bob at Cobalt as we enter our next phase of expansion,” says Gene Zimmerman, president of Cobalt Digital. “The Company has thrived under Chris’s sales leadership, and I’m confident our international presence will benefit from his increased global role. Bob’s sterling reputation reflects our philosophy of providing the highest level of service available. Together, they will offer our customers around the world unparalleled guidance and support.”

McAlpine comes to Cobalt from Telecast Fiber Systems, where he served as VP of sales responsible for direct sales and channel operations. Previously he was VP global sales & business development at MultiDyne Video & Fiber Optics Systems. McAlpine also held several sales management positions during a 17 year tenure at PESA, where he rose to SVP of sales and marketing before the Company was acquired by QuStream and he was promoted to vice VP of business development, a title he held for over two years.

“Bob is a highly regarded professional in the broadcast community known for his knowledge, talent and leadership qualities,” says Shaw.  “We are confident that Bob’s skills and strength will drive Cobalt to our next level of success as we debut many new products during this breakout year.”

“I’ve followed Cobalt’s growth and progress over the years and was always impressed with the Company’s ability to respond to changing industry requirements with timely products and robust technical solutions,” says McAlpine. “I look forward to working with the management team and sales staff during this time of significant expansion and bringing customers closer to a total ‘one-vendor’ solution.”

McAlpine holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from New York’s Polytechnic University.  He can be reached at [email protected] or 631-988-8033.