Oct/090
Nobel Prize in Physics shared by CCD inventors, fiber optics pioneer
It’s not every year that the Nobel Prize in Physics falls within our scope of coverage, but this year turned out to a big exception, as the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has deemed it fit to recognize two breakthroughs in the fiber optics and digital photography. The first of those (and half of the $1.4 million prize) goes to Charles K. Kao, whose work in the mid-60s getting light to travel long distances through glass strands made the fiber optic cables we have today possible. The second half of the prize is divided between Canadian Willard S. Boyle and American George E. Smith, who both worked at Bell Labs in Murray Hill, New Jersey, and invented the so-called charge-coupled device semiconductor, better known to anyone that has ever looked at a digital camera spec list as a CCD.
Jul/090
New Series of HDMI Video Fiber Optic Extenders Aimed at Pro Install, Medical, and Government Markets
Capable of sending HDMI v1.3 digital audio/video signal through multimode optical fibers, AT-HDF20SR and AT-HDF30SR allow any HD display to extend signals up to 1,320 ft at WUXGA or HDTV resolutions. They offer self adjustment with no compression, bit reduction, or signal degradation and can run multiple signals in single conduit without crosstalk. CEC compliant units support 12-bit color depth and have 8 dB input equalizer, which compensates losses over 16 ft.
Atlona Technologies is releasing a new line of video extenders that transfer high definition video over multi-mode Optical type fiber optic cable up to 1000 ft without any signal loss. These new extenders serve not only as a way for companies to send video signal far beyond the lengths of actual cables, but also provides a measure of security due to their use of Fiber Optic cable. Since Fiber Optic cable is immune to interference caused by electromagnetic fields (EMF/EMI), these extenders are perfect for medical imaging applications where a perfect picture is not only ideal, but necessary.
Atlona HDMI versions, model AT-HDF20SR and AT-HDF30SR, are capable of sending HDMI v1.3 digital Audio/Video signal through multimode fibers (SC connection) allowing any HD Display to extend resolutions up to 400 meters (1320 ft) at WUXGA (1920×120 @ 60Hz) or full range of HDTV resolutions 720p/1080i/1080p.
Along with being HDCP/DDC compliant, these UL/CE approved Atlona units are equipped with advanced digital fiber optic technology allowing for self adjustment with no compression, bit reduction, or signal degradation. Multiple signals can be run in a single conduit without crosstalk. These CEC compliant units support 12-bit color depth and have an 8dB input equalizer, which compensates losses over 5 meters (16 ft).
The AT-HDF20SR is an adaptor styled baluns with a small form factor that lends itself perfectly to HDMI matrix switchers where space is limited. The larger of the two baluns is sold as two separate units, the AT-HDF30R and the AT-HDF30R, to allow users the ability to convert among multiple HD video types depending on the receiver unit. This unit is compatible with Atlona’s RGB or DVI receiver units (models: AT-DVIF30R and AT-RGBF30R) making it versatile enough to handle even the most complicated digital signage application.