PESA Showcases Streaming Solutions, JITC-Certified Distribution Gear at GV Expo
Huntsville, Alabama – Nov. 20, 2014 – PESA, a leading designer and manufacturer of professional audio and video distribution solutions, will showcase its PESA Xstream family of streaming appliances, PESA Live app for iOS and Android smart devices, U.S. Department of Defense approved Video Distribution System (VDS) components, Cheetah 4K routers and field upgrade kits, and live production programmable remote control panels at Government Video Expo, which runs Dec. 3-4, 2014, in Washington, D.C. (Booth 429).
For the first time at GV Expo, PESA will show its new PESA Xstream C22 compact streaming system, which can be part of a larger hybrid broadcast system or standalone streaming appliance. An ideal solution for government, security, educational, medical, and broadcast applications, the C22 allows AV professionals to compress, stream, and share high-quality content between locations, as well as enable streaming in existing video distribution. It can be configured as a two-port video encoder or two-port decoder, or can include one of each. Two units can be paired to allow bi-directional live interaction between sites.
The C22 offers a variety of video inputs, its built-in genlock allows video signals to be locked to an external source for glitch-free video switching, and two external audio sources can be synchronized to either or both video streams. An HDMI out allows for local preview, while an integrated Web server provides full remote control, so no personnel are required on site for streaming content to another facility.
Working in conjunction with the PESA Xstream C58 streaming appliance, PESA Live delivers a high-quality, multi-channel video stream with synchronized audio that users can customize during conferences or other live events. With its intuitive interface, the chat-enabled app also allows real-time social media interaction via Twitter without missing any of the audio or video presentation. Content producers can add logos and other branding, as well as advertising, for targeted messaging. Content distribution options include local Wi-Fi or publishing to a content distribution network (CDN).
Earlier this year, the DoD approved upgrades to PESA’s VDS, including several products in its Cheetah large-scale digital router product line. In 2013, PESA was the first company to achieve listing as a VDS on the Department of Defense Unified Capabilities (UC) Approved Products List (APL), which is managed by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). The upgraded products received Interoperability Certification (IOC) and Information Assurance (IA) accreditation from DISA’s Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC), which is responsible for certifying joint and combined interoperability of all DoD information technology and national security systems.
The most significant upgrade is PESA’s series of Vidblox 2K DVI dual link extenders, which transport video resolutions up to 2560×1600@60Hz over coax and/or fiber. “Vidblox 2K provides an inexpensive multi-path solution for distributing ultra high-resolution graphics over long distances,” explained Col. John T. Wright (U.S. Army, Retired), PESA senior vice president, sales and business development. “Our Cheetah routers are already used by the U.S. military, NASA, and other federal agencies. JITC certification is very important because it ensures that DoD officials can rely on our products to deliver high-quality imagery for C4ISR between distinct video chains.”
New PESA Cheetah routers are now available in multiple configurations to manage the expanded bandwidth requirements of 4K signals. Both UHDTV (3840×2160) and DCI (4096×2160) are supported, and the router can mix and match between 4K CWDM and traditional copper or fiber I/O in the frame. For current 3G-SDI Cheetah routers, retrofit kits provide a simple plug-and-play upgrade solution. Any size Cheetah 3G-SDI routing switcher can be retrofitted with the new Cheetah 4K I/O card system by replacing any existing 16-channel I/O card set and reconfiguring the software to accept the new 4K cards. Once configured for 4K, the router can run both 4K and 3G-SDI signals in parallel.
PESA will also showcase its two advanced remote control panels for live production. The Smart32 features 32 dynamically reprogrammable LCD buttons arranged in a 2×16 configuration, while the Touch72 LCD features 72 programmable LCD push button switches, along with a color touch-screen display. Buttons can be customized by color with text and icon graphics through Cattrax, PESA’s management control software, and any switch can be configured as a source, destination, level, salvo, or control.
Please note: The proper reference to PESA Switching Systems, Inc. in all written communication is with all letters capitalized, i.e. PESA, to reflect its broadened product range. Kindly refer to the company this way in all written copy.