Camera cable handles HDTV: News from Fujikura Europe

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Fujikura Europe has a new optical fibre TV camera cable for high definition video broadcast. HDTV gives superior quality images compared with standard definition TV images, but they need to be filmed using special cameras. Fujikura's optical television camera cables are made up of image transmitting optical fibres used between the camera and transmission system for broadcasts at the studio of the TV station, stadium or concert venue, as well as the customary power and control wires required for the operation of HD camera systems.

Manufacturers of HD camera systems such as Sony, Panasonic and Ikegami are active in this marketplace, along with hybrid connector suppliers Lemo, Fischer and Fibreco - all of whom are customers of Fujikura.

'With the consumer firmly in the driving seat, the demand for high-definition content is expected to take off in earnest this year - with the football world cup just around, we expect to see a high adoption of HDTV sets', says Brian Leonard, Product Manager at Fujikura Europe .

The advantages of filming with special HDTV cameras are that operators can zoom in closer to the subject without degradation of picture quality.

This has proved extremely beneficial for the programme makers of 'Planet Earth' which uses HDTV equipment extensively so as not to disturb animals in their natural environment and so allowing viewers to truly see animals natural behaviour.

'Over the past year the momentum for the introduction of HDTV in Europe has been unstoppable; as more and more broadcast companies prepare to launch dedicated channels and content control to its subscribers'.

'With market analyst's predicting that 4.5 million households in Europe will switch on to HDTV by 2008 - it's no wonder that broadcasters cannot afford to ignore it', continues Leonard.

Fujikura is one of the world's top five optical fibre manufacturers - producing single-mode, multimode, nonzero dispersion shifted, ribbon and polarisation maintaining fibres.

With its super flexibility structure and high standard of durability, its OGBC-DTL TV camera cable is SMPTE-311M certified.

'We are already talking to a number of outfitters and rental companies of outside broadcast equipment, and direct to stadiums that are responsible for their own broadcasting about their fibre cabling needs - this is very much a topic of the moment'.

'Our cable is of the highest standard and delivers exceptional performance', concludes Leonard.

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