Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced CableOS® Reef, a new dense Remote PHY Shelf (RPS) that fundamentally changes the dynamics of cable network capacity expansion. By fully converging IP-based data, video and legacy services in centralized or remote facilities, this compact new indoor platform enables operators to more swiftly and economically address capacity issues while still leveraging their existing HFC outdoor access networks.

Ikegami UHK-430 and HDK-99 cameras have been chosen for a recently completed 4K OB vehicle, designed and built by Milan-based broadcast system integrator Aret Video & Audio Engineering. The vehicle was commissioned in time to cover the Qatar National Day festivities celebrating the country's foundation in 1878.

"The Ikegami cameras were selected both for their high signal quality and for the proven excellence of Ikegami post-sale support," comments Aret's Vice President Alessandro Asti. "Eight UHK-430 models have been purchased plus two docking-style HDK-99. All 10 cameras can be tripod or pedestal mounted to achieve steady long-zoom closeup capture of fast-moving action while retaining the freedom to operate in free-style over-the-shoulder mode. The HDK-99 can be configured to feed directly from the camera control unit into any 4K periphery."

Ikegami’s Middle East office, located in Dubai, assisted in the customer’s decision-making by providing consultation support and product demonstrations.

Ikegami observers were present to offer assistance over multiple days during the ongoing festivities," adds Asim Saeed, Business Development Manager – Ikegami Middle East. All the equipment worked perfectly and the production went flawlessly.

Hiltron Communications announces the completion of a custom-designed turnkey TVRO satellite platform for Nilesat, one of the largest Middle East telecommunication networks. The new installation is a fully L-band-over-fibre integrated downlink which covers all mediator satellites in the range from 30° west to 100° east, operating in C and Ku bands simultaneously.

"Located at our ground station in Giza, the new downlink gives us the reliability and flexibility we needed for backing up our existing fixed TVRO antennas," says Nilesat Head of Ground Segment Engineer Osama Tantawy. "Incoming signals from all antennas on the new platform, 32 feeds in total, are connected to the master control room via fibre-optic links. Hiltron has produced and integrated a complete solution including its HMCS monitoring and control software. The company worked closely with us from initial design right through to factory acceptance test, onsite installation, commissioning and training. The project was completed successfully and on time thanks to the experience and teamwork of everyone involved."

Leading telecommunications and technology company, Telstra, announces advancements and partnerships to its Telstra Global Media Network (GMN) through a cloud gateway solution and media data services, as well as an extension of its GMN Partner Alliance with two new partners, PSSI and Intelsat.

Originally set to be announced at NAB 2020 and rolling out in April 2020, the new cloud gateway solution, known as GMN MediaNet, expands on the Telstra GMN’s international fibre, satellite and partner media networks by providing a gateway from “on-net” media rights holders to “off-net” media buyers, using cloud infrastructure.

Telstra is also adding data-based capability, known as GMN Media Data, using bi-directional and multi-point Ethernet services with the ability to create data channels that allow a point-to-point data link between a media company HQ and a remote event or location. Improving operations and workflows for contribution customers to bundle components which reduces their operational costs.

The Telstra Global Media Network is a purpose-built video contribution and distribution network integrating underlying media fibre networks, satellite capabilities, and partnerships, connecting 2500+ OnNet endpoints, including 1000+ customer sites and more than1500 venues and stadiums. The addition of a new secure cloud gateway to and from the network will allow high-quality video transport to and from markets with little to no infrastructure, as well as incident prone areas.

Ikegami representatives head to the Dubai World Trade Centre in March for CABSAT 2020, the largest broadcast media show in the Middle East region. The exhibition together with its supporting conference and workshop will be held from March 31st through April 2nd. Highlights of the Ikegami exhibit on stand C4-20 will be the UHL-43 compact HDR camera which was shown in prototype at CABSAT 2019 and is now fully deliverable, the UHK-430 system camera with IP interface and the HQLM-3125X master grade video monitor.

The Ikegami UHL-43 is a compact HDR camera designed for applications such as robotic studios, outside broadcasting of live events, parliamentary television and point-of-view image capture.

Ikegami's UHK-430 is a 4K-native studio camera system with simultaneous HDR/SDR processing. Its three 2/3 inch CMOS sensors provide full 3840 x 2160 UHD resolution plus the depth of field needed for studio and outdoor production. The camera is equipped with a B4 bayonet mount compatible with 2/3 inch UHD and HD lenses. An optional SE-U430 expander accommodates large studio or OB lenses.

Ikegami's recently introduced HQLM-3125X is a 31 inch 4K-UHD master-grade monitor with 4,096 × 2,160 pixel 10-bit resolution and high brightness (1,000 candela per square metre).

Argosy, a leading international supplier of broadcast and AV cables and infrastructure products, will provide support for the Middle East and North Africa media market at CABSAT 2020 (31 March – 2 April 2020, Dubai World Trade Centre, stand G3-201). By providing a one-stop shop for systems engineers and designers, Argosy supports them in building sophisticated solutions quickly, simply and cost-effectively.

Argosy specialises in every aspect of media infrastructure, from cables and connectors to active hardware devices such as network switches, fibre transport and KVM switches. At CABSAT it will showcase a range of its offerings, including its own manufactured patching and termination panels, equipment racks and tactical fibre and SMPTE camera cables. Plus products from some of the market leading manufacturers including: BES, Canare, Cliff Connectors, Ghielmetti, and Neutrik.

Experts from Austrian vendor kvm-tec will also be available on the Argosy stand, explaining how the latest generation of high-bandwidth, IP-connected KVM (keyboard, video and mouse) solutions can deliver secure connectivity with low latency while linking multiple workstations to multiple computers. Such solutions reduce clutter in operational areas by needing only one set of keyboard, mouse and monitor while instantly accessing multiple services. This also helps to reduce cost by eliminating multiple monitors which contributes significantly to an improvement in environmental performance.

“With the media world changing so rapidly, demanding more outputs and higher resolutions, we know our customers need to be able to rely on suppliers to ensure they have the right infrastructure hardware, now and for the future,” said Chris Smeeton, CEO of Argosy. “We have a strong and long standing presence in the Middle East, and our many customers know that we are much more than just cable stockists – we can help finalise the details of installations, ensuring that the system works first time and stays working.

“CABSAT is a great opportunity for us to talk to our client base in the region,” Smeeton added. “They know us as problem solvers, and we enjoy finding solutions for them that are reliable, practical and, in an atmosphere of increasing environmental concerns, as green as we can make them.”

For more information, visit Argosy at CABSAT on stand G3-201.

Media Links®, manufacturer and pioneer in Media over IP transport technology, announces the appointment of Andrew (Andy) Armstrong to the newly created position of Vice President of Sales, North American Cable Markets.

Andy has a comprehensive understanding of the media workflows and business needs across the North American cable / MSO industry. In this new role, Andy will establish new revenue opportunities for Media Links through his thorough understanding of the challenges that cable service providers face.

Al Nuñez, Media Links Senior Vice President of Sales for Americas & EMEA comments: “We welcome Andy to the Media Links sales management team. Andy’s extensive experience in cable television spans more than 25 years, and his highly regarded reputation and technology expertise will be valuable as the company expands to serve the ever important cable sector.”

NINETNINE, the leading content provider to Cable and OTT platforms, has partnered with Samira TV, an Arabic channel available in Middle-East, North Africa and France, which specializes in cooking TV shows focusing on local cuisine. The two companies have produced the first French-Arab TV show, ‘Ezawj Errahal’ presented by French travel and food social media influencers Salim and Linda, known as “the traveling lovers” (Les Amoureux Voyageurs).

The 13-episode series launches on 14th February on Samira TV and will also be available on-demand and via OTT on Le Bouquet Maghreb, the leading Arabic TV package in France. The unique format will deliver an exciting, new TV cooking concept that will take viewers on a culinary trip around the world, allowing them to learn simple, original and mouthwatering recipes created by Salim and Linda while on their adventures.

Salim and Linda were the winners of the French popular TV competition format Pékin Express, which aired on M6 and attracted multi-million daily viewers. They became social media superstars and decided to travel the globe to meet people, discover new cultures and share their stories.

Sachtler's flowtech100 carbon-fibre tripod was a critical tool in the production of "Skid Row Marathon," an award-winning documentary from filmmakers Gabriele Hayes and Mark Hayes. "Skid Row Marathon" tells the inspiring story of Superior Court Judge Craig J. Mitchell and the people of the Skid Row Running Club in Los Angeles, who have turned their lives around through the empowering sport of long-distance running.

"At least 60,000 people live on the streets and in the shelters of Los Angeles County — many of them stuck in a downward spiral of addiction and despair. As the founder of the Skid Row Running Club, Judge Mitchell has helped to save hundreds of them," said Gabriele Hayes. "It's an incredibly powerful story, and the flowtech100 tripod helped us tell it. A tripod this lightweight and easy to set up and adjust, while sturdy and stable enough to handle our heaviest payload, really is a game-changer."

Hiltron Communications reports strong demand for its HCS-4 satcom system controller which has been integrated into various projects for customers in Europe, the Middle East and Far East.

An innovative recent implementation has been for one of the Middle East's largest telecommunication service-providers. This includes a switching and control system for Swedish Microwave optical low noise block downconverters. The HCS-4 powers and monitors the downconverters, checking for faults such as channel interrupts. If an interrupt is detected, the HCS-4 automatically switches to a backup signal source. Three downconverters are connected via optical fibre in a two-active-plus-one-backup configuration.

"The Middle East system follows on from the recent completion of a large project for a leading European satellite network operator," says Hiltron Managing Director Antonio Monteverde. "This included the integration of a 12U rack of monitoring equipment at 50 separate locations around the world, each with an HCS-4 as the control interface. Every system was pre-assembled and fully tested at our Backnang headquarters prior to on site integration."