Fiber's the one
With today's sophisticated hardware that facilitates the use of fiber networks, News-12 decided to go with the fiber solution. The company chose Marlborough, Mass.-based Artel Video Systems Inc.'s equipment for the job because it provides the flexibility needed to transmit programming from one input to a multiple output environment.
The maintenance-free factor also played a part in the network's choice. "For the Rainbow Network, fiber provides an excellent transmission medium. The fiber approach is the easiest way to overcome the drawbacks of microwave broadcasting. We chose Artel's equipment for its easy implementation and low maintenance requirements," said Peter Lubell, director of affiliate engineering and signal integrity at Rainbow Network Communications.
The equipment specified for this job included the top-of-the-line SL4000 multichannel and DigiLink single-channel fiber optic transmission systems. Rainbow contracted with Nynex and Bell Atlantic to route the signal through an optical fiber network from the programming source through New York City to the 29 cable companies located in New Jersey.
The SL4000 is a modular multichannel video transport system designed to provide maximum versatility, performance and bandwidth. It is widely used by major cable companies and Regional Bell Operating Companies to meet their needs for uncompressed long-distance digital fiber optic transmission. DigiLink is a single-channel modular video transmission system that offers flexibility and easy configuration. It supports unrepeated video transmission over long distances.
Northern New Jerseyites can now put up their feet and watch quality news on TV 24 hours a day, thanks to fiber optics technology.