Several companies now offer crews products to get you on and off the set quickly

Anyone who’s ever set up a remote HD production knows how time-intensive connecting and disconnecting cables can be. Several new options have become available to ease the coax connecting part, decreasing set-up and teardown time. The use of fiber-optic cabling-with its ability to carry multiple signals down a single fiber strand-has certainly helped in this area, but there’s still lots of coax cabling in use.
Hillside, NJ-based Wireworks is now offering PictureLink, a multi-channel video interconnect system that provides up to 24 HD video channels through a single fanout connection. The system is available in 3- to 24-channel 3 GHz HD coaxial models. [According to Gerald Krulewicz, president at Wireworks, a cable rated for 3 GHz will pass through a 720p or 1080i HD signal with “minimal” signal loss.]

PictureLink fanouts feature standard BNC connectors and up to four 24-channel PictureLink fanouts can be rack-mounted in a single rack space for those that need 96 HD coaxial lines. For larger applications, 10 24-channel fanouts can easily be mounted in a 3 RU space and provide 240 connections.

Wireworks’ rectangular G-Series connector eliminates out-of-round and cross-threading problems via a metal housing that incorporates a strong cable retention design. Precision formed, gold-plated coaxial contacts prevent degeneration of signals, and all of the cables are enclosed in a nylon mesh jacket to prevent damage from tangling.

Gepco, headquartered in Des Plains, IL, makes the V-Con Connector System, which, using a configurable insert, gives users the choice of 3- to 16-channel versions. The series can be used for both component video and uncompressed HD video applications. The distribution racks are available either with three V-Con connectors in a 2RU height, five in 3RU or 10 connectors within 4RU.

The core of the V-Con system, Gepco V-Con connectors, feature an all-metal body, locking setscrew, and integrated cord grip. The 3 GHz coaxial elements are constructed from stainless steel and 50u gold-plated contacts to prevent corrosion and ensure long mating life.

The V-Con Connector System is built in an aluminum chassis with a recessed top plate to protect the connectors. Offering easy access and patching, each coaxial channel in the V-Con connector is wired to a female BNC connector on the back panel, which can accommodate up to 160 coax sources. A variety of breakout boxes are available as well.

Virginia Panel, in Waynesboro, VA, also offers a quick-connect solution, called iCon HD, which enables the user to connect up to 36 contacts in a single connector. It features spring-loaded locking tabs and built-in lubrication that secures the receiver with a half-turn of the handle. The engagement mechanism is recessed; non-stubbing contacts ensure a quick and easy disconnect. Using Belden cable, VPC adds 75-ohm HD coaxial contacts, which are gold-plated for signal integrity and reliability.

Another company, Whirlwind, in Rochester, NY, makes a series of cable fanouts and other products for easily making video and audio connections. This includes its FM Series for audio sources, which feature an inline multipin connector at one end and a fanout at the other with WI3M male XLRs on input channels and WI3F female XLRs or ¼-inch TRS connectors on return channels.

Fanout lengths include: 3 ft. for 9 through 28 lines; and 4-1/2 ft. for 32+ lines. A Snakeskin protection sheath is applied to the fanouts as a standard feature.

For more information, visit www.gepco.com, www.vpc.com, www.whirlwindusa.com and www.wireworks.com.