Cobalt Digital (www.CobaltDigital.com), manufacturer of award-winning 3G/HD/SD-SDI conversion gear, will offer an array of new and enhanced card-based signal processing solutions to international broadcasters at this year’s IBC2013, at Stand 10.B44. With a line-up that further extends the company’s position as a leader in card-based solutions, Cobalt will unveil the latest in converter technology with its new OBSIDIAN3G™ range of cards, highlight enhanced colour correction features in its 9084 COMPASS® HD/SD-SDI RGB Colour Correction Card, feature extended capabilities of its SPOTCHECK® to provide both a video and audio compliance monitoring and recorded data logging system, as well as show its new fiber units both in card form and in Cobalt’s popular Blue Box Group™ family of throw-down modules.

“We are very much looking forward to this year’s IBC2013 show in Amsterdam and having the chance to meet with both current and potential new customers and demonstrate how we listened to their requests and delivered new and enhanced products to meet their diverse needs – no matter the application,” says Chris Shaw, EVP Sales and Marketing, Cobalt Digital. “From professionals in traditional broadcast spaces to those in mobile trucks, studio and transmission environments, Cobalt is delivering a range of solutions that spans from high quality, fast colour correction and video and audio compliance monitoring to expanded Blue Box and OBSIDIAN3G families at this year’s show. As always, our goal is to keep customers ahead of the technology curve in a competitive market with reliable, cost effective gear.”

New:

• OBSIDIAN3G - a new series of terminal gear cards offers the highest quality performance and improved frame density with pricing sensibility to accommodate all types and sizes of broadcast facilities. The continuously expanding feature-rich OBSIDIAN3G series, developed using the latest chip technology, debuts at IBC2013 with a downconverter series that combines low power with a high-density design and the potential to pack up to 20 cards per frame in a dual-channel unit for a total of 40 conversions.  Features include 3G/HD/SD-SDI input, frame sync, SDI reclocking, SD-SDI and analog video/audio outputs. The 9501-DCDA auto-detects and down converts SMPTE 425/292/259M formats, performs aspect ratio conversion and can pan & zoom. Three models debuting at this year’s show include: OBSIDIAN3G 9501-DCDA-3G, OBSIDIAN3G 9501-DCDA-HD, and OBSIDIAN3G 9502-DCDA-3G.

Highlights:

• SPOTCHECK, Cobalt’s audio loudness measurement and recorded data logging system, now offers enhanced compliance monitoring and logging capabilities. With up to 16 video channels containing up to 32 audio channels, the newest version – SPOTCHECK-2016  – monitors, meters and logs loudness compliance over extended time-periods and now supports codecs H.264, MPEG2, MP1L2, DD, and AAC. Enhancements include Live Audio Meters, Thumbnails, Transport Stream Manager and ASI Gateway.  SPOTCHECK also features newly added video monitoring capabilities in the form of notification of Frozen Frame/Audio Dropout, SNMP Alarm Trap and Unit Status and Local Ad Insertion (SCTE35 and DTMB Tones). More features will be on-hand at the company’s stand during IBC2013.

• Cobalt’s 9084 COMPASS HD/SD-SDI RGB Colour Correction Card offers customers a fast and intuitive colour correction option with real-time adjustment features which can easily be made from the company’s award-winning OGCP-9000/CC Remote Control Panel. The remote control panel, intended for FUSION3G® 9900 series and COMPASS 9000 series signal processing cards, was designed with a special emphasis for the COMPASS 9064 and 9084 Colour Corrector cards, and the FUSION3G series +COLOR option. The 9084 offers RGB-space colour correction with YCbCr proc features and frame sync for HD/SD-SDI video streams. The RGB processing controls provide full offset, gain and gamma adjustments.  The YCbCr proc controls provide lift, gain, saturation, phase, white clip (hard and soft), black clip, and colour saturation clip – all with user memory.  Parameter updates are smooth and responsive, providing real-time adjustments ideal for use during live events. Even though the card provides extensive control of the signal from the RGB perspective, it will continue to pass those signals that fall outside of the RGB gamut.  Pluge and YCbCr limit ramp signals pass without modification.  When the CbCr saturation clip is activated, the saturation limiting operation will not affect the colour phase.

• Fibre units are now available for Cobalt’s recently released Blue Box Group™ - a range of throw-down modular bricks designed to answer the demand for first class quality, price competitive, signal conversion equipment. This family continues to grow with its new range of fibre units, including Transceiver, Regenerator, Transmitters and Receivers. The units, pathologically compatible with OG fibre cards, allow for analog audio embed and de-embed and provide 3G (1080p59.94/50) support for HDMI models.  The compact, rugged, and portable converter boxes are super-easy to use and support SMPTE 425, 292M, and 259M as well as DVB, ASI, and MADI audio on two independent coax-to-fibre paths. Up to six modules can be installed in a single 1RU rack.