For HDTV the required data rate has to increase between five and eleven fold, from SDI format (270 Mb/s) to 1.5 Gb/s (1080i) or even 3 Gb/s (1080p). Belden wire and cable products provide the necessary performance for critical field applications where cable may be dragged, crunched and/or trodden on. It is for this reason that Belden cables and systems are used extensively in sports broadcasting.
UEFA EURO 2008
More than 800 km of Belden cable has been installed to provide full media coverage during the current UEFA Cup Football Championships. This includes 300 km each of Belden 7731A triax cable and Belden 1507C audio cable (for details see below). Other cables include Belden 1855ENH, Belden 7784E and Belden 8451.
The total of 825 km was installed by Gearhouse Broadcast, a leading systems integrator, who selected Belden products for their guaranteed top-quality and reliability. Eamonn Dowdall, Managing Director of Gearhouse Broadcast UK, said: “At any sports event, the most essential element is the cable. The quality of the signal is fundamental, so Belden high-quality cabling is essential to ensure a clear picture for the viewers.”
Mega sporting events like Football Championships and the Olympic Games are brought to millions of people around the world via HDTV (High Definition Television) using state-of-the art broadcast equipment and cabling. Thanks to Belden, viewers are assured of the best possible quality sound and pictures, wherever they are around the world. First introduced at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, Belden HDTV cables are now a vital part of major sporting events, large and small, international and local.
Advanced Headroom technology
Belden cables achieve the highest quality performance in HDTV thanks to their advanced Headroom. Because of its enhanced picture quality, HDTV totally depends on the cable being able to deliver outstanding results within a range of criteria. Key amongst these is Return Loss, i.e. the ratio of signal power launched into the distribution system to the power reflected back to the source. This ratio determines the amplitude of the signal reaching the receiver and decreases the effective cable distance.
The quality of HDTV depends on Return Loss parameters remaining within critical limits, known as Headroom. Belden`s Headroom technology is "future-proof" with a range of coaxes that exceed the European ITU standards and Return Loss specification for HDTV delivery set by SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers). Besides the cables, other factors affect Return Loss. For instance, Return Loss is more difficult to control at high frequencies and data rates, and also transmitters, connectors and receiving equipment all play a vital role in Return Loss. "This is exactly why Belden only uses 75 Ohms high quality connectors and we do not exceed the recommended bending radius, tie wrap at installation, and correct handling and pulling techniques are used. In addition, every reel is 100% sweep tested for Return Loss," explains Werner Eich, Belden Marketing Manager Entertainment EMEA.Belden is meticulous in checking and testing that every cable measures up to the required standards. HDTV cables need a band width of 750M Hz with excellent Return Loss performance at the third harmonic frequency of 2.25 GHz. Belden cable coaxes are tested up to 4.5 Ghz and have a typical Return Loss of 30 dB. "Because of our comprehensive testing and absolute obsession with quality, TV and radio broadcasters know they can depend on Belden HDTV cabling solutions to deliver quality and durability even under the worst weather conditions or within complex installations." says Werner Eich.
Crush Resistance
In complex and sometimes chaotic configurations such as those at large sporting events, the crush resistance of the cabling is vital to the quality of the picture. Comparative weight tests have conclusively demonstrated the superior quality and durability of Belden cables. "We loaded Belden tested cables and those of a competitor with a 50N weight and measured the Return Loss. The performance of the competitor`s cable degraded sharply and exceeded the SMPTE standard limit for Return Loss at 600 MHz to record 11 dB. In contrast, Belden cables remained at least 7 dB below the same standard and even below our own more stringent limits", confirms Werner Erich.
Peace of mind
Cabling for sporting events is an extremely complex operation. High quality performance and the reputation of broadcasters rely heavily on the cabling to provide the finest quality of sound and vision, for total reliability and ultimately, to give peace of mind. "Belden innovative high-velocity, crush-resistant dielectric cables have proven their durability and quality of delivery, time and again at sporting events. That is why Belden plays a vital role in the Olympics and Football World Cup and is involved in all types of sports coverage - from winter sports to golf championships, from cricket matches to baseball league games, from horse-racing to grand prix", concludes Werner Erich.
Main cables used (300 km each)
Belden 7731A triax cable key features
• Gas-injected foam HD polyethylene dielectric
• Crush resistant dielectric
• Guaranteed return loss performance
• Very low attenuation
• 100% Duofoil® and 95% braid coverage
• Matte finished outer jacket
• Excellent picture quality
• Extended transmission distance
• Available in 10 colors
• Available in halogen-free: 7731ANH
• Recommended HD distance: 230 m
Belden 1507C audio cable key features
• Drain wire
• High-conductivity (oxygen-free) ETP copper
• Beldfoil® bonded-to-jacket, easy & fast installation
• Individually shielded & jacketed pairs
• Color coded & numbered pair, better identification
• Overall Beldfoil® shield bonded-to-jacket & rip cord
• High-Performance • Beldfoil® 100% coverage, bonded-to-jacket
• Pairs: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 32, and 52
• DT-12 remote multi-pair
• Available in halogen-free: 15xxENH
About Belden
Belden designs, manufactures and markets signal transmission solutions including cable, connectivity and active components for mission-critical applications ranging from industrial automation to data centers, broadcast studios, and aerospace. We focus on segments of the worldwide cable and connectivity market that require highly differentiated, high-performance products. With 2007 revenue of $2.0 billion, Belden has more than 8,000 associates world wide and has manufacturing capability in North America, Europe and Asia. Belden EMEA has offices in over 15 countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Products are manufactured at sites in Germany, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Italy and Hungary. For more information about Belden, please visit www.beldenemea.com
