Altera FPGAs Help NVISION Shrink Broadcast Router for Mobile Video Production


National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Conference 2006, Las Vegas, April 25, 2006 -NVISION, the leading provider of high-reliability broadcast routing systems, today unveiled the smallest big router in the world, the NV8288 Digital Video Router. Developed with FPGAs from Altera Corporation (NASDAQ: ALTR), the NV8288 delivers price-performance value in a small, power-saving package.

Altera's low-cost Cyclone(TM) II devices perform several data control functions in NVISION's NV8288 router. By integrating functions into a single Altera® device, NVISION significantly reduced the NV8288's form factor, weight and power consumption, while increasing its price-performance advantages compared to competitive routers.

"Altera's technology let us rapidly implement industry-leading features and capabilities in the smallest physical area," said Chuck Meyer, president of NVISION. "As a result, we're delivering ground-breaking digital video router products for mobile TV broadcast with superior functionality, performance and scalability in the smallest form factor."

Specifically designed for use in mobile video production trucks and other space-constrained applications, the NV8288 delivers the same high-level performance and reliability as NVISION's large-scale studio routers. However, the NV8288 accomplishes this at half the size (10 RU), half the depth (12 inches deep), half the weight (approximately 150 pounds) and half the power consumption (less than two kilowatts) of other large-scale routers on the market.

NVISION is exhibiting many of its Altera-based products this week at NAB in booth SU1414. Altera is exhibiting its programmable solutions for the digital broadcast industry in booth C8112.

Fast, Reliable Data Routing

NVISION also uses Altera FPGAs in its machine control and audio routers, the NV5256 and NV7512. In the NV5256 machine control router, Altera Cyclone series devices perform high-speed time-division multiplexing (TDM) on multiple data streams to enable the data to be quickly and efficiently routed throughout the system. Integrating several data streams into a single device minimizes board area and contributes to the notable compactness of the NV5256.

In the NV7512 audio router, Altera's transceiver-based Stratix® GX FPGAs provide a reliable, error-free, integrated multi-gigabit data channel for the TDM crosspoint feature. To accomplish reliable data transmission at the multi-gigabit-per-second data rates achieved by the crosspoint, NVISION requires the highest degree of signal integrity, which is provided by Stratix GX devices.

"By using Altera FPGAs, NVISION achieves unique product advantages with their broadcast routers," said Todd Scott, senior director of Altera's broadcast business unit. "Their new NV8288 router is clearly creating a broadcast industry benchmark.

To see how customers are using Altera products in broadcast applications, visit altera.com/broadcastsuccess.

About NVISION: Moving Pictures and Sound Around, Perfectly

NVISION is the leading provider of technically advanced digital routing switcher systems. The company's sole focus is the development and manufacture of high-performance, high-reliability and cost-effective routing and master control systems for the production and delivery of quality digital audio and HD/SD video used in TV broadcast and multi-format post-production. The company's worldwide customer base includes major television networks, TV stations, direct broadcast satellite (DBS) operators, video and film post-production facilities and major telecommunications companies. Since its founding in 1989, NVISION has pioneered groundbreaking technological advances, including large-scale HD-SDI routing and synchronous AES routing. To learn more about NVISION routing systems, see nvision.tv.

About Altera

Altera Corporation (NASDAQ: ALTR) is the world's pioneer in system-on-a-programmable-chip (SOPC) solutions. Combining programmable logic technology with software tools, intellectual property and technical services, Altera provides high-value programmable solutions to more than 14,000 customers worldwide. More information is available at www.altera.com.

Altera, The Programmable Solutions Company, the stylized Altera logo, specific device designations and all other words that are identified as trademarks and/or service marks are, unless noted otherwise, the trademarks and service marks of Altera Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. All other product or service names are the property of their respective holder.

Ford Kanzler
Altera Corporation
(408) 544-6397
newsroom@altera.com

Aggie Frizzell
FastForward Communications for NVISION
(425) 503-3036
aggie@fast-forwardnow.com

All Topics