Joseph Electronics Shadow Box hits IBC

Joseph Electronics (JE) will bring its innovative Shadow Box, providing a convenient A/V interface at any camera position using an existing SMPTE hybrid camera cable, enabling remote camera crews to expand their A/V signal options quickly in situations where the hybrid camera cable is the only cable available, to IBC.

“Some venues today have fiber infrastructures that serve them well most of the time, but they get pushed to the limit when it comes to large and exceptional events that attract more media coverage,” says Yohay Hahamy, president and CEO of Joseph Electronics. “By the same token, some cameras don’t have the I/O to handle additional A/V requirements. In all of those cases, the OB or in-house crews that cover those events need a simple, quick, and affordable way to extend the infrastructure in order to allow more cameras without adding more cableShadow Box is a custom solution that lets people add cameras or extra camera I/O on the fly without investing money and effort into running additional fiber or cables or expanding the permanent infrastructure.”

The Shadow Box is a new addition to JE’s popular Caddie line of fiber-optic interfaces. The solution requires two units: one at the truck to provide A/V interface connections and one in the field near the camera position. Crews need only add short SMPTE jumper cables on each unit to facilitate camera and truck connections. The Shadow Box, in essence, takes a little bit of mains power from the SMPTE hybrid cable to power itself and passes along the rest to drive the SMPTE-equipped HD camera. In this way, no additional power is required, which saves time and money. Featuring multiple channels of 3G video, IFB, intercom, and audio, the rugged throw-down box can also be locally powered when used with plain single-mode fibers. As an option, the system can be outfitted with a professional broadcast battery that can act as a fail-safe measure in case of power failure, or to provide independent operation without a camera.

The Shadow Box is ideally suited for news stand-up positions or remote interview positions for sports, such as in a hallway, locker room, or press area. The solution is especially useful in covering seasonal events, such as playoffs, that place extra demands on limited cabling infrastructure. Shadow Box also works for remote telecast interview setups in ball parks, stadiums, and any other venues that lack their own video or audio facilities.

JE will demonstrate the Shadow Box at IBC2015 on the stand of Bluebell Opticom, 10.F24. The product is shipping now.