Appear launches X10 DSNG for digital satellite news gathering

Appear has launched a tailor-made solution dedicated to digital satellite news gathering (DSNG). The X10 DSNG includes a switch module, with built-in satellite reception and ASI IO ports, that supports encoding and satellite uplink in a one rack unit chassis.

Supporting both fibre and satellite delivery, Appear’s X10 DSNG provides all the functionality DSNG operators need for contribution, including encoding/decoding and satellite uplink/downlink, as well as integrated reception and monitoring of uplinked signals. With the power to support 1G to 10G of traffic, the X10 DSNG features one switch module with dual 1G IP IO ports, satellite demodulator and two ASI IO ports, as well as one encoder module, one satellite modulator module and one decoder module.

The X10 DSNG also offers multiple channel support so operators can flexibly define the number of channels to be encoded and decoded, plus the number of satellite modulated outputs needed. It can support encoding of 32 HD or 16 UHD channels with four HD or two UHD channels of decoding (for monitoring), while uplinking to one or two satellite transponders. Common compression technologies and video protocols are supported and the programmable hardware means that it can support new standards as and when they are defined.  

The X10 DSNG is designed to be as reliable and failsafe as possible, even when used stand-alone, thanks to its integrated modulator redundancy switch. Should an internal failure take place, a range of redundancy options can take effect to keep the chassis fully operational. It also has a high-capacity firewall feature that can monitor and regenerate traffic as required.

“Over the past 18 months we’ve seen more remote productions and large-scale events take place, which has thrust OB and DSNG into the spotlight and put more demands on operators. DSNG has an important role to play and we’re delighted to bring a new solution to market that addresses their specific needs,” said Thomas Bostrøm Jørgensen, chief executive officer at Appear. “The X10 DSNG not only supports fibre and satellite, but with built-in security, redundancy and support for an array of compression technologies and protocols, it is a solution that not only meets operators needs today, but will continue to support them for years to come. It is a comprehensive, powerful solution, and we’re excited to see how it fulfils its huge potential in this market.”