The Telecast CopperHead is a camera-mountable transceiver with the ability to multiplex all of a camcorder’s input and output signals onto a single fiber optic cable. Now, its maker, Telecast Fiber Systems, says that future CopperHeads will ship with Neutrik’s opticalCON fiber optic connectors.

These new Neutrik connectors will enable broader connectivity across the CopperHead product range and greater economies for mobile production, the company said. The opticalCON system is based on LC-Duplex connectors but eliminates its weakness and guarantees a safe, dust protected and rugged pairing. Going forward, Telecast said opticalCON connectors will be available for all models of the CopperHead.

The CopperHead Infinity Digital Media Camcorder (DMC), a camera-mounted fiber optic transceiver for the Thomson Grass Valley Infinity camcorder, is the first product in the CopperHead line to ship with the opticalCON connectors. It features a heavy-duty cable retention scheme and an automatically self-sealing shutter that protects the fiber connection from dirt and other contaminants.

The Infinity Series DMC features multi-format support; advanced CMOS imagers and digital processing; on-board selectable compression; high-quality audio capabilities; support for IT-based recording media (including REV PRO and CompactFlash removable media) and traditional and IT-based connectivity.

The DMC system simultaneously transports both digital (SDI or HD/SDI) and analog (NTSC or PAL) program video, as well as all two-way camera control, audio, video, data, tally/call and intercom signals between the camera and the base station.

Equipped with copper contacts as well as two fiber connectors, the opticalCON can be used with hybrid cables—transporting all camera signals while providing remote low-voltage powering of the camera. When local power is available for the camera, the connector also can be used with Telecast’s TAC-series tactical fiber cable—a lightweight, long-distance fiber optic cable for the harshest ENG and teleproduction environments. 

Telecast also said it will be making and supplying the opticalCON cable assemblies. These can be powered by battery, connected with Tac-2 or Tac-4 non-metallic battlefield cable (or single-mode infrastructure fiber), or powered from the base station up a SMPTE hybrid cable. 

The company also said it has developed a lower cost “power wafer” adapter for the Infinity DMC CopperHead that takes advantage of the electrical capabilities of the opticalCON using hybrid fiber/wire cables.

For more information, visit: www.telecast-fiber.com.