Broadcast dry hire and systems rental specialist Presteigne Charter has been using 4HM’s SAM64 SDI to MADI and AES interfaces in broadcast feeds for Far Eastern broadcasters WOWOW and TV Asahi and will be employing them during London 2012 for both Foxtel and Channel 9. The 1U SAM64 can extract 16 audio channels from each of its four SDI inputs to provide a total of 64 audio channels in both MADI and AES3 formats. All SDI inputs independently auto-sense between 3G, HD and SD standards and are provided with loop-through connectivity for downstream equipment. The device also provides a comprehensive range of synchronising options and switchable sample rate converters. All SAM64 units come as standard with a redundant power supply. When launched, the unique SAM64 immediately made an impact finding favour on several large projects. Six units were integral in UK broadcasters ITV and BBC’s coverage of the FIFA World Cup broadcasts from South Africa. Steve Kilsby for Presteigne Charter said, “One of the key attractions of the SAM64 is that they are extremely quiet, which helps as we need to locate the units in the operational area. The SRCs [Sample Rate Converters] on the AES outputs are also great for the Yamaha mixers we use on our Asian projects, as they can be sensitive to clocking issues.” He continued “For Presteigne Charter’s upcoming Olympic project for Australian broadcasters Channel Nine and Foxtel; we will use the full features of the SAM64’s MADI output, using this interface to supply our main studio mixer in 5.1 and use the AES outputs to feed the emergency mixer.” Kilsby went on to praise the unit’s compact size and features, “The ability to de-embed four HD/SDI signals in 1RU keeps the equipment count to a minimum, essential for ‘fly away’ work. The SAM64’s Word Clock generator comes in handy and my colleagues like the LEDs on the input and output BNCs; very useful when plugging up in the back of the rack!” 4HM recently launched complementary products to join the SAM64: the MA64 MADI to Multi-format AES converter; a general purpose 32 way (16 AES pairs) AES/EBU breakout box – the BOB/O-32, and a 32 way (16 AES pairs) matching input interface unit – the BOB/I-32. www.4hmbroadcast.com
