New HDCC-200A HD/SD-SDI Dual-Channel Closed-Caption Encoder Offers Compact, Flexible Solution for Handling Captioning Data

SAN FRANCISCO — Dec. 5, 2007 – PANORAMAdtv, the video products division of Wohler Technologies Inc., today announced the release of the HDCC-200A HD/SD-SDI dual-channel, closed-caption encoder/decoder bridge, a compact modular solution that simplifies closed-caption encoding of two independent SD and/or HD sources. Compliant with all broadcast standards and CEA-608/708, the HDCC-200A adds convenience and flexibility to digital and multiformat broadcast and production workflows.

“Today‘s digital production and transmission workflows require straightforward yet flexible handling of captioning data for both SD and HD source material,” said Carl J. Dempsey, Wohler‘s president and CEO. “To meet this need worldwide, we approached in a joint venture one of the world‘s foremost closed-captioning experts, Elio Deluca of Europa Australia. The result is the HDCC-200A, which provides state-of-the-art processing functionality for SD, HD, or hybrid workflows.”

“The HDCC-200A is the perfect, cost-effective tool for U.S. broadcast and production facilities that must comply with the new FCC requirements,” said Thom Belford, director of marketing for Wohler. “The HDCC-200A module encodes closed-caption data into either SD Line 21 or HD VANC signals, encoding two independent sources with unique closed-caption data or, when the signal output is intended for use in different distribution, encoding two independent sources with identical data. Each of the card‘s channels has a ‘clean‘ output and a captioned output with a burnt-in, closed-caption display that enables easy monitoring.”

Designed to occupy a single card slot, the HDCC-200A is compatible with conversion frames including the Wohler E-card and openGear frames in 1-RU, 2-RU, or 3-RU configurations. The device accepts HD/SD-SDI, World System Teletext (WST), and live captioning data via an RS-232 or Ethernet port that accepts data in the Newfor protocol. The card automatically formats data for insertion into the HD VANC space as set out in SMPTE RDD 8-2006 (Storage and Distribution of Teletext Subtitles and VBI Data for High-Definition Television) and the Australian Free TV OP47 specifications.

As well as being able to convert WST to HD VANC data, the card simultaneously converts WSS and GPI data for subsequent insertion into HD VANC, which in turn allows that data to be recorded on an HD storage device or distributed via the facility‘s digital video distribution network. In decoding mode, the HDCC-200A converts HD VANC data back to WST, WSS, and GPI data on the SD-SDI output stream. Monitoring outputs facilitate decoding of incoming HD VANC and SD WST captions, as well as internally generated HD VANC and WST captions. Rotary switches on the front of the module allow operators to configure basic functionality, while LEDs on the same panel indicate power, GPI status, and HD/SD-SDI input and outputs.

More information about PANORAMAdtv and the company‘s products and services is available at www.panoramadtv.com and www.wohler.com.

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About Wohler Technologies Inc. and PANORAMAdtv

Since its inception in 1987, Wohler Technologies’ video products division, PANORAMAdtv, has been a world leader in providing in-rack audio and video monitoring solutions for the broadcast, motion picture, and professional audio/visual markets. The San Francisco-based company offers a comprehensive range of products that simplify analog and digital source monitoring in facilities of all sizes and complexity. More information is available at www.wohler.com.