A new digital modulation system from resi-linx is specifically designed to suit the Australian digital TV broadcast standards.

Australian supplier of structured cabling, RF and video distribution and IR control solutions, resi-linx’s digital digi-MOD HD DVB-T/DVB-C encoder modulation system allows integrators to distribute any high definition device around a home or business with ease.

Initially available in two models – the HD-1000 (single input) and HD-2000 (dual input) – the digi-MOD HD system converts high definition sources into HD DVB-T/DVB-C channels for distribution over coaxial cable. Coming in April 2013 are the HD-4000 (four input) and HD-8000 (eight input) models, and the IP encoder range.

All models support signals up to 1080p and ‘auto-sense’ inputs between HDMI, Component and CVBS.

“Traditionally, to achieve distributed HD video, installers have used video matrix systems. The problem with this is that once you reach the capacity of a switch you have to include more hardware, which can be cost prohibitive to your clients,” resi-linx business manager Jason Crabtree says.

“Additionally, matrix systems require additional cabling to modulator systems. Extra cabling presents additional opportunities for something to go wrong.

“Digital encoders, however, convert the signal into a DVB-T/DVB-C channel, which can be distributed to hundreds of TV sets, alongside free-to-air signals, without any additional equipment. There are no proprietary cables; installers simply use multiplex or diplexer mixed in to existing cable.

“Installers can simply walk into any existing building with a coax backbone and add this system within minutes, no matter how many displays are present.

“Then, when the signal is sent to the display, it appears as a normal TV channel. End users don’t need to change inputs between HDMI, DTV, Component, etc. The picture is there, ready to go.”

Perhaps most importantly, the digi-MOD HD system is tailor made for the Australian broadcast industry and is the only modulation system that supports both MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 video signals.

“When it comes to making HD modulators, the other systems on the market only support MPEG-4 signals, because most countries around the world also only support MPEG-4 signals. However, a couple of regions, including Australia, support MPEG-2 because it was one of the first countries to release a DVB standard, and MPEG-2 was the technology at the time,” Jason says.

The main difference between MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 is compression; MPEG-4 allows content providers to compress more data into the signal.

“When other countries develop a DVB standard they opted for MPEG-4 technology and, for the most part, a different bandwidth – 8MHz instead of 7MHz.

“For that reason, when we started working on the digi-MOD HD we looked for a point of difference, as we do with all of our products, and straightaway we realised we needed a dual MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 product. If it only supported MPEG-4 it would only work on 10% of TVs in Australia.”

Jason points out that MPEG-4 isn’t necessarily better than MPEG-2, it just gives installers a few more options.

“A lot of new TVs are MPEG-4, but not everybody has brand new TVs in every position. There are always hand-me-downs or legacy screens floating around. digi-MOD HD ensures you can walk into any building and achieve the best possible result.”