VOSCOM Fiber Optic System: Comprehensive 12G/3G-SDI Solutions for Professional Broadcast Transmission

In the realm of professional audio-visual (AV) production, 12G-SDI and 3G-SDI standards form the backbone of high-resolution signal transmission, enabling 4K/UHD and HD workflows respectively. VOSCOM’s 12G-SDI Fiber Optic Extender redefine versatility, offering end-to-end coverage of these standards while integrating modular customization for diverse industry needs. This article explores their technical prowess, application scope, and bespoke capabilities, as visualized in the accompanying product architecture.

Technical Overview: Signal, Interface, and Form Factor Mastery
1. Multi-Signal Integration
VOSCOM transceivers support a hybrid signal ecosystem over fiber, including:
• SDI Channels: 1–16 channels of 12G-SDI/3G-SDI (auto-detecting SMPTE 2082/2081/424M/292M standards), enabling 4K UHD (12G) or HD/3G workflows.
• Audio Signals: Balanced (XLR, line/mic level, 1–16 channels) and unbalanced (RCA, 3.5mm TRS, terminal block, 1–16 channels) audio, covering stereo, line, and microphone inputs/outputs.
• Data & Control: Serial data (RS485/232/422), Tally/GPI/GPO (1–2 channels), and Gigabit Ethernet (1–8 channels) for remote device management, intercom, or streaming.
• Video Formats: Composite video (1–2 channels) for legacy system integration.

This unified approach eliminates cable clutter, replacing multi-wire setups with a single fiber link (via SMPTE 304M hybrid, ODC, or LC/ST/FC connectors), ideal for broadcast trucks, studio racks, or outdoor shoots.

2. Interface Flexibility
• Connectors: Supports industry-standard interfaces like SMPTE 304M (for camera-to-base station links), ODC (durable field connectors), and LC/ST/FC (for rack-mounted systems), ensuring compatibility with existing infrastructure.
• Audio Terminations: Balanced (XLR-combo for mic/line) and unbalanced (RCA, 3.5mm, terminal block) options cater to diverse audio workflows, from live sound to post-production.

3. Form Factor Diversity
• V-mount: Compact, battery-powered adapters for on-camera deployment (e.g., ENG/EFP setups).
• Standalone Units: Portable, ruggedized boxes for field use (e.g., event production, temporary installations).
• Rack-Mounted Systems: 1U/2U 19-inch racks for studio/control room integration, supporting high-channel-count configurations (up to 16 SDI channels) for large-scale productions.

Customization Capabilities: Modular Design for Every Need
VOSCOM’s modular architecture allows users to tailor transceivers to project-specific requirements:
• Function Mixing: Combine SDI channels, audio, data, and Ethernet as needed (e.g., 8x12G-SDI + 4xGigabit Ethernet for a sports OB van, or 3G-SDI + Balanced Audio for a corporate AV system).
• Interface Selection: Choose connectors (e.g., SMPTE 304M for camera links, LC for long-haul fiber) and audio terminations (XLR for professional sound, RCA for consumer-grade systems).
• Form Factor Optimization: Deploy as V-mount (for camera-side mobility), standalone (for field flexibility), or rack-mounted (for studio permanence), ensuring seamless integration into any workflow.

This flexibility is critical in broadcast and film, where camera brands (e.g., Sony, Canon, Blackmagic) and production environments (studio, outdoor, mobile) demand bespoke signal chains.

Applications: Across Industries, Across Resolutions
1. Broadcast & Live Events
• 4K/UHD Studios: 12G-SDI transceivers deliver uncompressed 4K@60Hz to switchers, with integrated Tally/Ethernet for real-time crew coordination (e.g., news studios, virtual sets).
• Sports Venues: 3G-SDI/12G-SDI hybrid systems transmit multi-camera HD/4K feeds over 300m fiber, with Balanced Audio for commentator mics and Tally for camera status.
• Mobile OB Vans: Rack-mounted 2U systems consolidate 16x3G-SDI + 8xAudio + Ethernet, simplifying cable management in confined spaces.

2. Film & Television Production
• On-Set Monitoring: V-mount transceivers send 12G-SDI camera signals to director’s monitors, with embedded Time Code/Genlock for syncing dailies.
• Remote Production: Gigabit Ethernet enables live viewfinder feeds over IP, while Serial Data supports lens control (e.g., ARRI/Fujinon lens protocols) via fiber.

3. Corporate & Education
• Conference Rooms: 3G-SDI transceivers stream HD video to projectors, with unbalanced audio (RCA) for presentation systems and Ethernet for Zoom/Teams integration.
• Campus TV Networks: Standalone 3G-SDI units distribute HD content across buildings, with modular rack systems for future 4K upgrades.

4. Security & Surveillance
• Industrial Sites: 3G-SDI transceivers transmit high-res security camera feeds over long-distance fiber, immune to EMI/RFI (e.g., power plants, warehouses), with Tally for camera activation status.

Why VOSCOM?
• Scalability: From 1-channel 3G-SDI to 16-channel 12G-SDI, systems grow with production needs.
• Reliability: Fiber optic transmission ensures zero latency, zero signal degradation, and immunity to electrical interference—critical for mission-critical broadcasts.
• Future-Proofing: Auto-SDI format detection supports legacy (3G/HD) and next-gen (12G/24G) workflows, protecting infrastructure investments.

Conclusion
VOSCOM’s optical transceivers represent the pinnacle of 12G/3G-SDI transmission, offering unmatched signal integration, interface flexibility, and form factor diversity. Whether powering a 4K live broadcast, a film set, or a corporate AV network, their modular design and customization options ensure a perfect fit for every project. As the industry evolves, VOSCOM remains at the forefront, delivering solutions that bridge legacy systems with cutting-edge 4K/UHD workflows—all over a single fiber.

Explore Custom Configurations
Visit www.voscom.com to design your bespoke transceiver (mix signals, interfaces, form factors) or contact our team for technical consultation.