Transition from analogue to HD over existing coax

The devices offer an unprecedented level of integration to enable reduced system costs for video surveillance cameras, industrial cameras, digital video recorders (DVRs) and video mixers and switches.

HD-SDI usage in the security and industrial markets has been limited by cable reach and the high cost of cabling infrastructure. The TW6872 triple-rate HD-SDI video transmitter and TW6874 quad HD-SDI video receiver deliver the full benefits of HD quality without requiring expensive cabling upgrades. Offering robust operation in real-world installations, the TW6872/4 devices use SMPTE VC-2 based Dirac compression to enable HD video transmission at SD-SDI cable distances of 300+ meters.

High quality, picture perfect and latency free video with extended reach is achieved through built-in features in the TW6872/4 devices that leverage both the latest standards and Intersil's innovative circuit architecture. The TW6872 transmitter with low-jitter clocking (0.09 UIpp) and an integrated cable driver with pre-emphasis enhances output signal transitions to achieve superior cable reach. The TW6874 receiver with an adaptive equaliser compensates for frequency dependent cable attenuation, delivering superior cable reach in combination with the TW6872 or other HD-SDI transmitters.

The high level of integration in both the TW6872 and TW6874 devices reduces development and manufacturing costs for camera makers so that HD cameras are more cost effective to bring to market. The TW6872 video transmitter integrates both an analog and digital audio input, eliminating the need for an external ADC. An integrated cable driver contributes to extending cable distance and eliminates the need for external components for compensation. An internal PRBS test pattern generator replaces expensive test equipment typically needed during camera manufacturing and installation. Video enhancement features in the TW6874 receiver enable auto adjustment of brightness, colour, contrast and saturation at the DVR.

"The adoption of HD-SDI in the market has been limited by the cost of HD-SDI devices and requirements to use expensive cabling when transferring HD video data," said Susan Hardman, senior vice president of Specialty Products at Intersil. "The TW6872/4 end-to-end solution delivers HD quality at twice the distance of typical HD-SDI solutions and can offer customers significant cost savings by enabling the use of existing cables when upgrading or the use of lower cost cables in new installations."

The TW6872 HD-SDI video transmitter is available now in a LQFN76 (9x9mm) package for $7.00 USD in 1,000 unit quantities. An evaluation platform is also available, the TW6872-NA1-CR-EVALZ, for $995 USD. The TW6874 transmitter is sampling now and will be available in Q3 for $22.00 in 1,000 unit quantities. The TW6874-NA1-CR-EVALZ evaluation board is available now for $995 USD.