Optimod 5500 announced for NAB 2010

[stha]

http://www.orban.com/about/press/release/2010_0211.php

 

[fm-engineer]

I read that last week. It appears they are combining the 2300 and 5300. The 5300 has been a popular choice for small markets. The 2300 was neat because it doubled as a stand-alone stereo generator. I always get concerned when someone says "newly designed power supplies." Some of the current generation switching supplies are considered throw away parts. We'll just have to wait and see. Also, cheaper DSP is not always better, but they are trying to compete with other processor options such as Omnia 1 or VP-8. Like I said before, this will be an exciting NAB!

 

[jesseg]

Yep I'm excited for NAB too.

Interesting that nobody (yet) is talking about the GPS sync feature on the Optimod 5500 which allows for overlapping the same content on the same frequency without issues.

Personally I thought it was brilliant. 8)

 

[dspxscott]

Yep I'm excited for NAB too.

Interesting that nobody (yet) is talking about the GPS sync feature on the Optimod 5500 which allows for overlapping the same content on the same frequency without issues.

Personally I thought it was brilliant. 8)

It would be if SFNs actually worked.

 

[wgliradio]

Is there a price? Would we really get an Orban product under 3k

 

[RealityCheckr]

I can understand your concern about power supplies. Most customers don't realize that the equipment manufacturer is often a victim themselves. Spending more does not assure longer life. The companies that make power supplies all consider their designs proprietary and therefore even their customers, the manufacturers of broadcast equipment cannot get schematics or any support.

Unfortunately, if a manufacturer wishes to sell equipment overseas then switchers are a necessary evil. Yes, there are ways to support switch to a different supply voltage, but they are not convenient and they are also prone to human errors that can destroy equipment.

Usually, if a manufacturer mentions something about better power supplies it is because they are aware that they may have had problems in the past and want to tell their customers they have taken their concerns seriously. Not unlike the case where a manufacturer points out their newer model does not require (an unreliable) a cooling fan.

<SNIP> I always get concerned when someone says "newly designed power supplies." Some of the current generation switching supplies are considered throw away parts. We'll just have to wait and see. <SNIP>

 

[OKCRadioGuy]

SFNs will work if there are land features that provide a place for the mush zone to fall into, where humans generally don't hang out much. SFNs suck when it comes to serving a continuous area of population between the two towers, etc.

 

[jesseg]

What would "the mush zone" be caused by with modulation sync out of the way? I'm assuming phase issues from things like multipath?

 

[rorban]

What would "the mush zone" be caused by with modulation sync out of the way? I'm assuming phase issues from things like multipath?

That's exactly the issue. With perfect modulation sync, overlapping stations emulate multipath, which is nothing more than the equivalent of one (or more) extra transmitters with perfect modulation sync but at different distances from the receiver.

Without exact modulation sync, things are even worse.

 

[rorban]

I always get concerned when someone says "newly designed power supplies." Some of the current generation switching supplies are considered throw away parts. We'll just have to wait and see. Also, cheaper DSP is not always better, but they are trying to compete with other processor options such as Omnia 1 or VP-8. Like I said before, this will be an exciting NAB!

The power supply in the 5500 is the same model used in the 6300 and 9300. We have had several years of experience with it already and it's proven to be a reliable performer.