Lightweight On-Camera Unit Transmits Uncompressed HD-SDI or SD-SDI Output up to 150 Feet With Virtually No Latency

IDX is introducing CAM~WAVE HD (Model CW-5HD), a new mobile transmission system that eliminates the need for cables in many remote situations, even when shooting in high definition video. It produces wireless full-bandwidth uncompressed HD-SDI and SD-SDI pictures, live and in real time, with virtually no latency: less than 1 millisecond delay. Crystal-clear, artifact-free images are delivered wirelessly up to 150 feet in line-of-sight shooting, or 100 feet through walls.
Transmissions from a film or video camera to a receiving station-a news truck or producer’s monitor, for example-are sent via encrypted MIMO/OFDM. CAM~WAVE HD is also easy to carry: weighing less than two pounds and with no visible antennas. The freedom of movement for camera operators, as well as the convenience and cost savings to productions are among the major benefits of this new system.

IDX will demonstrate a preproduction model of CAM~WAVE HD at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention in Booth C-8032 (Central Hall).

“While we are best known for our award-winning ENDURA Lithium-Ion batteries,” said Henry Hara, president of IDX System Technology, Inc. in the Americas, “IDX is diversifying and developing products that provide technologically advanced value-added services for camera operators and production owners alike. CAM~WAVE HD is an excellent example of how we combine innovative technology and our decades of service in the production industry to develop important and paradigm-changing products.”

The CAM~WAVE HD system offers several unique features:

  • Uncompressed wireless system for both HD-SDI and SD-SDI video.
  • Multiple formats of video with two channels of embedded audio.
  • Latency less than 1ms.
  • Transmission range up to 100 feet (30m) through walls and up to 150 feet (50m) in line-of-sight conditions. Use in actual production may vary.
  • Conservative 11w power consumption.
  • Ships with an IDX V-mount, allowing a direct attachment to an IDX battery for rear mounting on a camera. It can also powered directly by DC.
  • Sleek and lightweight: weighing just 1.7 pounds, and no visible antenna.
  • Wireless transmission via MIMO/OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing), operating between the 5.1-5.8 GHz frequencies. No special license is required.
  • Selection of four manual or auto-select frequencies with 256-bit encryption.
  • Conformance to major international engineering standards including FCC, CE and RoHS specifications.
“We anticipate that CAM~WAVE HD will have an important effect on real world production,” Hara noted. “Its unique nature will enable camera people shooting live events in high definition to move with an unprecedented degree of freedom without cables. Companies will save on rental and up-front costs including manpower for long cable runs. Wireless technology holds great promise for the production industry, and we are pleased to be a leader in this emerging technology.”

CAM~WAVE HD systems will be available in early Q3, 2008 from IDX and its worldwide network of partners. MSRP is approximately $6,000.