Forward
VISION
News and information from around the industry
EXCLUSIVE STORY Author signs new publishing deal
See Page 4
VISION
stealth outguns EVERYTHING “Under The Radar” Low Weight & Size Exclusive Picture page 2
There are very few TV aerials that can claim to have achieved the converted CAI STANDARD 1 wideband benchmark certificate. Today, only one can also boast a tiny horizontal footprint and low weight that is so important when wind loading is an issue. But it doesn’t stop there. The new Vision Stealth aerial utilises all the benefits of log antenna technology, including ultra-flat frequency response for all channels in all UK regions. The Vision Stealth goes much, much further, by phasing two log booms together utilising a precision phasing system. The performance benefits of Stealth are now boosted to incredible levels. Impulse noise rejection now reaches previously impossible levels; completely Continued on page 2
Vision Phantom Launches
Artist’s Impression
“The Phantom”
Many blocks of flats and other multi-family dwellings use communal TV signal distribution systems. This has been the case for decades and many of today’s systems carry UHF TV and Radio with the addition of satellite IF signals, to enable each
dwelling to own and operate their own satellite receivers. These signal distribution systems require mains power in at least one central location and in some buildings, this is a problem. Traditionally the power has been provided by the landlord and the costs of powering have been added to a maintenance charge or similar bill. In some buildings this billing process does not apply and/ or a landlord’s supply isn’t available. This has often meant that the occupants had to fit several dishes on the building and each power their own LNB Continued on page 4
VISION Wonder Web Forward
SAYS
Launching in June, the new Vision Products website has a wealth of content for the professional installer.
Not Just Boxes YOU’LL know how useful it is to have to the right information at hand on a job – and how difficult it can be to find that information at times. We understand this at Vision because we have the professional rigger in mind twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. So it will come as no surprise that Vision is setting the standard again with two brand new publications that are available to the trade right now. This is part of Vision’s commitment to educating and informing the industry – and not just shipping switches in boxes. The first is a booklet that copes with Transmitter and Relays across the country pre- and post-Switchover. In fact, it’s pretty much everything you’ll need for an install with power ratings, aerial groups and channel allocations in an easy to read format. What’s more, the Transmitter Guide is available totally free of charge from your approved Vision wholesaler.
So jump onto your favourite browser, bookmark www.vision-products.co.uk, and click away.
Simply visit the site to access complete product data sheets, hi-res images suitable for planning and literature and an index of approved Vision wholesalers across the country. A highly anticipated feature compares Vision products against each other, showing key specifications on a single screen, making getting the right product easier than ever.
Digital Switchover Guide Published in April, copies of the Digital Switchover Transmitter Guide have quickly become this season’s “must-have” item. Look on the dashboard of most installers’ vans and you’ll see this handy pocket sized guide right next to the newspaper. And it’s easy to see why riggers are using this free publication from Vision everyday.
complete. It’s all organised by TV area, with every transmitter and relay listed in a quick to find list. In depth information covers power settings, channel numbers, recommended aerials and the specific date when Switchover is planned. Future editions will update all this when information supplied by Ofcom and other industry bodies becomes available.
All 96 pages are packed with exactly the information that anyone who installs or specifies jobs needs until 2012 when the national Digital Switchover is
Talk to your wholesaler today for your free copy to find out how this guide will make installs faster, less hassle and more profitable.
PICTURE EXCLUSIVE
STEALTH rEVEALED
We’re excited too that Vision has signed Bob Calaz and his industry standard handbook for installing, maintaining and planning Digital TV. Bob’s an industry expert, and brings over 40 years of experience to this indispensible handbook. This is bound to be a sure-fire bestseller across the industry like his previous book, so make sure you grab your copy right now. Keep an eye publications.
out
for
future
When Value Counts IT probably won’t have escaped your notice that there’s a bit of a recession going on at the moment. That means good value for TV and satellite installers has never been as important as it is now. And it’s exactly at times like these that that riggers are looking for the industry leader to do something to ease their burden. That something Optima range.
is
our
new
By stripping out the frills that some manufacturers insist on adding into their supposed “value” ranges – and at the same time concentrating on efficient manufacturing – we been able to produce a range of aerials, mastheads and distribution amplifiers that will suit the pocket of any cost-conscious installer. Let’s hope that more manufacturers follow Vision’s lead and look at their own products to see what can be done.
Fresh Ideas VISION has never been afraid of innovation. In fact it’s something we’ve gone out of our way to do over nearly a decade. The new V10 Stealth is the latest in a long line of products that perform superbly and at the same time challenge accepted wisdom. We know when you look at the Stealth, your reaction is - “What on earth is that?” But the figures speak for themselves. It’s Benchmark Standard 1 – the highest available for any aerial – and it exceeds many of the individual tests on that Standard. Impulse noise rejection is so good that only the most massive sources of interference are destroyed. And it does this with such a low wind load that it will make you wonder how you managed with something the size of a small car on a pole before. We’ve never been shy of innovating. We’re not about to stop now.
Revolutionary Design … Finally Revealed Continued from page 1
destroying all but the most massive sources of interference. The Vision stealth is particularly good at rejecting the types of interference that cause break-up of digital TV pictures. Forward gain is massively improved too, with a tight rejection of unwanted transmissions from other sources. Weak signal areas can now receive crisp, clear digital TV pictures and deliver breathtaking stereo and multi-channel sound transmissions thanks to Stealth. Phasing several booms together is not
a new technique. It has been used for many years, but not mass-produced commercially using log designs. High performance multi-boom aerials are available from many suppliers, such as the popular Vision Trident aerial. However, these do not have the added benefits of the log design nor the competitive pricing of this Standard 1 wideband aerial. Stealth is an ideal aerial for IRS and MATV installations. With superior signal reception capability, interference rejection and low wind
loading, it can be mounted high up in windy conditions, weak signal areas etc. and deliver top quality TV
signals for many years, thanks to the now legendary build quality of all Vision products.
V10-STEALTH™ Standard 1 Wideband UHF TV Aerial • Super flat, high gain across all UHF TV channels 21-68 • Extremely directional to minimise unwanted signal • Superb impulse noise rejection • Low wind load and profile relative to performance • Low profile for minimal visual impact • D esigned & approved for digital TV reception in poor signal areas • CAI Benchmark Standard 1 for wideband aerials CAI/AB 107
S-ClassY
Vision V75-508S
Popular multiswitch range upgrades arrive Vision Products have been the UK market leader in satellite switches for many years now, but success must not lead to complacency. So as part of their continuous improvement philosophy, the launch of the new “S-Class” V75 satellite switches have arrived. These new switches have a tough act to follow. The previous V75 range was well known for reliability, consistent performance and great value for money. The new S series have achieved the seemingly impossible, with enhanced performance, small footprint and operating-life extending designs for even better reliability. The prices are still very competitive too! Unlike some lesser switches on the market, Vision V75 S series switches
use cool-running switch mode power supplies (SMPS) for extended life, reduced weight and smaller size. These beefy power units deliver more than enough energy to operate the switch itself, masthead amplifiers up to 100mA and a quattro LNB up to 800mA – all at the same time. These fit-and-forget switches are available in three versions, the popular eight port entry-level switch for small systems or locations needing up to eight standard satellite receivers from Sky, Freesat or any other popular format. Twin tuner receivers such as Sky+ or Sky+HD are fully supported and UHF TV and radio have not been forgotten either. The range is enhanced with the addition of twelve and sixteen port switches, all boasting the same
industry-leading performance. Extensive field testing have ensured these next-generation switches will perform in every TV region in the UK, whilst ignoring most interference from out of band sources thanks to a clever new RF design. DAB and DTT are fully supported and analogue UHF TV and FM radio are fully catered for in this new design. For systems that use a masthead amplifier for boosted TV reception, a switchable 12volt, 100mA DC line power facility is included as standard. Included is a line-power LED to assist in faultfinding new installations, saving valuable time for installers. This is especially true when combined with Vision masthead TV amplifiers, which also have a power-on LED. Thanks to high performance RF circuitry, the all-new V75 S-series
switches deliver high signal levels without degradation. This allows for longer subscriber cable runs, eliminating the need for extra amplifiers in many installations. Every detail has been considered. When mounting the switch on a wall, there is no need to use templates or slide the switch around, trying to locate a screw-head to attach into some elusive slot on the back of the product. A simple, visible mounting lug design makes installation a breeze, even in cramped locations. Thanks to a small footprint, Vision V75 S series switches can be located in the smallest of locations. Colour coded input connections make installation even more foolproof, especially when used with Vision benchmarked colour-coded satellite cables.
AMP IT UP
Optima™
Number 1 For Value Optima DA distributes TV & Radio
throughout the home for less
The new range of Optima distribution amplifiers offers unrivalled performance and incredible value, without compromising quality. Optima have introduced a new range of domestic indoor amplifiers exclusively for the UK market. These elegant new units are finished in a superb black body combining a very attractive appearance and ease of installation. There are four products in the range, two intended for smaller domestic installations and the other two for bigger installs. The two and four
output models have been designed for smaller households requiring viewing of UHF TV and reception of radio in up to four locations. By using diplexed wall plates, TV and radio can be received simultaneously from each of the output connections. The larger six and eight output models boast the same range of features as their smaller relations but have the added benefit of a staggered output connector configuration, resulting in a much smaller footprint than some other designs. The new range provides a higher level
of amplification than rival products, boosting TV signals up to 20dB per port. This makes them suitable for both low signal areas and installations with either longer cable runs or poor quality older cables that are unsuitable for replacement. In strong signal areas, lesser amplifiers could distort with high RF levels, but not so with the Optima DA range. Two key ingredients ensure all but the very highest signals will be cleanly amplified. The first is a simple level control, located on the input of the amplifier stage. This attenuator will allow reduction of up to 12dB of incoming signal level, eliminating the need for external attenuators under most conditions. The second key ingredient lies in the unique RF design of the product. By using superior components, Optima DAs will support up to 87dB of incoming signal (with the attenuator set to -12dB). This is much higher than other products in the same class – and better than many far more expensive models too. The result is Optima DA amplifiers deliver clean, clear pictures, without the video patterning associated with
“Shelf Appeal”
some inferior, overloaded amplifiers in the past. The new range utilise F-type connectors both for input and output ports. These have proven to be far less susceptible to accidental disconnection than traditional “Belling-Lee” types and are fast becoming the industry standard for UHF TV in the UK. The installation requirements have been carefully considered too. The small footprint make them ideal for installation in cramped locations and by utilising external lugs with mounting holes, rather than elusive keyhole slots on the back of the unit, wall mounting is fast and easy. Last but definitely not least, long operating life has received considerable attention. The circuit boards utilise the latest surface mount technology (SMD), resulting in highly consistent, reliable electronics. These are housed in an RF screen, ensuring external interference is kept away from the TV signals, thus preventing picture break-up. Cool running power supply components also assist in extending life expectancy way beyond the low price points would suggest.
New value models featured in the Optima DA range DA2 2 Way Distribution Amp
DA4 4 Way Distribution Amp
DA6 6 Way Distribution Amp
DA8 8 Way Distribution Amp
Gain
2x15dB
Gain
4x20dB
Gain
6x18dB
Gain
8x15dB
Level Control
0-10dB
Level Control
0-10dB
Level Control
0-10dB
Level Control
0-10dB
Max Input Max Output
72-82dBµV 92dBµV
Max Input Max Output
72-82dBµV 92dBµV
Max Input Max Output
75-85dBµV 92dBµV
Max Input Max Output
75-85dBµV 92dBµV
MA-stamp TWINS
ANNOUNCED AT OPTIMA
The Optima launch range includes single and multi output Masthead Amplifiers. These MA models provide an affordable solution for TV installations where budgets are tight but quality is still important. Value for money is boosted as all models are supplied with a 12v Power Supply. MA Models are bound to be popular for boosting analogue and digital signals. Single output fixed gain models are ideal for general work
and a variable gain version provides support for more demanding applications. Rounding out the range is the MA20-4 multi-output variable gain model. All can be mast or wall mounted and a slide down cover locks into place for weatherproofing the whole unit. Internal electronics are placed on a removable module to make the fiddly job of connecting coax a little easier.
Two new arrivals have caused great excitement in the Optima offices. They look similar, but one is a fair bit larger than the other. They are ready to go out into the big wide world and do their bit for us all in the new digital arena. I am sure you have realised that our twins are in fact two brand new benchmarked digital TV aerials. The larger Optima aerial is a 10 bay, 52 element high performance Yagi antenna, with great gain and Front to Back ratios. The Optima big brother has achieved CAI Benchmark 2 certification, making it probably the best value area in its class. The Optima aerial is a delight to assemble, requiring no tools and very little time and effort to put together. The elements simply flip up and lock into place with a nice click, thanks to careful selection of UV resistant high impact plastics. The rear reflector slips into a purpose-built bracket and is secured with hand-tightened wing
nuts. Once assembled, it secures to a suitable mast of your choice using a really nice clamp design. Its smaller brother - Optima 5 - is a 5 bay, 36 element high-performance aerial with CAI Benchmark 3 certification, making it too, one of the best value aerials in its class. The new Optima balun, used on both models, is a high efficiency fully-matched PCB model with F connector, making the RF connection yet another time-saving operation. The ability to connect a meter directly to the aerial for alignment, then replace the meter cable with the down-lead cable just seconds later, makes installing Optima aerials really time-efficient and ultimately cost-efficient too. Together, these twins provide the professional installer with a solution for both weak-medium and medium-strong reception regions. Both are fast to install, very strong and best of all, brilliant value for money.
TV professionals all across the country are eagerly awaiting the brand new Optima range from Vision this Summer. Optima promises quality components in a “no-frills” package for the value installation market. For nearly a decade, Vision has built a reputation for producing powerful products that are easy to install and at the same time offer excellent value. Professionals have come to know and trust Vision and will do so for years to come. But sometimes the budget for a particular job requires a value product – and it is for these situations that Optima has been introduced. Jeremy Kennedy, Technical Director at Vision, explains how Optima is able to deliver value without compromising on quality. “We’ve had a team of people working on this project. In fact it’s the same guys that have developed every other Vision model, so they know what they are doing”. He continues “I challenged them to take the same high-quality Vision components, use even more efficient manufacturing processes and concentrate on the essential features that make our other products so popular. And I think they rose to the challenge” Optima was developed here in the UK specifically for the UK. So when an installer uses Optima, there are no fiddly work-around. Optima products are not pan-European compromises that work most of the time. Absolutely vital when the job needs to be completed with the minimum of fuss to maximise margins. The Summer launch range covers three installer essentials – TV aerials, indoor distribution amps and masthead amplification. Distinctively marked in black and white packaging, they certainly stand out on the shelf, making it easy to experience first-hand the simple promise – “Optima. Number 1 for value.”
PHANTOM LAUNCHES
Solves baffling mystery of “The landlord’s missing mains power supply”
Continued from page 1
from their satellite receiver, or in some cases, no satellite facility was available at all. Vision Products (Europe) Ltd have now solved this problem in the form of the Vision Phantom TV and
satellite switch. It operates in the same manner as traditional switches, with signal amplifiers providing gain both on terrestrial TV/Radio and four satellite IF polarities. This allows up to 16 dwellings to have signals for their Sky or Freesat satellite set top boxes (8 dwellings if twin tuner STBs
VISION
are used) as well as their off-air TV and radio receivers. The big difference is the Phantom does not require a landlord’s power supply! Each consumer powers their part of the system from their satellite set top box (or if they are TV only household,
from a small power supply). From the consumer’s perspective, the power demand from the set top box is similar to having their own dish and LNB. The TV-only consumer power supply is very small, similar to a masthead power unit required by many households throughout the UK. No modifications are required whatsoever to any set top box or TV and the system will work with any make or model of STB, TV, VCR etc. Unlike many other systems available today, Phantom requires very little power to operate. In fact even if only one consumer is connected to the system and all others are off, it will operate very successfully. So even if all the other dwellings are unoccupied, the system will operate without any difficulty. This will avoid unnecessary installer call outs, a real problem with some inferior systems.
To make the Phantom more universal from the installer’s point of view, the same switch can be used when a communal mains power is available, by adding just one auxillary power supply to the switch. In this scenario, no consumer power is required at all. The Phantom is a real problem solver for many other difficult installation problems too. For example, if you need to locate a switch in a riser where mains power is not permitted for reasons of fire etc. The Vision Phantom can be safely installed in the riser and if mains power is available outside the riser, the power supply can be mounted outside the riser and a safe low voltage DC connection can be made to the switch. If no mains power is available, then the consumer powering option can be used, also in complete safety.
PHANTOM™ V75 516 RPS Receiver Powered Multiswitch
Phantom … Unleash the power from within
• Active satellite and terrestrial 16-output multiswitch • Very low insertion losses for transparent performance • Ideal for no “landlord’s” or communal mains power supply • Powered by a single receiver or power supply • Powers a Quattro LNB from a single satellite receiver • Power & auto-shut-off & short circuit protection • Can also be powered by use of a central power supply • For each non-satellite dwelling use miniature power supply
Calaz Advises Installers Essential handbook scooped by Vision Vision have signed industry expert Bob Calaz in a publishing deal for his newest title. Digital TV, Satellite & Multimedia covers planning, installing and maintaining Digital TV systems in the UK. The well known author draws on over 40 years of industry experience that has seen him as Chief Engineer of a multinational, the owner of his own successful business and the main training provider for trade confederations and the military. This hands-on knowledge is now available in print along with hundreds of diagrams, photographs and drawings all indexed into and easy to find Keyword system. The handbook contains everything the modern professional needs to know from the basics of electricity right through to Fibre-Optic systems.
A similar title was also penned by Bob, but this new edition has been completely re-written for the 21st century. He’s keen to point out how different it all is. “It’s like comparing a black and white portable to an HD Plasma screen. They both show television pictures but really aren’t alternatives to each other.” And Bob is full of praise for his new Publishers. “I can’t believe how much Vision helped me along this time with the look and feel of the book. It’s great when you get that support, and it really means the book looks amazing.” This essential 316 page volume publishes in June 2009 with a cover price of £29.99.
Bob Calaz … 40 years of industry experience
VISION Products (Europe) Ltd
Unit 1 Redbourne Park, Liliput Road, Brackmills Industrial Estate, Northampton NN4 7DT
Tel: 0845 017 1010 Fax: 0845 017 1011