Marketplace

ARRIS Powers Up

Arris’ Touchstone Telephony Modem 202P contains over eight hours of battery back-up time. This multimedia terminal adapter (MTA) is based on DOCSIS 1.1 and PacketCable 1.1 standards and provides two lines of voice over IP telephony as well as high-speed data access. Because the TM202P has a USB and an Ethernet port, consumers can use one modem to access the Internet with two computers simultaneously. It can be mounted to a wall or can sit on a desk. (ARRIS, 404-307-5485, www.arrisi.com)

Force Helps With Conversion

Force says its Digital EXCELLinx Broadcast Fiber Optic Transport Platform provides both cable operators and broadcasters an affordable way to migrate from analog to digital broadcasting. Using this modular system, the user can field configure a system with one or two channels that support a combination of RS-250C digitized analog video, SDI digital video and DVB-ASI or SMPTE 310M digital video. (Force Inc., 540-382-0462, www.forceinc.com)

Pace Goes HD

The Energy Star-rated Pace DC-550 HD gateway works for both standard and high-definition TV sets. It scales content to fit 4:3 and 16:9 televisions, minimizing letterbox and pillarbox bars. The gateway boasts a 260 MIPS processing speed and 64 MB of memory. As for content security, it uses DVI 1.0/HDCP and 1394/DTCP.

Consumers can connect DVD players to the box rather than to their TV sets. And the unit sports sturdy feet. (Pace Micro Technology Americas, 561-995-6009, www.pacemicro.com)

Motorola Targets Session-Based VOD

The Motorola SmartStream Encryption Modulator (SEM) multiplexes, encrypts and modulates streams for session-based video-on-demand (VOD) services. Protected content can be delivered to an individual customer and the encrypted service can be provisioned dynamically.

Specifically, SEM encrypts services across eight 64- or 256-QAM cable channels. It is equipped with ASI and gigabit Ethernet interfaces to accommodate technology migration. (Motorola, 215-323-1873, www.motorola.com)

S-A Stresses Consumer Ease

The Explorer 3250HD is Scientific-Atlanta’s third-generation high-definition set-top box. It includes a setup wizard, which helps users determine whether their TV set has a 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio and allows them to choose a setting depending on the answer they receive. Through the remote control, consumers can stretch the video to fill the screen.

The Explorer 3250HD can output video in four resolutions—480i, 480P, 720P or 1080i—and has two copy protection interfaces. (Scientific-Atlanta, 770-331-3814, www.sciatl.com)

NetTest Simplifies GigE

NetTest has added a field-portable gigabit Ethernet analysis application to its CMA 5000 Multi-Layer Network Test Platform. The application provides up to 28 statistics, including frames and error generated, for each address or label. From the field, technicians can determine which station or VLAN is generating the most traffic or errors. The CMA 5000 platform as a whole can certify 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet networks and can pinpoint any problematic devices should there be trouble in the network. (NetTest, 315-266-5024, www.nettest.com)

DTNet Modem 2.0 Compliant

CableLabs has certified the DTNet Technologies Hitron BRG3520T DOCSIS 2.0/1.1 cable modem as DOCSIS 2.0 compliant. It can support up to 16 PCs, and can handle downstream transmissions of 38 Mbps and upstream transmissions of 30 Mbps. The product offers IP address filtering and has an RF silicon tuner that reduces heat inside the modem. (DTNet Technologies, 813-864-9400, www.dtnet.com)

Fiber-Optic Node Cables

CommScope is now offering fiber-optic node cables and components. The new cables are constructed using LightScope ZWP technology that is available with flexible connector and node interface options. The cables may be used to connect the optical distribution node to the backbone optical fiber. The fiber component product line consists of a portfolio of integrated fiber management, connectorization and apparatus products. (CommScope, 828-431-2531, www.commscope.com)

Contec Remotes Support DVR

Contec’s Synergy line of universal remote controls support Scientific-Atlanta’s Explorer 8000 digital set-top application, including its advanced DVR/PIP capabilities. Users can program the remote to operate TV sets, VCRs, DVD players and audio devices without codes. (Contec Corp., 800-382-2723, www.gocontec.com)

Acterna Sees Streams

The Acterna DTS-200 monitors and analyzes MPEG-2 transport streams. Using this tool, operators can see inside digital traffic to identify problems with equipment or actual content. The DTS-200 can interact directly with OSS systems and sends an alarm if there is trouble with a stream. The modular product is compatible with a variety of the digital, RF and data interfaces currently used in digital broadcast. It can be used in the field or from the network operations center. (Acterna, 301-221-8359, www.acterna.com)

Diamond Updates Remotely

Diamond IP Technologies’ ImageControl DOCSIS firmware management system allows an operator to update CPE in the field. It can facilitate firmware changes necessary to upgrade from DOCSIS 1.0 to DOCSIS 1.1 or to add telephony and other value-added services. Version 2.0 supports DOCSIS 1.1 that runs in secure mode and has advanced audit reporting. The graphical user interface can support environments with millions of devices. (Diamond IP Technologies, 610-423-4770, www.diamondip.com)

Sunrise Adds Forward Path

Version 2.0 of Sunrise Telecom Broadband’s realWORX RF performance verification system tests analog CATV and digital QAM signals on both the return path and the forward path. Measurements can be done constantly or at preset times. The system can be programmed to alert specific individuals for specific types of problems in the network. They can be alerted via email or pager. Remote access features mean technicians don’t have to be in the field to view measurement results and traces. (Sunrise Telecom Broadband, 630-240-1106, www.sunrisetelecom.com)

Platinum Keeps Power In

Corning’s Platinum Performance System features connector pairs with an insertion loss of 0.05 dB. This insertion loss is achieved with the integration of special connectors, factory-terminated cable assemblies and coupler modules. Corning says the end result is that more optical power is kept in the broadband network and, therefore, optical signals can be transmitted further. Components also can be added into the network without increasing network costs. (Corning Cable Systems, 828-302-6193, www.corning.com)

PPC Connector Crosses Over

PPC says its EX320QR offers the performance of a hardline distribution connector but also is as easy to use as a compression-style drop connector. The 3/8-32 F male interface swivels so that it can "mate" with taps, splitters, amplifiers and ground blocks. At the same time, it has RFI performance in the >-120 dB range. (PPC, 315-729-7219, www.ppc-online.com)

Sandvine

Redirects P2P

Sandvine uses what it calls "intelligent routing" in its new PPE 8200. This tool redirects peer-to-peer traffic to a "least-cost" network in order to reduce the costs MSOs have to pay per month for bandwidth and to lessen the amount of upstream traffic. Sandvine wants to prevent MSOs from having to institute bandwidth caps, traffic throttling, pay-per-bit price models or other tiered plans. (Sandvine, 519-880-2232, www.sandvine.com)

Telecrafter Guard Snaps On

Telecrafter’s SnapGuard prevents cable at the customer premise from being damaged by lawn mowers, animals, weed whackers and extreme temperatures. The T-clips are screwed in and then the conduit is pressed over the clips and snapped into place. SnapGuard is made from UV-stabilized, exterior grade PVC. (Telecrafter Products, 303-986-7700, www.telecrafter.com)

Terayon CMTS 2.0 Qualified

Terayon’s BW 3500 is both DOCSIS 2.0 and PacketCable 1.0 qualified. The company says it can provide full system redundancy, while offering the greater upstream capacity inherent in 2.0 devices. Specifically, the BW3500 offers 1:1 switch/control redundancy, n:1 line card redundancy, fan bay redundancy and power supply module redundancy, etc. The BW3500 is chassis-based and has slots for 14 switch/control and CMTS line cards. It is backwards-compatible. (Terayon Communications Systems, 408-373-0620, www.terayon.com)