T-VIPS America Inc, a global leader in professional video transport solutions for contribution, distribution, and digital terrestrial television, today announced that Azzurro HD, a New York-based provider of broadcast-quality video transmission services, recently purchased T-VIPS’ TVG430 HD JPEG2000 Video Gateways to facilitate real-time HD-SDI video contribution over an IP network between Marist College, in Poughkeepsie, NY and Azzurro HD in NYC

Azzurro HD was hired by Marist College to establish a high-performance video over IP connection to send HD video signals in real time between its New York “The Hub” facility and Marist’s on-campus television studio. The TVG430 Video Gateways are configured as an encoder and decoder on either end of the fiber circuit and enable Azzurro HD to transport live HD-SDI contribution video over IP fiber networks from Marist College to any television network.

“This real time network connection makes it easier and more cost-effective for Marist pollsters [from the college’s Marist Institute for Public Opinion] to make live appearances on television and cable networks without having to travel two hours to New York City studios,” said Mark C. Lowden, Vice President of Sales for Azzurro HD, a division of The Azzurro Group. “They can go on-air directly from their campus studio facility”.

“And by the same token, broadcast networks now find it more compelling and practical to invite Marist pollsters to contribute their insight and analysis because they don’t have to arrange for a TV studio to host the interviewee, and the video feed is always delivered in HD broadcast quality.”

From its all-digital ASI, SDI, and HD video switching facility in “The Hub” at 32 Avenue of the Americas in New York City, Azzurro HD provides and manages real-time switching and transmission of broadcast-quality video via long-haul fiber and satellite circuits so that its customers can send feeds to any point domestically or globally. Azzurro HD services range from comprehensive, 24/7 networking solutions to real time transport of contribution video for customers with just an occasional need.

T-VIPS’ TVG430’s were selected for this installation based upon Azzurro HD’s previous positive experience using JPEG2000 solutions in its managed network solutions.

Lowden believes the way in which Marist College is transporting its video is a growing business area for Azzurro HD. “As we’re seeing an increased demand for video over IP transport services, we anticipate using T-VIPS Gateways again in future applications,” he concluded.

TVG430 Gateways enable JPEG2000 compression of HD-SDI HDTV video contribution. The TVG430 utilizes JPEG2000 compression to transmit HDTV (and SD) signals over Gigabit Ethernet links in real-time at bitrates in the 50Mbps to 200Mbps range. The gateway can be configured as either an encoder or decoder.

About T-VIPS

T-VIPS, a global leader in professional video transport solutions for contribution, distribution and Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), offers a comprehensive portfolio of powerful, efficient and intelligent solutions for processing and transporting high-quality video. T-VIPS’ close involvement in video standards bodies, leadership in JPEG2000, expertise in IP and transport stream multiplexing, processing and monitoring results in state-of-the-art technology that makes complex broadcast network operations simpler and preserves the integrity of high-end video streams. T-VIPS solutions are utilized in many demanding applications, including 1080/60p, 3DTV, alternative content for digital cinema, live HD sports and news back-haul, and the transport of HDTV programming over IP networks. T-VIPS is leading the IP-based video network revolution by empowering high-profile network operators, broadcasters and post-production customers in over 50 countries with innovative solutions that deliver significant operational and financial benefits. The privately-held company is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with Americas’ headquarters in New Jersey.

For further information, visit: www.t-vips.com

About Azzurro HD

Azzurro HD operates the first all-digital, HD-enabled aggregation and switching facility for video content in the USA. Located in “The Hub” at 32 Avenue of the Americas in New York City, the Azzurro HD facility provides all-digital transport and switching, with a clear forward path to serve the growing need for uncompressed HDTV transport. For more information, visit: www.azzurrohd.com