Video Over Fiber:Solutions for 4K, 8K and Beyond

Agenda

• Who is Inneos?

• Why is video over fiber becoming so important?

• What types of optical solutions are available?

• How to get started with video over fiber?

• How can video over fiber be used in projects to improve profits and margins?

• Q&A

• Optional: Deep dive into components of a fiber solution

Who is Inneos?

• Founded 1998

> Started with Medical, Comm-Sat/Aerospace focus

> AV over fiber since 2003

• Pioneer of single-fiber AV technology> Market leader in Medical AV

> Primarily optical subsystem supplier for OEMs

> Entered Optical Extender market in 2017• 9 AV industry awards

• Vertically integrated

> Patented CWDM optics (technology originator)

> VCSELs designed and manufactured in house

> Highly automated, proprietary manufacturing

> Facilities in California and Nevada

> Made in the USA

1998

Why is video over fiber becoming so important?

Overview of 4K and 8K Video Data RatesHigher resolution and HDR driving bandwidth requirements

• Limited 4K data rates less than 10 Gbps

• 4K + HDR data rates up to 22 Gbps> HDR is the best feature of 4K video

• 8K will require HDR for everything> Bandwidth is 40+ Gbps!

Non-HDR (SDR) Image

HDR Image

The Video Interconnect ProblemHigher Bitrate and Distance Requirements Challenge Limits of Copper Cables

• Physics limits copper cable solution distances• Fiber has more than 10x bandwidth of copper!

Why Would Anyone Use Compression?

“Compression is image or video processing to reduce the file size, often resulting in a tradeoff between picture quality and data integrity.”

Original Compressed Decompressed

Compression – in Technical Terms• Entropy coding

> Lossless compression using math to reduce data rate

• Temporal, or inter-frame, encoding> Lossy or lossless that analyzes changes between frames

> Causes blurring with high-motion content

• Spatial, or intra-frame, encoding > Lossy compression estimates changes within a frame image

> Creates visual artifacts in the high color contrast images (HDR)

• Quantization encoding> Lossy compression compares neighboring pixels within a frame

> Color space conversion is one example

• Techniques combined to minimize artifacts and latency

18 Gbps Test Pattern Signal

Compressed Output

Uncompressed Output

The Compression CompromiseCompression artifacts appear as visual data is thrown away

Banding Artifacts11.1 Gbps: 4K/60/4:2:0/HDR

8.9 Gbps: 4K/60/4:2:0/SDR

No substitute for seeing a side-by-side comparison

The Compression CompromiseCompression artifacts appear as visual data is thrown away

Blurring/Aliasing17.8 Gbps: 4K/60/4:4:4

8.9 Gbps: 4K/30/4:4:4

No substitute for seeing a side-by-side comparison

The Compression CompromiseCompression artifacts appear as visual data is thrown away

Blocking/Fuzzy Edges17.8 Gbps: 4K/60/4:4:4

8.9 Gbps: 4K/60/4:2:0

No substitute for seeing a side-by-side comparison

Why is Compression an Issue Now?New display technology makes color and contrast compromises visible

• HDR requires 10-bit color> 8-bit has 16.8 million colors> 10-bit has 1.1 billion colors

• New TV have much larger color space > BT.2020 color space covers

64% of visible spectrum (~2x BT.709)

• New TVs have enhanced contrast ratios> Over 1000x greater

ITU-R BT.709 and ITU-R BT.2020 standard color space comparison, with BT.2020 covering nearly 64% of visible colors. (Image courtesy of Microsoft)

Why is Compression an Issue Now?Video formats are increasingly using Dolby Vision and/or HDR10+

• Compression corrupts embedded metadata

Conventional HDR10+

Isn’t All Video Compressed Anyway?Does it matter since streaming content is already compressed anyway?

• Real-time compression > Lossy compression

> Spatial and quantization encoding

> System often limited computational resources and latency is a concern

• Delivery compression> Primarily lossless compression

> High efficiency codecs, such as HEVC/H.265 and VP9

> Uses vast computational resources with long latency

Comparing Existing Interconnect Solutions

Solution Data Rate/ Distance Bulk cabling? Uses compression?

HDMI Cables 4K/24G = ~20 ft. 8K/48G = ~10 ft.

No. Fixed lengths cables only

No

Active Optical Cables

4K/24G = ~300+ ft. 8K/48G = ~100 ft.

No. Fixed lengths cables only

No

HDBaseT 4K/10G = ~300 ft.(typically 240 ft.)

Yes. Standard Cat5/6 Yes, for 4K HDR and above

Video over IP 4K/10G = ~300 ft.(typically 240 ft.)

Yes. Standard Cat5/6 Yes, for 4K HDR and above

InneosExtenders

4K/18G = 3000 ft.8K/48G = 1200 ft.

Yes. Bulk fiber No

What happens when customers find out they are getting Faux-K?

Video over Fiber:What types of optical solutions are available?

Video extender boxes with control ports

Optical Adapters/ Simple Extenders

• Uses installed fiber• Single or multiple fiber solutions• Compact, low power• May have some control features (IR or serial)

• Uses installed fiber• Has control - IR, serial, Ethernet, etc.• Optics embedded or uses datacom modules

Active Optical Cables(similar to copper HDMI cables)

• Typically hybrid (copper with parallel fiber)• Least expensive solution• Fixed length, can’t be cut• Sourced from China

3 Types of Optical Video SolutionsAV market is just becoming familiar with fiber installation

Cables Adapters(Baluns)

Extender Boxes

Embedded optics

Ways to Transmit Optical Video SignalsFiber solutions use a variety of configurations

• Hybrid Cables

VCSEL

Quad VCSEL Driver IC

HDMI Data(18 Gbps)

Op

tica

l Le

ns

Arr

ay Fiber

VCSEL

VCSEL

VCSEL

CEC

Hot Plug

DDC

5V Input

Hybrid Cable

Copper Hybrid Fiber/Copper Cable

> Parallel hybrid cable: 4 fibers + 6-8 copper wires> 4 fibers + 6-8 wires – it can’t be cut

Ways to Transmit Optical Video SignalsFiber solutions use a variety of configurations

• Parallel Fiber Cables

VCSEL

Quad VCSEL Driver IC

HDMI Data(18 Gbps)

Op

tica

l Len

s A

rray

Parallel Fiber Ribbon(6-12 fibers in a cable)

VCSEL

VCSEL

VCSEL

PINMicrocontroller

VCSEL

CEC

Hot Plug

DDC

5V Input

Parallel Fiber

MTP Connector

Fiber Cable

> Parallel cable: 8 fibers – 1 fiber required for each VCSEL> 8 fibers can’t be cut

Ways to Transmit Optical Video SignalsFiber solutions use a variety of configurations

• Single Fiber using WDM

VCSEL

Quad VCSEL Driver IC

HDMI Data(18 Gbps)

Op

tica

l M

UX

/DEM

UX

SC Connector

Single Fiber

VCSEL

VCSEL

VCSEL

PINMicrocontroller

VCSEL

CEC

Hot Plug

DDC

5V Input

Wavestacker

Standard Fiber Cable

> One fiber cable with 6λ channels> Fiber can easily be pulled, cut & field terminated

ALL of the HDMI signals on a Single Industry Standard Fiber

• Technical Term: WDM – Wavelength Division Multiplexing > Light can simultaneously travel both directions without

interference if the wavelengths are different

• Inneos solution only needs one fiber

Inneos’ Optic with WaveStacker Technology

Inneos Optic

WaveStacker animation showing path of different wavelength lasers (including backchannel)

Video Source Video Display

Why is a Single Fiber so Attractive?Uncompressed video with a better deployment model

Fixed length cable deployment model(HDMI cables, parallel fiber, AOCs)

Single fiber deployment model

Requires factory

Installers have to pre-measure for each run

Installers pull bulk cable and terminate it in the field.

Fiber installation as fast as Cat 5

See video of how easy it is at https://youtu.be/LnvVGMFJV-k

Real4K Optical AdaptersOriginal Real4K Product

• Features> HDMI 2.0b 18 Gbps uncompressed

• Including all HDCP, CEC, EDID

• Supports all HDR formats including Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG

• Multi-color LED for detailed link status info

> 3300 ft over a one fiber

• Industry-standard multimode fiber

• Simplex, SC-SC terminated

> Heavy duty construction

• Metal housing

• High-retention, captive HDMI cable

Residential Video Extension Commercial Video Distribution

Real4K Optical ExtendersIntroduced in 2019

• Features> HDMI 2.0b – 18 Gbps uncompressed

• Supports ARC plus, all HDCP, CEC, and EDID

• Supports all HDR formats, including Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG

• Multi-color LED for detailed link status info

> Industry-standard fiber up to 3300 ft• Multimode fiber, SC-SC terminated

• Pull bulk fiber and field terminate for fast, easy installation

> Easy Integration• Ultra-compact form-factor

• Detachable HDMI cable (up to 6 feet on either side)

> Pass-through of control signals

• IR pass-through with R4K-IRB cables (available today)

• RS232/Serial control - coming soon

Residential Video Extension Commercial Video Extension

Competitive AlternativesInneos provides American design ingenuity in an ultra-compact package

FEATURES

Celerity(UFP-G-xx)

HDBaseT Atlona(HDR-EX-70C-KIT)

Inneos Real4K(BPK-XT-0)

TechLogix Networx(TL-FO2-HDC2)

AV Pro Edge(AC-EXO-UNC-KIT)

Price (MSRP) $500-$800 (varies) $599 $849 $1600 $2500

Size (inches) 4 x 3 x 1 5 x 4.3 x 1 2.5 x 1.4 x 0.6 4.9 x 3.2 x 0.8 6.8 x 4.5 x 0.9

Max Distance 300m 35m - 40m 1000 meters 300m 300m/2km

Power Req’d 2 W 13 W 3.2 W 6 W 12 W

Compression?Video Link Rate:

No18 Gbps

Yes Only 10.2 Gbps

No - uncompressed18 Gbps

No18 Gbps

No18 Gbps

Field Termination? No – multiple fibers Yes – Cat5/6a Yes – 1 fiber Yes – 2 fibers Yes

IR/RS-232? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

ARC? Yes No Yes Yes Yes

Firmware Updates? No Yes Yes No No

Fiber Type Parallel: 8 fibers/MPO Cat5e or Cat6a copper One MMF/SC 2 MMF/2 LC 1 MMF or SMF

Comparison Can’t be terminated or repaired in field.

Req’s 2:1 compression for 1/20th the distance

Ultra-small, low power, one fiber. Made in the USA

Twice the price. Twice the power and fiber

required.

3X price, size and power consumption

How do I get started with Inneos fiber extenders?

Ready to get started?Installation is simple

Source

Display

1. Pick your extender

2. Pick a fiber cable

Real4K Adapters

Real4K Extenders

Fiber

Types of Fiber Cable:Riser

PlenumArmored

InvisiCableDistribution

Not ready to terminate fiber?

• Plenum-rated black fiber cable> Bend radius of only 7.5mm

• Armored black fiber cable> Crush resistance > 3000 N/100mm

• InvisiCable Fiber> Clear, 0.9 mm cable hides in plain sight

Just use pre-terminated fiber cables

Plenum Armored InvisiCable

35 ft 40 ft 10 ft

50 ft 50 ft 25 ft

60 ft 60 ft

80 ft 80 ft

100 ft

Pre-Terminated Fiber Lengths

Ready to do field termination?

• Process has improved> Now have no-polish/no-epoxy connectors

• Kits are available from many vendors

• Just a few simple steps> Prepare fiber connector and laser light indicator> Strip jacketing and buffer> Cleave fiber> Insert fiber into connector> Clamp connector and attach to fiber cable

It’s fast and easy – even faster than Cat6a

Fiber Accessories

• Wall plates > Use standard keystone inserts

• Optical keystone inserts> SC-SC coupler

• Patchcords> Short fiber connections

• Use SC-SC, UPC, Multimode fiber• Some convert from LC to SC

• Where to get it?> Some distributors> Amazon> FS.com> Leviton QuickPort system

Integration made simple

Tip: Fiber couplers are mechanical connectors, so

the color doesn’t matter, just the type (SC-SC, LC-LC)

Using fiber to improve profit margins

Profit MarginsWhat drives profit?

• Commercial Integrator, Jan 2018

• Hardware margins are great, but only account for a portion of profit

• Labor costs can drastically affect the overall profit margin of a project> Reduce installation time

> Minimize call-backs

> Future-proof upgrade to 8K

Using Fiber Solutions to Increase Profit MarginsWhy bring fiber solutions into your projects?

• Fiber is a premium technology (higher prices)> Higher markups mean larger profits

> Position yourself as an emerging technology leader

• Fiber is faster to pull and terminate than copper> Kevlar strength member makes fiber it is very

durable with pull strengths greater than 400N

> NO issues with ground loops, cross-talk or EMI

> Reduces labor costs by up to 50%

• Upgrade to 8K by simply swapping endpoints> Limited labor required to upgrade in the future

Selling Features of Real4K Fiber SolutionsHow to make the case with customers

• Fiber solutions don’t need compression> All of the best features of the video are preserved, including Dolby Vision/HDR10+

• Fiber is immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI)> Run fiber by power, sound, or control wires – no problems now or with new equipment

• Fiber is future-proof well-beyond 8K> Bandwidth >> 100 Gbps

> Easy upgrade when the time is right

• Made in the USA

SummaryKey Takeaways

• Data rates are driving change> Moving to 48 Gbps soon… Copper has reached its limit

• Compression is evil> Visually Lossless = Lossy Compression

• Fiber is the future> Future-proof - supports way beyond 8K> No compression needed

• Fiber increases profit> Labor time is reduced> No EMI, AXT, NEXT> Simple upgrade to 8K with Inneos extenders

Q&A

Technical info on fiber coming up…

What are the key components of fiber solutions?

Basics of FiberFiber construction

• General fiber construction> Core – Primary light-guiding medium

> Cladding – Creates the total internal reflection allowing the light to stay in the core

> Buffer – Protective material around the core/cladding

Basics of FiberSingle-mode or Multi-mode?

• Single-mode (SM) or Multi-mode (MM)?> Single-mode used for Long-haul networks > 1km

• Small core requires precision manufacturing

> MM used for links up to ~1000

• OM1 – 62.5μm core, 200/500 MHz-km at 850/1300nm

• OM2 – 50μm core, 500 MHz-km at 850/1300nm

• OM3 – 50μm core, 1500/2000 MHz-km at 850/1300nm

• OM4 – 50μm core, 3500/4700 MHz-km at 850/1300nm

Tip: Be sure to check the equipment… single mode and

multimode are NOT interchangeable!

Fiber OverviewFiber Cable Types

• Simplex – single run of jacketed optical fiber

> Very low cost, lightweight, rugged, flexible

> Easy to terminate in the field – only a single fiber on each end

• Duplex – run of two jacketed optical fibers side-by-side

> Cost about 2x simplex

> Sometimes run with one kept dark for future use

• Ribbon fiber has multiple fibers side-by-side-by-side

> Much higher cost

> Not suitable for easy field termination

• Distribution/Multi-fiber cables – multiple jacketed fibers in a single cable

> Single cable pull to support multiple fiber optic devices

Ribbon Cable

Distribution/ Multi-fiber Cable

Industry-Standard FiberSpec fiber cables for the future

• Standard multimode fiber supports long distances> OM4 or OM3 offer best future-proofing

Video Rate per Channel

Fiber Type:

OM2 OM3 OM4

1080p 12bit color (2.25Gbits/s)

Max

. Dis

tan

ce (

ft) 1706 6363 7970

4K 30Hz 4:4:4 (3.0Gbits/s)

1050 4034 6199

4K 60Hz 4:4:4 (5.97Gbits/s)

492 1902 3280

8K Full Rate (12.0Gbits/s)

279 656 1197

Industry-Standard ConnectorsChoose connector based on equipment

• Types of Connectors

> SC – good for field termination, used with Inneos products

> LC – small and compact, frequently used in ultra-dense datacenters

> ST – spring loaded twisting connector

LC ConnectorSC Connector ST Connector