In the same vein, SAPEC's dedication to research and development, focused on adapting to industry demands, planning for HD-UHD convergence, and creating innovative solutions to meet specific market needs, will take shape in two previously unseen pieces of equipment on European soil: the new line of HEVC/H.264/MPEG2 encoders with integrated satellite modulator GREDOS II, and CornerCam, a creation designed to offer a one-of-a-kind view of football fields.

LAGUNA: OCTAL version to make 4K a reality
The successful UHD/HD/SD multichannel platform LAGUNA, which supports HEVC, H.264 and MPEG-2 standards, will present its new UHD licence for the first time at IBC. Compatible with both QUAD (LMP4000) and OCTAL (LMP8000) models, SAPEC brings versatility to European broadcasters. Thanks to this system, QUAD users will be able to decode one UHD source or four HD sources, while OCTAL users will be able to handle two UHD sources or eight HD sources.

This is not the only new feature of LAGUNA. SAPEC has recently improved the system with additional capabilities, including a thumbnail display that enables the mosaic of each SDI signal processed by the DUAL, QUAD, and OCTAL models to be viewed through a web browser. Analysis and monitoring functions are also available with the ETR 290 specification. Additionally, the LAGUNA can serve as a gateway, enabling the system to receive an SRT signal and forward it simultaneously to the decoding of a SMPTE 2022 network and vice versa.

SIVAC-ONE: From the Women's World Cup and the European Athletics Championships to IBC 2023
It has been a successful summer for SIVAC-ONE, SAPEC's UHD-capable encoder/decoder. After enabling the broadcasting and UHD transmission of the last World Cup in Qatar on Spanish DTT, the system has been utilized once again for the transmission of two major summer sporting events: the Women's World Cup and the World Athletics Championships.

SAPEC's team of engineers at IBC 2023 will show visitors how this real-time HEVC/H.265 encoding/decoding solution up to 2160p50/60 4K UHD has made these key broadcasts possible for the summer TV season. The system will be on display in Amsterdam in a chassis with two SMP1000 4K encoding and decoding cards, and a SIVAC-ONE Compact chassis.

European premiere of GREDOS II
Unveiled at NAB 2023, GREDOS II (evolution of the predecessor GREDOS) will showcase at IBC 2023 its versatility to adapt to the latest needs of the broadcast industry.

SAPEC's new family of HEVC/H.264/MPEG2 encoders with integrated modulator supports up to two video channels (SD/HD) and audio channels simultaneously with MPEG2/AAC/AC-3 and optionally HEVC compression of both 4:2:0 and 4:2:2:2 profiles.

The system has been designed to accommodate two types of modulators: Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) with support for the American standard ATSC, DVB-T/T2 or ISDB-TB, or a satellite modulator (DVB-S/S2/S2x). The model that will be showcased at IBC 2023 can manage up to two multiplexed channels via satellite.

The new GREDOS II integrates up to two HD-SDI video inputs or one 3G-SDI input, whose signals can be multiplexed to generate an MPTS with both programmes and up to 16 channels of embedded mono audio (8 stereo pairs) on each video channel. With the ability to configure each programme as Digital TV, Digital Radio or 1-Seg (ISDB-Tb option only), GREDOS II features RF DTT or Satellite outputs, two IP outputs with SMPTE2022 1/2/7 support with optional SRT, and an ASI option.

SAPEC's latest solution has additional features that enhance a comprehensive and decisive proposal. These include the capability to insert a logo into every video source, access to thumbnails of each video input via a web browser, front display, and SNMP alarm management.

CornerCam: world premiere at IBC
Finally, SAPEC will show for the first time at a worldwide broadcast event CornerCam, a system patented by the Spanish company The Corner Cam to capture even the smallest detail from the corner of a football stadium. The solution consists of a 50-millimeter diameter flag that houses two 1080i resolution HD cameras with remote horizontal panning (PAN) and all the necessary connectivity to operate in the most demanding broadcast environment.

This technological development by SAPEC, which incorporates its expertise in video contribution, video distribution, 3D design, mechanics, and capture, was tested at the final of the 2023 Copa del Rey football tournament in partnership with the RFEF (Spanish Football Federation). The result could not have been more positive, earning the recognition of the production teams and the spectators, who were able to enjoy live and replayed footage such as corner kicks and goal celebrations.