PHABRIX TAG - a new handheld instrument at IBC 0

PHABRIX TAG - a new handheld instrument at IBC 2013 PHABRIX has announced the details of the TAG, the new addition to its highly successful hand held instrument range on display for the first time at IBC 2013.

The TAG has been developed within the same rugged form factor as the Sx range and in addition to SDI and AES generation and analysis brings composite I/O with additional functions activated by purchasing the appropriate option.

According to the company, the TAG has been created to incorporate a number of new interfaces and to appeal to those customers looking for a cost effective entry into professional test and measurement.

The new video interfaces include support for SD-SDI and HD-SDI as standard with an option to upgrade to 3G-SDI. Composite analysis and generation has been included for those regions supporting the transition between analogue and digital switchover. An SFP cage has usefully been integrated into the design principally for optical infrastructure testing (single and dual SFP modules) however the cage can support a range of SFP's as they become available. Reference input with waveform view and a useful reference generator output have been included.

On the audio side the TAG provides a D15 connector providing both balanced analogue audio and AES I/O. AES waveform display allows visual check for levels and reference lock. Advanced audio features have also been incorporated into the TAG. PHABRIX has worked closely with Dolby to provide support for Dolby E, Dolby D and Dolby D plus and these are all supported and considered by Dolby as the replacement to their now discontinued DM100. A break out cable can be purchased to extend the connectivity of the TAG.

The TAG benefits from PHABRIX's advanced TCP/IP remote control connection allowing the instrument to be controlled via any standard web browser. Additional data such as screen grab (bmp) and advanced logging can be easily transferred from the instrument which can be situated anywhere within a facility connected by Ethernet.

The TAG is easy to handle fitting in one hand leaving the other free to attach cabling. The colour of the chassis is different to the black of the other Sx products with PHABRIX choosing an easily identifiable blue for the TAG's aluminium shell. Control of the unit is achieved using PHABRIX's intuitive GUI where colour coded instruments are never more than two button presses away from the home menu, a great feature operating equipment in confined spaces. A lithium polymer battery provides 2-3 hours of untethered operation and the instrument can be mains powered while being recharged as a background task.

PHABRIX has cleverly created an option structure to add increased functionality where required. This allows the instrument to add features such as advanced broadcast formats or detailed SDI analysis if needed. The basic unit is very well configured however having an upgrade path later allows the product to be purchased at a low price and extra features added as part of a CAPEX budget.

Paul Nicholls, director of sales and marketing was in bullish mood over the new product launch,

Many regions are still in the process of switchover from analogue to digital and it is this market that the TAG is set to be a real winner. No one can miss the fact that PHABRIX have democratised T&M in the broadcast industry offering high level instruments on a portable platform. The eye and jitter SxE has become the standard for physical layer measurement in a hand held and now with the release of the TAG, a new customer base will be introduced to the innovation of PHABRIX products. Clearly satisfying emerging markets was the focus for this design originally however I can see the appeal to many broadcasters and telecoms and other existing customers needing a quick-to-hand tool they can distribute universally among their technical staff that fits easily within limited budgets.'

IBC Hall 8 E35

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