In the last week of May, Scientific Atlanta- one of the leading supplier of digital content distribution systems- will launch a frequency agile demodulator (Model 6275).

The demodulator, which was recently displayed at SCTE's Cable-Tec Expo 2003 in Philadelphia, provides the cable operators to control the costs of receiving off-air television station signals or cable channels and yet deliver a high-quality video and audio experience for their subscribers, says a Scientific Atlanta release.

According to the Scientific-Atlanta Headend Systems vice president and general manger, John Morrow: "High performance, coupled with the demodulator's lower price, can help cable operators increase service while controlling costs, two objectives that are top priorities in today's competitive marketplace."

The plus points of the demodulator include:
* Versatile audio feed capabilities
* Baseband signal delivery out of digital trunking
* Backup for existing fixed channel demodulators
* Headend performance monitoring for FCC Proof of Performance measurements
* Headend interconnections - source and hub headend interface capability
* Headend signal loss monitoring via Status Monitoring and Control (SNMP)

Besides, in broadcast mode, the 1RU Model 6275 demodulator covers VHF channels 2-13 and UHF channels 14-69 while in the cable mode, the demodulator tunes to EIA channels 2-99. Special features also include audio outputs for left and right stereo, a separate output for SAP (Second Audio Program), an input port for demodulating IF signals, an Ethernet port for remote status monitoring and control via SNMP and a front panel headphone output for monitoring the audio output.

The Model 6275 can be tuned to meet off-air or cable channel frequency requirement at ease, says the release. The demodulator status is available via a large front panel LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that provides channel numbers as well as a signal strength meter for measuring input level and status alarms to indicate loss of input or output signals.

The release adds that all functions, including a user selectable video AGC (Automatic Gain Control), are fully monitored and controlled by an onboard microprocessor.

Amongst the few additional features of the demodulator are the audio output that is directly compatible with either the 4.5 MHz subcarrier input or baseband audio inputs of most common CATV modulators, the subcarrier interface and the left and right XLR connector baseband audio for mono audio applications.