The Ultimate Guide to DekTec Broadcast Solutions
In the rapidly evolving world of digital television, broadcast engineers and system integrators face a critical challenge: managing a complex mix of signals. From traditional ASI and SDI to modern ST 2110 IP streams and over-the-air RF, you need tools that are reliable, precise, and versatile.
This is where DekTec excels. For decades, DekTec has been the industry-leading manufacturer of high-performance PC interface adapters, standalone converters, and essential analysis software for the professional broadcast, cable, and satellite industry.
Whether you're developing broadcast products, building a 24/7 playout center, testing a new ST 2110 facility, or monitoring on-air signals, DekTec provides the foundational hardware and software you need.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of their product ecosystem and how it fits into your workflow.
The Foundation: DekTec ASI & SDI Adapters
Long before IP became the standard, ASI and SDI were the lifeblood of broadcast. DekTec continues to set the standard for high-density, reliable PC cards for these formats.
For transport stream applications, their ASI adapters are a staple for MPEG-2/H.264 encoders, multiplexers, and servers.
As the industry moves to 4K UHD, DekTec’s 12G-SDI cards (like the DTA-217x series) are essential. These adapters aren't just simple I/O; they provide critical features like:
- Bi-directional ports (configurable as input or output) for maximum flexibility.
- Genlock inputs for syncing to your house reference.
- Hardware-based failover relays for building high-availability, mission-critical 24/7 playout servers.
Key Applications: High-density ingest, multi-channel 4K playout servers, and SDI/ASI monitoring.
The Future: Transitioning to IP with ST 2110 SmartNICs
The broadcast industry's migration to IP is undeniable. But handling SMPTE 2110 and ST 2022 streams isn't for standard IT network cards. It requires a "SmartNIC"—a Network Interface Card with specialized hardware for video.
The biggest challenge in IP video is timing. All devices must be perfectly synchronized using PTP (Precision Time Protocol).
DekTec's IP adapters (DTA-2110 for 10GbE and DTA-2125 for 25GbE) solve this by offloading all PTP and ST 2110-21 (traffic shaping) processing to the card's hardware. This frees up your server's CPU and ensures rock-solid, nanosecond-accurate timing, preventing the glitches and black frames that plague software-based solutions.
Key Applications: ST 2110 media nodes, IP-based video recorders, and building COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) broadcast appliances.
Over-the-Air Precision: RF Modulators and Receivers
DekTec is also a leader in the Test & Measurement space for terrestrial and satellite signals. Their hardware allows you to both generate and analyze RF signals with extreme precision.
- Modulators: DekTec's PC-based modulators (like the DTA-2116) are "all-standard" devices. This means a single card can generate signals for virtually any broadcast standard, including ATSC 3.0, DVB-T2, DVB-S/S2/S2X, and ISDB-T. This makes them an invaluable tool for R&D, compliance testing, and product demos.
- Receivers: On the other side, their high-end receivers (like the DTA-2132 for satellite) are used for professional signal monitoring, demodulation, and feeding transport streams into analysis tools.
The Essential Toolkit: DekTec Analysis Software
Hardware is only half the story. DekTec's software is the industry benchmark for video analysis.
- StreamXpert: This is the world's most popular transport stream analyzer. It is the go-to tool for engineers needing to perform real-time analysis, TR 101 290 compliance monitoring, and deep-dive packet inspection. It can analyze streams from any DekTec adapter (ASI, IP, or RF) or even from a file.
- StreamXpress: The perfect counterpart, StreamXpress is a high-performance 'video player' that can play out test streams via any DekTec adapter, simulating any condition you need to test.
- SdEye: As workflows move to uncompressed video (SDI and ST 2110), SdEye becomes critical. It's a powerful waveform monitor, vectorscope, and data analyzer that works for both baseband SDI and uncompressed IP. It allows you to inspect video/audio/ancillary data, confirm ST 2110-40 (ANC) data, and verify PTP timing.
Bridging the Gap: Standalone IP Gateways
What if you don't need a full PC? DekTec's standalone gateways are compact, powerful devices for bridging the gap between legacy and IP worlds.
The DTE-3100 (IP to ASI) and DTE-3120 (ASI to IP) are simple, plug-and-play converters. They are perfect for monitoring an IP stream on an older ASI-only analyzer, converting an encoder's ASI output for IP contribution, or for any edge-of-network application where you need a simple, reliable conversion.
Why Partner with MDL Communications for Your DekTec Solution?
Choosing the right DekTec product is more than matching a part number. It's about designing a resilient, future-proof workflow. That's where we come in.
We're Technical Experts, Not Just Resellers.
As broadcast solution architects, we have hands-on experience integrating DekTec hardware and software into real-world environments. We speak your language—from 12G-SDI to ST 2110 and PTP.
Holistic System Design.
We don't just sell you a card. We help you design the complete system. We ensure the DekTec component works perfectly with your servers, software, and network infrastructure.
Local Support & Guidance.
When you have a complex question, you can talk directly to an engineer who understands your project, not just a call center. We support you from initial design to final commissioning.
Start Building Your Next-Generation Workflow Today
DekTec provides the essential building blocks for modern broadcast and media production. From high-density 4K playout to a fully ST 2110-compliant IP facility, their tools offer the reliability and precision the industry demands.
Don't navigate the complexity alone. Let us help you select, integrate, and deploy the right DekTec solution for your specific needs.