Bluebell – Delivering High Quality Digital Video Over Optical Fiber
Founded in 1994, Bluebell Opticom Ltd has built a strong reputation for developing high quality fiber optic solutions for the broadcast and media industries. From its origins in the UK, the company has grown into a globally recognized name, known for its focus on technical excellence and dependable signal transport systems used in demanding production environments.
Bluebell’s journey began in 1994 during a major transition within the broadcast sector, as analogue systems gave way to digital technology. The company’s founders, Paul McCann and Fred Smith who brought with them deep experience in fiber optics and broadcast systems, saw the growing importance of fiber-based infrastructure in supporting the next generation of content delivery. They set out to create a business that would provide broadcasters and system integrators with flexible and scalable solutions designed specifically for professional media workflows.
Bluebell is a product engineering company at its core. It designs and manufactures a wide range of fiber transport systems capable of carrying video, audio, data, synchronization signals and control information across long distances. These systems are widely used in studios, live production venues, sports arenas, mobile units and large facility installations.
The core product range includes solutions for transporting SDI video over fiber, covering formats such as SD-SDI, HD-SDI, 3G, 6G and 12G-SDI. These products are commonly used in high bandwidth environments including UHD and HDR production. The company was one of the early developers of 12G fiber links, addressing the growing need for uncompressed 4K signal transmission.
Bluebell also provides solutions for embedded and standalone audio signals, including AES and analogue audio. This allows users to deliver fully timed and high quality video and audio across extended distances with complete signal integrity.
The product portfolio offers both time division multiplexing and wavelength division multiplexing systems that allow multiple signals to be transmitted over a single fiber. These systems reduce the volume of fiber needed in a project and are especially valued in space-constrained installations such as OB vehicles and remote production setups.
As the broadcast industry moves toward IP-based infrastructure, Bluebell has developed a range of products that bridge traditional SDI workflows with SMPTE ST 2110 and other IP formats. These solutions include media converters and gateways such as the BN880 that allow users to integrate existing baseband equipment into modern IP networks without the need for major infrastructure changes.
This ability to operate across legacy and modern environments has made Bluebell a valuable technology partner during the ongoing shift to IP.
For outside broadcasts, live sports, and remote production, Bluebell manufactures portable solutions such as the Shax family, which extends SMPTE camera links over standard fiber cable. These units are widely used due to their straightforward setup and compatibility with a broad range of camera systems. The Shax series is a proven solution for transporting power, video, audio and control between camera and base stations over long distances.
A key strength of Bluebell is its ability to provide tailored solutions for unique technical challenges. Many of the systems now offered as standard products began life as custom designs built for broadcasters or integrators with specific needs, and with the growing adoption of pan tilt zoom (PTZ) cameras across a range of applications, the product range also includes optical conversion bases designed specifically for use with these systems.
Bluebell also supplies products to a number of well-known manufacturers under OEM agreements, reflecting the trust placed in its engineering and manufacturing quality.
In 2017, Bluebell Opticom was honored with a Technology and Engineering Emmy Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. This award recognized the company’s contribution to the advancement of optical fiber signal distribution digital video signals.
Bluebell’s technology enabled the delivery of high quality video and audio signals across large venues and outdoor locations with the precision required for multi camera live production. The award highlighted the importance of reliable fiber transport in supporting live events where signal accuracy, timing and performance are essential.
The Emmy marked a significant milestone in Bluebell’s history and confirmed its place as a leading provider of fiber-based signal transport systems in the global broadcast market.
Bluebell products are used by broadcasters and system integrators around the world. Whether it is delivering infrastructure for international sporting events, building out signal transport systems in large television studios, or supporting live news production, Bluebell equipment is known for its performance and longevity.
All products are designed, assembled and tested in the United Kingdom to the highest standards. With many systems still in operation more than a decade after installation, Bluebell is recognized not just for innovation but also for reliability over the long term. Product comes with a five year warranty, demonstrating the company’s confidence in the quality of its work.
As the media industry continues to evolve with the growth of IP networks, remote production and cloud-based workflows, Bluebell remains committed to providing smart, flexible solutions that meet current and future needs. The company continues to invest in product development, exploring new formats and technologies that will enable broadcasters to manage signals more efficiently and with greater control.
With more than thirty years of experience and a Technical Emmy Award recognizing its contribution to the industry, Bluebell Opticom is a name trusted by professionals worldwide. The company continues to focus on delivering solutions that allow its customers to work more effectively and adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of broadcast and media production.
