Gepco Ready for Future Technologies with Enhanced Video Cable Production

Manufacturing Capabilities Range from Digital & Analog, Audio & Video,
High Def & Standard Def

CHICAGO, June 13, 2001 - As broadcast and video professionals continue to make the transition to high definition, upgrading their facility infrastructures with new equipment and technology, the need for high-quality accessories that are flexible, scalable and reliable will become even greater. In response to this trend of looking toward the future, Gepco has strengthened its capabilities as a full-service manufacturer of cables and related products, for a wide range of video and audio applications.

The company's most recent upgrade was the installation of a state-of-the-art video cable manufacturing line in its Des Plaines, IL headquarters in the spring of 2000, and a recent result of that investment is Gepco's newly expanded series of High-Definition digital video coaxial cables. With its enhanced video cable manufacturing capabilities, Gepco has been able to re-develop and re-engineer its HD product line to address the demands for HDTV transmission, incorporating improved electrical specifications, higher UL riser rating, greater flexibility, an enhanced physical appearance and ease of termination.

"The high-definition market is really a work-in-progress, with broadcast and video facilities all at various stages of their transition," says Gary Geppert, CEO/CTO for Gepco. "But one thing is certain, high-def will take hold in the near future, and then the demand will increase tremendously. Manufacturers have to be prepared for this scenario, and that was one of the reasons behind Gepco implementing its new video cable manufacturing line."

Gepco began accumulating equipment for a new video extrusion line in 1998, ensuring that it implemented the most cutting-edge technology by having much of the new equipment custom-made. The company also expanded its reach beyond the scope of "traditional" cable equipment suppliers, looking to other markets for equipment of higher quality and tighter tolerances.

"The new video cable extrusion line is not only state-of-the-art," Geppert adds, "it is also so unique it would be hard for anyone else to duplicate the performance and quality of the products it produces. As a result, we are producing cable that in many cases has better performance than any published specifications in the industry."

Improved characteristics of Gepco's High-Definition coaxial cables include faster velocity of propagation, lower attenuation, tighter impedance tolerances and a wider 3GHz bandwidth. In addition, the new line produces a cable dielectric with greater crush resistance than other brands or previous types. Gepco has also been able to use its new video manufacturing capabilities and extrusion line to both produce new products and increase the performance of its existing video cable products, like the VPM2000 and VSD2001.

"Often, much of the attention is placed on new hardware, especially with the increasing acceptance and continued emergence of new technologies, like high-definition," Geppert says. "But, what's often overlooked is that as broadcasters continue to connect disparate products for a growing range of applications, they need to have something to connect them with and to, for example, high-quality cables and cable-related products. With such a diverse range of manufacturing capabilities, Gepco is positioning itself to meet the needs of broadcast, video and audio professionals, whatever their applications might require."

Gepco International, Inc., with headquarters in Des Plaines, IL, and a branch location in Burbank, CA, has been a leading provider of studio and broadcast audio and video cables for more than 18 years. The company also specializes in manufacturing custom cable assemblies, panels, patch bay harnesses and breakout boxes. In addition, Gepco stocks and distributes connectors, patchbays and other cable-related products. For more information about Gepco, visit our Company Profile.