1981

David Leighton begins LEIGHTRONIX, a hardware and software design company specializing in professional and industrial video equipment control. The company first develops specialty VCR editing interfaces to interconnect edit controllers with VCRs from other manufacturers. These interfaces make it possible to edit from one tape format to another directly (such as from ½ inch VHS to ¾ inch U-matic), eliminating the need to dub source tape at the cost of video quality.

1984

LEIGHTRONIX takes the next step and becomes LEIGHTRONIX, INC.

1986

LEIGHTRONIX founder David Leighton sits next to one of the first
TCD event controllers.

LEIGHTRONIX meets the cable television community's need for an easy-to-use, versatile, and affordable playback automation system for local origination programming with its TCD (Time Coincidence Detector) series of event controllers. The TCD-RT, a time of day, day of week-based event controller, includes the ability to program multiple tape machines to record satellite feeds at specified times, rewind the tapes, and then play the recordings over selected channels at specified times.

TCD-RT Event Controller

1987

Booth display advertises the MINI-T.

The increasing popularity of the LEIGHTRONIX TCD-RT leads to the development of the MINI-T-IR in 1987. This powerful, smaller version of the TCD-RT is a third of the price and includes an integrated routing switcher. The MINI-T-IR is an immediate success not only because of its features and user-friendly interface, but also due to its extreme affordability.

MINI-T-IR Event Controller

1987

LEIGHTRONIX displays its first booth at the world-renowned, annual National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) show in 1987.

1990

The brand-new LEIGHTRONIX building

LEIGHTRONIX moves from rented commercial facilities into a new, company-owned building.

Aerial view of new LEIGHTRONIX building

1992

LEIGHTRONIX PRO-16 in an equipment rack

After only a few short years, LEIGHTRONIX becomes a leading provider to the local cable television community. The quick evolution of video, computer, and microprocessor technology causes LEIGHTRONIX to develop a more sophisticated, more powerful playback solution called the PRO-16. The PRO-16 delivers more television automation horsepower in a 2-rack unit chassis than has ever been seen before. A standalone automation controller, the PRO-16 comes complete with a built-in video/audio routing switcher and control for up to 16 external VCRs.

PRO-16 Automation Controller

1992

LEIGHTRONIX event controllers for the NASA project

LEIGHTRONIX designs and installs custom event controllers for NASA.

LEIGHTRONIX employee assembles the NASA systems.

1994

To meet growing customer demand in the mid 1990s, LEIGHTRONIX expands their line of event controllers with products such as the TCD-1000, PRO-8, and MINI-T-PRO event controllers. The LEIGHTRONIX C-VOICE is also introduced as a way to control video systems remotely using a standard telephone with natural voice prompts.

The PRO series and TCD-1000 display at a National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) show

1994

In less than four years, the LEIGHTRONIX building more than doubles in size.

Construction of addition at LEIGHTRONIX headquarters

1994

LEIGHTRONIX control panels being assembled for the Pentagon

LEIGHTRONIX provides the Pentagon with a secure, large-scale routing switcher control system. Hundreds of control panels are installed throughout the Pentagon, allowing authorized users to control a third party routing switcher from remote locations. For added security, each control panel is password-protected on a user-by-user basis. A main control computer allows the administrator to set up user accounts and router input/output access for each control panel, as well as log all system activity in 30 day cycles.

1995

LEIGHTRONIX announces a new five-year product warranty, setting an industry standard and demonstrating its ability to produce high quality products it can stand behind. At no additional cost to its customers, LEIGHTRONIX warrants their products against defective workmanship or materials for five years from the original date of purchase. See the LEIGHTRONIX warranty page for more details.

1996

LEIGHTRONIX system installation at the Vandenberg Air Force Base

The LEIGHTRONIX Vandenberg Air Force Base system provides large-scale video routing and multi-device control locked to as many as eight simultaneous base missions with complete fail-over redundancy. Hundreds of remote control panels are installed in various locations throughout the base, each providing on-the-fly reconfigurable remote system control. Multiple computer workstations provide mission operators with a broad range of system services including mission recording and playback functions. Each mission is linked to a high-accuracy IRIG-B time source to provide synchronized control of system resources.

U.S. Vandenberg Air Force Base

1997

Pacific Bell gets a custom LEIGHTRONIX system for controlling its video and audio routing switchers over a local or wide area network. The LEIGHTRONIX system uses a standard data network for communications, allowing multiple users to operate the routing switchers from across the hall or across the country. For added security, the system administrator may give authorized users password-protected access to select inputs and outputs on each router. The LEIGHTRONIX system accommodates immediate or scheduled control of each routing switcher, complete with event conflict checking.

1998

MVP-2000 circuit board

LEIGHTRONIX is ready for the digital video age with the MVP-2000™, a combination digital video/audio player, routing switcher, event controller, and VCR controller with an integrated TCP/IP network port. Anticipating the growth of the Internet, LEIGHTRONIX develops local and wide-area networking solutions for automated video system control.

MVP-2000

1999

LEIGHTRONIX Daimler Chrysler Installation

Daimler Chrysler upgrades its internal broadcast network with a LEIGHTRONIX broadcast automation solution. Each remote broadcast site on the Chrysler DCTV network uses a LEIGHTRONIX CDSC-84 event controller, which provides internal switching, VCR control, and loss of video detection. The event controllers can be remotely scheduled to display programming through a networked computer running the included WinDCTV management and control software.

2001

Celebrating the launch of the FCN-2000 network

LEIGHTRONIX designs a custom corporate communications solution called the FCN-2000 for Ford's North American operations. A key component of the Ford Communications Network (FCN), the FCN-2000 digital video server and controller allows Ford to display locally originated programming along with corporate information on its own private company broadcast channels.

FCN-2000 Digital Video Player and Controller

2001

LEIGHTRONIX advertises the powerful control capabilities of the TCD/IP.

The TCD/IP™ is released in the fall of 2001 as part of the third generation of TCD Series event controllers. Its popularity quickly grows as it becomes clear the TCD/IP is different from other automation products in its class. The TCD/IP features a 10/100 Ethernet port for network access and control via a TCP/IP network, transforming the LEIGHTRONIX event controller into a network-managed video system controller. The TCD/IP also sets a new standard for affordable yet advanced automation by offering powerful control features at an unbelievably low cost.

PLUS-BUS Device Interface

The PLUS-BUS™ device interface is introduced to complement the TCD/IP’s versatile control capabilities. The new PLUS-BUS provides full control with status for a wide range of playback and recording devices, including VCRs, DVD players, robot videotape cassette changers, and digital video recorders and servers.

2003

NET series features

The new LEIGHTRONIX NET Series replaces the popular PRO Series and adds integrated network management to the standard event controller features. LEIGHTRONIX is ready for a new era of video management in playback, recording, and signal switching operations over local and wide area networks, including the Internet.

2003

TCD/IP and TCD R/P combination announcement

The LEIGHTRONIX TCD R/P™ MPEG recorder/player is released in 2003, further enhancing TCD/IP™ controlled video systems. The TCD R/P represents a breakthrough in digital video/audio recording and playback, offering "server-like" features and performance at a surprisingly low price. The TCD R/P comes equipped with a built-in PLUS-BUS interface, allowing it to be easily integrated into a TCD/IP system.

2004

View of the IBB control room

LEIGHTRONIX develops and implements the TCD/RS™ automation controller for the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB). The TCD/RS safeguards the delivery of IBB's valuable video/audio communications, including Voice of America (VOA) programming, by providing scheduled and immediate control for the organization's massive video/audio routing matrices. The TCD/RS will control a routing matrix as large as 1024 x 1024 and offers advanced features for multi-level breakaway switching plus simultaneous execution of multiple switches.

TCD/RS automation controllers installed in IBB equipment rack.

2005

NEXUS digital video server/controller

LEIGHTRONIX answers another challenge: provide an affordable server solution that also offers the device control and switching required by local television operations. The NEXUS^® was first placed on the market in 2005 and was soon dubbed the original station in a box due to its versatile functionality. The NEXUS offers fully integrated digital video playback and recording, digital video messaging, device control, and video/audio switching at a price affordable for any television operation.

2006

TCD/NX™ 2-channel video server

MINI-T-NX™, a low-cost video server and automation controller

TCD/V3™, an automation controller for multi-channel, server-driven systems

LEIGHTRONIX unveils three new powerful playback automation solutions: the TCD/NX video server, the MINI-T-NX video server, and the TCD/V3 system controller. The TCD/NX is a multi-channel video player/recorder with digital video messaging capabilities and custom media storage for each user. The TCD/NX has all of the features included in high-end, multi-channel broadcast servers, yet costs much less. The MINI-T-NX provides a low-cost, digital solution for those with limited budgets. The TCD/V3 brings new features to the TCD series, such as an all-new software interface and a focus on server-driven, multi-channel playback systems.

2008

Example of PEG Central home page

Broadcast and online digital media converge with the release of the UltraNEXUS™ video server and PEG Central^®, the Web media hosting and streaming video-on-demand service from LEIGHTRONIX. The UltraNEXUS and PEG Central introduce a whole new concept—a digital video server that simultaneously records digital video files for broadcast and the Web and then forwards the Web file to an online video portal for around the clock access through video-on-demand streaming. This powerful combination of broadcast and streaming technology simplifies the video professional’s workflow and bridges the gap between broadcast and Web-based media.

UltraNEXUS broadcast/stream workflow

2008

PEGvault-SD digital video encoder

LEIGHTRONIX introduces the PEGvault-SD™, a new digital video/audio encoder that offers remote-controlled, push button operation, and automatic transfers of recorded media files to a user-selected broadcast video server or Web media hosting destination.
Economical and powerful, the PEGvault-SD is the ideal media encoder for quickly producing top-quality digital media files. Newly created digital media files may be automatically transferred over a local area network or the Internet to a specified video server. The PEGvault-SD will forward files to LEIGHTRONIX video servers, third party servers with File Transfer Protocol (FTP) capabilities, or to PEG Central^®, the LEIGHTRONIX Web media hosting and streaming video-on-demand service.

2009

UARB-S1 onscreen menu

The Urban Area Responder Broadcasting (UARB) system is a video storage and delivery solution designed by the LEIGHTRONIX engineering team for the Cincinnati, Ohio fire department's private broadcast network. The UARB system consists of a digital video archive server that delivers both on-demand and scheduled programming to one or more remote UARB-S1™ digital video player/recorders. Each UARB-S1 player/recorder connects directly to a television monitor and provides a remote-controlled, onscreen menu for requesting and controlling video program playback and recording. Cincinnati Fire uses the UARB system to train and inform responders throughout its department.

The UARB-S1 digital video player/recorder delivers on-demand and scheduled programming to a television monitor.

2009

PEGcasting™ is the easy and affordable way to broadcast remote, local events while they are happening. With the PEGvault-SD™, a specialized digital video recorder that integrates flawlessly with a user's broadcast workflow, PEGcasting provides viewers with Next to Live™ (N2L) coverage of events. While recording, the PEGvault-SD automatically transfers the digital media content being captured on site to a NEXUS series video server as soon as one minute after the new recording begins. The NEXUS series video server then automatically begins playing the transferred video file on a cable channel as soon as one minute after receiving the media. With as little as a two minute delay, PEGcasting allows viewers to watch as an event unfolds from the comfort of their own homes.

2009

UltraNEXUS-SDI™ broadcast/stream workflow

The NEXUS^® series of video servers expands with the first all-digital model, the UltraNEXUS-SDI™. A perfect fit for all-digital television operations, the UltraNEXUS-SDI combines SD-SDI video and AES audio with superior MPEG-2 encoding/decoding hardware for crystal clear capture and playback of television programming. For even greater flexibility, the UltraNEXUS-SDI’s input and output interface supports embedded (within the digital video signal), digital AES, and analog audio.

UltraNEXUS-SDI video server with SD-SDI video

2010

Fiber optics are installed between LEIGHTRONIX headquarters and the new company facility.

With LEIGHTRONIX headquarters no longer big enough to accommodate all of the employees, some of the company's staff moves into a nearby building. Maintaining communication isn't a problem, though, as fiber optics now connect the main building to the brand new facility as well as the Internet.

The new LEIGHTRONIX building gets a fiber connection to the Internet and company headquarters.

2010

NNA-3000 Logo

Nissan of North America receives the NNA-3000™ LEIGHTRONIX communication solution for its private broadcast network. The system consists of remote NNA-3000 digital video servers that receive digital video content from a master NNA-3000 server for both on-demand and scheduled display on television monitors.

NNA-3000 Remote Server

2010

LABvault-SD digital video recorder/player

The LABvault-SD is compatible with popular touch screen interfaces.

LEIGHTRONIX introduces the LABvault-SD™, a new digital video recording device that captures incoming video and audio from an external source and automatically transfers the resulting digital media file to multiple destinations for archiving, Internet video-on-demand, intranet review, and more. Its low cost and unique, streamlined approach to capturing and sharing high quality digital media make the LABvault-SD the ideal recording solution when reliable video documentation is critical, such as education/training reviews, litigious situations, employee interviews, laboratory processes, and medical procedures. The versatility and ease of use of the LABvault-SD provides limitless possibilities for instructors and administrators as well as the general public (rights managed) to receive and/or gain access to the video documented media files.

2010

Live streaming workflow

Live streaming is added to the LEIGHTRONIX family of digital video products and services with the introduction of the PEGstream-SD™ streaming media encoder and the PEG Stream™ online live streaming service. The new live streaming solution gains the attention of LEIGHTRONIX clients small and large, from the City of Buffalo, Minnesota to the New York City Council.

The PEGstream-SD encoder combines with the PEG Stream service to provide a complete live streaming system.

2011

Having provided over 30 years of the the best in communications technology, we'd like to thank those who have supported us along the way. LEIGHTRONIX continues to be a trusted source of reliable, high quality solutions for recording, broadcasting, and streaming valuable digital media content. With products that not only work as advertised, but also consistently exceed customers' expectations, we are proud of our reputation for providing customers with cutting-edge, quality equipment at affordable prices. We look forward to providing the best in product reliability, versatility, and support for years to come.

2011

The LEIGHTRONIX product line grows with the E-HD2™, a high-definition (HD) recording and playback solution for broadcast. This multi-channel, HD video server features H.264 encode/decode hardware that delivers stunning digital video images at extremely low data rates. Dual digital video channels perform either encoding or decoding, offering unmatched flexibility for demanding record and playback appplications. Standard features include a built-in automation controller for scheduling playback, recording, and switching, HD/SD-SDI video inputs/outputs with support for embedded audio, and a highly compatible audio interface that supports direct connections for digital balanced AES audio as well as balanced analog signals.

2012

One operator can easily manage a live, multi-camera production with a PolyOptix™ digital video recording and multi-camera control system. Each PolyOptix system includes three robotic digital video cameras with pan/tilt/zoom, a four-channel live production video switcher, and a PEGvault-SD™ digital video encoder. This camera control system solution is ideal for recording public meetings, fine arts concerts, local sporting events, or any other event that requires multiple camera angles to capture all of the action. The resulting high quality digital media files can be automatically transferred to a NEXUS series video server for Next to Live™ broadcasts, PEG Central® for video-on-demand streaming, and the PEGstream-SD2™ live streaming media encoder and PEG Stream™ live streaming service for live Webcasts.

2012

LEIGHTRONIX increases its HD solutions with the LABvault-HD™, a specialized digital video recorder/player designed to assist users in easily capturing any event that requires high-definition video documentation. With simple push button operation, users can create an indisputable, digital media file that can be reviewed on a connected television monitor, archived on a network storage area, or transferred for display on a high-definition broadcast video server such as the LEIGHTRONIX E-HD2™.

2012

LuxeVision™ provides a robust suite of digital video, audio, and control technologies combined to create a full-featured and high-quality interactive television experience. Expanding on standard Internet protocol based systems widely known as Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), LuxeVision integrates encoding, scheduled playback, transcoding, delivery, and decoding functions in an end-to-end solution. LuxeVision delivers live television, time shifting, and video-on-demand (VOD) services using standardized processes over multiple transport technologies, including DSL/PON, cable, and/or Ethernet.

Browse through the timeline above to get a few highlights from over 30 years of LEIGHTRONIX history.

Having provided over 30 years of the best in communications technology, we'd like to thank those who have supported us along the way. LEIGHTRONIX continues to be a trusted source of reliable, high quality solutions for recording, broadcasting, and streaming valuable digital media content. With products that not only work as advertised, but also consistently exceed customers' expectations, we are proud of our reputation for providing customers with cutting-edge, quality equipment at affordable prices. We look forward to providing the best in product reliability, versatility, and support for years to come.