Ensemble Designs 8500 User Manual

This data pack provides detailed installation, configuration and operation information for the 8500 Series Video Processing Synchronizer module along with the 8410, 8415 or 8510 Audio Processing and 8520 DNR option submodules as part of the Avenue Signal Integration System.

The module information in this data pack is organized into the following sections:

• 8500 Series Overview

• Applications

• Installation °

Configuring Rear BNCs

• Cabling

• Module Configuration and Control °

Front Panel Controls and Indicators

Avenue PC Remote Control

Avenue Touch Screen Remote Control

• Troubleshooting

• Software Updating

• Warranty and Factory Service

• Specifications

8500-1

Model 8500 Series

Video and Audio

Processing

Data Pack

ENSEMBLE

DESIGNS

Revision 5.1 SW v2.2.6

8500 SERIES OVERVIEW

The 8500 Video Processing Frame Synchronizer, along with its optional submodules, provides a real "do it all" module. A block diagram of module functions is shown on the following page.

With component and composite analog inputs as well as serial digital video input, the 8500 accepts nearly any signal in a facility. The SDI input is carried at full uncompressed bandwidth throughout the entire module and EDH monitoring of the digital input alerts you to any incoming problem. Analog inputs are 4x oversampled at 12 bits of resolution. Composite signals are decoded using an adaptive comb filter. The proper 525 or 625 standard is automatically selected by the 8500 module.

Input video is synchronized to a house reference by a TBC/Frame Synchronizer. Noisy and jittery analog sources are faithfully tracked to provide a steady, genlocked output, ensuring proper time base correction for virtually any source, even a consumer VHS machine. Select the SDI input and the 8500 is a serial digital frame sync.

The 8500 has a full-featured Proc Amp for adjustment of every signal parameter. Proc controls include Video and Chroma Gain, NTSC style hue rotation, Black Balance, and pedestal. Black and White clips can be set to prevent excessive signal excursions. To help optimize the settings in the Proc Amp, a Split Screen mode allows you to compare the processed output with the original material.

A Detail Enhancer recovers information that has been lost due to poor frequency response in upstream systems.Certain values represented in serial digital component may be illegal in the NTSC or PAL composite domains. The Predictive Composite Clipper mode identifies picture elements that would be illegal in analog composite, and limits color saturation and luminance excursions.

Selective (toothed) vertical blanking lets you choose to pass or strip content in the vertical interval on a line by line and field by field basis.

The 8500 has simultaneous SDI and analog composite outputs. They are fully timed to your house reference, including the subcarrier and ScH phase of the composite output. The analog output is constructed at 8x oversampling with 12 bits of quantizing resolution.

The 8520 Digital Video Noise Reducer (DNR) is an optional sub module that can be added to the 8500 Video Processing Frame Synchronizer. The noise reduction process is downstream of the 8500 Proc Amp controls. The 8520 DNR can be used with any 8500 video input source. It only adds 4 microseconds to the throughput delay of the 8500, so it does not introduce problems with system timing. The 8520 DNR is motion and scene adaptive. It removes unwanted noise and artifacts, making it perfect for MPEG compression preprocessing and satellite or ENG feeds.

Several forms of noise reduction are employed to ensure the best possible performance. Recursive Temporal Noise filtering includes Simple Recursive, Motion Adaptive and Motion Adaptive with Impulse filter. Controls are provided for maximum signal to noise improvement and for noise threshold. These can be set manually or run in automatic mode.

Because the 8500 is an Avenue module, every function and parameter can be controlled from an Avenue Touch Screen, Express Control Panel, or the Avenue PC Control Application. While it can be used to control any Avenue module, the Express Panel really shines when used with the 8500 Signal Acquisition system modules. With dedicated video,

Model 8500 Series Modules

8500-2

chroma, pedestal, and hue knobs, live shading is easy. The continuous rotation velocity sensitive knobs are responsive and dependable. Audio levels for multiple groups are easily accessed as well. All other parameters, including timing and audio delay, are accessed through an intuitive menu interface. 8500 module memory registers can be used to save the complete configuration of the module, making it easy to change instantly between different configurations.

Modules at software version 2.2.0 or later support SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) monitoring. For each applicable signal processing module, module, signal, and reference status are reported. For complete details on using SNMP monitoring, refer to the Avenue System Overview in the manual that accompanies each frame.

There are three BNCs on the rear module that can be configured with onboard switches. One BNC can be set for either SDI or composite video out. The AES 1/2 and 3/4 outputs (with the 8410 or 8510 submodule installed) can be set independently as SDI video or AES outputs. With the 8415 submodule installed, the AES 5/6 and 7/8 outputs can be set independently as SDI video or AES outputs.

8500 with 8410 Functional Block Diagram

Model 8500 Series Modules

8500-3

One of three types of Audio Processing submodules can be installed on the 8500 module. The audio processors have also been designed to provide superior handling of embedded audio. The disembedder on the input side follows the timing of the SDI input, even if that input is asynchronous to the house reference. The embedder on the output side is synchronous to house. This allows embedded audio to be safely bypassed around the video Framestore with the lip sync properly preserved. Embedded audio content is properly resynchronized. The audio processors have built-in sample rate conversion allowing usage of asynchronous AES inputs, while synchronous AC-3 or Dolby-E audio signals may also be used.

The 8410 4 Channel Audio Processor shown in the block diagram on the previous page is a submodule with flexible architecture that addresses a wide range of audio handling needs. The submodule accepts two external AES audio inputs and one embedded audio group from the SDI video input. Two outputs can be routed to the AES outputs while four outputs can also be embedded into the SDI output signal.

The 8510 4 Channel Audio Processor option shown below can be configured for most any combination of audio functions the user might desire. There are AES and analog audio inputs and outputs and the ability to disembed and embed audio on the serial digital video stream. Disembedded audio or signals from any of the inputs may be mixed, shuffled or level controlled and any of the channels re-embedded and/or sent to the analog or AES output connectors. Full audio delay tracking is included as well as the provision to add fixed delay to correct incoming lip sync errors. There is built in sample rate conversion allowing usage of asynchronous AES inputs, while synchronous AC-3 or Dolby-E audio signals may also be used. As always, the comprehensive Avenue control system allows for monitoring and adjustment of all parameters through networked Touch Screen, Express Panel, or Avenue PC control.

Model 8500 Series Modules

8510 Audio Submodule Block Diagram

8500-4

AES Input

CH 1/2

AES Input

CH 3/4

Analog

Audio I/O

From 8500 SDI Input

Audio

Disembed

4 Channel

24 Bit

ADC

8510 Audio Processor Option

Source Selection Level Adjust Swap & Shuffle Channel Mixing

Auto

Tracking

Audio

Delay

To 8500 SDI Output

Digital

Signal Processing

Output

Routing

Audio

Embed

4 Channel

24 Bit

DAC

SDI/AES

1/2 Out

Switch S4

SDI/AES

3/4 Out

Switch S5

The 8415 Audio Processor submodule shown below provides eight channels of digital audio processing. Digital audio inputs to the 8415 can come from four AES ports and/or disembedded from the 601 SDI input stream. After processing, digital outputs in both AES and embedded form are possible.

There are four AES ports, using the four AES BNC connectors on the rear of the chassis. When an 8415 is installed, these BNCs become bi-directional ports. Each of them can either be an AES input or an AES output. These four AES ports are associated with pairs of channels: Ch 1/2, Ch 3/4, Ch 5/6, and Ch 7/8. A port will become an output if it has not been chosen as an AES input in the Aud In A and B menus.

There are two disembedders on the input side of the 8415 referred to as A and B. These disembedders are being fed the 601 SDI video input stream in parallel and each of them can be independently targeted to any of the four possible groups. The A disembedder will produce two pairs of audio signals, referred to as SDI 1/2 and SDI 3/4.

The B disembedder will also produce two pairs of audio signals referred to as SDI 5/6 and SDI 7/8. In the B disembedder, the SDI 5/6 pair corresponds to the first and second channels in the selected group and SDI 7/8 is taken from the third and fourth channels in that same group.

The disembedded audio can then be processed with level adjustment, channel mixing, shuffling, and automatic tracking of the delay imposed on the video channel. It can then be embedded into the video signal downstream of the the frame synchronizer, proc amp, and DNR functions on the 8500 module.

There are two embedders referred to as A and B to support the eight channels of audio, one for each group. The embedders are placed in series with the A embedder first and the B embedder second. Each embedder must be configured for operating mode and the desired group (1 – 4) in which to embed the audio. The configuration parameters for the embedders in the Audio Out menu are not identical. There is no Replace All function for the B embedder as this function occurs in the upstream embedder A.

(Note that using the 8415 requires Ave PC software version 2.0.4 and higher and the Control module must be running version 2.0.5 or higher. These versions can be downloaded from the Ensemble website.)

8415 Audio Submodule Block Diagram

Model 8500 Series Modules

8500-5

To 8500 SDI Out

Audio

Embed

SDI/AES

1/2 Out

Switch S4

SDI/AES

3/4 Out

Switch S5

Ch 5/6

Ch 7/8

AES Outputs

AES Inputs

CH 3/4

CH 7/8

CH 1/2

CH 5/6

From 8500 SDI In

Dual Audio

Disembed A A

8415 Audio Processor Option

Auto Source Selection Level Adjust Swap & Shuffle Channel Mixing

Tracking

Audio

Delay

Digital

Signal Processing

Output

Routing

Model 8500 Series Modules

8500-6

APPLICATIONS

This section provides some typical applications for utilizing the full versatility of the 8500 Video Processor module and the optional submodules, the 8410, 8415, and 8510 Audio Processors and the 8520 DNR. Configuration of these applications is covered in the MODULE CONFIGURATION AND CONTROL section later in this manual.

Satellite or Microwave Reception

As illustrated in the block diagram below, the 8500 will accept input from either an analog or a serial digital receiver. Both composite video and SDI signals will now be locked to house and fully timeable, and are simultaneously available at the output. The 8520 DNR submodule with its Adaptive Motion Detection can be employed to clean up noisy video.

Proper audio/video timing can be assured when the tracking audio delay of the 8510 Audio Processor is employed. Any timing or delay modifications to the video are tracked by the 8510 whether you wish to use disembedded audio or audio input from an analog or AES source. Properly timed audio from any of these sources is available directly when routed to the analog or AES outputs, or it can be re-embedded back onto the SDI video stream. A fixed delay of up to 1000mS can be inserted by the 8510 to correct for signals which have

previously passed through frame stores without audio delay compensation.

Satellite or Microwave Application Block Diagram

Satellite Rcvr

Microwave Rcvr

Second Language

Analog

Ref

Analog

SDI

Embedded Audio

Ref

Audio AES

8520

DNR

8500 Video Proc

Frame Sync

8510

Audio Proc

8500 Video Proc

Frame Sync

8510

Audio Proc

Analog

Composite Video

Monitoring

Audio

Monitoring

Analog

Disembbedded Audio

nd Language Audio

SDI

Both Audios Reembedded

Analog

Video

AES

SDI

Digital

Production

Switcher

Production

Audio

Digital Router

Composite Production

Switcher

Audio

Console

Compact Systems

A one rack unit (1 RU) Avenue chassis populated with a 5400 TSG and one or two 8500 Series modules makes an ideal signal acquisition system where small size and light weight are required. With the variety of input formats which the 8500 Video Processing Frame Synchronizer accepts, it is equally at home with the Y/C feed from a VHS machine, Y/Pr/Pb from a BetaCam, composite from an analog camera or SDI from a digital camera. The 5400 TSG feeds reference to the 8500 to allow stable frame sync operation, as well as providing analog and SDI reference signals for any of the acquisition equipment, along with a range of analog and SDI test signals. Video noise reduction is available with the 8520 DNR and the 8510 Audio Processor can provide audio gain control, mixing and embedding to suit the needs of whatever range of requirements the recorder or microwave transmitter may have. This example is shown below.

Model 8500 Series Modules

Compact Systems Application Example

8500-7

8520

VHS Player

B Cam

Analog

Camera

Digital

Camera

Analog

Y Pr Pb

Analog

SDI

embedded

Analog or SDI

Analog or AES

Analog or SDI

Analog or AES

Ref

8500 Video Proc

Frame Sync

Audio Proc

8500 Video Proc

Frame Sync

Audio Proc

Ref

5400

Dual TSG

DNR

8510

8520 DNR

8510

SDI embedded

Analog

AES

SDI embedded

Analog

AES

Digital and Analog

Test Signals

Analog

Recorder

Ref

Digital

Recorder

Ref

1 Rack Unit Frame

Model 8500 Series Modules

News/ENG Vehicle

The wide variety of input feeds often encountered can be easily handled with an Avenue 8500 based system. Inputs are accepted ranging from composite or component video with analog audio, to SDI with embedded audio, AES audio, or analog audio accompanying the video stream. Robust signal handling ensures proper time base correction for nearly any source from a consumer VHS machine to an unlocked portable camera. Proc Amp functions in the 8500 include video and chroma gain and pedestal, NTSC style hue rotation and a predictive video signal legalizer. Noisy signals can be cleaned up effectively with the motion and scene adaptive 8520 DNR. There are operator controls for many choices including automatic and manual modes. In the manual mode noise reduction factor is adjustable as is the noise threshold. The show noise and split screen selections allow viewing of effectiveness of your DNR settings.

Audio is ingested by the 8510 Audio Processor submodule from analog or AES sources and/or disembedded from the SDI video stream. The internal four channel audio mixer/router provides level control, mixing of sources and nearly unlimited swap or shuffle of channels. The 8500 and all other modules may be monitored and adjusted with the comprehensive Avenue control system. Graphical interface is utilized with the Avenue PC application running on a laptop or desktop, while the Avenue Touch Screen with touch and rotary controls can be simultaneously used.

8500-8

News– ENG Application

Satellite

Downlink

Analog

Camera

Digital

Camera

Tape Player

Helicopter

Analog

Feed

SDI

embedded

Analog

SDI

embedded

Analog or SDI

PC or Touch Screen Control

of Levels, Inputs, Routing, etc.

8500 Video Proc

Frame Sync

with

8510 and 8520

8500 Video Proc

Frame Sync

with

8510 and 8520

8500 Video Proc

Frame Sync

with

8510 and 8520

8500 Video Proc

Frame Sync

with

8510 and 8520

8500 Video Proc

Frame Sync

with

8510 and 8520

SDI with Embedded Audio

5440

SDI

8x8

Router

X-Y Control Panel

8500 Video Proc

8510 Audio Proc

Analog or SDI with

Embedded Audio, or with

AES or Analog Audio

8500 Video Proc

Frame Sync

with

8510 Audio Proc

Frame Sync

with

8500 Video Proc

Frame Sync

with

8510 Audio Proc

Ref

5400

Dual TSG

Analog

Digital Audio

and

Video Mixing

and

Routing

Digital and Analog

Test Signals

Satellite

Uplink

SDI

embedded

8500 Video Proc

Frame Sync

with

8510 Audio Proc

Model 8500 Series Modules

Remote Truck/OB Van Operation

A convenient and flexible interconnect to a Remote Truck or OB Van is assured with use of the 8500 Video Processing Frame Synchronize (shown below). An 8500 input may be analog component, composite or SDI, timed to house or asynchronous. Reference is supplied to the 8500 and outputs are fully timeable in relation to this reference. Depending upon the needs of a particular shoot, there are both composite and SDI outputs simultaneously available. The 8520 DNR submodule has Adaptive Motion Detection and can be employed to clean up noisy video often found in remote situations.

Analog or AES audio inputs are available, or audio embedded on the SDI stream can be used. Disembedding and re-embedding of audio to the SDI stream is handled by the 8510 Audio Processor option submodule. Most any combination of channel shuffle, mixing and gain riding can also be done. Audio outputs are simultaneously available at the AES and analog connectors. The complete range of mix and level control facilities in the 8510 permit these outputs to be the same as the re-embedded audio, or any other combination of audio channels.

At the output end of the Remote Truck the 8500 is again used to provide a flexible source. Whether you need the input to be analog or SDI video, analog, AES or embedded audio, the 8500 will provide a stable feed to microwave or fiber regardless of which audio or video output formats may be needed.

8500-9

Remote Truck/OB Van Application

Bright Eye Fiber Rcvr

with

Frame Sync

Analog

Camera

Digital

Camera

Video

Tape

8500 Video Proc

Blimp

Analog

Feed

SDI

embedded

Analog

SDI

embedded

Analog or SDI

PC or Touch Screen Control

of Input Mode, Proc Functions, etc.

Frame Sync

8510 and 8520

8500 Video Proc

Frame Sync

8510 Audio Proc

8500 Video Proc

Frame Sync

8510 and 8520

8500 Video Proc

Frame Sync

8510 and 8520

8500 Video Proc

Frame Sync

8510 and 8520

SDI or Analog Video with

Analog, Digital or Embedded Audio

with

Video and Audio

with

Production Equipment

with

5400

Dual TSG

Ref

Digital and Analog

Test Signals

Satellite

Uplink

8500 Video Proc

Frame Sync

with

8510 Audio Proc

SDI

embedded

Bright Eye Fiber Xmtr

with

Frame Sync

8500-10

INSTALLATION Rear Module BNC Configuration

There are three configurable rear BNC connectors that can be set using onboard switches on the rear of the 8500 circuit board for the choices outlined below. AES outputs will depend on the type of submodule installed. Refer to the illustration on the next page.

• Cpst/SDI Out BNC Configuration – The BNC labeled CPST/SDI can be set with Switch S1 on the rear of the 8500 circuit board for either CPST (up) for a composite output or to SDI (down) for an SDI output.The default setting for this switch is CPST when shipped from the factory.

• AES 1/2 Out /SDI Out BNC (8410 and 8510 submodule) or AES 5/6/SDI (8415 submodule) Configuration – Switch S4 on the rear of the 8500 circuit board

allows the BNC labeled AES 1/2 Out/SDI or AES 5/6/SDI BNC to output either AES audio or the processed SDI signal of the module (identical to the other SDI outputs). Set the toggle switch to AES to configure the BNC for AES out or set to

SDI for the SDI output. The default setting for this switch is AES.

• AES 3/4 Out /SDI Out BNC (8410 and 8510 submodule) or AES 7/8/SDI (8415 submodule) Configuration – Switch S5 on the rear of the 8500 circuit board

allows the BNC labeled AES 3/4 Out/SDI or AES 7/8/SDI BNC to output either AES audio or the processed SDI signal of the module (identical to the other SDI outputs). Set the toggle switch to AES to configure the BNC for AES out or set to SDI for the SDI output. The default setting for this switch is AES.

8410, 8415, or 8510 Audio and 8520 DNR Submodule Installation

The optional 8500 Series submodules install on the component side of the 8500 Video Processing module circuit board. If the options are ordered with the 8500 module, they will come already installed.

To install the 8410, 8415, or 8510 audio submodule, locate the three connectors on the left side of the circuit board as shown on the next page and line the connectors up, checking the alignment. Press carefully into place to seat the submodule.

To install the 8520 DNR submodule, locate the UP arrows on the circuit board and the submodule. Line up the submodule with the two connectors, matching the UP arrows and press carefully to seat the submodule.

8500 Video Processing Module

Plug the 8500 module into any one of the slots in the 1 RU or 3 RU frame and install the plastic overlay provided onto the corresponding group of rear BNC connectors associated with the module location.There are two different plastic overlays provided with this module. If you are using the 8415 submodule, use the plastic overlay labeled 8500VAP + 8415 8-Channel.

Note that the plastic overlay has an optional adhesive backing for securing it to the frame. Use of the adhesive backing is only necessary if you would like the location to be permanent and is not recommended if you need to change module locations. This module may be hot-swapped (inserted or removed) without powering down or disturbing performance of the other modules in the system.

Model 8500 Series Modules

CABLING

Refer to the 3 RU and 1 RU Backplane with 8410 and 8510 Audio Submodule or 3 RU and 1 RU Backplane with 8415 Audio Submodule diagrams on the following

pages for cabling instructions. Note that unless stated otherwise, the 1 RU cabling explanations are identical to those given in the 3 RU diagram.

Configure the three BNCs as described above and follow the correct cabling procedures depending on how these switches have been configured.

Submodule Installation and BNC Configuration Switches

Model 8500 Series Modules

8500-11

Set toggle switches to configure BNCs on the rear module. S4 and S5 will depend on the type of audio processor submodule installed.

S1 (Cpst/SDI) S4 (8410/8510 — AES 1/2 or SDI) or (8415 — AES 5/6 or SDI) S5 (8410/8510 — AES 3/4 or SDI) or (8415 — AES 7/8 or SDI)

AES SDI

AES

Match arrows on submodule and circuit board.

SDI

CPST SDI

8410, 8415 or 8510 Audio Processor

8520 DNR

8500-12

1 RU Backplane With 8410 or 8510 Audio Submodule

AES 1/2 and 3/4 In – Connect

AES digital audio to the AES 1/2 and AES 3/4 inputs.

AES 3/4 Out or SDI Out – Set BNC to output AES 3/4 audio or SDI video with toggle switch S5 on circuit board.

Model 8500 Series Modules

Ref In – Connect a composite

video input (PAL or NTSC) if you are using an external reference.

Cpst/Y/Pb In – Connect the Cpst (composite), Y (Y/C) or

the Pb (component video) input depending on the type of video you are using.

SDI/Y In – Connect an SDI or Y (component) input depending on the type of video you are using.

Analog Audio Pinouts

Signal Pins Input Output 2 In/2Out

Aud 1 +, –, G 1, 2, 7 Input 1 Output 1 Input 1 Aud 2 +, –, G 5, 4, 8 Input 2 Output 2 Input 2 Aud 3 +, –, G 11, 12, 9 Input 3 Output 3 Output 1 Aud 4 +, –, G 15, 14, 10 Input 4 Output 4 Output 2

Analog Audio – Use the Analog Audio 15-pin D connector for cabling analog audio inputs or outputs when the 8510 option is installed. Refer to the pinout diagram and the table below for cabling information.

C/Pr In – Connect the C (Y/C) or the Pr (component video) input depending on the type of video you are using.

SDI Out – Connect to an SDI destination.

Cpst/SDI Out – Set this connector to output either SDI or Composite video with switch S1 on the 8500 circuit board.

3 RU Backplane With 8410 or 8510 Audio Submodule

AES 1/2 Out or SDI Out –

Set BNC to output AES 1/2 audio or SDI video with toggle switch S4 on circuit board.

8500 VAP

AES 3/4 Out /SDI Out

SDI Out

AES 1/2 Out /SDI Out

Cpst/SDI Out

AES 3/4 In

Cpst/Y/Pb In

AES 1/2 In

C/Pr In

Ref In

SDI/Y In

Analog Audio

AUD 2 AUD 1

---

AUD 4

AUD 3

1 RU Backplane With 8415 Submodule

AES 1/2 and 3/4 In or Out –

Use as AES digital audio inputs or outputs for AES 1/2 and AES 3/4 inputs.

AES 7/8 In or Out or SDI Out – Set BNC to input or output AES 7/8 audio or SDI video with toggle switch S5 on circuit board.

Ref In – Connect a composite video input (PAL or NTSC) if you are using an external reference.

Cpst/Y/Pb In – Connect the Cpst (composite), Y (Y/C) or

the Pb (component video) input depending on the type of video you are using.

SDI/Y In – Connect an SDI or Y (component) input depending on the type of video you are using.

Analog Audio Pinouts

Signal Pins Input Output 2 In/2Out

Aud 1 +, –, G 1, 2, 7 Input 1 Output 1 Input 1 Aud 2 +, –, G 5, 4, 8 Input 2 Output 2 Input 2 Aud 3 +, –, G 11, 12, 9 Input 3 Output 3 Output 3 Aud 4 +, –, G 15, 14, 10 Input 4 Output 4 Output 4

C/Pr In – Connect the C (Y/C) or the Pr (component video) input depending on the type of video you are using.

NOTE: When the 8415 submodule is installed, the AES audio BNCs become bi-directional and can be set as either AES inputs or outputs in the Aud In A and B menus.

SDI Out – Connect to an SDI destination.

Cpst/SDI Out – Set this connector to output either SDI or Composite video with switch S1 on the 8500 circuit board.

3 RU Backplane With 8415 Audio Submodule

AES 5/6 In or Out or SDI Out –

Set BNC to input or output AES 5/6 audio or output SDI video with toggle switch S5 on circuit board.

Model 8500 Series Modules

8500-13

AUD 2 AUD 1

---

AUD 4

AUD 3

8500-14

MODULE CONFIGURATION AND CONTROL

The configuration parameters for each Avenue module must be selected after installation. This can be done remotely using one of the Avenue remote control options or locally using the module front panel controls. Each module has a Remote/Local switch on the front edge of the circuit board which must first be set to the desired control mode.

The configuration parameter choices for the module will differ between Remote and Local modes. In Remote mode, the choices are made through software and allow more selections. The 8500 Parameter Table later in this section summarizes and compares the various configuration parameters that can be set remotely or locally and the default/factory settings. It also provides the default User Levels for each control. These levels can be changed using the Avenue PC application

If you are not using a remote control option, the module parameters must be configured from the front panel switches. Parameters that have no front panel control will be set to a default value. The Local switches are illustrated in the Front Panel Controls and Indicators section following the 8500 Parameter Table. The Local switches are inactive when the Remote/Local switch is in the Remote position.

In the Remote mode, Avenue module parameters can be configured and controlled from one of the remote control options, the Avenue Touch Screen, Avenue Express Control Panel, or the Avenue PC Application. Once the module parameters have been set remotely, the information is stored on the module CPU. This allows the module to be moved to a different cell in the frame at your discretion without losing the stored information.

For setting the parameters remotely using the Avenue PC option, refer to the Avenue PC Remote Configuration section of this document.

For setting the parameters remotely using the Avenue Touch Screen option, refer to the Avenue Touch Screen Remote Configuration section of this document following Avenue PC.

Express Panel operation is described in the data pack that accompanies the control panel option.

Configuration Summary

This section provides a general overview of the configuration for the 8500 module. The controls available for configuration with remote control are summarized and tips and examples are given for using particular controls to achieve the best results.

Video Processing

Certain values represented in serial digital component may be illegal in the NTSC or PAL composite domains. The Predictive Composite Clipper mode identifies picture elements that would be illegal in analog composite, and limits color saturation and luminance excursions. You can be confident that the work you’re doing in digital component will look its best in composite.

Model 8500 Series Modules

8500-15

Model 8500 Series Modules

A Detail Enhancer recovers information that has been lost due to poor frequency response in upstream systems.

Selective (toothed) vertical blanking lets you choose to pass or strip content in the vertical interval on a line by line and field by field basis.

The available video processing remote control menus are summarized below:

• Proc Menu: Gain, Chroma, Pedestal and Hue are standard Proc Amp controls. Whether operating with SDI or analog inputs or outputs the Hue control gives phase rotation of the color vectors in the manner of an NTSC composite Proc Amp.

• Clip: The Legalizer is a predictive clipper which insures signal levels will not exceed those permitted in the composite domain. Thus its use can insure a television transmitter will not be presented illegal video input. If Off or Legal are selected other adjustments are grayed and may not be changed. While Legal automatically puts in values to insure signals will not exceed composite legal limits, selecting Custom allows the operator to insert a range of clip values.

• Filters: The Lum Sharp and Chr Sharp settings allow shaping of the passband for reduced or added sharpness. With both selections set to Off or Normal there is no modification of the video. Bandwidth reduction can be useful in reducing artifacts when using the 8500 for preprocessing of signals which will receive MPEG compression, while adding sharpness may benefit signals which arrive at the input with reduced bandwidth.

• Timing: The 8500’s comprehensive range of timing allows complete flexibility in placement of the output picture relative to the applied reference input. Fine Phase and Hor Timing take the horizontal timing across the entire line with nanosecond accuracy. A Vert Timing adjustment completes the range in allowing any output timing desired by the operator.

• Status: This dynamic monitoring display provides indicators of video and audio inputs and EDH error status. Options such as the 8510 Audio Processor and 8520 DNR show in the Option window when present.

• Trims: Cb and Cr offsets allow black balance to be corrected while Cb and Cr gains permit trimming of levels on these two axes. Y/C delay allows the operator to correct inaccuracy of timing of color information relative to luminance. These trims are functional regardless of the input or output formats in use.

• Output: The Bypass selection takes the 8500 Proc Amp out of the video path by routing the signal around it to output. Split mode may be used to compare input and output signals to observe the effect of adjustments. Note that these are "live" modes and the bypassed or split video will be fed on downstream to following equipment. Embedded Audio is removed from the SDI stream when Strip is selected in the Strip Audio window. Normal four field Color Lock is ordinarily used, though other color locking modes may be selected to fit specialized needs.

• Blanking: There are Wide, Narrow or Custom blanking choices. Wide gives blanking through line 20 (NTSC) or line 22 (PAL), while narrow produces blanking through line 9 (NTSC) or Line 6 (PAL) of both fields. In the Custom mode any individual lines from 9 through 23 may be selectively blanked, with different choices allowed for each field. Some systems recognize position of the V-bit to control end of blanking. In the 525 standard V-bit position can be set to line 10, line 20 or line

23. In 625 mode V-bit is fixed at line 23 as this is the only position permitted by the 625 Standard.

• Memory: Up to five configurations of the 8500 may be saved into memory registers for later recall. All parameters – gains, input format, filters, blanking, etc.

- are saved in each memory. The 8500 for SDI Input can be used with audio disembedding, channel swapping and re-embedding in a particular application. In another application it is used with composite input, noise reduction and embedding of audio from an analog audio input source. These two setups could be stored in memory registers and one or the other recalled for instant restoration of the required configuration.

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8410, 8415, and 8510 Audio Processor Configuration

The 8510 Audio Processor will accept audio from analog or AES input connectors and can disembed audio from the incoming SDI video stream. The 8410 does everything the 8510 does, except that it has no analog audio I/O. The 8415 Audio Processor accepts audio from the AES input connectors and can disembed audio from the incoming SDI video stream.

Between the input and output is a 4x4 audio mixer (8x8 mixer with the 8415) with tracking audio delay. Any incoming audio can be mixed, level controlled and/or shuffled to another output channel by means of the integrated audio router. The tracking audio delay allows synchronization and timing to be maintained with time base corrected video passing through the video frame synchronizer of the 8500.

A built in sample rate converter allows use of asynchronous AES input signals. The Audio Processors also support encoded audio formats such as AC-3 and Dolby-E. Because these data streams cannot tolerate sample rate conversion, they must be input to the Audio Processors synchronous to the video. All audio processing is performed at the full 24 bit resolution of the system. At the output side of the submodule the four audio channels (eight channels with the 8415) may be simultaneously routed to analog (8510 only) and AES output connectors while also being embedded on the outgoing SDI video. An adapter is also available to allow the AES I/O to be converted from BNC to 110 ohm balanced.

The available audio processing remote control menus are summarized below:

• Audio In: Status indicators show presence of AES and embedded (SDI) audio inputs. The In 1/2 Sel and In 3/4 Sel controls provide for selection of inputs to the audio mixer. The choices for the 8410 and 8510 are AES 1/2, Anlg 1/2, SDI 1/2, AES 3/4, Anlg 3/4, and SDI 3/4. The 8415 has four additional choices, AES 5/6 and 7/8 and SDI 5/6 and 7/8. Thus any pair of input audio signals can be routed to either pair of input buses of the output audio mixer. As well (8510 only) the anticipated nominal level of this incoming audio can be set with the Anlg Lvl controls.

• Audio Mode: The Audio Mode control is provided to allow an SDI input with embedded audio to operate in Audio (normal) or Data (non-audio). The 8500 can handle both types of content present in AC-3 or Dolby_E signals. Some synchronizing requirements are necessary for supporting these protocols.

Select the Audio mode when the input audio signal is a standard audio signal carrying two channels of linear audio. No special timing requirements are needed in this mode.

Use the Data mode when the serial digital audio is a non-audio, or data, signal. Some special synchronizing requirements must be observed in this mode as described in the following examples.

SDI Signal with embedded data – For this case, if an SDI signal with embedded data is applied to the input, the content will be handled by passing through the 8500 frame store memory to the output of the 8500. No audio submodule is required.The audio input signal in this case is synchronous to the timing reference. This is normal operation of the 8500 and no special configuration is necessary.

Data mode signal to be disembedded and output as an AES stream – This mode requires the use of an audio submodule to disembed the de-serialized SDI input and route the channels to the correct path. If one of the channels is normal audio, it can be mixed, swapped, shuffled, and delayed by the audio submodule. If the other channel is non-audio data, it bypasses

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Model 8500 Series Modules

the normal audio functions and is carried to the AES output formatter and driver.

When in the Data mode, the AES formatter is driven by the output timing of the 8500, the original SDI input must be synchronous to the reference input or the 8500 must be configured to use the SDI signal as the timing reference.

Data mode signal to be disembedded, output as AES, then reembedded – In this case the audio submodule is also required. This case is

similar to the one above, while the disembedded data is re-embedded in the SDI output of the 8500. The same timing requirements apply.

Original embedded data to be left unchanged with an additional embedded group to be added – The original embedding in the SDI input

passes through the 8500 processing path. At the same time, an audio submodule is used to create a second embedded group which is placed in cascade, following the original audio group which contains the data mode signal.

A data mode signal in AES format is input to the audio submodule – This example could be used when there is a need to embed the AES data into the output of the 8500. In this case the AES data input must be synchronous. When being used in this manner, the audio submodule can embed data mode AES into one pair of channels in an embedded group, while embedding conventional audio into the other pair.

• Audio Mix: This menu gives full access to the 4x4 or 8x8 audio mixer controls.

Any input channel can be routed to any or all output busses. Sliders or Touch Screen rotary knobs permit levels to be adjusted from -70dB to +12dB. Alternatively a value can be put in the numeric window, followed by the Enter key, and this will become the new gain setting. Default buttons are provided for return to zero level.

The Tie function is used for stereo operation where gain of a pair of channels is usually desired to be the same. An invert selection allows inversion of a channel to permit phase correction.

• Audio Delay: With the Auto Track switched On, audio will be delayed the same

amount as the video passing through the 8500 frame synchronizer thus preserving lip sync. If incoming audio is early due to signals passing through an upstream frame sync without a compensating audio delay, Bulk Delay can be used to correct the problem. Up to 1000 mS of fixed delay can be added to compensate for upstream timing errors.

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Model 8500 Series Modules

Audio Operational Examples

This section describes the audio configuration of the application examples given at the beginning of this manual. Both the 8410 and 8510 have AES I/O and handle embedded audio. For analog audio, an 8510 is required.

Audio Example 1: Let’s assume stereo analog audio is arriving from a satellite receiver (not AES,as shown in the Satellite block diagram). We want to embed this audio on an outgoing SDI video stream and also provide analog audio for monitoring. In addition we wish to provide audio for use in an audio console with AES inputs. Tracking audio delay will be used to maintain proper lip sync. We’ll be using an 8500 with an 8510 submodule.

1. Bring the analog audio into channels 1 and 2. Refer to the connector drawing for pinout of the 15 pin D connector in the Cabling section.

2. With the In 1/2 Sel choose Anlg 1/2 as the source for channels 1 and 2 of the 4x4 audio mixer.

3. Set Anlg 1 Lvl and Anlg 2 Lvl to the nominal level of the incoming audio.

4. In the Audio Mix menu Select Ch1 for Output Bus 1 and Ch2 for Output Bus 2. The mixer output buses automatically appear on the designated output pins of the 15 pin D connector in analog form, and on the AES output BNC’s as AES audio.

5. Select Embed On to embed the audio on to the SDI video output stream.

6. In the Aud Delay menu turn On the Auto Track so audio delay will track the video timing.

Audio Example 2: Consider a situation where there is embedded stereo audio on channels 1 and 2 of the incoming SDI video. A second language stereo feed comes in on AES channels 1 and 2 as shown in the Microwave block diagram but the level is 4 dB higher than desired.

1. SDI 1/2 is selected with the In 1/2 Sel so as to feed this audio to channels 1 and 2 of the 4x4 audio mixer.

2. AES 1/2 is selected with the In 3/4 Sel thus bringing the second audio information into channels 3 and 4 of the 4x4 audio mixer.

3. Tie is selected and the channel 3 and 4 faders set to -4dB to correct the incoming level discrepancy.

4. All 4 channels are then re-embedded on the outgoing SDI video by selecting Embed On.

These same 4 channels are also available as 4 analog outputs and AES output channels. It is now possible to monitor audio using the analog outputs from an 8510 while feeding the AES outputs to a digital audio mixer for further usage.

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Model 8500 Series Modules

Audio Example 3: Here stereo audio embedded on an SDI stream is arriving via microwave, but lip sync is off by about 65mS due to video passing through upstream frame stores. We wish to synchronize to house reference and add monaural analog background music to the audio, then re-embed it back into the SDI video stream.

1. SDI 1/2 is selected with the In 1/2 Sel so as to feed the disembedded audio to channels 1 and 2 of the 4x4 audio mixer.

2. In the Audio Mix menu, select Ch1 for Output Bus 1 and Ch2 for Output Bus 2.

3. Anlg 3/4 is selected with the In 3/4 Sel. The monaural music is fed to channel 3 input with the channel 3 fader set to -10dB for proper background music level.

4. Channels 1 and 2 are selected for Output Bus assigns on this mixer so as to produce the desired background music mix for re-embedding.

5. A Bulk Delay of 65mS is used to correct for the upstream error.

6. Select Embed On to embed the audio on to the SDI video output stream.

7. Auto Track is set to the On state so the tracking audio delay will the match delay of the video frame synchronizer thus producing proper delay and correct lip sync.

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8520 Digital Noise Reducer Configuration

The 8520 DNR is motion and scene adaptive. It removes unwanted noise and artifacts, making it perfect for MPEG compression preprocessing and satellite or ENG feeds.

Motion Adaptive Recursive Noise filtering works on a pixel by pixel basis, comparing the current frame to frames that have already been filtered. If the change that is detected is small, it is considered noise, while if it is large, it is considered motion or a scene change. The detection process uses an LMMSE (Linear Minimum Mean Square Error) filtering algorithm to evaluate the presence of motion. Combining this algorithm with recursive temporal filters preserves fine detail while reducing noise in the presence of motion, including rapidly moving objects and scene changes. Motion trails are minimized while avoiding hard motion failures that some adaptive noise filters can exhibit.

The DNR menu gives six choices of operating mode:

1. Automatic Lo: A good setting for most material. Noise is reduced and the NR

Factor and Threshold displays will be seen to change dynamically with video content. A moderate amount of noise is removed with few motion artifacts produced.

2. Automatic Hi: NR Factor and Threshold receive enhanced values for greater

noise reduction with somewhat increased chance for motion artifacts to appear.

3. Adaptive: This manual setting allows the operator full control of all settings. A

better mix of noise reduction vs motion artifacts is possible but, being a manual mode, it may not be possible for the operator to react optimally to changing scenes.

4. Adaptive/Impulse 1: Same as Adaptive with the addition of an impulse filter for

removal of large, narrow amplitude noise pulses.

5. Adaptive/Impulse 2: Same as Adaptive with the addition of an impulse filter for

removal of a wider bandwidth of noise. More softening of detail will be seen.

6. Non Adaptive: For still pictures, can be set for optimal noise reduction.

A special Luma Tie mode reduces dot crawl artifacts from composite originated material by identifying cross-color and cross-luminance effects as unwanted noise.

The Show Noise output mode displays what areas of the picture are being affected by the noise reducer. Noise is represented by white or black, while unaffected areas are represented in gray. This handy mode makes it easy to set optimum adjustments for the material being processed. The Split Screen mode lets you compare the processed output to the original signal.

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8500 Parameter Table

CONTROL LOCAL REMOTE

FACTORY

DEFAULT

USER LEVEL

VIDEO IN/PROCESSING CONTROLS

Input Select

Switch 1: SDI or Analog If Analog: Switch 2: Cpst or CAV If CAV: Switch 3: Beta or SMPTE

Composite Compst No Setup Y_C Y_C No Setup Beta Beta No Setup SMPTE Serial

Composite Level 1

Comb Mode 3 Line

3 line 5 Line

3 Line Level 1

Reference Source

Switch 4: TBC On (ext ref) or Off (self ref)

Ext Ref Master Ref Video In Ref

Ext Ref Admin

Gain 100% 0 – 150% 100% Admin Chroma 100% 0 – 150% 100% Admin Pedestal 0 IRE +/– 30 IRE 0 IRE Admin Hue 0 IRE +/– 180 degrees 0 degrees Admin

Legalizer

Switch 5: On or Off

Off Legal Custom

Off Admin

B/W Clip Off

Off On

Off Admin

Black Clip –8 IRE –8 to 6.2 IRE –8 IRE Admin White Clip 110 IRE 95 – 110 IRE 110 IRE Admin

Chr CLip Mode Off

Off Chroma Cpst

Off Admin

Chr Lo Clip –40 IRE –40 to 7.5 IRE –40 IRE Admin Chr Hi Clip –140 IRE 100 – 140 IRE 140 IRE Admin

Model 8500 Series Modules

CONTROL LOCAL REMOTE

FACTORY

DEFAULT

USER LEVEL

DNR CONTROLS (8520 DNR submodule installed)

DNR Mode

Switch 6: On (Automatic Lo) or Off

Automatic Lo Automatic Hi Adaptive Adapt/Impulse1 Adaptive/Impulse2 Non Adaptive

Automatic Lo Admin

DNR Bypass Normal

Normal Bypass Show Noise

Normal Admin

DNR Luma On

Off On Luma Tie

On Admin

Luma NR Factor 6 dB 0 – 20 dB 6 dB Admin Luma Threshold 25 dB 0 – 25 dB 25 dB Admin

DNR Chroma Off

Off On

Off Admin

Chroma NR Factor 6 dB 0 – 20 dB 6 dB Admin Chroma Threshold 25 dB 0 – 25 dB 25 dB Admin

FILTER CONTROLS

Chr Sharp Off

Max 1/2 1/4 Off

Off Admin

Luma Sharp Off

Max 1/2 1/4 Off

Off Admin

TIMING CONTROLS

Fine Phase 0 ns +/– 40 ns 0 ns Admin Horizontal Timing 0 clocks +/– 1716 clocks 0 clocks Admin Vertical Timing 0 lines +/– 525 lines 0 lines Admin

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8500 Parameter Table (Continued)

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Ensemble Designs 8500 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual