Ensemble Designs BrightEye 56 User Manual

BrightEye 56

HD/SD/Analog Test Signal and

Sync Pulse Generator

User Guide

Revision 1.3 SW v1.2.1

Clearly, Ensemble wants to be in the broadcast equipment business. It’s so rare anymore to nd a company of this
caliber that has not been gobbled up by a large corporation. They are privately held so they don’t have to please the
money people. They really put their eorts into building products and working with customers.

I’m really happy with the BrightEye products and Ensemble’s service, and even more important my engineers are
happy. We’ve continued to upgrade the product and add more cards. We will be rebuilding our production control
room and we will use BrightEye again.

~ Don McKay, Vice President Engineering, Oregon Public Broadcasting

Who is Ensemble Designs?

By Engineers, For Engineers

In 1989, a former television station engineer who loved
designing and building video equipment, decided to
start a new company. He relished the idea of taking
an existing group of equipment and adding a few
special pieces in order to create an even more elegant

BrightEye frames handle 270
Mb/s, 1.5 Gb/s and 3 Gb/s signals,
audio and MPEG signals. Used
worldwide in broadcast, mobile,
production, and post.

ensemble. So, he designed and built his first product and
the company was born.

Focused On What You Need

As the company has grown, more former TV station
engineers have joined Ensemble Designs and this wealth
of practical experience fuels the company’s innovation.
Everyone at the company is focused on providing the

We’re focused on
processing gear–
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audio and optical units.

very equipment you need to complete your ensemble
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that tie everything together so that when combined, the
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Notably Great Service for You

We listen to you – just tell us what you need and we’ll
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HD/SD/Analog Test Signal and Sync Pulse Generator User Guide

BrightEye 56

TM

Contents

Product Overview 5

Sync Generator and Test Signal Generator 5

Outputs 5

Adjustments and Controls 5

Tri Level Sync 5

Tone Generator Locked to Master Clock or External Reference 6

Configurable Tone Generator 6

Internal Timecode Generator 6

Functional Description 7

External House Reference or Internal Precision Standard Reference 7

Temperature Compensated Oscillator 7

Block Diagram 8

Time Code Generator 10

Outputting Timecode 10

Table: Timecode Output Types and Output Connectors 11

Table: SDI Output Selections and Corresponding Timecode 12

Audio Generation and Routing 13

Audio Generators 13

Sixteen Independently Programmable Audio Channels 13

Audio Embedded in the SDI Outputs 13

Support for Analog and Digital Audio 13

Applications 16

Analog, HD SDI and Audio Reference Outputs 16

Genlocked Test Signals 17

Rear Connectors 18

Power Connection 18

USB Connector 18

Audio Out 18

Balanced Analog Audio Connection 19

For Unbalanced Audio to a RCA Phono Input 19

AES 1/2 Out 19

TLS Out 19

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BrightEye 56

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HD/SD/Analog Test Signal and Sync Pulse Generator User Guide

BrightEye 56

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SDI Out 19

SD Composite Out 19

Ref In (Reference In) 20

Programmable Outputs 20

Module Configuration and Control 21

Front Panel Controls and Indicators 21

Status Indicators 21

Adjusting Parameters from the Front Panel 22

Using the BrightEye Control Application 23

Format Menu 23

Pattern Menu 24

SDI Out Menu 26

Cpst Out Menu 27

TLS Menu 28

Audio Menu 29

Timecode Menu 31

Aux Out Menu 32

Config Menu 33

Troubleshooting 34

No signal output 34

Software Updating 35

Warranty and Factory Service 35

Warranty 35

Factory Service 35

Specifications 36

Glossary 38

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BrightEye 56

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HD/SD/Analog Test Signal and Sync Pulse Generator User Guide

BrightEye 56

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Product Overview

Sync Generator and Test Signal Generator

The BrightEye 56 is a genlockable sync generator and test signal generator that can be used as either
a slave or master reference generator. It can lock to house reference or it can lock to its own internal
precision standard. BrightEye 56 is well suited for remote trucks, post, helicopters and fly packs.

Outputs

The SDI Outputs 1 and 2 provide 1.5 Gb/s HD or SD SDI test signals or black with embedded audio.
There are also outputs for Composite, Tri Level Sync and AES digital audio. There are three user­programmable outputs that are selectable between AES, LTC, Word clock or 6 Hz Pulse. Analog audio
and AES outputs provide tone or silence.

The SDI and analog composite outputs provide simultaneously available signals including Color Black,
Bars, Crosshatch, Multi-burst, and SDI Checkfield (Pathogenic). The Cyclops feature adds a motion
element to the selected video test signal. An ID slate with user-programmable text can overlay the test
pattern.

Adjustments and Controls

Many controls can be adjusted through the intuitive front panel. Additionally, BrightEye Mac and
BrightEye PC software provides a complete user interface for all adjustments and controls. Please note
that BrightEye Mac or BrightEye PC version 2.0 or later is required.

Tri Level Sync

Tri Level Sync offers improved timing accuracy over traditional Bi-Level Sync. The analog output of a
standard sync generator is Bi-Level Sync. The timing reference is the 50% point of the leading edge.
The relative timing of this point shifts with changes in gain, DC reference, and frequency response.

The timing reference in Tri Level Sync is also at the 50% point of the sync pulse, but because this pulse
has both the positive and negative excursions, this point is the same as the DC ground reference. This
symmetry makes the signal virtually immune to time shift from gain, DC and response errors. The zero
point never drifts. The zero crossing is easy to detect every time which ensures timing accuracy.

The Tri Level Sync Generator block is configured in the BrightEye Control application to one of four HD
formats (1080i, 1080p, 720p, or 1080sF). The Tri Level Sync output frame rate can be selected between

23.98/50/59.94, the most commonly used family of frame rates, and 24/30/60, reserved for use with
special applications such as film.

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BrightEye 56

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HD/SD/Analog Test Signal and Sync Pulse Generator User Guide

BrightEye 56

The BrightEye 56 will apply the selected TLS frame rates to specific formats and line rates as shown in
the table below.

Frame Rate 23.98/50/59.94 Hz 24/30/60 Hz

Line Rate NTSC PAL NTSC PAL

1080i 59.94 50 60 50

720p 59.94 50 60 50

1080p 23.98 25 24 25

1080sF 23.98 25 24 25

Tone Generator Locked to Master Clock or External Reference

The Tone Generator is also locked to the master clock or the external reference, so the 48 kHz AES
output will be synchronous to the video outputs. In NTSC there are exactly 8008 audio samples in
every five video frames. There will be exactly 1920 audio samples in every PAL video frame.

Configurable Tone Generator

The Tone Generator can be configured for silence, a continuous tone, or an interrupted tone which is
coordinated with the Cyclops moving element. The Tone Generator feeds the Analog Audio outputs
through a precision digital-to-analog converter. It feeds an AES formatter to produce a standard AES
output. And finally, it is fed to an embedder (audio inserter) so that it will also be a part of the SDI
outputs.

TM

Internal Timecode Generator

The internal Timecode Generator feeds DVITC on the SDI outputs and VITC on the composite outputs.
Timecode can also be selected in LTC form on the programmable Aux 1, Aux 2, and Aux 3 outputs.

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BrightEye 56

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HD/SD/Analog Test Signal and Sync Pulse Generator User Guide

BrightEye 56

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Functional Description

External House Reference or Internal Precision Standard Reference

The BrightEye 56 can lock to an external house reference or it can lock to its own internal precision
standard reference.

The Ref In BNC on the rear of the unit will accept 1 V P-P PAL, NTSC, 10 MHz or Tri Level Sync as a
reference. The outputs will all be synchronous relative to this reference. The overall vertical and
horizontal timing of the outputs can be adjusted in the BrightEye PC or Mac Timing menu. Reference
status is reported on the front of the unit and in BrightEye PC or Mac. The Composite video output will
have the same ScH phase (or color framing) as the external reference.

A special case exists when simultaneously using PAL and NTSC. If the output standard for the module
is PAL and an NTSC reference is connected, BrightEye 56 will lock to the reference at the fundamental
clock frequency common to PAL and NTSC. This is referred to as “clock-locked”. There is no horizontal
and vertical relationship but BrightEye 56 will have the same frequency accuracy as the reference. The
AES audio output will be synchronous simultaneously to the BrightEye 56 PAL output and the NTSC
reference. The same case is true for an NTSC standard with a PAL reference.

Temperature Compensated Oscillator

When no external reference is connected to the unit, the fundamental clock source for BrightEye 56
is taken from a temperature compensated oscillator which guarantees frequency accuracy to within
1 cycle of subcarrier (better than 0.2 ppm) across the full operating temperature range. In addition,
because it does not require a crystal oven, BrightEye 56 is accurate immediately upon power up. This
ensures that the BrightEye 56 outputs meet the most stringent standards.

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BrightEye 56

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HD/SD/Analog Test Signal and Sync Pulse Generator User Guide

Wordclock

AES 1/2

Aux 1

TLS Out

SDI Out 1

Stereo

DAC

AES Encode

Audio

Generators

Tones and

Silence

Analog Audio

Outputs

SDI Out 2

TLS Out

Composite 1

Composite 2

Tri-Level

Sync

Generator

Slate

Gen

Standard Internal

Test Patterns

Composite

Encoder

Composite

Encoder

HD/SD

Serializer

HD/SD

Serializer

Audio

Embed

DVITC
Insert

DVITC
Insert

VITC

Insert

VITC

Insert

Audio
Clock

Generator

Aux

Output

Select

Timecode
Generator

Test Signal
Generator

Aux 2

Aux 3

AES

Encoders

6 Hz Pulse

LTC

Black

Gen

Black

Gen

Simple

Colorbars

SDI Output Timing

Composite

Output Timing

TLS Timing

Sync

Reference

Selection

Video/Audio

Clock

Generation

Timing

Adjustments

Audio

Embed

Genlock Input will accept:

525 or 625 Composite

TLS

10 MHz 1VP-P Sine or Square

Internal
Precision
Standard

Sync

Separator

External

Reference

Input

BrightEye 56

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Block Diagram

Please see the functional block diagram on the following two pages. It appears twice, first in a portrait
view, then larger as a landscape view.

BrightEye 56 Functional Block Diagram, Portrait View

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BrightEye 56

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HD/SD/Analog Test Signal and Sync Pulse Generator User Guide

Wordclock

AES 1/2

Aux 1

TLS Out

SDI Out 1

Stereo

DAC

AES Encode

Audio

Generators

Tones and

Silence

Analog Audio

Outputs

SDI Out 2

TLS Out

Composite 1

Composite 2

Tri-Level

Sync

Generator

Slate

Gen

Standard Internal

Test Patterns

Composite

Encoder

Composite

Encoder

HD/SD

Serializer

HD/SD

Serializer

Audio

Embed

DVITC

Insert

DVITC

Insert

VITC

Insert

VITC

Insert

Audio

Clock

Generator

Aux

Output

Select

Timecode

Generator

Test Signal

Generator

Aux 2

Aux 3

AES

Encoders

6 Hz Pulse

LTC

Black

Gen

Black

Gen

Simple

Colorbars

SDI Output Timing

Composite

Output Timing

TLS Timing

Sync

Reference

Selection

Video/Audio

Clock

Generation

Timing

Adjustments

Audio

Embed

Genlock Input will accept:

525 or 625 Composite

TLS

10 MHz 1VP-P Sine or Square

Internal

Precision

Standard

Sync

Separator

External

Reference

Input

BrightEye 56

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BrightEye 56 Functional Block Diagram, Landscape View

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BrightEye 56

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HD/SD/Analog Test Signal and Sync Pulse Generator User Guide

BrightEye 56

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Time Code Generator

The output of the BrightEye 56’s Timecode Generator is available simultaneously in multiple output
types through multiple output connectors as shown in the Timecode Output Types and Output
Connectors table on the next page.

The Timecode Generator will always run at the same frame rate as the main SDI outputs. If that output
is in the NTSC family (29.97 or 59.94), you can configure for the choice of Drop Frame or non-Drop
Frame operation. Drop Frame is necessary if you want the timecode value to track the actual time of
day. By dropping specific frames, it makes up for the fact that the frame rate is just shy (by 1/1.001) of
60 Hz.

You can load the Timecode Generator with a preset value through the control system. When a
BrightEye 56 powers up, the Timecode Generator starts at 0:0:0:0. Alternatively, the BrightEye 56
can read VITC present on the reference input. This timecode value will be used continuously by the
BrightEye 56’s internal generator. When this option is selected, the timecode presented on the many
different outputs will all match the timecode on the reference input.

Outputting Timecode

The BrightEye 56 has one timecode generator. The timecode that it produces can be output through a
number of methods:

1. Routing LTC (linear timecode) to one of the Programmable Output BNCs (Aux 1, Aux 2, Aux 3). This
is an analog, unbalanced, single-ended 1V P-P signal at 75 Ohm impedance.

2. Routing LTC to the Analog Audio Output connector. This will be exactly the same signal as when it
is routed to a BNC, but it will be a differential (balanced) twisted pair analog signal coming out of
the green Phoenix connector on the rear of the unit. Choose Timecode LTC on one of the 16 audio
channel selectors, then route that audio to the Analog Audio Output connector.

3. Routing LTC as an audio channel in an AES bitstream. Choose Timecode LTC on one of the audio
channel selectors, then select AES on any of the Programmable Outputs (Aux 1, Aux 2, Aux 3).
There are 9 different AES choices which correspond to channel pairs 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, etc, and the
choice of AES Silence. Choose the appropriate audio pair so that the particular AES stream being
fed to an output includes the timecode signal.

4. Routing LTC as one of the audio signals embedded in the SDI Output stream.

5. Routing VITC (vertical interval timecode) on an analog composite output.

6. Routing DVITC (digital vertical interval timecode) on an SD SDI output.

7. Routing ATC (ancillary timecode) on an HD SDI output.

You can output an analog timecode signal with any of the methods described above. The difference
between them is a choice between balanced or unbalanced. If you need to feed timecode to a device
with an XLR input, you would generally want to use the balanced output. However, it is also possible
to use the unbalanced output through Programmable Outputs (Aux 1, Aux 2, Aux 3) and connect it to
the destination with a balancing transformer. This would be much like the DATS adaptors for AES.

The advantage of using the unbalanced output through the Programmable Outputs (Aux 1, Aux 2,
Aux 3) is that you can run it through a BrightEye 41 Distribution Amplifier to make more copies.

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BrightEye 56

Page 10

HD/SD/Analog Test Signal and Sync Pulse Generator User Guide

BrightEye 56

Table: Timecode Output Types and Output Connectors

Timecode Output Type Output Connectors

LTC (Linear or Longitudinal
Timecode) single-ended

Note: An LTC signal is a very
low data rate bit stream that
ts within the bandwidth of an
analog audio signal.

LTC balanced One of the two Analog Audio Outputs (Channel 1 or Channel 2)

LTC embedded in an audio
channel

VITC (Vertical Interval
Timecode)

Aux 1, Aux 2, Aux 3

One of the 16 audio channels in the SDI Out (either SD or HD)

The vertical interval of the Analog Composite Out. Outputs can be
Black or any test signal.

SDI Out when it is SD. This is a digitized version of the VITC that
would be in an analog composite signal.

TM

VITC can be assigned to any of the following line pairs:

• Lines 13, 15

• Lines 14, 16

• Lines 15, 17

• Lines 16, 18

• Lines 17, 19

• Lines 18, 20

DVITC (Digital Vertical
Interval Timecode)

The vertical interval of the SDI Out when it is SD. Outputs can be
Black or any test signal.

SDI Out when it is HD. Can have DVITC packets carried in the
ancillary data spaces.

DVITC can be assigned to any of the following line pairs:

• Lines 13, 15

• Lines 14, 16

• Lines 15, 17

• Lines 16, 18

• Lines 17, 19

• Lines 18, 20

ATC (Ancillary Timecode) The vertical interval when the output is HD SDI. SDI outputs can be

Black or any test signal.

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There is no concept of line assignment for the ATC packet.

BrightEye 56

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HD/SD/Analog Test Signal and Sync Pulse Generator User Guide

Table: SDI Output Selections and Corresponding Timecode

SDI Output TC Frame Rate VITC on SD Output Drop

720p/59.94 The current SMPTE

spec (SMPTE-12M)
does not allow > 30Hz
framerate

1080i/59.94 29.97 Frames/second yes On or Off

1080i/50 25 Frames/second yes N/A

1080sF/23.98 23.98 Frames/second no On or Off

1080sF/24 24 Frames/second no N/A

SD 525 29.97 Frames/second yes On or Off

SD 625 25 Frames/second yes N/A

BrightEye 56

TM

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BrightEye 56

Page 12

HD/SD/Analog Test Signal and Sync Pulse Generator User Guide

BrightEye 56

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Audio Generation and Routing

Audio Generators

The diagram shown on the following two pages depicts the audio signal generation and routing for
the BrightEye 56. It appears twice, first in a portrait view, then larger as a landscape view.

Audio can be output as follows:

• Analog audio (one stereo pair)

• AES digital audio (BNC)

• Digital audio embedded in the SD SDI and/or HD SDI video outputs

Sixteen Independently Programmable Audio Channels

The BrightEye 56 supports sixteen audio channels and the content of each channel is independently
programmable. Choices include adjustable frequency tone generators, tone sweeps, silence, timecode,
and the external AES input. Left/right channel ID that synchronizes to the cyclops feature can also be
selected.

Audio Embedded in the SDI Outputs

All sixteen of these channels can be embedded in the SDI outputs. Each AES output can select from
any of the eight pairs that make up these sixteen channels. Similarly, the stereo analog output can be
driven from any of these audio signal pairs.

Support for Analog and Digital Audio

The AES digital audio outputs are always synchronous with all of the video outputs – regardless
of format – because all of the video outputs can be locked to a common time base. Multiple tone
generators can be used to identify multi-channel content. Analog audio is output as one stereo pair or
as two mono channels.

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BrightEye 56

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HD/SD/Analog Test Signal and Sync Pulse Generator User Guide

BrightEye 56

Video from TSG

TM

BrightEye 56/57

3G/HD/SD Sync Pulse / Test Signal Generator

Audio Generation and Routing

300 Hz

400 Hz

500 Hz

600 Hz

800 Hz

Tone

1.0 KHz

Generator

1.2 KHz

1.6 KHz

Silence

Timecode

External AES

Left/Ch 1

DDR2

Audio

Right/Ch 2

Playback

LTC

Channel Source Selector

typical of 16 places

External

AES
Input

WorkClock

Aligned

Shaped LTC

from
Timecode
Generator

Left/Ch 1

Right/Ch 2

BrightEye 56 Audio Generation and Routing Functional Diagram, Portrait View

Channel
Pairing

Ch 1/2

Ch 3/4

Ch 5/6

Ch 7/8

Ch 9/10

Ch 11/12

Ch 12/14

Ch 15/16

Silence

8 Channel Pairs

Audio Pair Selector

4 Places

AES

Encoder

AES

Encoder

AES

Encoder

AES

Encoder

Stereo

ADC

Group 1

Embedder

Ch 1:4

Group 2

Embedder

Ch 5:8

Group 3

Embedder

Ch 9:12

Group 4

Embedder

Ch 13:16

AES 1/2 Output

To Aux 1 Output Selector

To Aux 2 Output Selector

To Aux 3 Output Selector

To Analog Output Port

Enable

Enable

Enable

Enable

To Serializer

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BrightEye 56

Page 14

HD/SD/Analog Test Signal and Sync Pulse Generator User Guide

Shaped LTC

Generator

Timecode

from

LTC

WorkClock

Aligned

External

Input

AES

Left/Ch 1

Right/Ch 2

typical of 16 places

Playback

Audio

DDR2

Left/Ch 1

Right/Ch 2

Channel Source Selector

External AES

Timecode

Silence

1.6 KHz

Generator

1.2 KHz

Tone

1.0 KHz

800 Hz

BrightEye 56 Audio Generation and Routing Functional Diagram, Landscape View

Channel

Pairing

Ch 1/2

Ch 3/4

Ch 5/6

Ch 7/8

Ch 9/10

Ch 11/12

Ch 12/14

Ch 15/16

Silence

600 Hz

500 Hz

400 Hz

300 Hz

BrightEye 56

Audio Generation and Routing

3G/HD/SD Sync Pulse / Test Signal Generator

BrightEye 56/57

TM

Audio Pair Selector

4 Places

Stereo

ADC

To Analog Output Port

Encoder

AES

To Aux 3 Output Selector

Encoder

Encoder

AES

AES

To Aux 1 Output Selector

To Aux 2 Output Selector

Encoder

AES

AES 1/2 Output

8 Channel Pairs

Embedder

Group 4

Ch 13:16

Embedder

Ch 9:12

Group 3

Embedder

Ch 5:8

Group 2

Embedder

Ch 1:4

Group 1

Video from TSG

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BrightEye 56

Enable

To Serializer

Enable

Enable

Enable

Page 15