Ensemble Designs BrightEye 57 User Manual
BrightEye 57
3G/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 eorts 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–
3G/HD/SD/ASI video,
audio and optical units.
very equipment you need to complete your ensemble
of video and audio gear. We offer those special pieces
that tie everything together so that when combined, the
whole ensemble is exactly what you need.
Notably Great Service for You
We listen to you – just tell us what you need and we’ll
do our best to build it. We are completely focused on
you and the equipment you need. Being privately held
means we don’t have to worry about a big board of
directors or anything else that might take attention away
from real business. And, you can be sure that when you
call a real person will answer the phone. We love this
business and we’re here to stay.
Bricks and Mortar of Your Facility
The bricks and mortar of a facility include pieces like
up/downconverters, audio embedders, video converters,
routers, protection switches and SPGs for SD, HD and
3 Gb/s. That’s what we’re focused on, that’s all we do
– we make proven and reliable signal processing and
infrastructure gear for broadcasters worldwide, for you.
Come on by and visit us.
Drop in for lunch and a tour!
Shipped with care to
television broadcasters
and video facilities all
over the world.
3G/HD/SD/Analog Test Signal and Sync Pulse Generator User Guide
BrightEye 57
TM
Contents
Product Overview 5
Sync Generator and Test Signal Generator 5
3G Support 5
3G Signal Chain Options 5
Outputs 5
Customizable Test Patterns 5
Adjustments and Controls 5
Tri Level Sync 6
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
Timecode 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
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BrightEye 57
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3G/HD/SD/Analog Test Signal and Sync Pulse Generator User Guide
BrightEye 57
TM
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
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
Storage Menu 34
Troubleshooting 35
No signal output 35
Software Updating 36
Warranty and Factory Service 36
Warranty 36
Factory Service 36
Specifications 37
Glossary 39
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BrightEye 57
Page 4
3G/HD/SD/Analog Test Signal and Sync Pulse Generator User Guide
BrightEye 57
TM
Product Overview
Sync Generator and Test Signal Generator
The BrightEye 57 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 57 is well suited for remote trucks, post, helicopters and fly packs.
3G Support
The BrightEye 57’s 3G test signals are useful for facilities that are installing 3 Gb/s routers and signal
distribution. At twice the bit rate as HD SDI, 3G can transmit 1080p (50 or 59.94) and 4:4:4 RGB signals
on a single cable. BrightEye 57 is compliant with SMPTE 424M and 425M and has support for both
Level A and Level B. 3G Level A is used for uncompressed 1080p 50/60 signals, useful in broadcast and
satellite. 3G Level B is used for uncompressed 1080i 4:4:4 and is useful in post production.
3G Signal Chain Options
For facilities and manufacturers using 3 Gb/s video, BrightEye units can be combined to form a
complete 3G signal chain. The BrightEye 57 test signal generator’s 3G output can be distributed
through the BrightEye 43 3G distribution amplifier or the BrightEye 46 and BrightEye 48 E/O 3G fiber
optical transmitter/receiver set. The BrightEye 72 provides a convenient way to monitor 3G signals
with analog and HDMI outputs.
Outputs
The SDI Outputs 1 and 2 provide 1.5 Gb/s HD, 3 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.
Customizable Test Patterns
In addition to the standard suite of test patterns, users can create custom test patterns on a computer.
Transfer test patterns to the included Secure Digital flash memory card and then insert the memory
card into the front of the BrightEye 57. Test patterns can include motion and an associated audio clip
such as voice-over or station ID.
Note: Use Ensemble Design’s Pattern Generator software application when creating
custom test patterns for the BrightEye 57. Please see the BrightEye Support page for
the link to download this software. See also the Pattern Generator User Guide.
Adjustments and Controls
Many controls can be adjusted through the intuitive front panel. BrightEye Mac and BrightEye PC
software (version 2.1.2 or later) provide a complete user interface for all adjustments and controls.
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BrightEye 57
Page 5
3G/HD/SD/Analog Test Signal and Sync Pulse Generator User Guide
BrightEye 57
TM
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.
The BrightEye 57 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.
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 57
Page 6
3G/HD/SD/Analog Test Signal and Sync Pulse Generator User Guide
BrightEye 57
TM
Functional Description
External House Reference or Internal Precision Standard Reference
The BrightEye 57 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 57 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 57 will have the same frequency accuracy as the reference and
the AES audio output will be synchronous simultaneously to the BrightEye 57 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 57
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 57 is accurate immediately upon power up. This
ensures that the BrightEye 57 outputs meet the most stringent standards.
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BrightEye 57
Page 7
3G/HD/SD/Analog Test Signal and Sync Pulse Generator User Guide
BrightEye 57
Block Diagram
Please see the functional block diagram on this page and the next page. The block diagram appears
twice, first in a portrait view, then larger in a landscape view.
TM
Genlock Input will accept:
525 or 625 Composite
TLS
10 MHz 1VP-P Sine or Square
Sync
Separator
External
Reference
Input
Internal
Precision
Standard
TLS Timing
Black
Gen
Sync
Reference
Selection
Video/Audio
Clock
Generation
Timing
Adjustments
Composite
Output Timing
SDI Output Timing
Standard Internal
Test Patterns
User Test Patterns Loaded through
built-in Secure Digital Card Interface
Test Signal
Generator
Generator
Simple
Colorbars
Timecode
Generator
Audio
Clock
BrightEye 57 Functional Block Diagram, Portrait View
Black
Gen
Slate
Gen
Audio
Embed
Audio
Embed
Audio
Generators
Tones and
Silence
VITC
Insert
VITC
Insert
DVITC
Insert
DVITC
Insert
6 Hz Pulse
Wordclock
Encoders
AES Encode
LTC
AES
Tri-Level
Sync
Generator
Stereo
DAC
Composite
Encoder
Composite
Encoder
3G/HD/SD
Serializer
3G/HD/SD
Serializer
Aux
Output
Select
TLS Out
TLS Out
Composite 1
Composite 2
SDI Out 1
SDI Out 2
Aux 1
Aux 2
Aux 3
AES 1/2
Analog Audio
Outputs
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BrightEye 57
Page 8
3G/HD/SD/Analog Test Signal and Sync Pulse Generator User Guide
BrightEye 57
TM
BrightEye 57 Functional Block Diagram, Landscape View
User Test Patterns Loaded through
built-in Secure Digital Card Interface
Reference
External
Input
Standard
Precision
Internal
Adjustments
Timing
Standard Internal
Test Patterns
Separator
Generation
Clock
Sync
Video/Audio
SDI Output Timing
10 MHz 1VP-P Sine or Square
Genlock Input will accept:
525 or 625 Composite
TLS
Reference
Selection
Sync
Output Timing
Composite
Stereo
DAC
Analog Audio
Outputs
Generators
Tones and
Silence
AES Encode
Encoders
AES 1/2
Generator
Clock
Audio
AES
Aux 3
Audio
6 Hz Pulse
Wordclock
Output
Select
Aux
Aux 2
Generator
Timecode
LTC
Aux 1
Test Signal
Generator
Slate
Gen
Embed
Audio
DVITC
Insert
3G/HD/SD
Serializer
SDI Out 2
Black
Gen
Embed
Audio
DVITC
Insert
3G/HD/SD
Serializer
SDI Out 1
Colorbars
Simple
Insert
VITC
Composite
Encoder
Composite 2
Black
Gen
Insert
VITC
Composite
Encoder
Composite 1
TLS Timing
Generator
Tri-Level
Sync
TLS Out
TLS Out
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BrightEye 57
Page 9
3G/HD/SD/Analog Test Signal and Sync Pulse Generator User Guide
BrightEye 57
TM
Timecode Generator
The output of the BrightEye 57’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 57 powers up, the Timecode Generator starts at 0:0:0:0. Alternatively, the BrightEye 57
can read VITC present on the reference input. This timecode value will be used continuously by the
BrightEye 57’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 57 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 57
Page 10
3G/HD/SD/Analog Test Signal and Sync Pulse Generator User Guide
BrightEye 57
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 57
Page 11
3G/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 57
TM
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BrightEye 57
Page 12
3G/HD/SD/Analog Test Signal and Sync Pulse Generator User Guide
BrightEye 57
TM
Audio Generation and Routing
Audio Generators
The diagram shown on the following two pages depicts the audio signal generation and routing for
the BrightEye 57. 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 57 supports sixteen audio channels and the content of each channel is independently
programmable. Choices include adjustable frequency tone generators, tone sweeps, silence, timecode,
audio clip playback from the BrightEye 57’s secure digital card, 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 57
Page 13
3G/HD/SD/Analog Test Signal and Sync Pulse Generator User Guide
BrightEye 57
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
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
BrightEye 57 Audio Generation and Routing Functional Diagram, Portrait View
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BrightEye 57
Page 14
3G/HD/SD/Analog Test Signal and Sync Pulse Generator User Guide
Shaped LTC
Generator
Timecode
from
LTC
WorkClock
Aligned
External
Input
AES
Right/Ch 2
typical of 16 places
Left/Ch 1
Channel Source Selector
Playback
Audio
DDR2
Left/Ch 1
Right/Ch 2
External AES
Silence
Timecode
1.6 KHz
Generator
1.2 KHz
Tone
1.0 KHz
800 Hz
600 Hz
500 Hz
BrightEye 57 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
400 Hz
300 Hz
BrightEye 57
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
Ch 5:8
Embedder
Group 2
Embedder
Ch 1:4
Group 1
Video from TSG
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BrightEye 57
Enable
To Serializer
Enable
Enable
Enable
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