GRASS VALLEY MAESTRO Datasheet

Maestro

MULTI-CHANNEL MASTER CONTROL AND
CHANNEL BRANDING

The Maestro platform is designed to
meet your needs today and into the
future. Upgrading from standard­definition to high-definition (SD to HD)
or adding new features never involves
replacing the Maestro system’s main
board. The Channel Branding option
helps you to present and preserve your
brand in today’s competitive broadcast
marketplace.

PRODUCT DATA SHEET

The Grass Valley™ next-generation
Maestro™ master control system
offers an exceptional combination of
integrated features, expandability, and
control options, including support for
multi-format video and audio on a single
board. In addition, the Maestro system
fits within a Grass Valley Concerto™
Series routing matrix frame, offering
the convenience of master control and
routing within the same frame.

Maestro comes with a modular control
panel and optional PC-based graphical
user interface (GUI) that provides all
the control functions of a traditional
hardware control panel. As the hardware
and GUI control panels have near
identical forms, it eliminates the need for
an operator to learn two different user
interfaces.

A single Maestro master control system
supports up to 48 channels with operator
channel selection and control from the
hardware or GUI control panels.

KEY FEATURES

Architecture ready for today and •
designed for the future

Up to eight on-air keys and four •
audio voiceovers

Up to 10 simultaneous internal •
branding sources

Internal branding still images, CG text •
displays, animations, text crawls, and
audio voiceovers

Extremely flexible control options•

10-bit 2D digital effects •
(SqueezeBack™ and other effects)

Maestro is designed to meet your
needs today and into the future. When
upgrading from SD to HD or adding new
features, you never have to replace the
Maestro system’s main board. You can
even add select new features through
software and firmware upgrades. While
certain features require simple add-on
boards, they will never require extra
slots in the frame.

Maestro’s architecture is designed to
accommodate changing technologies.
Major components such as CPUs, digital
video effects, and channel branding
DSPs are built on replaceable add­on boards. Rather than the planned
obsolescence built into conventional
systems, Maestro is ready to grow with
your needs and as available technologies
advance.

Supports up to 48 channels per •
system with operator selection and
control

Uses just one slot per channel in any •
Concerto Series router frame

Supports SD, HD, AES, embedded •
audio, and Dolby audio formats

Modular operator hardware control •
panel and PC-based graphical user
interface

Worry-free source and program •
selection from external sources

Branding Flexibility

Using external key cut/key fill, AES audio
inputs, and internal channel branding
sources, Maestro provides up to 10
active branding sources that can be on­air simultaneously.

The external branding features of the
Maestro system include:

Four key cut/key fill inputs•

Four voiceover audio inputs•

Four upstream keys and four •
downstream keys (total of eight keys)

Full keyer control, shadow, border, and •
matte generation

Linear and luminance keys•

The internal branding features of the
Maestro system include:

Four still image or CG text sources•

Two animation sequence or text crawl •
sources

Four voiceover audio sources•

Independent control of up to four •
multi-channel audio-overs

Supports up to 16 audio channels •
(embedded and AES)

Dolby E pass-through supported•

™

Saturn•

automation protocol
(extended for new Maestro features)
supports easy integration into
existing systems

Interfaces to Encore and Jupiter •
control systems

www.grassvalley.com

PRODUCT DATA SHEET

Channel Branding Option

Maestro Channel Branding is available
in Basic or Enhanced options. Basic
Channel Branding provides a solution for
most brand needs including logos, bugs,
ID, trouble slide, time and temperature
display, and dynamic data displays such
as school closure, program teasers,
and audio announcements. Enhanced
Channel Branding expands branding
to include animations and text crawls.
This provides you with solutions to your
branding needs including animations,
backgrounds, snipes, animated teasers,
and dynamic text crawls.

Still images may be full-screen in all
Maestro video standards. Still images
are displayed as they are created by
your graphics department, allowing
control over brand look and position. Still
images support transparency and may be
repositioned, if required.

CG Text is a unique Maestro Channel
Branding feature, that combines the
display of multiple still image and text
boxes in a single branding source. Up
to eight image or text boxes may be
defined referencing up to 16 still images
and four character generator fonts. Still
image and text content can be dynamic
with the displayed images and text
displays controlled from simple external
text files. The external text files can be
created using a simple text editor or
from a data source such as the Internet,
election, or auction reporting system.
CG Text is a full-screen, template-based
display that provides a solution to
branding needs such as dynamic logos,
time and temperature, school closure,
data ticker, program log, or teasers with
multiple active components.

Animations include animation sequences
and text crawl sources. An animation
sequence may be full-screen in all
Maestro video standards. The length
of an animation playout is determined
by the size of the screen area being
animated. A full-screen HD animation
may play for several seconds while a
small logo or “snipe” might play for
hundreds of seconds. Looping playout
is supported allowing any animation to
play continuously without interruption. A
text crawl is a full-screen template-based
display, which may include a colored
background with transparency.

The text data displayed with CG Text or
a text crawl may consist of many lines
of data displayed in sequence until the
entire text page has been displayed,
at which time the text is reloaded
containing any additions or updates that
have been loaded since the last page
display began. CG Text and text crawl
support formatting escape sequences,
which are simple text commands
included in the text file that provide user
control of parameters such as time,
date, font color, drop shadow effects
and colors, underline, and color and font
selection. CG Text and text crawl also
allow the insertion of still images as part
of the text display. Up to 16 still images
may be referenced and inserted as
desired. A text crawl also supports the
insertion of an animation sequence into
the text display. Each CG Text and text
crawl element is a separate source and
may contain unique formatting, fonts,
and content.

The still images displayed using CG Text
or a text crawl are referenced using
a still image filename. Although the
filename cannot be changed, the actual
still images may be changed or updated
by simply saving a new or edited still
image with the associated filename. The
new image will then be displayed the
next time the source is loaded.

Simplified Branding Creation and
Workflow

Still images, animation sequences, and
audio messages are created using the
tools you already have. Elements are
transferred to the Maestro channels
using simple drag-and-drop actions or
by saving the file to a mapped disk drive
using standard Windows and Mac tools.
No complex element transfer methods
such as jump memory or FTP transfers
are required. Ingest, processing, and
loading of the branding elements to
associated Maestro on-air channels is
completed automatically and does not
require the master control operator or
any technical supervision. The simple
exchange method allows your graphics
department to create content and control
brand with little change to the current
workflow.

Unprecedented Control Flexibility

The Maestro platform also provides
unprecedented control flexibility.
Its control panel is comprised of
modular sub-panels, which allow
you to determine which controls you
actually need. With various panel sizes
available (typical 4x2 panel configuration
pictured), you can decide what is more
important—a small panel footprint or all
the controls at your fingertips in a larger
footprint.

Available sub-panels include:

Source Control (3 control units)•

Keyer Control (1 control unit)•

Audio Control (2 control units)•

Channel Control (1 control unit)•

Source Assignment (1 control unit)•

Maestro control panels are available in
the following sizes:

4x2 (accommodates 8 control units)•

5x2 (accommodates 10 control units)•

In addition to the hardware control
panel, Maestro offers a full-featured
touchscreen GUI. This software-based
control panel can complement or
replace the hardware control panel as it
offers all of the same control features.
If desktop space is a concern or only
occasional manual control is needed, the
touchscreen option may be an attractive
alternative to the traditional hardware
control panel. Either way, the choice is
yours.

Maestro Modular Control Panel

You can combine individual source
control, source assignment, keyer, audio,
channel control, transition, and other
panels as needed to create a master
control panel tailored to your needs. The
intuitive touchscreen GUI is available
to complement or replace the system’s
hardware control panel.

www.grassvalley.com

PRODUCT DATA SHEET

Depth*

1

Width Height Weight*

2

Rack Units

Main Frames

4 RU Maestro/Concerto Frame 19 in. (483 mm) 19 in. (483 mm) 7 in. (178 mm) 35 lbs. (16 kg) 4

8 RU Maestro/Concerto+ Frame 20.5 in. (521 mm) 19 in. (483 mm) 14 in. (356 mm) 70 lbs. (32 kg) 8

Hardware Control Panels

MAE-4X2-PFRM approx. 5.3 in.

(133 mm)

MAE-5X2-PFRM approx. 5.3 in.

(133 mm)

*1 Allow a minimum of four inches behind the frames for cabling

*2 All weights approximate

*3 Indicated measurement is for top surface of panel

approx. 25.7 in.

(653 mm)*

approx. 31.5 in.

(800 mm)*

3

3

approx. 18.3 in.

(464 mm)*

approx. 18.3 in.

(464 mm)*

3

3

25 lbs. (12 kg) N/A

33 lbs. (15 kg) N/A

SPECIFICATIONS

Environmental

Cooling Requirements

Air intake/exhaust locations:

8 RU frame: The Maestro 8 RU frame
ventilation system draws cooling air
through openings on the left side. Warm
air is exhausted through four fans
located on the right side. The left and
right sides must therefore be kept clear
of obstructions. It is not necessary to
leave open space above or below the
chassis

Note: Heat-generating equipment must
not be mounted beneath the Maestro
chassis

4 RU frame: Air intake is on the left,
exhaust on the right

Electrical

Unless specified otherwise, the following
specifications apply to a single channel
(i.e., one video plus associated audio
channels)

Power

8 RU Maestro/Concerto frame: Power

supply – 100-240V, 50/60 Hz, 10-15A,
auto-sensing

4 RU Maestro/Concerto frame:
Power supply – 100-240V, 50/60 Hz,
auto-sensing

Touchscreen (GUI) PC: Antec SP-450
power supply – 115V, 9A/230V, 5A
(manual voltage adjustment required).
50/60 Hz

Touchscreen (GUI) monitor: 100-240V,

0.7-0.35A, 50/60 Hz, auto-sensing

Video Standards

Interlaced scan:

1080i, 60 Hz, 16x9 HD (ATSC): SMPTE •
274M-2005, ATSC Table 3 @ 1.5 Gb/s

1080i, 50 Hz, 16x9 HD SMPTE: •
274M-2005 @ 1.5 Gb/s

575i, 50 Hz, 4x3 SD (PAL): BT.601-4 •
(normal 625/50 @ 270 Mb/s)

480i, 60 Hz, 4x3 SD (NTSC): SMPTE •
125M, SMPTE 259M, ATSC Table 3,
(normal 525/60 @ 270 Mb/s)

Progressive scan:

720p, 60 Hz, 16x9 HD (ATSC): SMPTE •
296M-2001, ATSC Table 3 @ 1.5 Gb/s

720p, 50 Hz, 16x9 HD: SMPTE •
296M-2001

Video Reference

SD operation: Analog blackburst

(preferred). Must be compatible with
input video standard (as listed above).
Although any constant APL color test
signal may be used for SD sync, the
preferred reference signal is analog
blackburst

HD operation: HD tri-level sync
(preferred). Must be compatible with
input video standard (as listed above)

Connector: One – 75Ω BNC, looping

Video Inputs

Number and type:

2 primary (background A/B)•
1 DVE reveal (background C)•
1 video for embedded breakaways or •

mix-overs (background D)
4 key cut•
4 key fill•

Connector: 75Ω BNC
Return loss: > 15 dB 270 Mb/s

Video Outputs

Number and type:

2 program•
2 preview•
2 clean feed (configurable tap points)•

Keyers

Key signal inputs: 4, each with cut and
fill. Keys can be inserted “upstream”
(paired with the background video) or
“downstream” (can persist even when
background video is changed)

Video Delay

With DVE option: 1 frame plus 1 line•
Without DVE option: 1 frame plus •

1 line

Audio Specifications

Audio standard: AES-1992 (r1997)

1999-11-23 printing
Rear panel types: 75Ω (BNC connectors)

or 110Ω (25-pin D connectors)
Dolby E: Pass-through (for NTSC, Dolby

E is switched on line 10)

Audio inputs: signal type 48 kHz AES3

Internal Channel Branding Option

Still images: 4 still image or CG text

sources
Maximum still image size:

Full-screen in all Maestro video •
standards. Supports alpha channel

CG Text supports 8 image or text •
boxes including dynamic still images
and text. Each CG Text source may
reference 16 still images and 4
character generator fonts. Text data is
defined in ASCII text files

Maximum CG Text display page size:

Approximately 4,000 characters. Number
of displayed text lines defined during
configuration

Supported still image file formats:
.TIF, .BMP, .JPG, .PNG, and .WMF

Animations: 2 animation sequences or
text crawl sources. Length of animation
sequence is determined by the area of
the element being animated

Supported animation sequence file
formats: .GIF and .MNG

Text crawl: Template-based display

including multiple fonts, character color
and transparency, and background with
color and transparency

Maximum text crawl length:

Approximately 4,000 characters•
Text crawls support still images and •

an animation embedded in the text
crawl. Each text crawl source may
reference 16 still images and a single
animation sequence. Text crawl data
is defined in ASCII text files

Text formatting control: Insert day/
month/year, select font, font color, drop
shadow on/off, drop shadow color, drop
shadow size, insert still image, insert
animation, underline on/off, underline
color, and underline offset

Audio voiceovers: 4 audio voiceover
sources

Number of audio channels: Up to 16
channels sampled at 48 kHz with 16 bits
per sample

Supported audio file formats: .WAV
and Broadcast .WAV

PRODUCT DATA SHEET

ORDERING INFORMATION

Frames, Fans And Power
Supplies

MAE-FRM128-CPL

Maestro 128 frame with one power
supply, matrix controller, and fan unit
for Encore CPL control. Supports up to 4
master control channels per frame.

MAE-FRM128-XPT

Maestro 128 frame with one power
supply, matrix controller, and fan unit
for Jupiter XPT control. Supports up to 4
master control channels per frame.

CRS-FRM64-CPL

Concerto 64 frame with one power
supply, matrix controller, and fan unit for
Encore CPL control. Supports one master
control channel and one matrix card per
frame.

CRS-FRM64-XPT

Concerto 64 frame with one power
supply, matrix controller, and fan unit for
Jupiter XPT control. Supports one master
control channel and one matrix card per
frame.

MAE-BNC-RP

Maestro Rear I/O Panel – 75Ω BNC video
and AES audio connectors. Supports 4
AES audio streams (8 channels)

MAE-DB25-RP

Maestro Rear I/O Panel – 75Ω BNC video
and 110Ω DB25 AES audio connectors.
Supports 4 AES audio streams (8
channels).

Master Control Channels

MAE-SD

Maestro SD Master Control, A/B/C/D
video inputs, 4 AES audio streams
(8-channels) audio, up to 16 channel
embedded audio, 4 external key inputs,
2 external audio mixer inputs, and S/W
license. More than 4 AES audio streams
requires MADI interface.

MAE-HD

Maestro HD Master Control, A/B/C/D
video inputs, 4 AES audio streams
(8-channels) audio, up to 16 channel
embedded audio, 4 external key inputs,
2 external audio mixer inputs, and S/W
license. More than 4 AES audio streams
requires MADI interface.

Channel Branding Options

MAE-BE-BAS-SD

Maestro SD Basic Channel Branding
supports 4 still image or CG Text sources,
and 4 audio voiceover clips. Includes one
branding DSP mezzanine board and one
MAE-MEM-HDD hard disk drive.

MAE-BE-BAS-HD

Maestro HD Basic Channel Branding
supports 4 still image or CG Text sources,
and 4 audio voiceover clips. Includes one
branding DSP mezzanine board and one
MAE-MEM-HDD hard disk drive. Includes
HD Channel Branding S/W License.

MAE-BE-ENH-SD

Maestro SD Basic Channel Branding
supports 4 still image or CG Text sources,
2 animation or text crawl sources, and
4 audio voiceover clips. Includes 3
branding DSP mezzanine boards and 2
MAE-MEM-HDD hard disk drives.

MAE-BE-ENH-HD

Maestro HD Basic Channel Branding
supports 4 still image or CG Text sources,
2 animation or text crawl sources,
and 4 audio voiceover clips. Includes
3 branding DSP mezzanine boards and
2 MAE-MEM-HDD hard disk drives.
Includes HD Channel Branding S/W
license.

MAE-BE-UPG

Maestro Basic to Enhanced Channel
Branding upgrade. Adds 2 animations
or text crawl sources. Consists of 2
branding DSP mezzanine boards and one
additional MAE-MEM-HDD hard disk
drive. Requires previous installation of
MAE-BE-BAS-SD/HD.

MAE-BE-EAS

Maestro Emergency Message (EAS)
support option. Provides serial interface
to TFT or SAGE EAS encoder. Replaces
external character generator for crawl
generation. Use EAS encoder on-air
tally to insert message crawl and audio.
Requires AES audio output from EAS
encoder.

Digital Video Effects Options

MAE-DVE-SD

Maestro SD Digital Video Effects
(DVE) – Single Channel, 2D, SD DVE
(SqueezeBack, Push, etc.)

MAE-DVE-HD

Maestro HD Digital Video Effects
(DVE) – Single Channel, 2D, HD DVE
(SqueezeBack, Push, etc.). Includes HD
DVE S/W license.

Hardware Control Panels

MAE-4X2STD-CP

Maestro 4x2 Hardware Control Panel
– Includes control panel frame, dual
power supplies and the following: Source
Control, Audio Control, Keyer Control,
Source Assignment and Delegation
Control sub-panels.

MAE-5X2STD-CP

Maestro 5x2 Hardware Control Panel
– Includes control panel frame, dual
power supplies and the following: Source
Control, Audio Control, Keyer Control,
Source Assignment Delegation Control
and two blank sub-panels.

MAE-PS-CP

Maestro hardware control panel spare
power supply – 100-240 VAC

Software Control Panels

MAE-GUI-HW

Maestro Touchscreen Control Panel –
Includes rack-mountable, industrial-grade
PC, LCD touchscreen monitor, and GUI
software license. Works with hardware
control panel server.

MAE-GUI-COMP

Maestro Software Control Panel –
Includes rack-mountable, industrial-grade
PC, and GUI software license. Does not
include monitor. Works with hardware
control panel server.

MAE-GUI-PKG

Maestro Complete Touchscreen Control
Panel – includes rack-mountable,
industrial-grade PC, LCD touchscreen
monitor, and GUI software license. Does
not require hardware control panel
server. Includes video overlay option.

MAE-GUI-PS

Maestro Panel Server of GUI PC – Note:
only required needed if there will be no
hardware control panel and only the GUI
will be used to communicate with the
Maestro channels.

MAE-GUI-VIDEO

Maestro Video Overlay – PCI card for
providing video (PGM and PST) overlays
in GUI screen. Supports SDI standard
definition only.

MAE-GUI-SW

Maestro Touchscreen Control Panel GUI
software license. Allows operation of
software control panel on customer­provided PC. Customer PC must meet
minimum requirements.

Software Upgrades

MAE-HD-SW

Maestro High Definition (HD) software
and S/W license.

MAE-HDMP-UPG

Maestro SD to HD Upgrade – upgrades
main processor board from SD to SD/HD,
includes S/W license.

MAE-HDBE-UPG

Maestro Channel Branding SD to HD
Upgrade, includes S/W license.

MAE-HDDVE-UPG

Maestro DVE SD to HD Upgrade, includes
S/W license.

Please contact your authorized Grass
Valley representative.

CUSTOMER SUPPORT & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Our customer support and professional services offerings ensure optimal system performance and maximize uptime. These services include call centers staffed around the clock,
commissioning, professional training courses, and technical maintenance programs and service agreements.

www.grassvalley.com/support

© Copyright 2011 Grass Valley USA, LLC. All rights reserved. Grass Valley, Maestro, Concerto, SqueezeBack, and Saturn are trademarks of GVBB Holdings
S.a.r.l. All other tradenames referenced are service marks, trademarks, or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Specifications subject to
change without notice. RMC-40 02D-4