Kramer SP-14 Operating Instructions Manual

SIERRA VIDEO SYSTEMS

SP-14

User’s Manual

2

SP-14

Operating Instructions

Version K-1.4

3

This manual explains how to operate your television broadcast image processor. The product is
designed to provide users with a powerful and flexible method of format conversion.

If you have any queries relating to this or any other product supplied by Kramer please visit our
web site www.kramerelectronics.com.

For technical support please e-mail [e-mail]

COPYRIGHT

This document and the software described within it are copyrighted with all rights reserved. Under
copyright laws, neither the documentation nor the software may be copied, photocopied, reproduced,
translated, or reduced to electronic medium or machine readable form, in whole or in part, without prior
written consent of Kramer Electronics Ltd ("Kramer"). Failure to comply with this condition may result in
prosecution.
Kramer does not warrant that this product will function properly in every hardware/software environment.
Although Kramer has tested the hardware, firmware, software and reviewed the documentation,
KRAMER MAKES NO WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH
RESPECT TO THIS HARDWARE, FIRMWARE, SOFTWARE OR DOCUMENTATION, THEIR
QUALITY, PERFORMANCE, MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
THIS SOFTWARE AND DOCUMENTATION ARE LICENSED 'AS IS', AND YOU, THE LICENSEE, BY
MAKING USE THEREOF, ARE ASSUMING THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THEIR QUALITY AND
PERFORMANCE.
IN NO EVENT WILL KRAMER BE LIABLE FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE
OR DOCUMENTATION, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. In particular, and without
prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, Kramer has no liability for any programs or data stored or
used with Kramer software, including costs of recovering such programs or data.

Copyright (c) 2013 All World-wide Rights Reserved

All trade marks acknowledged

Kramer operates a policy of continued product improvement; therefore specifications are subject to
change without notice as products are updated or revised.

E&OE.

4

Contents

INTRODUCTION 7

1.1. General Introduction 7

1.1.1. Front Panel Control 7

1.1.2. Rear Panel conectivity 8

1.2. Packing List 8

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION 9

2.1. Product Overview 9

2.2. Product Specification 9

2.2.1. Power Supply Requirement 9

2.2.2. Composite and Y/C Video Inputs 9

2.2.3. Component Video Inputs 9

2.2.4. SDI Input 10

2.2.5. Analogue VGA Input 10

2.2.6. HDMI & DVI Inputs 10

2.2.7. Audio Inputs 10

2.2.8. Audio Output 10

2.2.9. Display Output 10

2.3. Genlock 11

FLOW CHART FOR SP-14 OPERATION 12

3.1. Correct Installation Order 12

FRONT PANEL CONTROL 13

4.1. Menu Tree 13

4.2. Introduction 16

4.3. Start-up Screen 17

4.4. Main Menu 17

4.5. MCFRC Settings 17

4.5.1. Standard Settings 17

4.5.2. Advanced Settings 18

4.6. Time Code Settings 19

4.7. Input Select 21

4.8. Input Adjust 21

4.8.1. Input Levels 21

4.8.2. Clock/Position 22

4.8.3. Input Capture 22

4.8.4. Input Features 22

4.8.5. Aspect Ratio 22

4.8.6. Filters 23

4.9. Output Adjust 24

4.9.1. Lock Mode 24

4.9.2. Reference Source 24

4.9.3. Reference Offset 24

4.9.4. Free Run Format 24

4.9.5. ARC Mode 25

4.9.6. ARC Custom 25

4.9.7. Processing Mode 25

4.9.8. 3G-SDI Data Map 25

4.9.9. Blue Check 25

4.9.10. Safe Area Markers 25

4.9.11. Gamma of Display 26

4.10. SP-14 Audio 26

4.10.1. Audio Channel Configuration 26

4.10.2. HDMI EDID control and Audio Delay 27

4.11. Closed Captioning 27

4.12. Information 28

4.13. Miscellaneous 28

4.13.1. Select Test Pattern 28

4.13.2. Channel Logo Overlay 28

4.13.3. Input Channel Config 28

4.13.4. No Sync Color 29

5

4.13.5. Factory Reset 29

4.13.6. Unit Configuration 29

4.13.7. Networking(TCP/IP) 29

4.13.8. Presets 29

REMOTE CONTROL WEB SERVER 30

5.1. Introduction 30

5.2. Installing the Software 30

5.3. Software Operation 30

5.4. Channel Logo Upload 30

FIRMWARE UPDATE 31

6.1. Introduction 31

6.2. Installing the PC Updater Software 31

6.3. Updating Firmware 31

ENVIRONMENTAL AND EMC 32

7.1. Recommended Operating Conditions 32

7.2. Storage 32

7.3. CE and FCC Compliance 32

ABBREVIATIONS 33

6

SAFETY WARNING:

1. THERE ARE NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS WITHIN THE UNIT. REMOVAL OF THE TOP COVER
WILL EXPOSE DANGEROUS VOLTAGES. DO NOT OPERATE THE UNIT WITHOUT THE TOP COVER
INSTALLED.

2. ENSURE THAT ALL ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS (INCLUDING THE MAINS PLUG AND ANY
EXTENSION LEADS) ARE PROPERLY MADE AND COMPLY WITH ELECTRICAL SAFETY
REGULATIONS.

3. ENSURE THAT THE INTEGRITY OF THE EQUIPMENT ISOLATION BARRIER IS MAINTAINED WHEN
CONNECTING TO OTHER EQUIPMENT. THIS MEANS THAT ONLY LOW VOLTAGE ISOLATED
CIRCUITS MAY BE CONNECTED TO THE SIGNAL INPUTS AND OUTPUTS. IF ANY DOUBT EXISTS
CONSULT QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

4. TO PREVENT SHOCK OR FIRE HAZARD DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR
MOISTURE. IF SUCH EXPOSURE OCCURS, REMOVE THE PLUG FROM THE MAINS OUTLET AND
HAVE THE EXPOSED UNIT CHECKED BY QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

5. DO NOT CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE EQUIPMENT IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBT ABOUT IT
WORKING NORMALLY, OR IF IT IS DAMAGED IN ANY WAY. WITHDRAW THE MAINS PLUG FROM
THE MAINS OUTLET AND CONSULT QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

6. DO NOT REMOVE ANY FIXED COVERS UNLESS YOU ARE QUALIFIED TO DO SO AND EVEN THEN
WITHDRAW THE MAINS PLUG FROM THE MAINS OUTLET BEFORE YOU START.

7. THIS EQUIPMENT CONTAINS NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS. REFER ALL SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

8. TO AVOID EXPLOSION, DO NOT OPERATE THIS EQUIPMENT IN AN EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERE

7

INTRODUCTION

1.1.

General Introduction

SP-14 is a very flexible television broadcast image processor developed to convert between video
formats and between PC and video formats.

SP-14 features a state of the art digital image processor with powerful scaling using a 1024-tap filter and
market leading HD & SD per-pixel multiple Iow-angle aperture-adjusted motion-adaptive de-interlacing
with automatic film pull-down correction for 3:2, 2:2 and non-standard and broken cadences,
significantly outperforming the capabilities of benchmark competitor products.

SP-14 feature HQV post-production studio-grade image processing algorithms for the very best scaling,
film and video noise reduction, MPEG artefact reduction and automatic audio time-line correction to
maintain lip-sync.

SP-14 features motion compensated conversion between modes with different frame rate providing
smooth stutter free images ( for example, when changing video content from the 50Hz to 60Hz domain)

SP-14 is a flexible video and audio router with multiple digital and analogue input channels, digital audio
support and SDI/HD-SDI/3G-SDI compatibility.

The image may be zoomed and panned to select a particular area of interest. Scaling and aspect ratio
treatment is extremely flexible.

1.1.1.

Front Panel Control

System control is via a front-panel LCD menu controlled via keys or through a web interface via TCP/IP.

1: Menu display 2: Bore (Reset knob access) 3: (Programmable) input channel select keys
4: Menu navigation keys 5: Menu key 6: Toggle input channels 7: Standby

1

2 3 4 5 6

7

8

1.1.2.

Rear Panel conectivity

SP-14 uses a very high performance video input front end including true component video support in
analogue YPbPr and RGBS formats and SDI/HD-SDI/3G-SDI digital formats as well as dual composite
(CVBS) and a Y/C S-Video input. A very high performance video decoder is utilised with 4x
oversampling and 3D Y/C cross talk filter for outstanding video image clarity. HDMI and DVI video with
HDCP encryption is supported as well as analogue RGBHV graphics input.

The output format can be set to a great number of different standard video modes from NTSC to 1080P
modes performing time base correction or the output can be genlocked to the incoming video signal.

Outputs are available in analogue component, DVI digital and 3G-SDI formats which are useable
simultaneously. Note that if an HDCP encrypted signal is connected to the HDMI or DVI input, the DVI
output signal will be similarly HDCP encrypted and the other outputs will be disabled.

1: HDMI input 2: DVI-D input 3: 2x 3G-SDI inputs 4: RBGHV input
5: YPbPr/RGBS input 6: Y/C and 2x CVBS inputs 7: YPbPr output
8: Control Ports (RS232, TCP/IP and USB) 9: 3G-SDI output 10: DVI/HDMI output
11: Analogue Genlock input and output 12: SDI Genlock input and output
13: 4x/4x AES audio inputs (top)/ outputs (bottom) 14: Dual redundant power supply

1.2.

Packing List

SP-14 is supplied with the following

1) This manual

2) 3 pin plug IEC mains cable

3) DVI-D output cable

1 2 3 7 5 6 8 9 10

12

11

13

14 144

9

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

2.1.

Product Overview

SP-14 is designed to accept the following input signals:

2x Composite video via BNC
S-Video Y/C via 2x BNC
YPbPr or RGBS SD/ED/HD
component video via 3 or 4x BNC
VGA input via 5x BNC connectors (RGBHV)
2x 3G-SDI or HD-SDI or SDI
(Serial Digital Interface) via BNC
DVI-D (Digital Visual Interface)
via a DVI-I connector

HDMI via HDMI connector

2.2.

Product Specification

This section provides technical details for all possible inputs. Please note that not all possible input
options may be applicable to certain output modes.

2.2.1.

Power Supply Requirement

SP-14 have two internal power supplies. The unit can be set up to work from a single power supply or
as a fail safe mechanism switch between the power supplies in case of one failing. Each mains input is
rated 100V-264VAC 50/60Hz with maximum power of 60W connected via a standard IEC connectors
located on the rear panel. The power input socket contains a fuse which should only be replaced with
the same type and rating for continued product safety. The correct type and rating of fuse is stated on a
label on the side or rear of the equipment.

2.2.2.

Composite and Y/C Video Inputs

Composite via BNC connectors, S-Video Y/C via 2x BNC connectors

Signal formats Composite (CVBS), S-Video (Y/C),
Standards NTSC, PAL, SECAM
Composite (CVBS) input level 1V p-p nominal inc. sync
Luminance (Y) input level 1V p-p nominal inc. sync
Chrominance (C) input level 0.6V p-p nominal
Input Impedance (all inputs) 75 Ohms

2.2.3.

Component Video Inputs

Via 3 or 4 BNC connectors
YPbPr, YPbPrS, RGB and RGBS component video, menu selectable.
Signal formats 484i (480i) and 576i (SD), 480p, 576p (ED), 720p, 1080i at 50, 59.94 and 60Hz and

1080p at 24, 25, 29.97 and 30Hz.
Please note this input does not support Computer SVGA signals.

10

2.2.4.

SDI Input

Format: SD-SDI
HD-SDI YCbCr 4:2:2 serial digital component video
3G-SDI 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 serial digital component video
Input impedance: 75 ohms.

SMPTE 292M, SMPTE 259M-C and SMPTE 424M compliant, accepts 484i, 576i, 720, 1080i and 1080p
single link formats at 270Mb, 1.485Gb or 2.97Gb rates. Level A and B transport is supported for 1080p
50, 59.94 and 60 Hz (2.97Gb rates).

2.2.5.

Analogue VGA Input

Via 5 BNC connectors
Signal formats:
640x480, 720x400, 800x600, 1024x600, 1024x768, 1280x720, 1280x768, 1280x1024, 1360x768,

1400x1050, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1080
Please note this input does not support video type signals.

2.2.6.

HDMI & DVI Inputs

HDMI 1.3 with or without HDCP, 30-bit video compatible.
DVI-D input with or without HDCP
Video signal formats
484i and 576i (SD) in double-rate formats (1440 pixels per line), 480p, 576p (ED), 720p, 1080i at 50,

59.94 & 60Hz, 1080p at 24, 25, 30, 50, 59.94 & 60Hz.

Graphic signal formats
640x480, 800x600, 852x480, 853x480, 1024x600, 1024x768, 1280x720, 1280x768, 1280x800,

1280x960 1280x1024, 1360x768, 1365x768, 1366x768, 1368x768, 1400x788, 1440x900, 1600x900,
1366x1024, 1400x1050, 1680x1050, 1600x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200

2.2.7.

Audio Inputs

Embedded audio on SDI and HDMI
AES coaxial digital audio (4x)

2.2.8.

Audio Output

Embedded audio on SDI and HDMI
AES coaxial digital audio (4x)

2.2.9.

Display Output

Three output channels are provided, 3G-SDI via BNC, DVI-D via a DVI-I connector and Component
Video Output via three BNC, which are useable simultaneously, provided the input signal is not HDCP
encrypted.

Please note that this unit is HDCP compliant. This means that when the input signal has HDCP
encryption, the DVI-D output connector will carry a similarly HDCP encrypted signal and the 3G-SDI and
Component Video Output connector are disabled when output resolution is higher than 480i/576i. When

an HDCP encrypted signal is input, but the display device does not support HDCP, the output
image will turn black and the front panel displays a “HDCP Authorization FAILED” message.

The DVI-D connector will support HDMI 1.3 with 30/36-bit video when connected to a suitable HDMI 1.3
receiver.

The Component Output is limited to 1080i50/60 and 1080p30/60 (and lower frequency) output modes.
YCbCr 4:2:2 and YCbCr 4:4:4 data mapping is supported.

11

2.3.

Genlock

Vertical frame synchronisation is provided. The frame signal can be derived from the dedicated
analogue Genlock input as a bi or tri-level sync or from the dedicated 3G-SDI Genlock input. The frame
synchronisation signal must be a video format and must have a vertical rate of 50Hz, 59.94Hz or 60Hz.
The output will be vertically locked to the frame synchronisation signal at the exact same rate. The
phase can be controlled through the menu system, allowing adjustment for a desired latency.

Frame synchronisation status is shown via the front panel status indication on the right-hand side of the
screen, provided it has been enabled on the menu.

12

FLOW CHART FOR SP-14 OPERATION

3.1.

Correct Installation Order

1 - Connect to display device

2 - Connect audio output

3 - Connect video input

6 - Connect power

7 - Configure display device

9 - Select free run output
format

MENU - Output
Settings/Output Format

10 – Make a choice on aspect
ratio treatment

MENU – Output Settings/
ARC Mode

11 – Chose if the output shall
be frame synchronized

MENU– Output Settings/
Lock Mode

8 - Select input channel

MENU – Input Select

5 - Connect audio input

4 - Connect Genlock source

12 – Select the Genlock
Source

MENU – Output Settings/
Reference Source

13

FRONT PANEL CONTROL

4.1.

Menu Tree

Start up Screen
Main Menu

MEMC/FRC Settings

FRC Level

MEMC Exclusion Zone
Enable MEMC Mask
Display Border
Left Edge
Right Edge
Top Edge
Bottom Edge
MEMC Demo Mode

Preserve Cadence
Cadence Detect 23-30Hz
Cadence Detect 50-60Hz

Advanced

Robust SAD Threshold

SAD Cost Factor

Temporal/Spatial Balance

PPC Cost Threshold

PPC MV Smooth Threshold

PPC Selection Threshold

BG/FG Balance Cost

Huge Motion Dist Threshold

Huge Motion Fallback Gain

MV Outlier Threshold

Time Code Settings
Timecode Output
Timecode Source Select

TC Load Trigger Mode

Timecode Input Trigger

Timecode Prerun Period

Timecode Output Load

TC Load Now

TC Drop Frame Mode

TC In Frame Count Max

TC Out Frame Count Max

TC Processing Delay Offset (ms)

TC Input Format

TC Output Format

Status Display Mode
Input Select
Input Adjust
Proc Amp
Luma Gain

R-Y Gain
B-Y Gain
Luma Cutoff
R-Y Cutoff
B-Y Cutoff
Saturation
Hue
Black Level IRE
Input Gamma

Clock/Position
Clock Freq.
Clock Phase
Clock Auto-fit
Input Capture

Overscan

Input Window Shift Horiz
Input Window Shift Vert

Input Features

14

Sharpness
Detail
Unsharp Mask

Aspect Ratio
AFD Mode
AFD Default/Forced

AFD Source
Trim Width %
Trim Height %

Pan Left/Right %

Tilt Up/Down %

Reset Trim Position
Filters

CCS correction

CUE correction

ICP correction

3D Y/C separation

Luma/Chroma delay

Luma peaking gain

CTI gain

CTI coring level

Temporal noise reduction

TNR & MNR noise reduction

MPEG noise reduction Level

Movie Mode
Output Settings
Lock Mode
Reference Source
Reference Offset
Vertical
Horizontal
Output Format
ARC Mode

ARC custom
H Crop/Side Panels %
V Crop/Letterbox Panels %
Processing Mode
3G SDI Data Map
Blue Check
Safe Area Markers
Gamma of Display

Audio

Audio Input Select

Input Pair 1 Mute

Input Pair 2 Mute

Input Pair 3 Mute

Input Pair 4 Mute

Output Pair 1 from

Output Pair 2 from

Output Pair 3 from

Output Pair 4 from

Group 1 Input from SDI

Group 2 Input from SDI

Audio Delay Offset (ms)

HDMI Audio Input

Closed Captioning
SD-SDI Output Standard

Information
Firmware Version
Bootloader Version

Power Status Inlet B

Power Status Inlet A
Video Connection
Audio Connection
Input Format
Input V Freq
Input H Freq
Output Format
Output V Freq

15

Output H Freq
Reference Source
Reference Format

IP Address Type

DHCP status

IP address

Subnet Mask

Gateway IP

MAC Address

Miscellaneous
Select Test Pattern
Channel Logo Overlay

Input Channel Config

Inputs

No Sync Color
Factory Reset

Unit Configuration

Menu Timeout

Front Panel Backlight
Power Inlet Monitoring
Enable Automatic Keypad Lockout
Networking (TCP/IP)
IP Address Type
Static IP address
Subnet Mask
Extended Network Prefix
Presets
Load Preset 1
Load Preset 2
Load Preset 3
Load Preset 4
Copy to Preset
Reset 1
Reset 2
Reset 3
Reset 4
Rename 1

Rename 2

Rename 3

Rename 4

16

4.2.

Introduction

The front panel displays information via a 4 line by 40 character display.

Kramer Electronics Ltd.
SP-14
Software Ver:

All data entry is via four direction keys, a Select/Enter key and a Menu/Escape key.

Some adjustments take time for the unit to complete; this will be indicated by the display showing Busy
at the top of the screen. Further adjustments should not be attempted while the screen is showing Busy.

Use the Up and Down arrow keys to scroll to the parameter you need to adjust or the sub menu you
want to enter to the top line of the window.
The LCD has four lines and can show only four menu items. An up arrow and/or down arrow symbol at
the end of line 1 and line 4 indicate there are more menu items available. The parameter or sub menu is
highlighted with a flashing cursor at the right edge of line 1 of the LCD. Pressing Select/Enter key
enables you to adjust a parameter or enter the chosen sub menu. Use the Up/Down or Left/Right keys
to adjust a parameter to the required value. Press the Select/Enter key again when the parameter has
been adjusted to the required value.

[MEMC FRC Settings ]
Time Code Settings
Input Select 3G-SDI 1
Input Adjust >

Some adjustments take effect immediately, but others do not take effect until the Select/Enter key is
pressed for a second time. The changed settings are saved into non-volatile memory when the
Select/Enter key is pressed for the second time.

Some adjustments are not applicable to all signal types or operating modes, in which case those non­applicable functions will not be accessible via the menus.

Special key combinations:

Press right arrow key at power up: Enter Update Mode
Press up arrow key at power up: Reset to factory defaults
While the menu is inactive, press right
and left arrow key simultaneously: Toggle through MCFRC demo modes

1st press: Video image tiled horizontally, right half w/ MCFRC
processing, left half drop and repeat
2nd press: Video image tiled vertically, upper half w/ MCFRC
processing, lower half drop and repeat

3rd press: Demo mode off again

The area with MCFRC processing is surrounded by a grey
rectangular frame.

17

4.3.

Start-up Screen

The start-up screen shows the currently selected input signal, output resolution and provides information
on the locking status.

IN: 1920x1080i @50.00 Hz 3G-SDI 1
OUT:1920x1080i @59.94 Hz Locked 59.94Hz

3G-SDI 1 C-YPbPr HDMI Test Pat

Under Time Code Settings the start-up screen can be configured to display such General Information or
to display Time Code information. The display can also be toggled with the INPUT key.

IN: 1920x1080i 50 Free Run
OUT:1920x1080i 59 00:00:00:00
MODE: Manual – Press ‘ENTER’ to load
3G-SDI 1 C-YPbPr HDMI Test Pat

4.4.

Main Menu

The main menu lists the 9 sub menus. MEMC/FRC Settings, Time Code Settings, Input Select, Input
Adjust, Output Settings, Audio, Closed Captioning, Information and Miscellaneous.

To set up your SP-14 it is recommended that you follow this procedure:

 Choose the output mode and parameters to suit the desired format you want to convert to.
 Select the correct input signal.
 Set the input levels and features appropriately to optimize the appearance of your image.
 Set any other parameters to suit your application.

Note: All Input parameters are specific to your chosen input channel and input signal type, they
are not global to the unit. All Output and Miscellaneous parameters are global.

4.5.

MCFRC Settings

4.5.1.

Standard Settings

MEMC (motion estimation motion compensation) can be switched off by setting FRC (frame rate
conversion) Level to Drop/Repeat.

MEMC is content adaptive. For very busy scenes the full blown MEMC algorithm (MEMC setting High)
may not give the best conversion result and less aggressive global conversion may do a better job. The
FRC level can be set up and they operate as follows:

MEMC Low: RGME (regional global motion estimation) mode is always on, and will enable blend when
scene looks too busy.

MEMC Medium: Only enables RGME mode when scene is quite busy, and also enables blend when the
scene looks too busy.

MEMC High: Never enables RGME or blend.

MEMC is applied to inputs with any of 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 48, 59.94 and 60Hz frame rate. 50 and
60Hz VESA modes are covered.

Cadence Detection can be switched off (none accepted), limited to 3:2 and 2:2 or set to full detection
(any accepted) mode.

18

Cadence preservation can be switched on and off. When set to on filmic stutter of 3:2 or 2:2 or 23.98 or
24Hz material is preserved by applying a 2:2 (50Hz o/p) or 3:2 (50.94 and 60Hz o/p) cadence to the
converted material.

A zone can be defined to exclude an area from the MEMC processing. When changing the values for
the borders a white rectangular will mark the area being set up. The border can be switched on or off
with the menu item Display Border. When Enable MEMC Mask is set to Invert rather than On, the outer
of the area is masked out from the MEMC processing.

With the menu item MEMC Demo Mode the display can be tiled and one area is being MEMC
processed, the other not. This allows a side by side comparison of the processing algorithms.

4.5.2.

Advanced Settings

These parameters allow user optimisation of the Motion Estimation, Motion Compensation process,
according to the nature of the video being converted.

By default, these settings are at “Auto” which means the values used are selected internally according to

the MEMC/FRC level setting (Low, Medium and High), and sometimes changed dynamically according
to various statistics that are measured frame by frame.

The settings and threshold values can be individually overridden from the automatic value to stages
denoted as Minimum, Very Low, Low, Medium, High, Very High, Maximum. Changing these
parameters may give better conversion results for certain isolated scenes depending on content.

The SP-14 algorithm for Motion Estimation is based on a technique called Phase Plane Correlation.
This uses FFT analysis of corresponding blocks in two successive video frames, to quickly extract
accurate details of motion quantity and direction. The PPC is applied repeatedly over a grid of
overlapping blocks to generate a field of motion vectors. Typically, the majority will be very similar as
they represent background motion, which is the apparent motion due to movement of the camera, the
remainder being the independent motion of any (foreground) objects.

However, with real video scenes, there can be lots of different causes of confusion or ambiguity, so the
Motion Vectors need to be individually checked and verified to avoid artefacts appearing in the output
video. Problematic scenes have repeating structures, such as fences and railings, windows in a tower
block, trees on a mountainside, ocean waves. Occlusions can be problematic, such as objects being
hidden or revealed by the motion of other objects, or perhaps a door opening or closing.

The following terms and abbreviations are used in the menu descriptions:
PPC Phase Plane Correlation
MV Motion Vector, the direction and quantity of movement of a block within an image
SAD Sum of Absolute Differences, which is an algorithm for measuring the similarity between

two blocks of video image
BG BackGround: that portion of a scene that only moves because the camera is moving
FG ForeGround: objects or people in a scene that are moving independently of the camera
Outlier A part of the image that is moving independently of the dominant motion
Cost Cost factors are relative weightings used when assessing and applying different classes

of candidate MVs

The following menu items can be changed:

Robust SAD threshold

Coring level for pixel noise filtering. Adjust this to improve robustness of MV detection especially when
images are complex.

SAD Cost Factor

Default cost weighting

Temporal/Spacial Balance

Cost balance between matching motion vectors to the previous set of MVs or matching to neighbours in
the current set.

19

PPC Cost Threshold

PPC selection threshold after applying appropriate cost factors.

PPC MV Smooth Threshold

Level of smoothing of flow of MVs by comparison with neighbouring blocks.

PPC Selection Threshold

Used when separating MVs from noise.

BG/FG Balance Cost

BG MVs should be similar to neighbouring MVs. FG MVs are independent.

Huge Motion Distance Threshold

Threshold to limit confusion between genuine fast motion of an object or false matching with nearby
features that are similar.

Huge Motion Fallback Gain

Sensitivity coefficient for huge motion check.

MV Outlier Threshold

Validation error threshold for outlier MVs. Higher value means more likely to make a false MV between
features that are similar but unrelated.

4.6.

Time Code Settings

SP-14 processes time code information from SD formats on the analogue Composite, S-Video and
Component inputs. For 480i/NTSC lines 14/277 and 16/279 are scanned for time code (VITC). For
576i/PAL lines 19/282,21/284 are scanned for time code (VITC).

Also, time code information from SMPTE RP-188 ancillary data packets (DID = 0x60, SDID = 0x60) on
the 3GSDI inputs is processed. The packets are tagged internally with the associated incoming video
frame, then sent out again on the 3GSDI output (only) when that frame reaches the output. Note that
the frame-count part of the time is regenerated as per SMPTE 12M. Missing/corrupted input packets get
replaced and frame-count on the output will match the output format.

Time Code Output

SP-14 allows to specifically switch off that time code information.

TC Source Select

The time code source can be either “Current Input' or ''Free-Run”, i.e. internal generation.

When “Current Input' mode is selected, the output time code will track the input received from the

current video source. If that input consists of a series of clips with time code discontinuities at start of
each new clip, then the output will change to match. If the input player is paused at any stage, but still
outputting valid time code, then the SP-14 output time code will also be paused.

Note that the output tracking allows for differences that can arise as a result of either one of input or
output being in 'NTSC time'. If the video format is 23.98Hz, 29.97 or 59.94Hz, then the associated time
code will run slightly slower by comparison with real time, and is known as 'NTSC time'. If “Drop Frame
Mode” is enabled, then this is compensated for by skipping two frames every minute, so the error is kept
small.

If the currently selected video input channel hardware does not support time code (DVI, HDMI,
Analogue, and Test Pattern) then the TC source selection option will say 'N/A' (not available). If time
code input is supported by the video input channel hardware (CVBS 1/2, S-Video, 3G-SDI 1/2, and Y­CbCr) but there is no time code being supplied from the video source, then the output will just free-run.
If time code is seen for a while at the input, and then it stops, the output will continue, but free-running
based on the last time code seen.

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When “Free-Run” is selected, then the time code output will be generated inside the SP-14, but can be
reset to any start value by the user, as required.

TC Load Trigger Mode

This menu item is used to select how the reload process happens. “Free-Run Manual” means the output
is changed immediately on demand whenever the user chooses “Time Code Load Now” in the menu.

The 'Synchro' options under “TC Load Trigger Mode” require the current video source to also have time
code attached, so when the input time code matches the “Timecode Input Trigger” value, the output
time code will be the “TC Output Load' value. The different options provide several alternative ways of
specifying how much continuous pre-run time is included in the output time code before the trigger point
is reached:

- “Synchro Auto” will start pre-run as soon as the input time code has been stable for 5 seconds

- “Synchro Prerun” will start pre-run at the offset entered by the user for the “Timecode Prerun Period'

- 'Synchro Manual' will wait until the input time code has been stable for 5 seconds and then the user
can start pre-run at any point until the trigger time by choosing “Time Code Load Now” in the menu.

TC Input Trigger

Set time code input trigger value for synchronisation of the internally generated time code with the time
code provided by the video source.

TC Prerun Period

Set output time code pre run period.

TC Output Load

Set the output time code start value, which is then triggered either manually or through the
synchronisation described above.

TC Load Now

Press this button to start the time code output with the “TC Output Load” value manually.

TC Drop Frame Mode

This mode is used for 29.97 or 59.94Hz output formats, to specify if drop-frame compensation is to be
applied or not.

TC In Frame Count Max

Specifies how many frames per second to expect on the input time code - which is important to know for
the synchronisation calculations. Options are :

- “Detected”, i.e. what can be seen on the incoming time code

- “Format”, i.e. what it should be for the input video format

- “24”, “25”, “30”, i.e. user override to one of 24, 25 or 30Hz. For this purpose, 23.98 and 29.97Hz are
equivalent to 24 and 30Hz respectively. Also, progressive 50Hz and 59.94/60Hz video formats use the
field flag as the lowest frame count bit, so use the 25 or 30Hz setting.

TC Out Frame Count Max

Specifies how many frames per second to generate on the output time code. If it is intended that the
output video is to be later replayed at a different speed, then the correct time code can be generated
here. Options are:

-“Format' which uses the output video format to derive the frame count

-“24”, “25” or “30”, i.e. user override to one of 24, 25 or 30Hz.

TC Processing Delay Offset (ms)

The delay of the time code information through the system can be fine adjusted, e.g. to compensate for
video to time code delays within the material and/or processing chain.

TC Input Format

Input options are auto, embedded LTC and embedded VITC. Auto accepts either LTC or VITC, but
takes the first seen (lowest line number) if both are provided. Settings are stored per input channel. This
applies for SDI video input channels only. Analogue input channels can only carry VITC information.

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TC Output Format

Output options are embedded LTC, embedded VITC, embedded LTC+VITC, and none (no time code
put on the data stream).

Status Display Mode

Changes the information being displayed on the LCD from general information on the video modes to
time code information.

4.7.

Input Select

The list of available inputs can be scrolled through using the Up and Down arrows. The new input is not
selected until the Select/Enter key is pressed again. The list of inputs are:

DVI, HDMI, Analogue, 3G-SDI 1, 3G-SDI 2, S-Video, Component, CVBS 1, CVBS 2 and Test Pattern.

Test patterns can be generated by SP-14 without needing an input connected. When Test Pattern is
selected as the input, the required test pattern can be chosen from the Input Channel Config section of
the Miscellaneous menu or with the menu off by toggling through the test patterns with the up and down
keys.

NB: Some complex test patterns can take many seconds to draw, during which time the screen will be
blank and the LCD will indicate “Busy”. This is not a fault.

4.8.

Input Adjust

This menu contains adjustments associated with setting up inputs to the unit. Use the Up and Down
arrows to scroll to the required sub-menu and press the Select/Enter key to enter the sub-menu. The
following sections list the sub-menus.

4.8.1.

Input Levels

This menu contains parameters related to the level and colour of the input signal.

Luma Gain

Control of luma gain

R-Y Gain

Control of colour gain

B-Y Gain

Control of colour gain

Luma Cutoff

Control of luma offset

R-Y Cutoff

Control of colour offset

B-Y Cutoff

Control of colour offset

Saturation and Hue

Control of video saturation and hue

Black Level IRE
Used to select 7.5 IRE black level set-up adjustment

Input Gamma

Set the Gamma to match the input source

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4.8.2.

Clock/Position

For analogue graphics inputs only, clock auto fit can be selected to automatically adjust the frequency
and phase of the sampling clock. This automatic adjustment is strongly recommended. The clock phase
and frequency can also be adjusted manually if needed.

4.8.3.

Input Capture

Overscan

Select the amount of overscan, effectively up-scaling the image slightly. Maximum overscan is 10%,
minimum is 0%.

Input Window Shift

Allows horizontal and vertical adjustment of the captured active image area within the overall display
resolution. Note: The range of position adjustment available is limited by the characteristics of the
signal timings from the image source equipment.
The input window shift function should only ever be used to correct input capture discrepancies.

4.8.4.

Input Features

The input feature menu provides three image enhancement functions.

Sharpness

Control of the sharpening enhancement. These are peaking filters to improve high-frequency response.
Note: setting this control too high on a signal which already has good high frequency response will
cause ringing or ghosting.

Detail Enhance

Provides an additional level of detail enhancement beyond that provided by the Unsharp Mask

Unsharp Mask

This is a very powerful function which performs a per-pixel unsharp mask on the image content. It can
be used to greatly improve detail definition and clarity without causing image ringing or ghosting. It
improves both horizontal and vertical detail.
Correct setting of the Unsharp Mask filter can make SD signals look virtually indistinguishable from true
HD.

4.8.5.

Aspect Ratio

AFD Mode

Video signal streams may include information describing the transmitted format (HDMI: AVInfoFrames,
Composite NTSC/PAL: WSS/CGMS-A, 3GSDI: Generic SMPTE2016). The AFD signal (Active Format
Description) is automatically considered by SP-14 when AFD Mode is set to Auto. Essentially, this
feature switches on the detection of the aspect ratio of the incoming video signal. The ARC (Aspect
Ratio Conversion) settings in the Output Settings menu determine how this information is processed.
The AFD Mode can be set to Forced, in which case the AFD markers are ignored and the aspect ratio is
said to be what is set under the menu item AFD Default/Forced, whether or not that is actually the case.

AFD Default/Forced

When the AFD information is missing or corrupted or when AFD Mode is set to Forced this menu
determines what aspect ratio the input signal is assumed to have for further processing.
If it is set to 16:9 or 4:3 the incoming video signal is considered to have that aspect ratio.
Keep Last means use whatever was seen before. If nothing was seen before use 4:3 for SD modes and
16:9 for HD modes.

AFD Source

From this menu AFD, WSS/CGMS-A or Video Index may be selected as AFD source. The sources for
aspect ratio information for the input channels are as follows:

HDMI: From the AVInfoFrames (see CEA-861-D)

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DVI and VGA: none available - all input formats assumed to be square pixel, hence aspect ratio can be
calculated from the resolution (except 576i, 480i, 576p, 480p if accepted, which are all 4:3)
SD/HD/3G-SDI: User choice of AFD packets (as SMPTE 2016) or legacy support for Video Index
(SMPTE RP186)
CVBS/S-Video/YCbCr: WSS or CGMS-A packets, according to format. PAL/576i uses WSS (BT.1119-

2); NTSC/480i,720p,1080i use CGMS-A (CEA-805/IEC 61880/EIAJ CPR-1204/etc)

Trim Width % and Trim Height %

The video image can be scaled independently in the horizontal and vertical direction. Black bars are
added on top and bottom of the image when a shrink is performed.

Pan Left/Right % and Tilt Up/Down %

The zoomed image can be paned in horizontal and vertical direction with these controls.

Reset Trim Position

Resets all trim and pan settings to zero percent.

4.8.6.

Filters

A submenu containing selection options for many image clean-up filters including:

CCS Cross Chrominance Suppression filter (reduction of chroma-crawl) – SD only

CUE Chroma Up sampling Error correction filter
ICP Interlace Chroma Problem filter, reduces interlace errors on diagonals & curves

3D Y/C Filter to reduce luminance to chrominance cross talk of composite video signals which

appears as a coarse rainbow pattern or random colors in regions of fine details.

Luma/Chroma delay Adjustable delay between chroma and luma of +/- 3 pixels.
Luma peaking gain Luma transient steepening.
CTI gain Chroma transient steepening.
CTI coring level Threshold to CTI to avoid noise being amplified
TNR Temporal Noise Reduction (removes "electronic" noise found on broadcasts, film

material)

TNR & MNR Selects which noise reduction filters are applied – TNR only, TNR+MNR, or Auto for

automatic image content and noise based selection of filters.

MPEG NR Level Adjusts the level of MNR (MPEG Noise Reduction) for SD signals. Not applicable to

HD formats – use TNR for removal of all types of noise from HD formats.

Movie Mode Movie Mode is set to Auto by default. SP-14 detects film content converted to video

and applies the inverse telecine process. In the unlikely event that this automatic
detection fails the unit can be forced to treat the incoming signal as either video or
film. When set to video motion adaptive de-interlacing is applied. This setting will
eliminate all feathering that may appear in Auto setting, but image detail is reduced for
film originated content. The Film setting will apply an inverse telecine process no
matter of the content. This will give great detail for film originated content video. If the
content is video this setting shows unacceptable feathering. When such artefacts are
observed the Video or Auto setting is more appropriate.

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4.9.

Output Adjust

This menu contains adjustments associated with setting up the outputs of the unit. Use the up and down
arrows to scroll to the required sub-menu and press the Select/Enter key to enter the sub-menu. The
following sections list the sub-menus.

4.9.1.

Lock Mode

The unit output can be run with a fixed format set under Output Format or locked to a frame
synchronisation signal provided on the dedicated analogue genlock input or SDI genlock input.
The genlock signal must be a video format and must have a vertical rate of 50Hz, 59.94Hz or 60Hz. The
output will be vertically locked to the genlock signal. The phase can be controlled through the menu
system, allowing adjustment for a desired latency.
Genlock status is shown via the front panel status indication on the right-hand side of the screen,
provided it has been enabled on the menu.

There are the two locking options: Auto Format and Frame Synchronize.

With Auto Format the output mode is chosen to be the same as the mode provided on the genlock input
regardless of the setting under Output Format.

Frame Synchronize uses the mode set under Output Format. Locking a HD output mode to a SD
genlock signal or a SD output mode to a HD genlock signal is possible at 50Hz and 59.94Hz when the
genlock signal and frame rate of the mode set under Output Format are identical. The HD output mode
can be chosen to be 720p, 1080i, or 1080p. If the genlock signal and output mode set under Output
Format are both HD or SD the output format and genlock signal format need to be identical to obtain a
lock.

Combinations not supported are reported in the menu status screen accordingly.

4.9.2.

Reference Source

The source for the frame synchronisation signal can be either an analogue bi- or tri-level signal or
derived from an SDI signal which is set through this menu item.

4.9.3.

Reference Offset

When the output signal is locked to the input signal the latency between input video and output video
image is given by the internal processing time which can be several frames or fields. The amount of
latency in frames or fields depends on the set up of the unit and also on the input format, e.g. a
progressive signal needs less processing time than an interlaced signal which has to be de-interlaced
prior to further treatment. The reference offset menu allows to increase the latency.

Vertical
Increase the latency in multiples of lines.

Horizontal

Increase the latency in multiples of pixels.

4.9.4.

Free Run Format

The unit can be set to operate at a fixed output format. The unit is performing time base correction. The
following output formats can be chosen:
480i59.94, 576i50, 720p50, 720p59.94, 720p60, 1080i50, 1080i59.94, 1080i60, 1080sf23.98, 1080sf24,
1080sf25, 1080p23.98, 1080p24, 1080p25, 1080p29.97, 1080p30, 1080p50, 1080p59.94, 1080p60.

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4.9.5.

ARC Mode

Select from Bypass, Anamorphic 25%, Panels/Letterbox 25%, Crop 25%, 14:9, Flex Wide and Custom.

Bypass will scale the image to full screen.

Crop 25% makes a 4:3 fit a 16:9 by chopping off top and bottom; or makes a 16:9 fit a 4:3 by chopping
off (25% off) left and right.

Anamorphic 25% is for 4:3 SD outputs only, it linearly compresses a 16:9 image into 4:3 without
cropping or added bars.

Panels/Letterbox 25% will add bars (25% vertically in total) above and below for a 16:9 image on a 4:3
SD output, or add bars (25% horizontally in total) at the sides of a 4:3 image on a 16:9 output.

14:9 will crop part of the sides of a 16:9 image to make it 14:9 and scales it to fit horizontally on a 4:3 SD
output. This will add small bars on top and bottom. For a 4:3 image the bottom and top will be cropped
to make it 14:9 and scales it to fit vertically on a 16:9 output. This will add bars to the sides.

Flex Wide is applying a non-linear stretch horizontally to convert a 4:3 into 16:9 with the emphasize of
aspect ratio conversion in the center of the image.

Custom allows user to specify a zoom horizontally and/or vertically starting with full screen scaling.

Note: Some aspect ratio selections will have no visible effect on the displayed image for certain input
and output mode combinations, e.g. if the input and output formats have the same aspect ratio letter
boxing and cropping have the same effect as bypassing.

4.9.6.

ARC Custom

H Crop/Side Panels and V Crop/Letterbox Panels

When ARC mode is set to Custom this menu becomes available. The output image can be further
scaled up and down individually in horizontal and vertical direction. When shrinking black bars are
added to the non-used panel region.

4.9.7.

Processing Mode

Best Picture

Noise reduction and motion-adaptive de-interlacing operate in this mode to give the best quality picture.
There is optional MPEG noise reduction for SD interlaced inputs. Typical latency is 5-8 frames, worst
case is 9 frames. Exact latency depends on whether the input is progressive or interlaced which noise
reduction filters are enabled and whether frame synchronisation is enabled. Motion compensated frame
rate conversion also adds extra latency.

Low Latency

In this mode noise reduction and motion-adaptive de-interlacing are disabled which allows the delay
through the unit to be reduced to 3 frames in free run mode or 2 frames when frame synchronising.

4.9.8.

3G-SDI Data Map

SP-14 allows to convert and output 3G-SDI video in various formats which are 10 Bit 4:2:2 or 10 Bit
4:4:4 component video, 10 Bit 4:4:4 RGB and 12 Bit 4:4:4 X’Y’Z’. For 1080p50, 59.94 and 60Hz modes
either Level A or B transport scheme can be set.

4.9.9.

Blue Check

The live video output image blue, green, red and white (luma) content can be separated and displayed
individually when selecting the respective component through this menu.

4.9.10.

Safe Area Markers

Safe area markers will show a maximum window of the output image with the format set up under this
menu. Available aspect ratios are 4:3, 14:9 and 16:9.

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4.9.11.

Gamma of Display

Allows to change the gamma correction to match the gamma of the display.

4.10.

SP-14 Audio

Audio input channels are the 4x AES coaxial connectors and audio embedded in HDMI and SDI video
streams for SP-14.

The audio is passed through the system and re-embedded into the HDMI and SDI output signals with an
appropriate delay to synchronize with the video stream.
Also, audio output is present on the respective 4x AES coaxial connectors. Any PCM audio of 32kHz,

44.1kHz, and 96kHz is resampled to 48kHz.
Higher sample rate PCM audio such as 192kHz is muted.
Any compressed audio is passed through if the original audio is identified as 48kHz sampled audio or
muted.
Incoming Dolby E audio is muted.

Output Channel

Output Format

HDMI

PCM up to 8ch, up to 24Bit, 48kHz sampling rate
Dolby Digital (AC3) up to 5.1 channels, up to 640kBit/sec bit stream rate
MPEG2 up to 8ch, up to 112kBit/sec bit stream rate
DTS up to 6.1 channels, up to 1536kBit/sec bit stream rate

SDI

PCM up to 8ch, up to 24Bit, 48kHz sampling rate

4x AES

PCM up to 8ch, up to 24Bit, 48kHz sampling rate
Dolby Digital (AC3) up to 5.1 channels
DTS up to 6.1 channels

4.10.1.

Audio Channel Configuration

SP-14 has 4x two channel AES audio outputs and embedded audio on the HDMI and SDI video output
ports. These audio outputs carry the embedded audio of the select video input stream (HDMI or SDI) or
audio input on the 4x two channel AES audio inputs. Also, an internally generated test tone can be sent
to the audio output channels. The audio routing can be controlled with the following menu items:

Audio Input Select

This setting determines whether embedded audio of the selected video input (HDMI or SDI) or AES
audio or a test tone is sent to the audio output channels. Also, the audio can be muted globally for all
channels in this menu.

Input Pair 1 Mute, Input Pair 2 Mute, Input Pair 3 Mute, Input Pair 4 Mute

By default embedded audio and AES audio is passed through the system if the hardware does not need
to decode and encode compressed audio for resampling or is capable to resample PCM audio (see
table above).
The system can be forced from this Auto mode to Always or Never for each audio input channel
individually. Always mutes the channel and Never let all audio data pass through the system regardless
of hardware limitations.

Output Pair 1 from, Output Pair 2 from, Output Pair 3 from, Output Pair 4 from

By default the audio output channels get the audio input channels in sequential order. Each audio output
channel can be assigned a different audio input channel or they may all get the same signal.

27

Group 1 Input from SDI, Group 2 Input from SDI

An SDI signal may carry 8x two channel audio signals.
The SDI receiver used in SP-14 is only capable of making 4x two channel audio signals available to the
audio processing system at a time. This menu item allows to route certain SDI audio groups to the audio
input channels of the SP-14 audio processing system.
SDI audio channels typically use the following nomenclature for the audio channels in sequential order:
Group 1 Pair 1, Group 1 Pair 2, Group 2 Pair 1, Group 2 Pair 2, Group 3 Pair 1, Group 3 Pair 2, Group 4
Pair 1 and Group 4 Pair 2.
Our 4x two channel AES audio ports and the 8x (single) HDMI audio channels are identified as
Input/Output Pair 1, Input/Output Pair 2, Input/Output Pair 3, and Input/Output Pair 4 in the menu
system. In the SDI routing menu we use the terms Group1 (1,2), Group2 (3,4), Group3 (5,6), and
Group4 (7,8) for the selectable items to make the connection to our pair terminology.
When Group 1 Input from SDI and Group 2 Input from SDI are set to auto, the system will route the first
4x two channel SDI audio signals (which actually transport audio) to the 4x Input Pairs of the SP-14
audio processing system. This can be overwritten, e.g. Group 3 SDI audio can be put on our Input Pair
1 and Input Pair 2 and Group 4 SDI audio can be put on our Input Pair 3 and Input Pair 4.

4.10.2.

HDMI EDID control and Audio Delay

HDMI Audio Input

Allows the user to set the format of the HDMI audio channel. Use to choose how many channels of
audio are requested from the HDMI source equipment. By default the processor allows 8 channels (7.1)
of audio to be sent by a source. This EDID information can be overwritten to reduce the number of
incoming channels.

Audio Delay

The audio delay is automatically set to compensate for the latency through the unit. The Audio Delay
adjustment does not override this automatic setting but allows fine calibration of the audio delay in steps
of approximately 1mS, to advance or retard the audio so as to compensate for further delays in your
display device or your audio system.

4.11.

Closed Captioning

SP-14 can receive and transmit closed captioning information. CEA-608 CC information can be
received on the Composite, S-Video and Component inputs. For 480i/NTSC line 21/284 are scanned for
CC information.

SMPTE 334M ancillary data packets with CEA-608 information (SDID = 0x02) or CEA-708 CC
information (SDID = 0x01) incl. embedded CEA-608 CC data can be received on the SDI inputs. The
CEA-608 CC information is extracted and put on the component output when output resolution is set to
480i. The whole packet is passed through unchanged to the 3GSDI output port for all output formats
set.

CEA-608 CC information from the analogue inputs is transmitted on the YPbPr output when set to 480i
output resolution (on line 21/284). On the 3GSDI output closed captioning information is put into a
SMPTE 334M packet (SDID = 0x01) as embedded CEA-608 CC information and also transcoded to
equivalent CEA-708 CC information. This packet gets sent on the SDI output for all output formats.

SP-14 by means of a menu item allow the user to select the CC standard to use for the 3GSDI output,
when the output format is 480i or 576i. The choice available is either CEA-708 encoded CC data (which
includes embedded CEA-608 codes) – the default; or original CEA-608 data, which is sent in a packet
as described in Annex A of SMPTE 334-1. The user might need this second option if the output is
feeding legacy equipment that does not understand the newer CEA-708 formats.

The CC processing code supports any combination of input and output (subject to hardware limitations
of which channels actually support CC).

CC messages are drip fed, especially for CEA-608, which gives a fixed rate of two characters per field,
every field (each pair could be text, or a control code, or just nulls to fill the space until the next
message). So, if you convert a high-field rate input to a low rate output, then the nulls between
messages will be reduced so each message starts in about the same place in the video sequence.

28

Similarly, if the rate is increased then more nulls are introduced between the messages. This applies
equally whether in Drop/Repeat mode, or doing frame rate conversion.

CEA-708 has a more complex packet structure which allows for a variable amount of data per packet,
but the overall principal still applies.

4.12.

Information

Displays information about the current configuration of the unit. Use the up and down arrows to scroll to
the required values. Information provided is the revision number of the firmware loaded to the unit, the
status of the power inlet, which video and audio connection is active, information on the input and output
mode, status of frame synchronization and TCP/IP related information, such as the address assigned to
the unit.

4.13.

Miscellaneous

This menu contains miscellaneous parameters generally associated with setting up the configuration of
the whole unit rather than input or output parameters. Use the up and down arrows to scroll to the
required sub-menu and press the Select/Enter key to enter the sub-menu. The following sections list the
sub-menus.

4.13.1.

Select Test Pattern

When Test Pattern is selected as the input channel the required test pattern can be selected here. Test
Patterns can also be changed with the up/down keys directly when the root menu with the status
information is up.

4.13.2.

Channel Logo Overlay

A channel logo can be overlaid on the video image. Logo location can be set to be in the top left, top
right, bottom left or bottom right corner. How to upload a logo bitmap is described in paragraph 5.4.

4.13.3.

Input Channel Config

This menu allows configuration of the various input channels. Scroll to the Input Channel Config menu.
Press the Select/Enter key. Scroll to the Input you want to configure and press the Select/Enter key. The
following items are available for each channel.

Input Select Key

There are 4 select buttons on the front of the unit which can be associated with inputs; these are used
for quick selection of inputs.

Native Modes in EDID (HDMI only)

This is to allow the unit to be seen by a source to operate with a preferred video input mode. Some
sources output a de-interlaced SD signal automatically and they can be forced to output an interlaced
output.

Legacy Mode (HDMI only)

Puts the unit into HDMI 1.1 mode to support older sources which are unable to operate correctly on
seeing an HDMI 1.3 receiver. This can happen with some HDMI repeaters which copy EDID data from
the unit where that data exceeds the source equipment’s own HDMI capability.

Colour Space (DVI/HDMI only)

Some HDMI sources or repeaters may not output in the color space they report. Some DVI sources may
not output in the RGB colour space. Their output colour space can be forced with this setting.

Colour Range (DVI/HDMI only)

Some HDMI sources or repeaters may not output in the color range they report. Some DVI sources may
not output in the full colour range. Their output colour range can be forced with this setting.

Component Format (Component only)

For analogue Component Video inputs only, select whether the input source provides YPbPr, YPbPrS,
RGB or RGBS video. It is also possible to choose between 0.7v and 1.0v video levels on the component
inputs. Most sources provide 0.7v video, plus 0.3v sync, but some do provide 1.0v (excluding syncs).

29

Incorrect format selection will cause severe color errors or loss of stable picture, incorrect level selection
will cause the picture be very dim, or cause peak whites to be compressed.

Channel Reset

The configuration for an input channel can be removed by performing a channel reset.

3GSDI Level B Stream (3GSDI only)

When input is 3G Level B (2 stream mapping), there is an option to select which of the two video
streams (Stream 1 or 2) to use. Otherwise it works with whatever mapping is specified in the SMPTE
352 packet (or defaults to 10bit 4:2:2 if none).

Select Test Pattern (Default)

When Test Pattern is selected as the input channel the default test pattern can be selected here.

4.13.4.

No Sync Color

Defines the output background color when no valid input signal is detected on the current selected input.
Options are Blue, White, Orange and Black. Default is Black.

4.13.5.

Factory Reset

Factory reset puts all settings in the unit back to factory defaults. Note: A factory reset can also be
issued at power up (or reset) by pressing the up arrow of the keypad. The up arrow key needs to be
kept pressed until the “Resetting to factory defaults ...” message is shown.

4.13.6.

Unit Configuration

Menu Timeout

Sets the time for the front panel to go back from displaying the current menu to display the top level
menu

Front Panel Backlight

Sets the brightness of the front panel backlight

Power Inlet Monitoring

Determines whether the power inlets are monitored. When the inlets are monitored a failing inlet is
indicated by a message and a flashing LCD menu.

Enable Automatic Keypad Lockout

By default the keypad is locked. It can always be unlocked by pressing the sequence of Enter and Input
key. Once a button is pressed this key sequence is identified with a message. The keypad unlocking is
timed out after 15 seconds of not continuing pressing keys. This time out can be disabled here.

4.13.7.

Networking(TCP/IP)

The IP address type (static or DHCP), IP address, subnet mask and extended network prefix can all be
entered here.

4.13.8.

Presets

The current system configuration can be stored using Copy to Preset and can then be recalled later
using Load Preset. There are 4 presets available including the current one. Any preset can be reset
using the Reset command and renamed using the Rename command.

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REMOTE CONTROL WEB SERVER

5.1.

Introduction

The unit features a web server which connects to a PC web browser via TCP/IP. The menu system of
the unit is mirrored into the web browser and all menu items can be accessed and controlled through
the keyboard or mouse of the PC.

5.2.

Installing the Software

No extra software needs to be installed on a PC. The PC web browser is used as the graphical user
interface for all control items. To connect to the unit the TCP/IP address has to be entered into the
address list box of the web browser in the following format http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx. The TCP/IP address
assigned to unit can be found in the Information menu.

5.3.

Software Operation

Once the address has been entered into the web browser starts to load pages from the unit mirroring
the menu system of the unit. All menu items are shown as their respective buttons, sliders and list
boxes and can be accessed and altered with the PC mouse or corresponding navigational key presses.

5.4.

Channel Logo Upload

The web browser has an element to upload a channel logo bit map into the file system of the unit which
can be activated and changed in position through the Channel Logo Overlay menu item.

31

FIRMWARE UPDATE

6.1.

Introduction

Firmware can be updated in the field through the USB port allowing feature upgrades and bug fixes. The
USB port is located on the rear side of the unit. Thus, if the unit is rack mounted and access to the rear
panel is hindered a USB extension cable may be attached to the USB port and lead through the front.

6.2.

Installing the PC Updater Software

Firmware update is supported by a PC based updater tool. Download this tool from our Website.
Installation of the PC Updater is through a standard Windows installation packet. Double click on the
single installation packet file and follow the instructions provided on screen thereafter.

6.3.

Updating Firmware

To update firmware the unit has to be put in a special service mode.
Attach the USB cable only after entering the service mode.
This is achieved by pressing the right key on the front panel and keep pressed at power up or reset.
Release the right key button after power is applied or the reset key is released.
The reset key is accessible through a small bore in the lower left corner of the front panel.
To power down/up the unit the mains cables have to be removed and attached again. Obviously, this is
less convenient. The unit indicates it is in service mode when the power down/up method was used by
an Updater Mode message in the front panel display. When using the reset method the front panel key
preserves the information that was present prior to reset and the standby key is highlighted red. Other
key illumination is switched off.

This user manual complies with firmware revision 182 build 9593. Prior or later firmware revisions may
deviate in details or lacking of newly introduced features.

32

ENVIRONMENTAL AND EMC

7.1. Recommended Operating Conditions

Temperature 0oC to 40oC
Humidity (non condensing) 0% to 95%

7.2. Storage

Temperature -25oC to +85oC
Humidity (non condensing) 0% to 95%

7.3. CE and FCC Compliance

CE: This product complies with the requirements of 89/336/EEC Electromagnetic Compatibility

Directive amended by 92/31/EEC and 93/68/EEC, and 73/23/EEC Low Voltage Directive.
Compliance is to EN55022 Class A.

FCC: WARNING: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A
digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a
commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause
interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely
to cause interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at their
own expense.

The user is cautioned that changes and modifications made to the equipment without approval
of the manufacturer could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.

It is suggested that the user use only shielded and grounded signal cables to ensure
compliance with FCC rules.

33

ABBREVIATIONS

This section expands abbreviations peculiar to video applications which may be used in this manual.

AFD Active Format Description
ARC Aspect Ratio Convertion
CVBS Composite Video Baseband Signal
DDC Data Display Channel
DVI Digital Visual Interface
EDID Extended display identification data
HDCP High-bandwith Digital Content Protection, a digital copy protection mechanism
HDMI High Definition Multimedia Interface
MCFRC Motion compensated frame rate conversion
MEMC Motion Estimation Motion Compensation
NTSC National Television Systems Committee (USA, Canada, Japan TV standard)
PAL Phase Alternating Line
RGB Red, Green, Blue analogue video
RGBS Red, Green, Blue analogue video with Synchronization siganl
SDI Serial Digital Interface
SECAM Systeme Electronique Couleur Avec Memoire - TV broadcast standard used in France,

Middle East and most of Eastern Europe.

SMPTE Society of Motion Picture Television Engineers
SVGA Super VGA
TC Time Code
Y/C Luminance (Y) and Chrominance (C), also called S-video
YPbPr Luminance (Y) and red, blue colour difference signals (Pb), (Pr)