Sonifex RB-VHDA8 Users Guide

Redbox RB-VHDA8
3G/HD/SD-SDI
1 Input, 8 Output Video
Distribution Amplier

User Handbook

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Redbox RB-VHDA8 User Handbook

RB-VHDA8 USER HANDBOOK

RB-VHDA8 USER HANDBOOK

This handbook is for use with the following product:
RB-VHDA8 3G/HD/SD-SDI 1 Input, 8 Output Video Distribution Amplier

©Sonifex Ltd, 2009
All Rights Reserved
Revision 1.00, January 2009
Sonifex Ltd, 61, Station Road, Irthlingborough,
Northants, NN9 5QE, England.
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.sonifex.co.uk

Information in this doc ument is subject to change without notice a nd does not represent a commitment on the par t of
the vendor. Sonifex Ltd shall not be l iable for any loss or damage whatsoever arising from the use of information or any
error contained in this manual.

No part of this ma nual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by a ny means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording, infor mation storage and retrieval systems, for any purpose ot her than the purchaser’s
personal use, without the express written permission of Sonifex Ltd. Unless otherwise noted, all names of companies,
products and persons co ntained herein are part of a completely ct itious adaptation and are designed solely to
document the use of Sonifex product.

Redbox RB-VHDA8 User Handbook

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CONTENTS

Warranty i

Warranty and Liability i
Unpacking the RB-VHDA8 iii
Returning the Warranty Card iii

Safety Information iv

Safety of Mains Operated Equipment iv
Voltage Setting Checks iv
Fuse Rating iv
Power Cable and Connection iv
Ordering the Correct Mains Lead v

Installation Information v

Atmosphere v
Electromagnetic Radiation v
Fitting Redboxes v
WEEE & RoHS Directives - Sonifex Statement vi

RB-VHDA8 3G/HD/SD-SDI 1 Input, 8 Output Video Distribution Amplier

Introduction 1

Technical Specication RB-VHDA8 3

Front Panel Indicators 3
Rear Panel Connections 3
Equipment Type 4
Physical Specication 4
Accessories 4

CONTENTS

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FIGURES

Figures

Fig A: Packing List iii

Fig B: Power Connections iv

Fig C: Mains Lead Table v

Fig D: RB-RK3 Large Redbox Rear Rack-mount Kit v

Fig 1: RB-VHDA8 Front Panel 1

Fig 2: RB-VHDA8 Rear Panel 1

Fig 3: RB-VHDA8 System Block Diagram 2

FIGURES

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i

WARRANTY

Warranty

Warranty and Liability

Important: the purchaser is advised to read this clause

(a) The Company agrees to repair or (at its discretion) replace Goods which are found to

be defective (fair wear and tear excepted) and which are returned to the Company
within 12 months of the date of despatch provided that each of the following
are satised:

(i) notication of any defect is given to the Company immediately upon its

becoming apparent to the Purchaser;

(ii) the Goods have only been operated under normal operating conditions and

have only been subject to normal use (and in particular the Goods must have
been correctly connected and must not have been subject to high voltage or
to ionising radiation and must not have been used contrary to the Company’s
technical recommendations);

(iii) the Goods are returned to the Company’s premises at the Purchaser’s expense;

(iv) any Goods or parts of Goods replaced shall become the property of

the Company;

(v) no work whatsoever (other than normal and proper maintenance) has been

carried out to the Goods or any part of the Goods without the Company’s prior
written consent;

(vi) the defect has not arisen from a design made, furnished or specied by

the Purchaser;

(vii) the Goods have been assembled or incorporated into other goods only in

accordance with any instructions issued by the Company;

(viii) the defect has not arisen from a design modied by the Purchaser;

(ix) the defect has not arisen from an item manufactured by a person other than

the Company.

In respect of any item manufactured by a person other than the Company, the Purchaser
shall only be entitled to the benet of any warranty or guarantee provided by such
manufacturer to the Company.

(b) In respect of computer software supplied by the Company the Company does not

warrant that the use of the software will be uninterrupted or error free.

WARRANTY

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WARRANTY

(c) The Company accepts liability:

(i) for death or personal injury to the extent that it results from the negligence of

the Company, its employees (whilst in the course of their employment) or its
agents (in the course of the agency);

(ii) for any breach by the Company of any statutory undertaking as to title, quiet

possession and freedom from encumbrance.

(d) Subject to conditions (a) and (c) from the time of despatch of the Goods from the

Company’s premises the Purchaser shall be responsible for any defect in the Goods
or loss, damage, nuisance or interference whatsoever consequential economic or
otherwise or wastage of material resulting from or caused by or to the Goods. In
particular the Company shall not be liable for any loss of prots or other economic
losses. The Company accordingly excludes all liability for the same.

(e) At the request and expense of the Purchaser the Company will test the Goods to

WARRANTY

ascertain performance levels and provide a report of the results of that test. The
report will be accurate at the time of the test, to the best of the belief and knowledge
of the Company, and the Company accepts no liability in respect of its accuracy
beyond that set out in Condition (a).

(f) Subject to Condition (e) no representation, condition, warranty or other term,

express or implied (by statute or otherwise) is given by the Company that the Goods
are of any particular quality or standard or will enable the Purchaser to attain any
particular performance or result, or will be suitable for any particular purpose or use
under specic conditions or will provide any particular capacity, notwithstanding
that the requirement for such performance, result or capacity or that such particular
purpose or conditions may have been known (or ought to have been known) to the
Company, its employees or agents.

(g) (i) To the extent that the Company is held legally liable to the Purchaser for any

single breach of contract, tort, representation or other act or default, the
Company’s liability for the same shall not exceed the Price of the Goods.

(ii) The restriction of liability in Condition (g)(i) shall not apply to any liability

accepted by the Seller in Condition (c).

(h) Where the Goods are sold under a consumer transaction (as dened by the

Consumer Transactions (Restrictions on Statements) Order 1976) the statutory
rights of the Purchaser are not aected by these Conditions of Sale.

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WARRANTY

Unpacking the RB-VHDA8

The RB-VHDA8 is shipped with the following equipment. Please check your packaging
to ensure that you have all of the items below. If anything is missing, please contact the
supplier of your equipment immediately.

Item Quantity RB-VHDA8

RB-VHDA8 1

IEC Mains lead tted with moulded mains plug 1

Handbook and warranty card 1

Fig A: Packing List

Each RB-VHDA8 is shipped in protective packaging and should be inspected for damage
before use. Where an item is found to have transit damage, notify the carrier immediately
with all the relevant details of the shipment. Packing materials should be kept for
inspection and also for if the product needs to be returned.

Returning the Warranty Card

In order to register the date of purchase so that we can keep you informed of any design
improvements or modications, it is important to complete the warranty registration
document that is enclosed and return it to Sonifex Ltd in the UK.

For your own records you should write down the serial number (which can be found on the
rear of the RB-VHDA8.

WARRANTY

Serial Number ………………………………………

iv

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SAFETY INFORMATION

Safety Information

Safety of Mains Operated Equipment

This equipment has been designed to meet the safety regulations currently
advised in the country of purchase and it conforms to the safety regulations
specied by use of the CE Mark.

Warning : There are no user serviceable parts inside the equipment. If you should ever
need to look inside the unit, always disconnect the mains supply before removing the
equipment covers.

Voltage Setting Checks

Ensure that the machine operating voltage is correct for your mains power supply by
checking the box in which your Redbox was supplied. The voltage is shown on the box
label. This product is continuously rated 85 - 264 VAC, 47 - 63Hz. Please note that all
Redboxes are either switchable between 115V and 230V, or have a universal power supply.

Fuse Rating

The RB-VHDA8 is supplied with a single fuse in the live conducting path of the mains
power input. For reasons of safety it is important that the correct rating and type of fuse is
used. Incorrectly rated fuses could present a possible re hazard, under equipment fault
conditions. The fuse rating for the RB-VHDA8 is:

Continuously rated 85 - 264 VAC, 47 - 63Hz - 2A, 5 x 20mm SB

SAFETY INFORMATION

The active fuse is tted on the outside rear panel of the unit.

Power Cable and Connection

An IEC power connector is supplied with the RB-VHDA8 which has a moulded plug
attached – this is a legal requirement. If no moulded plug has been supplied with your
RB-VHDA8, please contact your supplier, because an IEC connector is always supplied from
the Sonifex factory.

If for any reason, you need to use the RB-VHDA8 with a dierent power cable, you should
use the following wiring guidelines.

Wire Colour Connection

Green, or green and yellow Earth (E)

Blue, or Black Neutral (N)

Brown, or Red Live (L)

Fig B: Power Connections

Connect the equipment in accordance with the connection details and before applying
power to the unit, check that the machine has the correct operating voltage for your mains
power supply.

Important Note : The terminal marked on the rear panel must be earthed.

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v

SAFETY INFORMATION

Ordering the Correct Mains Lead

When ordering a Redbox from Sonifex, it is helpful if you can specify your required
operating voltage and mains lead. After the product code add:

UK, for 230V, UK 3 pin to IEC lead

EC, for 230V, European Schuko 2 pin to IEC lead

US, for 115V, 3 pin to IEC lead

AU for 230V, Australasian 3 pin to IEC lead

Fig C: Mains Lead Table

E.g. order RB-VHDA8 UK for a UK IEC lead to be supplied.

Installation Information

Atmosphere

The units should be installed in an area that is not subject to excessive temperature
variation (<0°C, >50°C), moisture, dust or vibration.

Electromagnetic Radiation

The cover is connected to earth by means of the xing screws. It is essential to maintain
this earth ground connection to ensure a safe operating environment and provide
electromagnetic shielding.

Fitting Redboxes

Redboxes can be xed to the underside of a mixing desk, or other surfaces using 4.2mm
holes in the sides and xed with 2 x M4 screws or 2 x No. 6 countersink wood screws.

They can also be rack-mounted, with either the front, or rear of the Redbox positioned at
the front of the rack:

Rear Mounting The RB-VHDA8: The RB-RK3 1U rear panel rack kit can be used for large
Redboxes such as the RB-VHDA8.

SAFETY INFORMATION

Fig D: RB-RK3 Large Redbox Rear Rack-mount Kit

Note: When tting the rear-mounting rack-kits, a notch has been left on the inside of
the right-hand rack-piece for the mains cable to pass through. Make sure that the mains
cable has been put through the notch before attaching the right hand rack-piece.

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SAFET Y & INSTALLATION
INFORMATION

WEEE & RoHS Directives - Sonifex Statement

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment ( WEEE) Directive was agreed on
13 February 2003, along with the related Directive 2002/95/EC on Restrictions
of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic
equipment (RoHS).

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) aims to minimise the
impacts of electrical and electronic equipment on the environment during their life times
and when they become waste. It applies to a huge spectrum of products. It encourages
and sets criteria for the collection, treatment, recycling and recovery of waste electrical and
electronic equipment. All products manufactured by Sonifex Ltd have the WEEE directive
label placed on the case. It gives a contact for individuals who are unsure about the correct
procedure when the product has reached its “end of use”.

Sonifex Ltd will be happy to give you information about local organisations that can
reprocess the products, or alternatively all products that have reached “end of use” can be
returned to Sonifex and will be reprocessed correctly free of charge.

Sonifex Ltd has phased out the use of certain hazardous substances identied in the
European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive. The RoHS
directive limits the use of certain hazardous substances currently used in EEE manufacture,
including lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, and halide-containing
compounds PBB (polybrominated biphenyl) and PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ether).
Elimination of these substances will result in more environmentally friendly recycling
of electronic equipment. For the products which Sonifex manufacture, the main area
where products were aected was in the use of lead for manufacturing and assembling
electronics circuit boards.

Sonifex Ltd practices lead-free (LF) manufacturing processes. LF solder is used on the
surface-mount PCB manufacturing processes and for hand soldering. The printed circuit
boards (PCBs) used are either gold plated, or immersion tin plated, both of which use no
lead. Historically the PCBs were hot air solder levelled (HASL) PCBs which used tin/lead
based solder.

The manufacturing processes include the assembly of purchased components from

SAFETY & INSTALLATION INFORMATION

various sources. Product is oered as RoHS compliant, or LF, only after sucient evidence
is received from the component manufacturers that their components are RoHS compliant.
Sonifex Ltd relies solely on the distributor, or manufacturer, of the components for
identication of RoHS compliance. Thus whilst every eort is made to ensure compliance,
Sonifex Ltd makes no warranty, or certication, or declaration of compliance concerning
said components.

Sonifex Ltd denes “Lead Free” as pertaining to any product, which has been manufactured
by Sonifex Ltd using components which have been declared by the manufacturers as
“Lead Free”. All statements by Sonifex Ltd of RoHS compliance are based on component
manufacturer documentation.

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1

INTRODUCTION

1

RB-VHDA8 3G/HD/SD-SDI 1 Input, 8 Output
Video Distribution Amplier

Introduction

Fig 1: RB-VHDA8 Front Panel

The RB-VHDA8 is a high performance, reliable eight way digital video distribution amplier
for re-clocking and distributing a 3G, HD (high denition) or SD (standard denition) SDI
source to eight outputs. The unit provides automatic input detection, re-clocking and cable
equalisation of the input signal to 100/350 meters (HD/SD) of coax cable.

The full range of SD, HD and 3G standards are supported by the unit, allowing NTSC and PAL
composite digital signals right up to component digital signals at 1080p 60Hz.

The rear panel has a single female BNC connector for the 3G/HD/SD-SDi input and a further
eight female BNC connectors for the outputs. Each output is buered providing driven
outputs for greater reliability.

As well as an AC power input on a ltered IEC, the unit also has an adjacent 12V DC input on
a 2.5mm co-axial connector, for use, for example, in outside broadcast vehicles. Both power
inputs can be used to give a dual redundant power supply; whichever voltage is higher will
be used.

The front panel of the case has a single bi-colour LED which indicates amber to show power
is present, then green should a valid incoming SDI signal be detected.

INTRODUCTION

Fig 2: RB-VHDA8 Rear Panel

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INTRODUCTION

1

SDI Input

BNC

Cable

EQ

Reclocker

Cable
Driver

*

*

*

*

Cable
Driver

Cable
Driver

Cable
Driver

SDI Output
BNC 1

SDI Output
BNC 2

SDI Output
BNC 3

SDI Output
BNC 4

SDI Output
BNC 5

SDI Output
BNC 6

SDI Output
BNC 7

SDI Output
BNC 8

DVB-ASI can only be used on
non-inverting outputs

*

INTRODUCTION

System Block Diagram

Fig 3: RB-VHDA8 System Block Diagram

Front Panel Controls & Indicators

The front panel of the case has a single bi-colour LED which indicates amber to show power
is present, then red should a valid incoming SDI signal be detected.

Rear Panel Connections

3G/HD/SD-SDI Input

The single input uses a BNC connector.

3G/HD/SD-SDI Outputs

The eight outputs use BNC connectors.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

Technical Specication For RB-VHDA8

Compatible SMPTE-424M (3G)
Standards: SMPTE-292M (HD-SDI)
SMPTE-259M-AC1 (SD-SDI)
SMPTE 344M1
DVB-ASI2 at 270Mb/s

1

Other rates will be passed without reclocking.

2 Non inverted outputs only.

Impedance: 75Ω terminating

Equalisation: Up to 100m of Belden 1694A at 1.485Gbps
Up to 350m of Belden 1694A at 270 Mbps

Data Rates: Fully supported: 143, 270, 1483.5,
1485, 2967 & 2970Mbps
Passed but not reclocked: 177, 360 &
540Mbps

Reclocking & Equalisation: Automatic

Resolution: Automatic

2

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

Return Loss: >15dB at 1500MHz

Output Jitter: <0.2UI

Signal Level: 800mV ±10%

Front Panel Indicators

Power LED: Amber indicates power is present, Red indicates detection
of valid incoming SDI signal

Rear Panel Connections

HD/SD-SDI Video Input: 1 x BNC (Unbalanced)

HD/SD-SDI Video Outputs: 8 x BNC (Unbalanced)

Power Supply:
AC: Filtered IEC, continuously rated 85-264VAC, 47-63Hz, fused

2

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

Fuse Rating: Anti-surge fuse 2A 20 x 5mm

DC: 12V 300mA max, DC supply, 2.5mm socket fused

Equipment Type

RB-VHDA8: 3G/HD/SD-SDI 1 Input, 8 Output Video Distribution Amplier

Physical Specication

Dimensions 48cm (W) x 10.8cm (D) x 4.3cm (H)
(Raw): 19” (W ) x 4.3” (D) x 1.7” (H) (1U)

Dimensions 59cm (W) x 20.5cm (D) x 6cm (H)
(Boxed): 21” (W ) x 8” (D) x 2.4” (H)

Weight : Nett: 1.3kg Gross: 1.9kg
Nett: 2.9lbs Gross: 4.2lbs

Accessories

4

RB-RK3: 1U Rear panel rack kit for large Redboxes

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

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NOTES

NOTES

Redbox RB-VHDA8 User Handbook

www.sonifex.co.uk

t:[phone]
f:[phone]
[email protected]