Broadcast Pix Slate 3000 Installation Planning Guide - October 2008
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System Delay
Slate SD switchers are used extensively in IMAG (image magnification) productions as they have only
1 frame of delay (33 mS in NTSC and 40 mS in PAL) with genlocked cameras, even inside a picture in
picture, and with AutoAspect. Slate HD switchers add some more delay. For IMAG, genlocked 720p
cameras should be used, as the combination of progressive cameras, progressive switcher and
naturally progressive projectors means only about 67 ms in NTSC and 80ms in PAL of total delay
through the switcher and projector. In contrast, conventional switchers without a DVI output require the
projector to add delay to convert their interlaced output to progressive. Below is a grid of the maximum
total system delay in milliseconds, depending on which formats are used. Usually delay can be
compensated in a studio environment with an audio delay; in IMAG productions, it is important to have
the least amount of delay possible.
NTSC
Synchronous/Timed Sources
NTSC
Asynchronous/Untimed Sources
SD-SDI or HD/SD HD/SD HD
Analog SDI Card SDI Card Presentation
In & Out In & Out In or Out* Mode**
* If using the HD I/O card for input only, and using Output A, B or
C on the Slate Switcher Card, there is no added delay on the
output side. The same is true if using the HD I/O card for HD up-
conversion, and only using a SD-SDI or Analog card for input
with no HD signals.
** Presentation Mode is using only 720p genlocked cameras
coming in and going out a progressive format to a progressive
projector. When activated the SD outs will be out of phase and
delayed by 90 lines.
33 mS
100 mS
67 mS
67 mS
67 mS
133 mS
100 mS
N/A
40 mS
120 mS
80 mS
80 mS
80 mS
160 mS
120 mS
N/A
PAL
Synchronous/Timed Sources
PAL
Asynchronous/Untimed Sources
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