Chapter 4: Spectrum X hardware reference
About Enhanced Channel mode
Enhanced Channel is a licensed option that combines resources from both channels into a single channel
with additional capabilities.
Enhanced Channel features include:
• External key/fill support (available when inputs are not in use for blending live video). The SDI input
format must match the video format of the primary output and must be referenced aligned.
• Two live inputs (available when inputs are not being used for external key/fill). Each live SDI input must
match the video format of the Primary SDI output and must be reference-aligned.
• Two DVE engines on a single channel.
• Two clip players for a single channel.
• Four or eight graphics layers, as licensed.
• Optional Independent Branding mode (see “Enabling and configuring independent branding” in the
Harmonic SystemManager User Guide
).
With these additional features you can:
• Brand the Secondary output with graphics different than those used for the Primary output.
• Mix video from any combination of two clip players or two live input sources.
• Use two DVE engines on a single channel, allowing squeeze-backs between player/ input
combinations.
• Use an external device to generate key or fill graphics, and overlay the graphics onto the Spectrum
X or the ChannelPort output video, along with graphics generated by the Spectrum X or the
ChannelPort.
Note that when the Spectrum X or the ChannelPort module is in Enhanced Channel mode, the
functionality of some I/O connectors will change based on your I/O Configuration selection in the
SystemManager or Spectrum Management. For instructions on enabling Enhanced Channel mode and
changing connector configurations, see the
Harmonic SystemManager User Guide
or the Spectrum
Management Help system.
About UHD mode
Spectrum X supports UHD playout and record.
Note that
both
SDI cards on the Spectrum X are used to play or record
one
channel of UHD.
In order to configure a UHD player, in SystemManager, the
Channel Configuration
setting on the I/O
Module Properties page for your Spectrum X must be set to
Ultra
.
NOTE:
Changing the Spectrum X channel configuration requires a restart. Due to the
system changes, the restart may take up to 15 minutes.
Support for UHD includes the following:
• Support for play or record of XAVC Intra Class 300 and AVCU Class 400 with the MXF OP1a wrapper
• Agile timeline file playback: Spectrum supports a mixed timeline, which can include UHD, HD, and 3G
HD video formats.
• Simulcast out: UHD down-convert with Independent Branding, Clean, or Mirrored for secondary
output.
• Dual live inputs with auto up-convert: Unlike the standard or enhanced channel modes, with UHD
channel, you can have two Spectrum X inputs with different video formats, and Spectrum will
automatically up-convert to play out UHD.
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