install - concepts - PixMaster - switcher - CG - clips - controls - team - appendix
Broadcast Pix
V8.5
1.8 Input Timing & Asynchronous Sources
Reference
The Broadcast Pix Switcher requires a reference input from an analog black burst
sync generator.
Format
Internally, the Broadcast Pix uses the SDI format (SMPTE 259M), and all systems
provide SD-SDI digital video I/O with embedded audio (SMPTE 272M ).
In addition, Slate can accept HD/SD-SDI formats SMPTE 296M, SMPTE 274M, ITU-R
BT601-5, SMPTE 259M and SMPTE 292M.
Slate also has analog video I/O conversion for composite, Y/C and component, and its
clip store has embedded audio as well as analog stereo audio.
Synchronous Inputs
All Slate systems work well with all video inputs that accept a reference input for
genlock, including broadcast cameras, tape recorders, servers, etc. The delay
through the Slate system on synchronous sources is 1 frame, even if the image is
inside a DVE box (picture in picture). In some installations where a stable or wide
genlock is not available (i.e. when using a camera/DVD player for reference) there is
an option to accommodate this type reference. Select Setup, System Settings and in
the Video tab place a check mark next to
Narrow Genlock
. A restart of the application
will be necessary.
Asynchronous Inputs
With a precaution, the system will also accept and self time asynchronous sources,
such as a DVD player. The precaution is to preview each asynchronous source
before taking it to air, which gives the systems the few frames it needs to settle the
source down. Unlike synchronous sources, these should not be taken directly to air,
because the settling is then visible on program. All direct Slate live Inputs accept
asynchronous inputs, and on the inputs coming from the iBoB, inputs 1 through 6
accept asynchronous sources. The delay through the Slate system on asynchronous
sources is 2 frames. On all Slate HD systems to allow asynchronous inputs, select
Setup, System Settings and in the HDIO tab place a check mark next to
Allow A-
Sync sources
.
HD Inputs
The HD I/O card accepts both SD and HD video signals and processes all video at
486p/576p. Although the HD card can accept both Synchronous and Asynchronous
sources, it is advised to use genlocked sources to reduce the amount of the delay in
the system. In addition to the above delay, there is 1 frame of delay to scale the video
coming in and 1 more frame of delay to scale video going out. A complete genlocked
system will have a total of 3 frames of delay, a complete non genlocked system will
have a total of 4 frames of delay. See the next page for a complete listing of possible
delay.
1.8