BrightEye 3 Analog to SDI Converter with TBC/FS
BrightEye-22
TBC
A Time Base Corrector is a system to reduce the Time Base Error in a signal to
acceptable levels. It accomplishes this by using a FIFO (First In, First Out)
memory. The incoming video is written into the memory using its own jittery
timing. This operation is closely associated with the actual digitization of the
analog signal because the varying position of the sync timing must be mimicked
by the sampling function of the analog to digital converter. A second timing
system, genlocked to a stable reference, is used to read the video back out of the
memory. The memory acts as a dynamically adjusting delay to smooth out the
imperfections in the original signal’s timing. Very often a TBC will also function
as a Frame Synchronizer.
See also: Frame Sync.
Time Base Error
Time base error is present when there is excessive jitter or uncertainty in the line
to line output timing of a video signal. This is commonly associated with playback
from video tape recorders, and is particularly severe with consumer type hetero-
dyne systems like VHS. Time base error will render a signal unusable for
broadcast or editing purposes.
Tri Level Sync
An analog sync reference signal that is used in High Definition systems. Tri Level
Sync is constructed with three signal levels, the sync pulses extend above and
below a mid-level average voltage (the blanking level). Unlike conventional
analog sync which is bi-level, the proper 50% pickoff point is already identified in
Tri Level Sync. This contributes to lower jitter in digital systems.
YUV
Strictly speaking, YUV does not apply to component video. The letters refer to the
Luminance (Y), and the U and V encoding axes using in the PAL composite
system. Since the U axis is very close to the B-Y axis, and the V axis is very close
to the R-Y axis, YUV is often used as a sort of shorthand for the more long-
winded “Y/R-Y/B-Y”.
Y/Cr/Cb
In digital component video, the luminance component is Y, and the two color dif-
ference signals are Cr (R-Y) and Cb (B-Y).
Y/Pr/Pb
In analog component video, the image is carried in three components. The
luminance is Y, the R-Y color difference signal is Pr, and the B-Y color difference
signal is Pb.