Eye to Eye. Whats new in test and measurement 2009

Author: Dennis Lennie

Published 1st May 2009


The transition from analogue to digital programme production, storage and delivery lulled some innocent folk into anticipating a world without need for test equipment. If required at all, so the thinking went, all signal analysis would be performed in software. Maybe someday. For now, the T&M sector remains alive and well. The following summary outlines new offerings scheduled to be introduced at the Las Vegas Convention Centre, April 20-23.
DK-Technologies' MSD100C is a stand-alone display which specifies the algorithms that should be used to measure audio programme loudness. It is able to display the loudness of the individual audio channels as well as the sum of the left and right signals. The unit can be used in any broadcast or post production facility as a health check during production or prior to transmission. The MSD100C incorporates an ITU-recommended algorithm based on an extension of the Leq(RLB) algorithm to cover stereo and monophonic audio signals. With selectable digital and analogue stereo inputs, the MSD100C displays left and right channel loudness as well as the summed loudness. It also delivers the information as a numeric readout. The meter uses the Loudness Units (LU) scale, covering a range from -18 to +9 dB. It also incorporates an audio vector oscilloscope, phase correlation meter displays, a full VGA colour display and VGA output for external display.
Electronic Visuals will show the EV3Genie test signal generator which provides signal generation, conversion and monitoring in a single unit. It generates full-frame and line-base patterns in 3G, HD and SD. Patterns can also be downloaded via TCP/IP connection to PC or laptop. Users can create their own patterns and download as Abekas format YUV files. It generates channels of audio tones, both embedded and SPDIF, and provides full moving zone plate control. As a signal converter, it translates between broadcast standards over copper, fibre and DVI. For example, a SMPTE 372M dual-link signal may be monitored using the DVI output whilst being simultaneously translated into a 3G-SDI 425M-B signal and a 3G fibre output. Signal monitoring can be performed in any SDI broadcast format to a pixel-mapped 1080p or 1200p DVI output. The DVI output can display test signals or any input signal applied to the unit.
Hamlet will introduce two new 3 Gbit/s-capable modules for its Flexiscope platform. The first provides for signal test and monitoring of 1080p, conventional HD and SD SDI signals, including embedded and AES audio and external reference and loop. The second adds the ability to measure digital signal integrity using the eye pattern. The same modules which fit the Flexiscope and Microflex can also be used in Hamlet's DigiScope (which provides an output which can be routed to any convenient monitor) and MonitorScope (with integral high resolution TFT screen as well as output for on-screen display). The companion Protean Axiom 3G is a touch screen portable test signal generator. Covering all standards from SD to 3Gbit/s 1080p HD, it has nearly 40 test patterns including an array of zone plates and pathological tests, plus the usual comprehensive video and audio signals.
Harris is adding a 3 Gbit/s video input module to its Videotek VTM and TVM series of test instruments, enabling monitoring of the progressively scanned high frame-rate HD formats, including 1080p. Also 3 Gbit/s-capable, the Videotek AVM-717-3GB is a self-contained test instrument. For low-cost HD monitoring, Harris has added the TVM-4DG HD waveform monitor/vectorscope for monitoring HD-SDI and SD-SDI signals in a half-rack scope package.
Leader will be introducing to the US market the LV 7330, a 1 U high half-rack-width rasteriser with waveform monitor, vectorscope, picture monitor and sound measurement capability plus an SDI status detector. An integral squeeze function allows 16:9, 15:9 or 4:3 aspect ratio to be selected. Five-bar gamut, Cinelite and Cinezone displays are also incorporated.
OmniTek will exhibit a new 3 Gbit/s SDI physical layer analysis package for the OTM 1000 waveform monitor and OTR 1003 signal generator and analyser system. The OTM 1000 waveform monitor is a traditional half-rack enclosure with built-in display screen and control panel, and also the OTR 1003 signal generator and analyser system in a 3 U rackmount chassis. It is fully Gbit/s compatible, supporting all single-link and dual-link SDI video formats at 270 Mbit/s, 1.485 Gbit/s and 2.97 Gbit/s. The new OmniTek 3Gbit/s EYE package is claimed to be the first SDI physical layer analysis system able to measure and display accurate, high resolution eye diagrams plus all the standard bitstream jitter characteristics for SDI signals at 270 Mbit/s, 1.485 Gbit/s, and 2.97 Gbit/s. Aerospace-specification sampling devices are used to provide the EYE system with an analogue bandwidth of greater than 12 GHz for accurate measurement and display of the rise and fall times of the SDI bitstream. The new OmniTek physical layer analysis package is available in two versions: PHY for measurement of signal amplitudes and jitter characteristics, and EYE for display of the actual SDI bitstream eye pattern in addition to measurement of all the jitter parameters. These options are available in SD only, SD & HD, or SD, HD, and 3 Gbit/s together.
Phabrix will be launching its new eye and jitter enabled SxE at NAB2009. Featuring the same three-in-one combination as its SxA with a generator, analyser and monitor able to test and measure at 3G-SDI, HD-SDI and SD-SDI, the SxE has a tool-set for eye and jitter analysis. The Phabrix SxA will also be shown with enhancements to its web browser and TCP/IP control interfaces as additional options.
Rhode & Schwarz has enhanced its ETL TV analyzer with two new analogue options that provide analogue video line analysis capability and video signal generation.The ETL-K202 option handles all video line analysis measurements. The ETL K203 option generates a standard-conforming analogue TV signal that can be fed to the transmitter and is also needed for video line analysis.

Tektronix recently announced two new waveform monitors and rasterizers for studio and on-location applications: the HD WFM5000 and SD WFM4000. The half-rack-width WVR5000 and WVR4000 rasterizers bring the same capabilities. All are designed for confidence monitoring Of SDI video and uncompressed digital audio compliance checking. WFM5000 features include AC/DC power, 10,000 events error log, ethernet port and monitoring capacity for 16 channels of embedded audio (up to 8 simultaneously) plus 1 AES audio input. A high-brightness display is incorporated for easy indoor and outdoor operation.

A gap in the market
Looks like we have to wait until NAB 2010 for the first 3D T&M.

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