In Broadcast - March 2012 - 56

WWW.INBROADCAST.COM | ISSUE 6 - MARCH 2012

InTEST
Video Monitoring & Quality Assurance Cont.
Monitor Splitters
Miranda Technologies’ KaleidoXQuad is a four-way monitor splitter which can be scaled by using multiple individual quads. It operates with the same software as the larger Kaleido multiplexer and oﬀers integration with third-party routers and production switchers, including tally support via direct serial interface. Kaleido-XQuad has four 3 gigabit per second/HD inputs and a single multi-viewer output (HDMI/HD-SDI); the KaleidoXQuad-Dual oﬀers eight 3 gigabit per second/HD inputs and two multi-viewer outputs. Each occupies a 1 rack unit half-width chassis with silent ventilation. Fast processing is claimed to avoid the need for audio delay compensation. Wohler’s RMQ-230-A monitor splitter provides up to four displays in a single 1920 x 1080 LED backlit LCD 23 inch screen driven from four autosensing analogue composite inputs and a HDMI/DVI-D video input. RMQ Series models also have an HDMI/DVI-D compatible output that allows the external display to be ported another screen. In addition to a quad split display of four equal areas, the RMQ-230-A can be conﬁgured as a single full screen or one large screen with three smaller screens. Each of the four individual displays supports waveform, vectorscope, audio deembedding and metering of up to eight channels, UMD, timecode and various markers. distribution networks. Version 4.1 includes conﬁdence monitoring and visual inspection with enhanced capabilities for TV service operators to carry out eﬃcient oﬄine analysis and troubleshooting. New built-in core features include live play (allowing instant visual conﬁrmation and confidence monitoring of streams through HTTP streaming for playback of the video and audio to a technician’s PC), triggered recording and stream forwarding. Version 4.1 of the Agama Analyzer products also introduces support for EBU R128 loudness monitoring and analysis, and active conﬁdence monitoring of adaptive bitrate streaming services. Cel-Soft’s Reel-Check Solo-QC allows a complete set of qualitycontrol tests to be performed on live or ﬁle-based video and audio. Designed to run on a standard desktop PC or workstation, it is compatible with all signal standards and media ﬁle-types currently in common use, including webcast, broadcast and 444 digital-ﬁlm formats up to 4K. It can perform automatic checking of ingested or ﬁnished ﬁle content on local or networked drives. The operator can preset a table of test parameters and tolerances. Any excursions outside these deﬁned limits are automatically logged with associated timecodes and details. Embedded audio, stereo or multichannel surround-sound can be extracted and checked on a frameby-frame basis alongside the video for audible or visible impairments. Audio, video and timecode can be displayed at any size on-screen. Reel-Check Solo-QC provides live display of video waveform, colour vector, YRGB histograms, RGB parades, YUV parades, gamut, individual R/G/B channels, luma, chroma as well as special picture monitoring modes. Audio displays include bar-graphs in any common scale as well as full 5.1 surroundsound GMO and spectrogram. Automated video test capabilities include gamut, ﬁeld dominance/ reversal, average picture level, blocking artefacts, stuck frames, content availability and identifying instances of quality impairment in real time. Leader’s new LV 5980 is a waveform monitor with a 17-inch TFT display that can be used to monitor up to four SDI signals simultaneously. It is optimised for the level adjustment of the outputs of multiple installed cameras. In the video signal waveform display,

Rohde & Schwarz CLG multichannel signal generator

Quality Assessment

Agama Technologies has extended the capabilities of its Agama Analyzer products which are used for realtime service quality monitoring and assurance in video headends and

odd frames, blank frames, noise, focus, horizontal blanking, aspect ratio, colour balance, timecode discontinuity, interlace presence, contrast, picture shift, pixel format and (optionally) PSE photosensitive epilepsy ﬂashing (also known as ‘The Harding Test’). Hamlet has added a new module to its DigiScope DS900 platform which adds the ability to output high precision test signals, making the system completely self-contained. The new module generates test signals for SD, HD and 3 gigabit per second 1080p HD. It is capable of generating 22 video test signals, with embedded audio where appropriate. Test patterns include bars, bowtie, sweeps and multi-burst. A white circle can be added to any pattern for geometric tests and, to exercise an MPEG encoder, a moving black bar can be added to check for stuck frames and coding errors. Video/audio delay can also be spotted with the moving MPEG bar and bleep. Seven audio frequencies at any of eight amplitudes can be embedded into any of the four groups, with individual c h a n n e l control. IneoQuest Technologies’ Expedus ASM quality-ofservice probe monitors c o n t e n t availability in adaptive streaming v i d e o networks. It acts as multiple endclient devices and requests video assets. monitoring

vector display, and picture display, multiple input signals can be displayed on top of each other or lined up next to each other. Additional features include a level meter display for embedded audio, a transmission errors display, and a ﬁve-bar display that shows video signal peak levels. The LV 5980 can show various combinations of these displays. Omnitek is now oﬀering version 2.3 software for its OTM and OTR video monitoring and generation systems. This includes a second test signal generator which gives the ability to output two images or sequences at the same time, one to SDI Out 1 and the other to SDI Out 2. The two outputs can be run independently or locked together. Upgrades to the Loudness support included in a new ‘Audio Loud’ option which makes the software fully compliant with ITU-R BS 1770-2. New features include a loudness range display generated in accordance with the recommendations of the Tech 3342 supplement to EBU R128, and true peak versions of the PPM displays. Phabrix has introduced two new modular rasterising rack-mountable test units, the Rx 1000 and Rx 500. The 1 RU Rx 1000 can accommodate up to eight simultaneous inputs with loop-through. With four modules populated, it becomes eﬀectively eight analysers with central control and report logging. The 1 RU halfwidth Rx 500 has two input slots with four simultaneous inputs. All inputs are switchable and each can be independently controlled. Initially analyser and generator modules will be available followed shortly by audio, composite and ASI modules. Pixelmetrix has added full multiresolution support for HD over HDMI to its Electronic Couch Potato. When connected to a television viewer’s set-top box, the ECP provides feedback on various service quality
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Cel-Soft’s Reel-Check Solo-QC

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In Broadcast - March 2012

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