SYNNER-E HD has been designed to simplify system designs for those working in Dolby E environments. Shipping now, SYNNER-E HD will save engineers money and rack space by combining a video synchronizer, tracking audio delay, embedder, de-embedder and audio processor along with advanced handling of Dolby E and delay compensation on one 100mm x 266mm board.
Explains Crystal Vision’s Managing Director, Philip Scofield: “Any synchronizing, embedding, de-embedding or delay compensation that you’re ever likely to want to do with Dolby E, can be done with this product.”
With the ability to both synchronize incoming video signals which are not locked to the local reference and compensate for timing delays within the video system, the excellent synchronizer features include allowing any timing difference, quick recovery of input timing and the ability to cross-lock which means that an HD or SD input can be referenced to either HD tri-level syncs or SD Black and Burst. SYNNER-E HD powerfully synchronizes at three separate points which allows it to avoid picture disturbances for switches on the input that are between mistimed sources and that occur in the vertical blanking.
SYNNER-E HD allows very flexible handling of Dolby E, with Dolby E data automatically detected and processed appropriately. It can synchronize video containing Dolby E, standard audio or a mixture of the two – making it ideal for those working in mixed Dolby E and AES environments. SYNNER-E HD is unusual in that it allows a mixture of Dolby E and standard AES within a single audio group: it can separate the Dolby E and standard audio and synchronize both types in the appropriate way before re-embedding the audio.
SYNNER-E HD allows the embedding or de-embedding of external analog, digital or Dolby E audio by fitting the standard piggybacks. Up to four sources of Dolby E are possible and can come from a variety of sources: four channels from two audio groups embedded in the video, four channels from two input piggybacks, or a mixture of the two. De-embedded Dolby E or input-timed Dolby E from a piggyback will be delayed by the same amount as the video, except for any change required to align it correctly with the output video switching point to ensure the guardband is in exactly the right place – meeting the strict requirements recommended by Dolby to allow many more stages of processing. Two Dolby E streams with different timings can be realigned with each other as well as with the video. Output-timed Dolby E from a piggyback will be treated as correctly timed and embedded with minimum processing delay. Standard audio de-embedded from the same group as Dolby E will be resampled and delayed in the usual way, while output-timed standard audio from the same piggyback as output-timed Dolby E will be routed and embedded with minimum delay.
SYNNER-E HD can also delay the video and standard audio to compensate for Dolby E delays (reducing the need to do this externally), with the option to add one frame of video delay and up to 40ms of fixed audio delay on top of the tracking.
SYNNER-E HD includes sophisticated audio routing. The 16 x 8 mono router allows both channel shuffling, where the audio tracks can be rearranged between the two groups, and audio replace where an input piggyback can be used to overwrite some of the original audio channels from the HD or SD feed. The audio processing for the standard audio includes individual gain control adjustable between +3dB and -3dB in 0.1dB steps, and stereo to mono conversion which helps those broadcasting a multi-language service.
The space-saving module fits in Crystal Vision’s standard frames allowing up to 12 synchronizers in 2RU and can be used with two frame rear modules, with the RM33 used for applications involving analogue audio or 110 ohm AES/Dolby E and the RM39 for 75 ohm AES/Dolby E. Control is flexible to suit all preferences, with options including board edge switches, an active front panel on the frame, a remote panel located in a different room or the Statesman PC software.
Based at Whittlesford near Cambridge in the UK, Crystal Vision provides digital keyers, picture storage modules and a full range of interface equipment including converters, decoders, encoders, distribution amplifiers and audio embedders to the professional broadcasting industry worldwide.
