New from Crystal Vision is Up-and-down-AAFD, one multi-functional board designed to up, down or cross convert video signals containing embedded audio, provide fully flexible aspect ratio conversion for SD sources and insert SMPTE 2016 Active Format Description data into the output video for aspect ratio correction by downstream equipment.
Up-and-down-AAFD offers exceptional performance for up conversions of Standard Definition to 720p and 1080i at 50Hz and 59.94Hz, down conversions of 720p and 1080i to Standard Definition at 50Hz and 59.94Hz, and cross conversions of 720p to 1080i and 1080i to 720p. Motion adaptive video de-interlacing ensures that the best processing method will be chosen based on the video content, while the adjustable detail enhancement feature allows the image to be sharpened and further picture enhancements come from full RGB adjustment of contrast and brightness. Up-and-down-AAFD also includes strong resilience against input signal disruptions and quick recovery from corrupted signals. Ideal for anyone working with embedded audio sources in studio or transmission applications, Up-and-down-AAFD will pass two groups of embedded audio, de-embedding the two lowest numbered groups and converting them to the appropriate format before re-embedding them on groups 1 and 2 of the output. Four audio groups can be passed in bypass mode.
In addition to its functionality as an up/down/cross converter, Up-and-down-AAFD doubles as a fully flexible 10 bit Standard Definition aspect ratio converter. As well as presets for the six standard conversions between 4:3 and 16:9, it offers the flexibility to compress and expand a picture horizontally and vertically, as well as the ability to adjust the image position and crop the picture. Up-and-down-AAFD will also look after any aspect ratio conversion requirements when up or down converting.
Up-and-down-AAFD can also be used to label a signal with SMPTE 2016 data to describe the Active Format Description (AFD), which some HD installations use to allow a following down converter to output the Standard Definition with an appropriate aspect ratio conversion. HD programmes are often made of a mixture of true High Definition sources and SD sources that have been up converted and have black pillars at the sides, and when the HD signal is originated from Standard Definition it is necessary for the down converter to behave differently and perform a centre cut conversion. When up, down or cross converting Up-and-down-AAFD can insert one of sixteen AFD codes into the signal for the down converter to read, with the code describing which areas of the screen contain a picture and which areas are black ‘padding’. The AFD code is contained in an ANC data packet, which is carried in the active portion of a specified line in the vertical blanking.
Shipping now, Up-and-down-AAFD is a space-saving 4 x 10.5 inches module which fits in Crystal Vision’s standard frames (in 4RU, 2RU, 1RU and desk top box sizes) alongside any other product from the range, with the flexible control alternatives including PC software.
Based at Whittlesford near Cambridge in the UK, Crystal Vision provides digital keyers, picture storage modules and a full range of digital and analogue interface equipment including converters, synchronizers, distribution amplifiers and audio embedders to the professional broadcasting industry worldwide.
