Information on Open Source
Editor,
I went through your Open Source article [from the September Computers and Networks column] on the Broadcast Engineering site. It is quite interesting. In your article, you mentioned that EBU has an MXF open source implementation. My failed attempts to access a copy of the MXF implementation makes me wonder if it is from the Pro-MPEG group, and if the SDK access is restricted to Pro-MPEG members. Does EBU have their own implementation of MXF, and is it available to non-members?
Regards,
Pawan Gupta
Broadcast Engineering's European consultant, Bob Pank, responds:
Here's the information you asked for. It was kindly supplied by John Ive of Sony, who is involved with the Pro-MPEG forum.
Regards,
Bob
The answers you are looking for are on the Pro-MPEG Web site, www.pro-mpeg.org. There are two software support kits. One is on the Pro-MPEG site for members only. The other is the original EBU software. It is on the EBU site I believe, but for members only. However, a functional demo of the very latest version is available from Inesc. The Web site is linked on Pro-MPEG under “Latest News,” I believe.
Regards,
John
Measuring audio performance
To Michael Robin:
I had a question about total harmonic distortion measurements, as discussed in your May article. Are your methods of measuring THD compliant with the Federal Trade Commission standards?
Thanks,
Giancarlo Lujan
Michael Robin responds:
The THD measurements I presented in my article are typical of those used by broadcasters. While the general principle of measurement is common, international (EBU, ITU), national (NAB) or network (ABC, CBS, etc.) test methods may vary, specifically in terms of the normalized signal level (expressed in dBu or dBm) at which the measurement is carried out. Federal Trade Commission methods appear to be related to audio power amplifiers for home use, so the THD measurement would be carried out at a specific level (expressed in watts). This will depend on the power rating of the amplifier.
Regards,
Michael Robin
Freezeframe winners
No Freezeframe ran in the June issue.
July Freezeframe:
Name the Panasonic product family represented by the camera.
Panasonic's Recam product family included the AK-100 three-tube prism optics camera, as well as the AU-100 portable VCR and AU-300 playback editing system.
Correct answers:
Gary Maier
Chris Whittington
Tim Stoffel, KNPB
August Freezeframe:
A Broadcast Engineering interview in June 1982 reported that this industry leader predicted that HDTV would see early adoption by the [broadcast] industry and acceptance by the public within five years, and certainly not more than 10 years. Who is this acknowledged industry leader and where did he work when he made these statements?
Joseph Flaherty of CBS made the optimistic comment about HDTV.
Correct answers:
Edward P. Caleca
Elmer E. Smalling, III
Randy Patrick
Harvey Caplan
Phil Mikalofsky
Gary Kiffel
Walter S. Ciciora, Ph.D.
Greg Carter
Bernie Dickens
Bill Brister
Ian L. Wayne
Tom Alderson
Jay Mathis
Paul Berger
September Freezeframe:
What company often used this critter in their advertisement, saying “one less alligator”?
No one guessed the correct answer to this question. Otari was the company that used the expression “one less alligator.”
