PROJECT: Digital Video Routing with Stereo Analog Audio

Matrixing
Presentation by: Charles Ssebbaale

Africa Broadcasting Uganda Ltd

About NTV Uganda

Leading TV Channel in Uganda Launched in December 2006 Part of Nation Media Group Exciting modern look & Impeccable presentation Most popular / Objective news content High investment in Modular TV technology for unmatched TV quality & delivery Committed to high quality standards and professionally competitive service

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DIGITAL TV AUDIO/VIDEO ROUTING

 A rack mountable 3U Main router with 32 SDI inputs and 32 outputs with corresponding stereo audio inputs/outputs is connected. 5 1U SCP control panels are interfaced on the router to effect the router destination/source definitions. All inputs/outputs are defined using the router software GRIP .A serial cable RS232 that passes control to any control software .eg (Masterplay) is connected.Reconfiguration of the router is also effected using the RS323 Port.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION ROUTING

VIDEO

A J1 port used to expand the router incase all I/O are utilized is located at the rear. Video Sync Referencing inputs at the rear ensure that the router is locked to the entire system of several video sources.Connecting either composite sync or video with sync can provide the ref. at the input.Without ref, the router can switch at random points rather than during the vertical interval(Vertical Blanking Interval). Video sources and output devices(Recorders and monitors) are connected to the routing switcher through the BNC type connectors located at the back of the unit. All audio sources from the routing switcher are balanced audio. Audio gain can be adjusted via the menu option at the front panel or through the RS232 by using the GRIP software or the SVS serial protocol

 The control processor Dip switch at the rear is used to configure the router to switch differently. With indexing ,this robust router is able to switch the 32 inputs(Srcs) to the corresponding 32 outputs(Dsts) . Playout server(Masterplay set to the correct router protocol;sierra 32x32) so that control and communication is effected to the router.

Project conceptual diagram Router Peripheral interconnections

TX CTRL RM
Masterplay(1)
Sierra protocol GRIP SDI Sierra 32X32 ROUTING SWITCHER RS232 SCP Panel 1; TX PGM

SCP Panel 2 TX PVW

N sources,SAT,VTR..

CTRL RM SCP panel 3

SYNC SIGNAL

INGEST RM SCP Panel 4

QC SCP PANEL 5

N Destinations;N=32

STL

DA QC

Project Innovations
Challenges faced enabled us to create innovative measures as a way to counter them Need for proper troubleshooting of any lost signal Without affecting the on-air transmission Need to have a smooth and automatic switching of Different sources Need to have several sources monitored through a QC monitor for their losses in video.

Communication control protocol with the RS232 by a control software(Matserplay. The sierra router protocol uses the 7-bit ASCII character set usually sent over the RS232 OR RS422 serial link. Critical setup of the Buad rate 9600bps with 8 bits and no parity is entered using the menu or the terminal. Commands are sent to the routing switcher in a group called command string. A command string consists of a leader string of asterisk characters, zero, or more commands, and a trailer string of exclamation marks. A command string to test the responsiveness of the router to the control software (Masterplay) .E.g a test command string **!! Sent to the router would generate the response (* *OK !!<CR>) . This response shows and verifies that the serial link is operational. The control software masterplay is configured and the router protocol sierra/Kramer 32K 32 is defined. The router, operating in the in the host mode set by a string command (**HOST1!!) gets ready for switching.

Router setup configuration & Communication Control

Sierra Protocol 7-bit ASCII Buad rate 9600bps 8 Bits and no parity Router mapping table/scheme formulated. Router uses linear mapping /one to one mapping by default(Source 1 is assigned to physical input connector 1, source 2 to connector 2 To Utilize the whole inputs /outputs Multiple Mapping is done.(e.g some src like graphics, out put only video

Planning router Mapping table

Deciding router inputs that will receive signal likewise outputs Source/destination Names and corresponding numbers decided Every input /output assigned unique name(Prefix:CAM1,CAM2,VTR1..) Maximize all router Sources I/O(e.g Graphics) process Video only so Audio input assigned to another device.(See sample table below)

Mapped I/O

Multiple mapping table

Source/destination restrictions on panels defined; Each panel is assigned which sources to be routed(CTRL RM,TX RM..
SRC AUDCON1 was created because it is desired to switch Audio Console 1 on the two audio levels without also switching CAM1 on the video level, without having to specify a breakaway take. multiple mapping.

I/O Monitoring AV Patch Panels Troubleshooting

Masterplay
V A

DA

TO SAT SYSTEM

STL

VTM

DAC

VU

QC Mon

CABLE LABELING & COLORING

1 1 2 3 4 SYNC SIGNAL 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10.. 32 DIGITAL VIDEO ANALOG VIDEO

5
6

QC MON

SD100108 SD100506 SD100404 SD100601

SYNC/BLACK BURST

Value to Business
Automated switching has enabled high broadcast standards with minimized incidence of errors: and has eased stations broadcast operational systems. Entire TV Production,TV content management and broadcasting functions executed seamlessly and professionally Evolved a content management solution that has provided key competitive advantage (NB: Competitors still on Analogue TV Broadcast systems). Flexibility and Ease of monitoring several inputs/outputs provides for checking the video content before TX.

Project Impact
Enabled NTVU capture top market share in Uganda. (Less than 4yrs) NTVU known for its high quality broadcast signal, Seamless/ Smooth programme delivery Scheduling Flexibilities almost in real-time Efficient broadcast operations with reduced incidents of human errors and mistakes

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THANK YOU