Studio Technologies 5150 V.2 - Manual (Page 20)

Issue 3, September 2013 Model 5150 User Guide
Page 20 Studio Technologies, Inc.
Model 5150
Video Generator Module
The Model 5150 always provides an active
SDI signal on the coaxial (BNC) output.
Some Model 5150 versions also provide
an optical output. This is accomplished at
the factory by installing one of a variety of
available SFP optical modules in the back-
panel SFP “cage.” If an optical output is
present it will always be active and provide
an identical copy to the signal present on
the coaxial (BNC) output.
If a valid SDI signal is not connected to the
selected SDI input the custom image will
be present on the coaxial (BNC) output
and, if present, optical output. Depending
on the stored format and rate values, the
output will be either a 1280 x 720 pixel
(“720”) or 1920 x 1080 pixel (“1080”) fixed
image.
Stored Images
When a valid signal is not connected to the
selected SDI input, the module generates
one of two fixed images. The two images,
one “720” and one “1080,” are stored
in nonvolatile memory within the Model
5150. From the factory two images are pre-
loaded. The two are quite different from
one another with each having a unique
photo background and overlaid text. The
overlaid text provides support details
on how alternate custom images can be
created.
It’s expected that these pre-loaded images
will be replaced with application-specific
images. They can be easily created and
what they consist of is limited only by one’s
imagination. Refer to the Technical Notes
section of this guide for details.
Transitions between External
and Internal SDI Signals
This paragraph applies when the Model
5150 has been configured for normal SDI
input mode. Whenever a valid SDI signal
is connected to the selected Model 5150
input it will immediately be routed to the
coaxial (BNC) and, if present, optical SDI
outputs. The situation is a little different
when a valid signal that’s been connected
to the selected SDI input is subsequently
removed. When the Model 5150 detects
that an SDI input signal is no longer pres-
ent the SDI output switches to an image
with a solid-gray color. This color remains
active for approximately seven seconds as
a benign warning to users that the normal
SDI source is no longer present. During
this time period it’s expected that any on-
air use of the Model 5150’s output can be
terminated without alerting viewers that
anything is amiss. This gray image can
also be helpful as a marker when editing
recorded video. After the seven-second
interval has elapsed the internal generator
will output either the “720” or “1080” stored
image.
It’s important to note that the Model 5150
does not perform a smooth transition when
switching between an external SDI source
and the internal SDI generator. The same
holds true when the internal color or image
generator is active and then a valid source
is connected to the selected SDI input.
The SDI output does not stay “locked”
during the transition as the circuitry in the
Model 5150 was not designed to that level
of sophistication. This shouldn’t cause an
operational issue as the Model 5150 was
not designed to be “on air” during those
transitions; the changeover process is not
seamless by design. One can assume that