Studio Technologies 5150 V.2 - Manual (Page 7)

Model 5150 User Guide Issue 3, September 2013
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 7
Model 5150
Video Generator Module
Optical Fiber Support
Factory-implemented options allow the
Model 5150 to support SDI signals that
are transported using single-mode optical
fibers. Using video SFP modules a range
of optical input, output, and transceiver
capabilities can be supported. For a list
of available Model 5150 versions refer to
Appendix A.
The standard 1310 nanometer optical
transmit wavelength is available, as are
the more-esoteric CWDM wavelengths. A
module that includes an optical SDI output
will always have its optical output active,
transporting the same SDI data as that
present on the coaxial (BNC) output. When
a Model 5150 has been provided with an
optical SDI input a configuration choice
selects whether it, or the coaxial (BNC)
input, is active.
Video Generation Capability
During typical operation an HD- or 3G-SDI
signal is connected to the Model 5150’s
selected SDI input. It’s then “passed
through” to the module’s SDI output(s)
and on to the next part of the signal chain.
But what happens when the external SDI
signal is not present? That’s when the
Model 5150’s internal SDI generator be-
comes active. When a signal is not present
on the selected SDI input the module will
generate a high-definition (HD- or 3G-SDI)
image that will serve as a “slate,” ID, or
“SDI-active” signal.
From the factory two bitmap (.bmp) image
files are stored in nonvolatile memory. One
file is used for generating the image for
1280 x 720 pixel formats and the other for
1920 x 1080 pixel formats. But alternate
bitmap image files can be created and
stored in the Model 5150. These alternate
images can supply site- or application-spe-
cific information useful to “downstream”
users. Using a personal-computer graph-
ics program, such as Microsoft® Paint® or
Adobe® Photoshop®, generating custom
images and storing them in the appropriate
bitmap format is a simple matter.
A USB port, located on the Model 5150’s
front panel, allows direct connection of
a standard USB flash drive. If the Model
5150’s firmware (embedded software) rec-
ognizes compatible FAT32 bitmap (.bmp)
files on the USB flash drive they will be au-
tomatically loaded into nonvolatile memory.
The USB flash drive can then be removed
with the custom images safely stored within
the Model 5150.
One subtle but important feature has been
included for broadcast applications which
use the Model 5150’s SDI output(s) “on-
air.” When an SDI signal is removed from
the module’s selected SDI input, the Model
5150 will output a few seconds of solid-
gray color before the stored image appears.
This will help to ensure that technicians or
operators will be visually “warned” that the
module’s input signal has been lost and
that the custom image will soon be taking
its place. It’s hoped that the gray video im-
age will be innocuous for on-air viewers yet
different enough to encourage operators to
switch the module’s output away from being
“on air.”
A unique feature of the Model 5150 is its
ability to automatically adapt to the format
and rate of a connected SDI signal. This
allows the custom image to be output at
the same format and rate as that used by
the associated network, local facility, or
event. If, for example, a connected input is
“1080i/59.94” then the Model 5150 will auto-
matically detect and store that information.