Studio Technologies 5150 V.3 - Manual (Page 7)

Model 5150 User Guide Issue 1, June 2013
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 7
Model 5150
Video Generator Module
Video Generation Capability
During typical operation an HD- or 3G-SDI
signal is connected to the Model 5150’s
SDI input. It’s then “passed through” to the
module’s SDI output and on to the next
part of the signal chain. But what happens
when the external SDI signal is not pres-
ent? That’s when the Model 5150’s internal
SDI generator becomes active. When a
signal is not present on the 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-
specific 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)
recognizes compatible FAT32 bitmap
(.bmp) files on the USB flash drive they will
be automatically 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 situations where the
Model 5150’s output is used in on-air
broadcast applications. When a signal
is removed from the module’s SDI input,
the Model 5150 will output a few seconds
of solid-gray color before the stored im-
age 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 image will be innocu-
ous 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
automatically detect and store that infor-
mation. From then on whenever an SDI
input signal is not present the internal
generator will output the custom image at
“1080i/59.94.” Changing the format and
rate of the generator only requires con-
nection of an SDI signal with the desired
characteristics. (A minimum required con-
nection time helps to ensure that an ac-
cidental format/rate change won’t occur.)
However, there may be situations where
maintaining the format and rate of the
internally-generated signal is important.
To support this condition one configuration
choice allows the automatic format/rate
selection function to be disabled.
Installation
Integration of the Model 5150 into a select-
ed application should prove quite simple,
only connecting SDI input and output
signals as well as DC power is required.