Ensemble Designs 9400 3G Test Signal and Sync Pulse Generator - Manual (Page 13)

www.ensembledesigns.com Avenue 7400 and 9400 - Page 13
Model 7400 HD/SD and Model 9400 3G/HD/SD Sync Pulse Generator and Test Signal Generator
Timecode
How the Timecode is Generated
Each of the two (independent) SPG/TSGs on a 7400 or 9400 module has its own timecode generator.
The timecode generator will always run at the same frame rate as the SDI output of that SPG/TSG.
SDI Output TC Frame Rate VITC on SD Output Drop
720p/59.94 29.97 Frames/second* yes On or Off
720p/50 25 Frames/second* yes N/A
1080i/59.94 29.97 Frames/second yes On or Off
1080i/50 25 Frames/second yes N/A
1080sF/23.98 23.98 Frames/second no On or Off
1080sF/24 24 Frames/second no N/A
SD 525 29.97 Frames/second yes On or Off
SD 625 25 Frames/second yes N/A
*In these two cases, timecode identifies pairs of video frames, with field bit used to identify first and
second frames of each pair. This is because the legacy SMPTE 12M specification cannot accommodate
frame rates larger than 39Hz.
The user can “Jam” a specific time setting into the timecode generator. If the GPS option is installed, the
Timecode generator can be commanded to pick up current time of day. The Timecode generator can
be configured for drop or non-drop operation when running in the NTSC related frame rates.
Analog Timecode
There are four ways to have analog timecode, described as follows:
1. Route LTC (linear timecode) to user-programmable BNC 2 or 3. The signal will be 1 V P-P,
unbalanced (i.e., single ended). This is an analog timecode signal. Many devices want timecode on
a BNC.
2. Select LTC to appear as one of the module's analog audio output signals. This will be exactly the
same signal as when it is routed to a BNC, but it will be a balanced analog signal. It would appear
on the HD-15 connector as one of the four balanced audio outputs.
3. LTC can be selected as one of the audio signals to be embedded in the SDI output stream.
4. LTC can be selected as one of the audio signals to be output as AES on User Pgm Outputs 2 or 3.
You can output an analog timecode signal with any of the methods described above. The difference
between them is a choice between balanced or unbalanced. If you need to feed timecode to a device
with an XLR input, you would generally want to use the balanced output. However, it is also possible
to use the unbalanced through user-programmable BNC output and connect it to the destination with
a balancing transformer. This would be much like the DATS adaptors for AES.
The advantage of using the unbalanced BNC output is that you can run it through a 5150 Distribution
Amplifier to make more copies.