Graphic tools of DMS module system

By Alexander Peregudov

Review contents:

CGs yesterday, today and tomorrow Software and hardware tools for TV programs graphic branding Graphic tools of DMS module system The use of XDR2-GENSEC in the systems of regional air branding Akula VTM video compositing system. New model range — new features Profitt’s titling and air branding systems, clock and logo generators Overview of the systems based on extended version of Alpha Pro software X-CG character generator — good choice for titles creation TitleBox graphic manager Clock Station Leitch’s equipment for air branding Matrox InfonetTV Deko CGs from Pinnacle Systems Company Pixel Power equipment Stream Labs.’s video cards Videoprinter system for DSC video switchers Videonics titling machines

In many broadcasting applications of TV graphics tools the most critical are requirements like autonomous all-day work, network attacks protection and low setup time. Having many advantages the graphics tools on the PC platform doesn’t allow realizing these requirements. The alternative way is to use devices for creating and mixing graphics which are created on a base of specialized hardware and software processors.

DIP Company offers wide range of such processors combined into DMS (DIP Modular System) modular system for signal processing.

Modules for TV program graphic branding within DMS system are divided into several groups:

• Sensors of data for displaying;
• Generators of graphics image video signals;
• Generators/mixers of graphics image video signals.

Graphic modules are manufactured in similar to other DMS modules design which allows building on their base either universal or specialized system.

Design

DMS system modules are placed into 19" rack-mount frames with four (DMR-1U), eight (DMR-2U) and 17 (DMR-3U) slots. DMR-1U frame has one power supply while DMR-2U and DMR-3U frames have two redundant power supplies. The frames are equipped with cross card for connection of modules it terms of power feed and DMS-Bus internal control bus.

Frame with DMS modules

Modules consist of two parts: a main and cross over cards. On the main card (220×100 mm) electronic circuit and local control panel with knobs and LED indicators are placed. A cross over card (68×112 mm) carries a panel with connectors for external signal connections. Main cards of modules are inserted into a frame from front side and cross over cards are inserted from rear side of a frame. Modules in a frame are placed in any order and in any combination.

For remote control, module status monitoring and exchange data with external devices each frame is equipped with DMM2 interface adapter providing interconnection between DMS-Bus internal bus and external standard links like RS-232, RS-422, Ethernet.

Time sensors

There are two types of time sensors depending on signal type presented in DMS system which provide precise time information to the system. First one is MC1VL4-1 module. It uses first TV program signal where information about time transmitted in sixth line of blanking interval. Second module is MS 1SL4-1 is based on signal receiving from satellite navigation system GPS. This module bundled with receiving antenna which may be place up to 100 meters far from a base frame.

DMS module

The date in MC1VL4-1 module for the first time is set manually and in MS 1SL4-1 it is received from GPS packages. Both models have highly stable temperature stabilized generator and battery timer which are keeping time count in conditions of absence of the sources signals and when module power is switched off.

Both modules have identical control panels and they form output time signals in formats of LTC time code according to SMPTE 262M 1995 on four outputs. The data are transferred within user bits. Information about time/date also is transferred onto internal DMS-Bus and can be used by other modules installed in the same frame.

There is time server integrated into DMM2 adapter. It works on SNTP (Simple Network Time Protocol) according to RFC1769. in case of presence of time sensor in a frame network packages of a time are automatically tuned to time sensor installed in the same frame. Computers of local network with DMM2 connected to it can synchronize their system clocks via standard system means like TrueTime WinSync.

A sensor of atmosphere parameters

M-TPH module is designed for measuring of temperature, moisture and pressure of the environment. Appropriate sensors are included into delivery package. Data of measurements via internal DMS-Bus are directed to modules of graphic display generation. The same data via DMM2 adapter are fed into Ethernet local network where whey can be received by DIP Title Master Pro II, Line Master, Time9M software systems. When necessary of these data usage within other software applications a user is provided by data transfer protocol.

Text lines insertion module

Control panels for time (left), atmosphere parameters (center) and logo generator sensors

Number of applications related to air technical control and monitoring requires several text lines to be overlaid onto the TV image. For such purposes TI 1V2-1 was developed. It creates three text lines and mixes them into passing trough video signal. In standard configuration these three text lines contain date, time and channel name. In individual configuration it may be any other information — temperature, pressure etc. On-screen position is set independently for each line and saved in energy independent memory. Type and size of a font for display are downloaded via special software. Symbols have white color with black border and they are displayed and mixed in with antialiasing and alpha-channel.

A module has two built-in mixers. First one is for PAL mixing and second one — for SECAM operation. User can choose one of them via switcher on the card. In both variants there is no passing through video signal decoding and VBI information is preserved. Dynamical data for displaying are received by the module from appropriate sensors via internal DMS Bus through the RS-232, TCP/IP interfaces. In two last cases there is a need to install DMM2 adapter into the same frame containing TI 1V2-1 module.

Logo modules

In the table given there is general information about modules for logos creation and mixing in. First of all the modules are classified by types of video signals processed and by presence/absence of built-in mixer for logo mixing into passing through video signal. Control panel design is common for all modules. Rear panel has different view depending on video signals type.

Model	Signal format	Biult-in mixer	Ref. input	Fill and Key output	Monitor output	VBI bypass
LG 1D2-1	SDI D1	yes	bypass	no	PAL	yes
LG 1C1-1	YPrPb	yes	no	no	no	yes
LG 2P2-1	PAL, S-Video	yes	no	no	no	yes
LG 1S2-1	SECAM	yes	yes	no	PAL	yes
LG OD2-1	SDI D1	no	yes	double	PAL	-
LG OC1-1	YPrPb	no	yes	double	PAL	-
LG OP2-1	PAL, S-Video	no	yes	double	PAL	-

The common core for all variants is powerful graphic processor based on Intel 80386 with RAM for two TV frames. Processor works according to object-oriented graphics forming principle when the general graphic composition is being created on a base of separate images. Up to 10 independent compositions are allowed and each of them may contain up to 4 images. Total number of images can reach 40. An image presumes static and dynamic logos and digital date, time and atmosphere parameters values.

Logos, digital readings fonts and their places inside compositions are saved in the power independent memory of 800 KB in volume. Logos in the shape of digital counters are associated with background file chosen.

Modules of analog video signals form 720×576 graphic pictures with 32 bit color depth 8 of which are reserved for alpha-channel. Modules of digital video signals at the same picture resolution have 10 bit coding. Devices with built-in mixer work with no decoding of passing through video signals in full bandwidth and with preservation of TV text, test lines and other service information placed in the VBI interval.

LG 1D2-1 module has an internal digital SDI mixer which analyzes EDH flags in the input signal and recalculates them and embeds them into output signal with graphics overlaid.

The development of LG 1S2-1 module with overlaying of color graphics onto passing through SECAM signal is getting finished. Digital methods of signal decoding, mixing and generating are used.

Logo generators’ modules have Fill and Key outputs. Logos mixing in is performed either in external mixer of by use of mixer module from DMS range. In this case user can build systems which are optimal in terms of functionality and price.

With the need of mixing in the same logo into several TV channels one should use a single logo generator module and appropriate number of mixer modules. This kind of installation was realized in the RTR time zone broadcasting system. On the same RV channel in morning program it is possible to view current time displaying based on LG 0D2-1 module.

For generators programming specialized Logo Master software is offered. It operates in Windows95/98/NT/2000/XP environment. Logo’s graphic images are created by importing of mostly any format files including 32 bit resolution pictures. Digital counters fonts are being chosen from True Type font set. In the Logo Master window it is possible to define IP address of a frame containing logo generator and DMM2 adapter. From single Logo Master application it is possible to program several generators which are placed either in the same frame or in separate frames. Connection of computer to frames is performed via Ethernet local network infrastructure.

Material provided by DIP Company