The use of XDR2-GENSEC in the systems of regional air branding

By Andrey Yakubovich

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

Within diversity of video editing systems it is important to specially accent on systems of regional air “further branding” and especially those systems which allow in a process of translation of incoming signal from central station performing full screen inserts (clips playout) or part screen ones (titles, logos, clock overlay etc.).

What are the main features? In the modern master control room storage of native material and its processing are performed in digital form and all systems for editing, titling etc. are interconnected by common synchronization system. Right here coding of information packet in vertical blanking interval and test lines forming is occurred. In difference with master control room of central station in the regional facility of air branding the video material is fed, in most cases, in analog form and it is not synchronized with studio equipment.

The easiest solution may be decoding of input signal, its conversion into digital format, synchronization with studio equipment, processing and coding back to analog format. I. e. making task similar to previous one.

But it is necessary to remember that if video signal in digital format can be passed through any number of devices without quality degradation than each analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion in principle cause signal quality degradation. And deal is totally bad when SECAM video signal is used as a source. The peculiarity of chrominance component of SECAM signal doesn’t allow extracting luminance component in full bandwidth. So the easiest solutions evidently leads to unacceptable quality drop and cannot be recommended. Essential matter is that in this case information transferred in the vertical blanking interval will be lost without recovery possibility.

For titling of analog video signal and its quality preservation the line switcher can be used.

The possibilities of use of analog switcher in PAL and SECAM system are principally different. For example in PAL system replacement of a line part of any length is possible. And part of a line saved will be carrying native image. Otherwise in SECAM system replacement of random part of a line and fragments saving will lead to chrominance coding corruption which requires replacing a whole line.

Programs re-broadcasting structure

“Decoding — processing — coding” scheme

Keeping in mind all described above the ITM Company has developed regional switcher for advertisement insertion named XDR2-GENSEC. It is designed for use within SECAM video signal re-broadcasting.

The switcher has four video inputs (one is Ref input for re-broadcasted SECAM signal and three others for studio sources) and four audio inputs and presumes use according to the following scheme.

There are three main XDR2-GENSEC operation modes available: SECAM video signal re-broadcasting, full replacement and partial replacement of picture. In any mode XDR2-GENSEC forms SECAM video signal on the output which is synchronous to reference signal by fields, lines and “red/blue line” sequence and with any control command mode switching occurs with no output video signal synchronization violation.

Line switcher operation principle

It is presumed that on reference input SECAM video signal is always present and there is no need in studio sources synchronization and they may operate in either PAL or SECAM color coding system. The possibility of previous programming of switcher’s operating mode allows choosing for re-broadcasting any of input audio signals in any of operating modes.

XDR2-GENSEC

In re-broadcasting mode of XDR2-GENSEC a key position equal to “1” provides passing of all lines (lines of vertical blanking interval and active lines containing video picture) of analog SECAM video signal. Image quality preservation is provided by absence of any conversion, filtering etc.

In image replacement mode (fully or partly) during frame scanning the key works in such way that it provides passing of vertical blanking interval from reference input and active lines (all of them or several ones) from the inputs of pre-selected studio source.

Typical XDR2-GENSEC’s router connection scheme

For each XDR2 operating mode it is necessary to setup its configuration menu (profile) in which one can assign video and audio signals inputs, key control template, logo presence and position etc.

For instance for all of operating modes mentioned above it is essential to setup three profiles (there can be defined and saved in the power independent memory up to 16 profiles, 4 of which are accessible from knobs located on the XDR2-GENSEC front panel). When configuration is completed the XDR2-GENSEC operation mode choosing is performed by a single command: either by pressing a knob on a front panel or via RS-232 from computer.

In the passing through re-broadcasting mode the controllable key “selects” all lines of video signal fed to reference input (an area of lines selected by key is shown by “}” symbol). In this mode video signal processing parameters (luminance, contrast, saturation, logo position etc) don’t affect output video signal.

In full image replacement mode the output signal is being formed of vertical blanking interval lines of video signal fed to reference input plus active video lines (image lines) fed to input “1” as described in given example. Besides logo image is mixed into output video signal (in the upper right corner of a screen) and its presence and position are defined by programming of appropriate parameters of profile used. This mode is designed for insertion of full screen regional advertisement into free time slots in central programs.

XDR2-GENSEC’s working modes illustration

And, finally, in a mode of partial image replacement onto XDR2-GENSEC output VBI lines and the main part of image of re-broadcasted video signal from reference input are fed while on remaining bottom part of screen image from input “2” is displayed. In this part of screen logo image can be displayed (with any horizontal position but strongly lower than division line). Such configuration allows output static and dynamic logos and crawl without central program broadcasting interruption.

For building of playout automation system it is enough to connect XDR2_GENSEC to multimedia PC. In this case system control is conducted by PlayXDR software working under OS Windows95/98/ME/XP in automated (pre-prepared play lists executing) or semi-automated (with operator’s confirmation) mode.

PlayXDR user interface

The software allows forming daily task schedules of different types. In given example “Daily”, “Holiday” and “Sunday” task lists are used. In current “Daily” list one has defined executing time (“Time” field), selected XDR2-GENSEC profile (“Profile” field), comment (text line), multimedia file for playout (“File” field).

Monthly task list consists of daily task lists sequence each of which will be executed upon defined date.

So XDR2-GENSEC allows creation of automated complex for regional air branding, regional advertisement insertion and crawl/logo overlay. The peculiarities of such complex are re-broadcasted SECAM signal quality and VBI data preservation.

Material provided by ITM Company