SHARC-XP AND VIVID PROVIDE ANSWER FOR CHANNEL 4'S GRAPHICS GENERATOR (September 2004)

Following the order from the BBC who used ShARC-XP during Euro 2004, Channel 4, another of the UK’s largest broadcasters, has also bought two of the new aspect ratio converters. They will be used to support the installation of PixelPower Clarity units for on-air presentation graphics playout.

All graphics elements are produced in 16:9 to reduce the amount of preparation required. However, the graphics will sometimes need to be used on 4:3 programme material, which is where ShARC-XP comes into use, converting the machine output to match. Crystal Vision’s newest ARC, which offers two horizontal conversions, will convert the live background input from 4:3 to 16:9 as it enters Clarity, to match the graphics output. The combined 16:9 output will then be converted back to 4:3 by ShARC-XP.

Also bought were four ViViD124 variable video delays. When in use, Clarity causes a two frame delay, and the ViViDs will be used to provide a matching frame delay when the graphics generator is switched out of the system to avoid a jump in timing.

Channel 4 also bought a 2U Indigo 2 frame to house the boards and will be controlling them through the use of GPIs.

Robert Luggar, Engineering Projects Manager of Channel 4 Television, commented “Both products were selected on the basis of functionality and good value for money. The development of ShARC-XP came at exactly the right time for this project.”