TRANSPORT TELETEXT AND CLOSED CAPTIONS WITH UP-DOWN-ATX 3G (December 2011)

Crystal Vision has added two new data handling features to its Up-Down-ATX 3G flagship up/down/cross converter, part of the company’s most successful range of products. The customer-requested new features are the transport of closed captions between different definitions and the transport of teletext data when down converting.

With the picture quality that broadcasters have standardised on and ideal for broadcast engineers that need to easily operate in HD and SD at the same time, Up-Down-ATX 3G allows flexible up, down and cross conversions between 3Gb/s, HD and SD sources and can perform two different conversions simultaneously – putting out co-timed dual outputs that remain constant in format (as either 3G/HD or SD), even if the input changes. It also includes four group audio handling with audio routing, aspect ratio conversion including AFD insertion and reading, timecode conversion and optional integrated fibre input/output connectivity.

The first new feature is the transport of teletext when down converting, supporting OP-47 which is a way for 50Hz video users to carry teletext data in HD or 3Gb/s video.

Up-Down-ATX 3G has always been able to transport teletext when up converting, taking the teletext data out of the analogue coded signal and putting the same data in the OP-47 data stream it creates. Teletext is often used for subtitles for the hard of hearing and therefore can be mandatory under equality legislation which requires it to be passed through the entire signal chain. With this in mind, Up-Down-ATX 3G can now also take the teletext data out of OP-47 packets and encode it as analogue waveforms on an SD output when down converting.

The second new feature is the transport of closed captions between the different definitions.

Closed captions provide additional or interpretive information to viewers who wish to access it – such as subtitles, audio description for the hearing-impaired and Spanish language programming – and are mandatory under US Federal Law for equal opportunity reasons. When down converting Up-Down-ATX 3G can take closed caption data from CEA-708 and output the corresponding CEA-608 waveform, while when up converting it will decode the CEA-608 waveform and insert the data into the appropriate section of CEA-708 on the 3G/HD output.

Both new features are available now. Existing customers can get the new features by updating their Up-Down-ATX 3G software and Statesman GUI – contact customer support on support@crystalvision.tv or +44 (0)1223 497049.