The Smart DA brings a new level of intelligence to SDI distribution.

In addition to producing eight reclocked outputs, this low-cost SDI distribution amplifier will monitor the video and embedded audio and provide warnings should any problems occur.

The Smart DA is an essential tool for the broadcast engineer. You can use it as a signal probe, a distribution amplifier or both!

The status of the signal can be viewed by using the 100mm x 266mm module in conjunction with the Statesman PC software. The Smart DA GUI is split into two sections, with one tab showing the current status and the other the set-up screen.

The status indications available are plentiful and include input present, input standard, video black, video frozen, audio group present, audio silence, EDH missing, EDH full field error and EDH active picture error. Also included are latched EDH errors, allowing you to check for any errors over a period of time.

The status is additionally indicated on board edge LEDs.

Along with the status indications, the Smart DA can also provide warnings of any problems using either GPI or Statesman alarms.

GPI 1 and GPI 2 can be configured to show an alarm condition for any individual or group of error conditions.

For those using Statesman alarms, you can choose to be notified of a problem in a way that suits you, with options including a flashing title bar, a sound, a pop-up dialog box on another networked PC or an e-mail message.

Warnings of video absent or audio absent are instant, while a black picture, frozen picture, or silent audio will trigger an alarm following a user selectable delay of up to 240 seconds. There are also three EDH alarms: EDH error found here, no EDH packet and EDH error rate exceeds threshold.

The Smart DA is housed in the standard frames and can be used with three different frame rear modules to suit your individual application, with the RM01 giving five SDI outputs and the RM02 and RM18 both giving the maximum eight.

The Smart DA is ideal for engineers who need a simple signal probe or for large systems needing immediate indication of signal or transmission problems, especially in unmanned automatic playout facilities.