Up-and-down-A is a combined up/down/cross converter for anyone working with embedded audio sources.

Ideal for studio or transmission applications, it will pass two groups of embedded audio, de-embedding the two lowest numbered groups and converting them to the appropriate format before re-embedding them on groups 1 and 2 of the output. Four audio groups can be passed in bypass mode.

Whether you're working in 720p or 1080i, 50Hz or 59.94Hz, Up-and-down-A has all the features you need to be able to work at the highest possible level in any definition.

Up-and-down-A incorporates a number of processing features to ensure that its performance is so outstanding that many broadcasters have declared it to be the best they have ever seen.

Scaling a picture up or down can be complex with the best results generally obtained by using different techniques depending on whether the video contains slow or fast moving images.

Thanks to motion adaptive video de-interlacing which maximises the picture's vertical resolution, Up-and-down-A will handle anything - choosing the best processing method based on the video content with the result that the output picture always appears smooth and natural-looking.

Up converting from SD to HD will give an apparently softer picture, therefore the adjustable detail enhancement feature allows the image to be sharpened.

As well as the required colour space conversion from SD to HD, there is full RGB adjustment of contrast and brightness.

Furthermore, to maintain the best picture quality the board will automatically enter bypass mode when the input is the same as the selected output standard.

High Definition is always 16:9 but Standard Definition can be 16:9 or 4:3, and Up-and-down-A will look after any aspect ratio conversion requirements when up or down converting.

When converting from HD to 4:3 SD or from 4:3 SD to HD, the final aspect ratio can be selected from four preset formats: Full image (the full source with black bands), Compromise (a 14:9 compromise), Fill screen (a centre cut) or Anamorphic.

Up-and-down-A additionally includes a fully flexible 10 bit aspect ratio converer for SD to SD applications.

Featuring presets for the six standard conversions to show a 16:9 source on a 4:3 monitor (16:9 to 4:3 Letterbox, 16:9 to 14:9 Letterbox and 16:9 to 4:3 Full Screen) and a 4:3 source on a 16:9 monitor (4:3 to 16:9 Pillarbox, 4:3 to 14:9 Pillarbox and 4:3 to 16:9 Full Screen), it also allows the creation of custom aspect ratios with continuous picture compression or expansion in line and pixel increments up to plus or minus 100 lines and pixels.

Vertical and horizontal offsets of the picture bring extra flexibility and allow the easy addition of subtitles, while vertical and horizontal cropping of up to 31 lines and 31 pixels is ideal for removing unwanted material from the edges of the picture.

Up-and-down-A can pass closed captions on line 21 in 525 line applications and can either pass or blank widescreen signalling on line 23 in 625 line. Video Indexing can be generated and used to control conversion.

Intuitive to set up and operate, Up-and-down-A offers the full range of control options - with the choice of Crystal Vision's intuitive board edge interface, an active front panel on the frame, a remote control panel, SNMP or the Statesman PC control system.

Features are incorporated to help make your life easier, including auto detection of input standard which will ensure the output is always in the desired format, whatever the input. Time can also be saved using the sixteen set ups which can be stored for later recall.

Interfacing between the HD and SD worlds couldn't be easier. Fitting in the standard frames alongside any other product from the range, this 100mm x 266mm module uses minimum rack space leaving plenty of room for all the other equipment you need.

Two HD or SD outputs along with two reclocked input loop-throughs are available by using the RM34 rear module.

Whether you're converting a Standard Definition area to HD, passing signals between HD and SD areas, using SD equipment within an HD area or creating a version of a programme in a different definition, Up-and-down-A is exactly what you need.