The picture quality and features that win evaluations

Up-Down-AS 3G allows flexible up, down and cross conversions between 3Gb/s, HD and SD sources, provides an output picture of exceptional quality and includes special features to allow studios to easily operate in HD and SD at the same time - with its ability to perform two different conversions simultaneously and give out co-timed dual outputs that remain unchanged in format, even if the input changes.

It also includes signal timing functionality, with the two downstream synchronisers allowing you to synchronise sources timed to a different reference or correct any processing delays while you are up or down converting.

Up-Down-AS 3G regularly wins evaluations on its output picture quality - with the quality so good that it has been specified by some broadcasters as their mandatory up/down/cross converter.

With ten Crystal Vision up/down/cross converters available, Up-Down-AS 3G is the converter to choose for applications involving up to four groups of embedded audio where signal timing is also required.

Which conversions can it do?

Picture processing when up and cross converting

The up and cross conversion uses motion adaptive video de-interlacing, which maximises the picture's vertical resolution while choosing the best processing method based on the video content.

On the up and cross conversion there is both adjustable detail enhancement and noise reduction.

Up converting will give an apparently softer picture and therefore adjustable detail enhancement allows the image to be sharpened without ringing, with the options of using either the Fine Detail Enhancement to apply sharpening to the entire image, or the Edge Enhancement to apply sharpening only to object edges. Noise reduction ensures that MPEG encoders do not waste unnecessary bandwidth on detail that is not really part of the picture.

Picture processing when down converting

Up-Down-AS 3G also features Crystal Vision's acclaimed proprietary down conversion, which avoids aliasing while retaining picture sharpness.

The sophisticated two dimensional filtering gives broadcast results without the complication of looking at multiple fields or movement detection - resulting in reliable, artefact-free conversion.

Four alternative vertical filter characteristics (sharpest, sharp, soft and softest) are additionally available for those who want to optimise the performance for their material when down converting.

Easy to maintain colour fidelity

For further picture improvements there's a video proc-amp, with RGB and YUV lift and gain controls allowing independent digital image adjustments in both the RGB and YUV domains to help maintain colour fidelity.

Create HD and SD copies of your feed: perform two conversions at the same time

The combination of project-winning picture quality and configurable dual outputs makes Up-Down-AS 3G a very special up/down/cross converter.

Up-Down-AS 3G can perform two conversions at the same time, with two separate converters on the board: one is used for the up and cross conversion, with the other used for the down conversion.

This makes it the perfect up/down/cross converter for the installations that work in multiple definitions: it allows them to simultaneously create HD and SD copies of a feed from this one board and so easily fulfil their requirement to offer both HD and SD programming.

Get co-timed dual outputs

Up-Down-AS 3G gives co-timed dual outputs, with two output groups - A and B. Each output group can be individually selected as either SD or 3G/HD, making it possible to configure both outputs as SD, both outputs as 3G/HD (720p, 1080i or 1080p), or one output as 3G/HD with the other as SD. If Outputs A and B are both selected as 3G or HD, then the outputs will be identical.

Providing two copies of Output A and three copies of Output B also reduces the need for additional distribution amplifiers in the system.

It's easy for the signals to all have the same timing: each output will either be converted from the input or given a matching delay as required - enabling the use of common audio.

No need to change your wiring if the input format changes

One of Up-Down-AS 3G's particularly powerful features is that it will constantly put out HD and SD on the same pins regardless of the input, thanks to its smart routing. Once set, the output selection will remain true irrespective of any change in the input format - which means you won't need to change your wiring.

Synchronise and convert at the same time

The key to keeping the output valid at all times is having an up/down converter followed by a synchroniser - and this is exactly what Up-Down-AS 3G does. In fact, it includes two synchronisers downstream of the converter - one in the 3G/HD path and one in the SD path.

This means that Up-Down-AS 3G gives a clean output even when the input standard changes. For example, if you have chosen to have both an SD and an HD output and the input changes between SD and HD, you will have continuous clean outputs of both SD and HD. Whatever format or timing the signal arrives with, you'll get timed signals in two desired formats to use in your system.

Cross-locking allows a 3Gb/s, HD or SD source to be referenced to either HD tri-level syncs or SD Black and Burst, while it is easy to compensate for mistimed sources elsewhere in the system with full vertical and horizontal timing adjustment between 0 and one frame, independently adjustable on each synchroniser.

Use it for any applications - including live playout

Up-Down-AS 3G can be used for any applications - including studio and live playout. It can reconfigure itself cleanly in a single frame blanking period should the input format change, with the aspect ratio able to be changed live on air.

Integrated fibre input or output connectivity - on the board

If you need to up and down convert signals from beyond your local equipment bay, it's easy to give Up-Down-AS 3G integrated fibre connectivity - and still only use a single frame slot. Just order either the FIP fibre input option or FOP fibre output option.

Designed for SMPTE 297-2006 short-haul applications the FIP and FOP use a Class I laser, with the FIP used to receive an optical input and the FOP to transmit an optical output. With a FIP fitted you can select your video input source to be taken either from the input BNC or the optical input.

Having the fibre integral to the board reduces the need to use up additional rack space for separate fibre optic transmitters and receivers - as well as saving you money.

Deal with any aspect ratio conversion requirements

Up-Down-AS 3G has the ability to deal with any aspect ratio conversion requirements when up and down converting.

When up converting there is the option of selecting a 16:9 Anamorphic conversion for 16:9 SD systems and either a 4:3 to 16:9 Pillarbox, 4:3 to 14:9 Pillarbox compromise, or 4:3 to 16:9 Full Screen for 4:3 SD systems.

When down converting you can select a 16:9 Anamorphic output for 16:9 SD systems and either a 16:9 to 4:3 Letterbox, 16:9 to 14:9 Letterbox compromise, or 16:9 to 4:3 Full Screen with centre cut for 4:3 SD systems.

Each of these aspect ratios can be individually adjusted away from the default values to create customised versions by using independent sets of size, position and crop controls.

Cope with both analogue and digital SD blanking widths

Up-Down-AS 3G also ensures the picture is the right shape at all times by coping with both analogue and digital SD blanking widths.

When analogue blanking width is selected, the Anamorphic conversion uses 702 pixesl of SD (rather than 720 pixels) to create the 1920 pixels of 1080i or 1080p, and all other aspect ratios are adjusted by a similar amount.

This prevents an HD signal having black lines down the side when up converting , and prevents SD signals from losing the sides of the picture when down converting.

Match video delays in your system

Up-Down-AS 3G can compensate for video delays generated by other equipment in your system. It provides up to two frames of video delay adjustable in both lines and pixels: on top of the minimum fixed delay of one frame minus 16 lines there is a fully flexible variable video delay of up to one frame plus 16 lines.

Use it with up to four audio groups

Up-Down-AS 3G can be used with up to four audio groups - making it ideal as your main signal path up/down/cross converter if you're working with embedded audio.

They will de-embed the four groups and convert them to the appropriate format before re-embedding them. A matching audio delay of up to one frame can be added to match the video conversion and so co-time the video and audio.

Flag up faulty video and audio signals

Up-Down-AS 3G has video and audio signal probe functionality making it useful for flagging up faulty signals, especially in multi-channel applications.

The status indications available are input missing, video black, video frozen, input incompatible, audio missing and audio silent, with Up-Down-AS 3G able to provide warnings of any problems via Statesman alarms or SNMP traps.

Video frozen and video black can be delayed before an alarm is asserted to prevent false alarming during brief video pauses. All audio parameters can be delayed before an alarm is asserted to prevent false alarming during quiet audio periods.

Timecode handling

Up-Down-AS 3G can pass Ancillary Timecode from the input to the output and use the ATC data to get the interlace phasing correct when down converting from 1080p or 720p.

Save rack space

Integration with the full Crystal Vision interface, keying and picture storage range is intentionally easy, with this space-saving 100mm x 266mm module housed alongside any other product in the standard frames - available in 4U, 2U, 1U and desk top box sizes - and with up to 12 boards fitting in 2U.

The inputs and outputs are accessed by using the RM41 or RM57 frame rear modules, with the RM57 designed for fibre applications.

By fitting a DA6 top board which gives six reclocked feeds of the input, Up-Down-AS 3G becomes a 'double decker' board and takes two frame slots, and requires an RM34 to be used with either the RM41 or RM57 to create a double height rear module.

Choose your control

The flexible control options include board edge switches, an active front panel on the frame, a remote control panel, SNMP and the Statesman PC software.