DACA214 AES to analogue audio converter

A space-saving way to convert AES to analogue audio

The DACA214 is a dual channel AES/EBU to analogue audio converter.

24 bit processing, excellent noise and distortion figures and Crystal Vision’s sophisticated audio error masking together create a truly high quality output.

The competitively priced DACA214 offers two independent channels on a 100mm x 266mm module, therefore allowing 24 channels in 2U and making it the perfect audio converter for applications where available rack space is limited.

Use it with 75 ohm or 110 ohm audio

AES inputs can be 110 ohm balanced, high impedance balanced or 75 ohm unbalanced.

The DACA214 can accept signals with sampling rates anywhere between 30kHz and 50kHz, although a clock rate of 48kHz tends to be the case for most applications. Each input has a clock regenerator for 48kHz signals to ensure low distortion conversion and the highest quality output.

Adjust the audio level

Analogue audio output levels are conveniently preset to give either +18dBu or +24dBu for 0dBFS digital (the most common audio levels within television stations), or can be continuously adjusted from +12dBu to +28dBu.

Useful features

Other useful features include the option to swap stereo channels 1 and 2 and the ability to invert the phase of the right hand channel to correct phasing errors.

The DACA214 can even be converted to single channel operation if multiple outputs from a single stereo input are required.

A stereo headphone jack at the front of the board allows you to easily monitor the contents of each stereo pair.

Get the outputs you need

DACA214 is a 100mm x 266mm module which fits in Crystal Vision's Indigo frames, available in 2U, 1U and desk top box sizes – with up to 12 boards fitting in 2U.

It can be used with three different frame rear modules (the RM03, RM11 and RM12), with each giving two analogue stereo outputs per channel.

The RM03 and RM11 are used for 110 ohm AES inputs and the RM12 for 75 ohm.

Flexible control

There is a choice of control and status monitoring options to suit all tastes, including board edge, an integrated control panel on the AE frame, the VisionPanel remote control panel, SNMP, our ASCII and JSON protocols, the Statesman Lite PC Control System or the VisionWeb web browser control. Try the DACA214 VisionWeb demo...

GPI outputs can be set to raise an alarm on loss of AES input or sustained silence. The duration of silence before a warning is given can be programmed from 1.5 seconds to 120 seconds in eight second steps.

MECHANICAL

Standard Crystal Vision module 266mm x 100mm

Weight: 200g

Power consumption: 6.25 Watts

AUDIO INPUTS

Two 24 bit stereo pairs

AES3 110 ohm (balanced) D-Type, or AES3-id (unbalanced) 75 ohm BNC. Set by on-board jumper links to 75 ohm, 110 ohm or high impedance for multiple units on a single feed

Works with any sampling rates between 30kHz and 50kHz, usually 32, 44.1 and 48kHz. Clock regeneration for 48kHz

AUDIO OUTPUTS

Maximum of two analogue stereo outputs per channel using RM03, RM11 and RM12 frame rear modules

Low impedance balanced (66 ohm) output

Can convert to single channel operation if extra outputs from single input required

Level Range: 0dBFS = +28dBu max; 0dBFS = +12dBu min

Factory set default: 0dBFS = +18dBu and +24dBu by on-board link

Signal to noise: Weighted better than -98dB

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): <.0025% at +18dBu/+24dBu (48kHz crystal mode)

Interchannel crosstalk: <-110dB

Frequency response: +/- 0.1dB 20Hz to 20kHz

DELAY THROUGH BOARD

100ns

GPI INPUT LEVELS

Active pull to ground, pulled up to +5V through 10 kohm

GPI OUTPUT LEVELS

Electrically: Open collector transistors 30V, 270 ohm current limit resistors. Pulled up to +5V through 6800 ohm

GPI INPUTS

Select 48kHz crystal or auto frequency on AES input 1

Select 48kHz crystal or auto frequency on AES input 2

Swap channels 1 and 2

Single stereo (all outputs from AES input 1)

GPI OUTPUTS

AES errors (one per channel)

Error can be set to include sustained silence. Set period of silence before indication from 1.5 to 120 seconds in eight second increments

LED INDICATION OF:

Power supplies on board

AES input present

AES silent

Sample rate

Remote control

LOCAL CONTROL

Options and silence indication delay set by switches at board edge

REMOTE CONTROL

Software:

VisionWeb Control is available via the web server on the frame and allows operation using a standard web browser on a computer, tablet or phone

Statesman Lite allows control from any PC on a network

SNMP monitoring and control available as a frame option

Control using ASCII and JSON protocols

Hardware:

Control from integrated control panel on Indigo 1AE-DP frame

Control from VisionPanel 3U remote panel

 

Signal inputs and outputs are accessed by using an appropriate rear module.

The Indigo rear modules slot on to the back of the frame and typically feature BNC, D-Type, RJ45 and optical connectors. The single and double slot rear modules can be used with all three frame sizes, while the quad slot rear modules just fit the 2U frames.

There are three rear modules available for the DACA214...

RM03 rear module label and connections

RM11 rear module label and connections

RM12 rear module label and connections

For more visual technical information, download the DACA214 block diagram.

First you need the 100mm x 266mm module...

DACA214

24 bit dual channel AES to analogue audio converter

Next choose your frame size and power supplies - from 2U to desk top box...

Indigo 2SE

CoolFlow 2U frame with power supply redundancy and active front panel featuring smart CPU for up to 12 Crystal Vision modules. Allows Ethernet connection to a PC

Indigo 1AE-DP

1U frame with power supply redundancy and active front panel featuring smart CPU and integrated control panel for up to six Crystal Vision modules. Includes two fixed PS-80i power supplies. Allows Ethernet connection to a PC

Indigo 1SE-DP

1U frame with power supply redundancy and active front panel featuring smart CPU for up to six Crystal Vision modules. Includes two fixed PS-80i power supplies. Allows Ethernet connection to a PC

Indigo DT

Desk top box with passive front panel for up to two Crystal Vision modules. Includes fixed power supply

Indigo DTSE

Desk top box with active front panel featuring smart CPU for up to two Crystal Vision modules. Includes fixed power supply. Allows Ethernet connection to a PC

PSU-160i

160 Watts power supply for Indigo 2SE frame. Requires either one PSU-160i (no redundancy) or two PSU-160i if power supply redundancy is required

You need a rear module to access your inputs and outputs...

RM03

Single slot frame rear module. Allows maximum number of DACA214 in frame (12 in 2U, six in 1U, two in desk top box). Gives access to two 110 ohm AES inputs and two analogue audio outputs per channel

RM11

Single slot frame rear module. Allows maximum number of DACA214 in frame (12 in 2U, six in 1U, two in desk top box). Gives access to two 110 ohm AES inputs and two analogue audio outputs per channel

RM12

Single slot frame rear module. Allows maximum number of DACA214 in frame (12 in 2U, six in 1U, two in desk top box). Gives access to two 75 ohm AES inputs and two analogue audio outputs per channel

Finally - control. Complimentary options include board edge switches, the integrated control panel if you've selected the 1AE-DP frame, the VisionWeb web browser control and our ASCII and JSON protocols. Alternatively order one of the items below...

VisionPanel

3U Ethernet remote control panel with touch screen

Statesman Lite

Free-of-charge PC Control System - download the latest version

SNMP

SNMP monitoring and control available as a frame option

 

Users of the DACA214 digital to analogue audio converter include...

ABN (Malaysia) Alter Ego Media S.A. (Greece) Atos/Siemens (UK) AVC (UK) BBC (UK) BBC Northern Ireland (UK) BBC Scotland (UK) BBC Studioworks (UK) BFE Studio (Austria) Boffins Technologies AB (Sweden) Bonito TV (Germany) CAST (UK) Channel 4 (UK) Czech TV (Czech Republic) dB Broadcast (UK) Dega Broadcast Systems (UK) FAL Systems (UK) Fifa Studios (Switzerland) Foss Productions (Greece) Fountain Studios (UK) HTV - Ho Chi Minh City Television (Vietnam) IPE (UK) ITV (UK) JVC (Nigeria) Kontra (Greece) Open TV (Greece) ORF (Austria) Puls 4 (Austria) QVC (UK) RTM - Radio Televisyen Malaysia (Malaysia) RTP (Portugal) RUV (Iceland)

SKAI TV (Greece) Studios A/S (Denmark) STV (UK) Survision Satelite (Spain) SZTV - Szombathelyi Televízió (Hungary) Teletech (Japan) Teltechco (Vietnam) Televideo (UK) The Hospital Club (UK) The London Studios (UK) TRT (Turkey) TV 2 (Denmark) TV Skyline (Germany) Universal Media Services (USA) University of East Anglia (UK) VSC Design (UK) Westminster Live (UK) WIN Television (Australia) WXXV-TV (USA)