CHAMPAIGN, Ill.—Cobalt Digital will showcase new additions to its end-to-end IPMX and SMPTE ST 2110 ecosystem, including new standalone processors, IPMX-native audio monitoring, multiviewers, gateways and mini-converters, at the 2026 NAB Show, April 18-22, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The company will introduce blueCORE multi-function standalone signal processing in 1RU. Cobalt blueCORE is a family of processors offering a touchscreen interface for local configuration with color correction, 3D-LUTs, audio embedding, de-embedding and routing, SCTE-104 insertion, logo insertion and other features.

The family of devices supports SDI inputs and outputs (both copper and fiber) and four channels of processing up to 3G, while offering access to ST 2110/IPMX inputs and outputs, which makes the processor well-suited to the needs of organizations transitioning their infrastructures to IP. The device also supports 4K processing and Dolby processing with an optional DSP card.

The company has also show added ST 2110/IPMX output and demodulator options for the COBALT PACIFIC ULL-DEC upgradeable software-defined broadcast decoder. The option enables simultaneous availability of the decoded content over SDI and ST 2110/IPMX. For ST 2110 operation, a built-in frame sync will emit a PTP-locked signal.

The company will also unveil a DVB-S/S2 factory-installed demodulator option that allows decoding and passthrough of satellite signals on ASI and over IP.

In response to the FCC action requiring the remainder of C-Band spectrum to be auctioned, Cobalt has added support for hybrid satellite-internet operation to the COBALT PACIFIC compression line that is compliant with VSR TR-06-4 Part 7. In this mode, satellite is used for bulk distribution, and the Internet is used to recover any lost packets, allowing the use of Ku and Ka bands for distribution.

Cobalt is also introducing fixed-function openGear cards designed as cost-effective entry points with license-based expansion for scalability as workflows evolve.

The new 9925-FSx frame sync openGear card is an entry level one path frame sync card that supports license upgrades up to four paths per card and an audio processing license upgrade for AES, MADI and DANTE 64 support.

The new 9981-LUTx Color Processor openGear card is an entry-level color processing card that supports license upgrades up to four paths per card along with options including: SCALER, BBC LUT, COLOR, 4K, LOGO and ANC.

The company also plans to feature the ARIA AUD-MON, an IPMX-compliant audio monitor built to support migration toward IP-based operations. It features best-in-class sound monitoring and 16 SDI or 64 MADI metering from a compact rack-mount form-factor. Sound is produced by an efficient Class-D amplifier with DSP and specially selected speaker components.

The company will also showcase its:

• COBALT UltraBlue MV-SW multiviewer, available as both a turnkey solution with four HDMI heads, or as a software package that runs on customer-supplied dedicated hardware.
• COBALT SAPPHIRE ST 2110 mini converter family of IPMX-capable standalone mini converters available in single, dual and quad channel configurations.
• COBALT INDIGO gateways offering on- and off-ramp support between IP and SDI for IPMX and ST 2110.

See Cobalt Digital at 2026 NAB Booth N1340

More information is available on the company’s website.

YANG QUAN CITY, China—Yangquan TV, a government-run broadcaster, has rolled out a new outside broadcast (OB) truck optimized for 4K to meet the growing appetite among viewers for higher resolution sports coverage.

The truck, outfitted with a complement of Cobalt Digital 12G and HD openGear modules, will help enhance how viewers engage with sports programming, said Mr. Hu li, general engineer at Yangquan TV.

“The migration from 1080i HD transmission and acquisition to 4K and 3G HD is starting to gain traction all over China,” he said. “Cobalt’s solutions brought us the latest advances in these technologies for enhanced resolution, which leads to an elevated entertainment experience for our viewers and ultimately attracts better advertising prospects.”

The new OB truck uses Cobalt’s 9971-MV18 expandable UHD multiviewers for flexible 4K monitoring. It also relies on the company’s 9904-UDX-4K up and down converter. The device is a next-generation advanced scaler/frame synchronizer for the openGear platform, offering simultaneous HDR and SDR production from a single path. This approach offers operators a dynamic means to map HDR color space onto an SDR color space.

The truck also used Cobalt’s 9915DA quad-channel multirate reclocking distribution amplifier (DA) for crosspoint routing up to 16 DA outputs.

“We conducted a thorough evaluation of competing solutions for these significant projects and found Cobalt’s products provided the perfect solutions for us, both in the 4K truck and in the news studio,” said Mr. Hu li. “The 12G system in the truck addresses all the requirements of 4K production and is even compatible with legacy HD formats through the company’s up/down/cross conversion solutions.”

Yangquan TV tapped Cobalt solutions to migrate to 3G in its new news studio, which went on air at the end of last year.

The broadcaster installed Cobalt’s 9902-2UDX 3G/HD/SD-SDI dual-channel up-down-cross converter/frame sync/audio embed/de-embed in the studio as well as the 9903 universal format converter, and the 9910DA-AV analog video distribution amplifier. 

More information is on the Cobalt Digital website.  

CHAMPAIGN, Ill.—Cobalt Digital is expanding its openGear product offering with the announcement that it has acquired the IP and manufacturing rights to multiple Ward-Beck openGear cards.

The Ward-Beck products being integrated into the Cobalt lineup include analog audio and video distribution amplifiers, audio analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog converters and single card rear modules in numerous three-pin terminal block configurations.

“We’ve always held Ward-Beck in the highest esteem and have respected the integrity of the company and quality of its equipment," said Chris Shaw, Cobalt executive vice president of Sales and Marketing. “We are honored that Kevin Lyver and his team have passed the mantle to Cobalt to keep these modules viable and available in the marketplace. We are delighted to add them to the Cobalt family of products and be able to serve an extended marketplace.”

Ward-Beck ceased operations on Jan. 31, but the company will provide support and assistance during the transition period, according to the Cobalt announcement.

For more information, visit www.cobaltdigital.com.  

CHAMPAIGN, Ill.—Cobalt Digital has launched the new 9905-MPx next generation scaler, frame synchronizer and audio embedder and de-embedder for the openGear platform. 

Developed based on the response from the company’s customers, the 9905-MPx offers quad path up/down/cross-conversion as well as frame synchronization, the company said. 

“Cobalt has been building products since 1997 based not only on current industry demand, but also by anticipating requirements driven by emerging technologies,” said Chris Shaw, Cobalt senior vice president of sales and marketing.

“This time the customers asked for increased density, unprecedented multi-input support and enhanced flexibility, and we happily complied with the 9905-MPx.”

The 9905-MPx, which supports 480i, 576i, 720p, 1080i, 1080pSF and 1080p, offers four independent signal paths of UDX, frame sync and audio embedding and de-embedding in a single openGear card. Each of the card’s four audio channels supports AES and MADI embedding and de-embedding, Cobalt Digital said.

Used with the Cobalt HPF-9000 20-slot chassis, the 9905-MPx provides up to 24 channels (six cards) of processing in a single frame, the company said.

The unit’s independent up/down/cross convert scalers are designed for broadcast video formats, with full ARC control suitable for conversions to or from 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios. Discrete AES and MADI audio embedding/routing/mixing/de-embedding to any of four processing paths is supported. Color correction and 3D LUT functions provide accommodation of SDR and HDR processing for downstream HDR systems, the company said.

Card control and monitoring is available via a DashBoard user interface or Cobalt’s RESTful-based Reflex protocol. The 9905-MPx can be software-converted to a 4K Quad-Link Input SDM/2SI 4K UDX/Frame Sync card with an optional software license.

More information is available on the company’s website.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill.—Cobalt announced the release of an ultra-low latency mode for its 9992-ENC software-defined broadcast encoder card series.

The new mode combines parallel processing with GDR (Gradual Decoder Refresh) and a suitable CPB (Coded Picture Buffer) to achieve encoder latencies as low as 10 milliseconds, which makes the device well-suited for broadcast applications, such as sports and news, Cobalt Digital said.

“In any sort of video compression, there is a tradeoff between three variables: latency, quality and bitrate.  Essentially, any two of these can be optimized at the expense of the third,” said Cobalt Executive Vice President of engineering Ciro Noronha.

The Cobalt 9992-ENC has always offered users a way to select the desired operating point that best meets their needs. Most relevant to latency are CPB delay and the use of GDR, which before the new mode enabled a range of latencies from as little as 100 milliseconds to more than one second for high-quality at a low bitrate, said Noronha. 

The new ultra-low latency mode reduces latency to as little as 10 milliseconds, he added, noting that this latency is lower than the intrinsic latency of the audio encoders typically used. As a result, the 9992-ENC offers LPCM audio support to bypass them.

Cobalt also has released updated firmware for its 9992-DEC with tunable latency.  When combined with the 9992-ENC, end-to-end latencies of about 100ms are achievable in HEVC mode, and about 300ms in AVC mode.

More information is available on the company’s website.

CHAMPAIGN, ILL.—Cobalt will be on the NAB Show New York exhibit floor looking to give attendees a peek at a number of its products, including a new multiviewer, channel integrator and encoder/decoder products.

9971-MV-4K

The 9971-MV-4K multiviewer will be front and center in Cobalt’s booth, showcasing a 4K display at full resolution with 20 images. Also new is the 9904-UDX-4K, which will demonstrate HD-SDI to 12G-SDI UpConversion and SDR to HDR UpMapping.

The 9902-UDX-DSP-CI channel integrator is also slated to be shown at the show, representing Cobalt’s audio, video and metadata ability in a single openGear card that can be optioned with fiber optic I/O or SMPTE 2022-6 or 2110 in or out. The base unit performs A-to-D and D-to-A conversion for video and audio, and is also a 3G/HD/SD-SDI audio embedder and de-embedder, frame sync and up/down/cross converter. The system supports standards conversion and color correction, EAS crawl insertion and Dolby encoding with loudness processing.

For encoder and decoder systems, Cobalt will have the Fast-Stream OTT platform. The company has added integration with Mediaware’s InStream Splice insertion software to offer and end-to-end baseband frame-accurate SCTE 104 insertion and H.264 streaming encoder package with server based content insertion.

All of these products will be on display at Cobalt’s booth, N443.

LAS VEGAS—At the 2017 NAB Show, Cobalt Digital will spotlight the 9991-SDI-TO-IP-10GE IP Encapsulator, which offers SDI to IP, AES and analog audio embedding/de-embedding capabilities. Also, the 9991-IP-TO-SDI-10GE De-Encapsulator offers SMPTE 2022-6 or 2110 IP-to-SDI, as well as AES and analog audio embedding/de-embedding. It is also now available as part of the Blue Box Group of compact, rugged, and portable converter boxes.

Cobalt Digital will also show the 9904-UDX-4K, an advanced scaler and image processor capable of handling 4K over a single 12G-SDI connector or processing four independent 3G-SDI channels. It has two HDMI 2.0 outputs for monitoring.

For 4K distribution, Cobalt offers six 12G/3G/HD/SD equalized, re-clocked outputs, ideal for increasing the distance a 4K signal can travel over a single copper wire. It is now available in a Blue Box Group small throw down format.

Cobalt will also have the 9971-MV6-4K multiviewer, a cost effective means of driving evaluation grade monitors and leveraging 4K prosumer/consumer monitors to provide more pixel space to your source signals, while maintaining the original picture information.

The Cobalt RP-168 offers clean switching on the outputs of the 9941-RTR series of SDI/ASI/MADI routers for the openGear form factor. The 9941-RTR series provides a high-density card-based solution within the openGear platform.

Other Cobalt products to be featured at the show are: unified control interfaces for larger multiviewers, HDMI/SDI media converters and the FAST-STREAM Frame Accurate SCTE Trigger insertion and enhanced H.264 streaming platform.

The 2017 NAB Show takes place in Las Vegas, April 24-27. Cobalt Digitalwill be in boothN3308. For more information, visit www.nabshow.com.

SAN DIEGO—Media Control Systems specializes in television automation products and systems for program recording, playback and ad insertion. Our master control automation products are targeted toward lower-priced systems used for program origination of cable access, internet TV and low-power broadcast applications. We manufacture our own brand of products, but we also resell and integrate other TV-automation-related products. The latter was the case with our client the Community Media Center of Marin (CMCM).

CMCM is a nonprofit organization providing residents of Marin County, Calif., with access to communication technologies, media training and the latest digital tools to create original content for cable TV and online media. CMCM operates Marin TV, Marin County’s own noncommercial community, educational and governmental cable channels. Marin TV is available on Comcast and AT&T U-Verse as well as online via live streams. CMCM also offers special organizational services and fee-for-service production assistance for schools, nonprofits and government agencies.

FITTING FORMATS IN HD & SD
Like many public, education and government stations, CMCM plays back a mix of legacy SD programs and new HD video files on their television channels. CMCM also takes in many external satellite and regional program feeds in both standard and high definition. Many of the sources have previously been converted from HD to SD or SD to HD, with conversion black bars on the top, bottom or sides of the programs.

The BBG-1002-UDX cross-converter allows one converter to handle all of CMCM’s input sources.

CMCM has 23 different sources of programming played out on four television channels. The challenge CMCM faced was getting all the various incoming programs to play out on both HD internet-streamed channels and SD cable channels while maintaining the correct picture formats. Specifically, that meant figuring out how to take the sources of mixed formats and files and play them out correctly on HD and SD channels without double-converting, that is, putting black pillars on the sides of the picture and black bars on the top and bottom. Also, correct conversion prevents stretching, squeezing, or cutting off part of the picture.

Media Control Systems proposed and implemented a solution that uses a Cobalt Digital BBG-1002-UDX standalone cross-converter on the output of each channel. Unlike most converters, which require three to four seconds to react, the BBG-1002-UDX can recognize the input format so quickly it can convert the input to the desired output in just a few frames’ worth of time. The BBG-1002-UDX reads the AFD codes on the input source programs, so it knows if the source has been previously converted, which in turn means it can apply the correct output conversion without double converting.

ONE SIZE FITS ALL
The Cobalt solution minimizes the number of converters required. Instead of having to put a converter on each of the 23 input sources, CMCM only needed one converter for each of the output channels. In other words, CMCM only had to invest in eight converters—one for each of four HD internet channels and one for each of the four SD cable TV channels.

In addition to the BBG-1002-UDX’s cross-conversion capabilities, it also provides audio-level management and digital frame synchronization, features that make the unit even more valuable.

All in all, the Cobalt BBG-1002-UDX was the perfect choice for CMCM because it gives the broadcaster a professional-grade, multifunctional conversion solution with exceptional performance at an affordable price. The Cobalt UDX is also available as a high-density openGear card module.

Thomas Walsh is the CEO of Media Control Systems. He can be contacted attwalsh@mediacontrolsys.com.

For more information, please visitwww.cobaltdigital.comor call 217-344-1243.

SAN FRANCISCO—Dolby Labs creates audio, video, and voice technologies that transform entertainment and communications. Research and development is the base of what we do, but we also support broadcasters deliver exceptional audio experiences.

We enable broadcasters to learn about, test, and launch Dolby technologies on their systems. Often, my team works with a partner to launch a Dolby-enabled channel or to support sports or entertainment events. Our role is to own the entire audio path—acquisition to delivery—working with source, mezzanine, and delivery audio formats, and mixing multiple audio-signal types, like baseband digital audio, MADI, and audio in SDI.

The 9374 openGear card can route channels in any combination of up to four SDI streams, discrete AES-3id and AES-10 MADI interfaces.KNOWN COMMODITY
Having used Cobalt’s audio-related openGear cards for awhile, we assembled new flight kits for our on-site support services with Cobalt products built in for flexibility and power.

The Cobalt 9374 quad-stream SDI-AESMADI embedder/de-embedder openGear card does everything for digital-audio conversion and embedding/de-embedding. Its unrestricted audio crosspoint routes any combination of channels up to four SDI streams, discrete AES-3id, and AES-10 MADI interfaces. We designed entire systems around the 9374 using other Cobalt products, such as the 9922 frame sync card, 9363 reference generator, and 9410 HD-SDI distribution amplifier.

ON THE BIG STAGE
Recently Dolby provided on-site services to a major international broadcaster during an international sporting event in South America. The entire event was broadcast in 4K and HDR, but the opening night broadcast also used Dolby Atmos’ immersive audio experience. To demonstrate its ability to deliver programming in 4K, HDR, and Dolby Atmos simultaneously, the broadcaster transmitted the opening night broadcast to VIP viewing parties in the U.S. using all three next-generation broadcast technologies.

All audio embedding was done through the 4K Dolby Atmos kit we designed specifically for this event. The kit contained a Cobalt frame with two Cobalt 9374 cards in redundant signal paths, along with other complementary Cobalt cards. The 9374 was the lynchpin, as it ingested audio within SDI and MADI, shuffled the tracks and channels, and output the desired channel and track order in the desired target format.

The Cobalt frame inside my 4K Dolby Atmos kit was reliable during the setup, rehearsals, and broadcast and exhibited no downtime, faults, or signal loss. It did everything I asked of it and provided exceptional flexibility, allowing me to adapt the kit’s signal flow to meet the tehcnical demands.

The Cobalt team was proactive in helping us choose the right cards for every kit, responsive to our questions, and provided test cards to make sure they fit our needs.

Mike Babbitt is the broadcast support director, professional support for Dolby Laboratories Inc. He can be contacted atbroadcastsupport@dolby.com.

For more information, please visitwww.cobaltdigital.comor call 800-699-1691.

AMSTERDAM—After working together over the past few years, Cobalt Digital has officially brought ImmediaTV into the fold, announcing it has acquired the Silicon Valley-based company. ImmediaTV focused on IP-centric video-processing technology and will now help Cobalt accelerate the growth of its own IP product line, according to the press release.

Cobalt will now have access to ImmediaTV’s MPEG-4 AVC video compression, digital video transport and digital video processing equipment, all of which feature both broadcast and internet features.

Bob McAlpine, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Cobalt Digital, said of the deal: “We’ll be able to develop compression products more quickly and with superior features and benefits in order to meet demand as the industry transitions to IP-based signal transport.”

The deal closed on Sept. 8. ImmediaTV’s staff will join Cobalt’s organization.

CHAMPAIGN, ILL.—Two new SCTE-104 Digital Program Insertion (DPI) and processing options are now available from Cobalt for the company’s openGear cards and BBG-1000 series of processors. The new software options are the +SCTE104 and the +SCTE104-FAST.

The +SCTE104 option can generate and insert five SCTE-104 messages into baseband SDI as triggered by automation via GPI, SNMP, or JSON using Cobalt’s Reflex protocol. The option can execute auto-response actions based on SCTE-104 messages received and can send newly generated SCTE-104 packets to other downstream systems. +SCTE104 is compatible with a range of Cobalt products, including the +LOGO logo-insertion option.

The second option, the +SCTE104-FAST (Frame-Accurate SCTE Trigger) provides frame-accurate insertion for deterministic results when the program signal is used in downstream video on demand and commercial insertion systems. Users have the ability to author custom messages and send them to the card via XML-formatted files. These files contain timestamp information from automation, which is then used to compare against incoming ANC timecode or UTC time derived from NTP reference.

Either the +SCTE104 or +SCTE104-FAST is available for order with the purchase of a new card, or the options can be activated through the openGear DashBoard control and monitoring application. The options are available for the following cards: 9902-UDX, 9903-UDX, 9922-FS, 9922-2FS, 9932-EMDE, 9950-EMDE-ANC; BBG-1000 Series models: BBG-1002-UDX, BBG-1022-FS, BBG-1022-2FS, BBG-1032-EMDE, BBG-1050-EMDE-ANC.

CHAMPAIGN, ILL.—The second generation of fiber optic Blue Box Group units, MK2, has been announced by Cobalt Digital. The company has also unveiled the BBG-SFP-SXH reconfigurable video SFP throwdown box.

The MK2 supports BBGConfig software for setup and status-monitoring over USB. It also includes throwdown fiber-conversion products like the BBG-EO-MK2 single 3G/HD/SD-SDI/ASI/MADI transmit; BBG-OE-MK2 single 3G/HD/SD-SDI/ASI/MADI receive; BBG-2EO-MK2 dual 3G/HD/SD-SDI/ASI/MADI transmit; BBG-2OE-MK2 dual 3G/HD/SD-SDI/ASI/MADI receive; BBG-EOOE-MK2 3G/HD/SD-SDI/ASI/MADI transceiver; and BBG-H-TO-F HDMI 1.4 or DVI to SMPTE 259M, 292M, 424M SDI and SMPTE 297 fiber-optic converter.

The BBG-SFP-SXH throwdown box has a 3G/HD/SD-SDI-selectable input or output with external SFP cage and HDMI and stereo analog audio output. The unit will also support the BBGConfig application and will feature a range of available SFPs.

CHAMPAIGN, ILL.—Cobalt Digital and PESA have entered into a global strategic partnership in which the companies will integrate complementary technologies, create synergistic bundled solutions, and utilize joint sales opportunities.

Cobalt Digital and PESA have entered into a global strategic partnership in which the companies will integrate complementary technologies, create synergistic bundled solutions, and utilize joint sales opportunities.

One of the first integrations to come as a result of this new partnership is the integration of the Cobalt BBG-1070 multiviewer and PESA’s Cougar and Cheetah routers. All information and parameters will be displayed on PESA’s Windows-based Cattrax software control GUI. The integration enables plug-and-play functionality for both product groups in an expandable package with routing and monitor display.

“From a business standpoint, we’ll be able to unify our sales teams and open up new market opportunities for both of our respected product lines,” said Bob McAlpine, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Cobalt.

Cobalt is a provider of 3G/HD/SD conversion, terminal, throwdown and multiviewer technology. PESA handles audio and video routing and IP streaming technologies.

The two companies will feature their integration at their respected booths during the 2016 NAB Show; Cobalt at booth N1418 and PESA at booth SL4621.

LAS VEGAS—Cobalt Digital will premiere its new 9941 series of routers that are designed for the company’s openGear platform. Part of the open architecture terminal gear system, the 9941 routers increase the density and flexibility available for system designers standardizing on the openGear based products.

The new routers come in 3G/HD/SD-DI/ASI/MADI versions range from 24x24 or 12x12 square or 12x4 asymmetrical I/O configuration; there will also be a 12G-SDI signal coax input in a 12x4 version. Different options of coax connectors will be available to meet the channel density required using standard BNC, HDBNC or DIN. A built-in Ethernet port, as well as multiple Serial and GPI/O ports, are available as physical control and monitoring connections. A JSON-based Reflex protocol, SNMP and third-party router protocol allow for integration with AMX and Crestron systems. Native GUI options include an integrated HTML-5 Web server and support for the DashBoard control system. The 9941 router cards will be integrated with Pesa’s Cattrax control system.

The routers are built on a FPGA platform and have integrated frame syncs and line syncs. This allows for processing features like the +CS. Many of the FPGA-based features will be available for the 9941 router series, including the +QC Quality Check audio/video/metadata monitoring technology. The 24x24 router configuration can be added on to the 9970-QS series of multiviewers and can turn four cascading modules into a reconfigurable, non-blocking 20x4 multiviewer with configurations of four independent 5x1 multiviewers up to a 17 window system.

The 2016 NAB Show takes place in Las Vegas, April 18-21. Cobalt Digital will be in booth N1418. For more information, visit www.nabshow.com.

CHAMPAIGN, ILL.—Cobalt Digital will attend the upcoming Content and Communications World 2015 conference where it will show a pair of new products. One is updated version of its ancillary data monitoring probe, and the other is a RGB color-space correction and dual-channel frame sync card.

The 9978-ANC-MON ancillary data monitoring probe helps validate and ensure expected presence and handling of ancillary data in SDI streams. This new version features a new interface to provide 15 customizable status fields and boxes. Five timecode burn status boxes are also available. The update also includes SCTE104 logging, showing the last three messages received. In addition, the card is able to support an on-screen display of the dial-norm metadata for a user-selectable Dolby pair, displays measured LKFS, and supports closed captioned decoding/overlay.

Also to be on display is the 9922-2FS 3G/HD/SD-SDI dual-channel frame sync card. This card provides audio and video processing, AES/analog audio embedding and de-embedding and CVBS I/O with two signal paths of frame sync on a single openGear card. Features of the 9922-2FS is the ability to add RGB color correction, set auto-changeover to invoke failure for basic input loss, and “moving-box” insertion over input video or internally generated test patterns for active picture verification. Cobalt’s text-to-speech software, +TTS, is licensable to the 9922-2FS card.

For more information, visit Cobalt at booth 1138 during CCW 2015, which will take place Nov. 11-12 in New York.

CHAMPAIGN, ILL.—Cobalt Digital and Nextstar Broadcasting Group have collaborated on a new software system with text-to-speech capabilities to serve the needs of blind and low-vision people. The +TTS is compatible with many openGear cards and BBG-1000 standalone units. To ensure compliance with FCC and the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, an optional software license for the cards is also available.

+TTS is a text-to-speech generation/audio insertion system for embedded or discrete audio systems. The software monitors local and network watch folders for new text files, converts text to human-voice audio, and inserts it into user-configured audio channels. The +TTS can prioritize alerts and is designed to be independent of a station’s graphics engine.

The +TTS comes with a built-in, user-definable dictionary to substitute phonetic spelling for hard-to-decipher words and proper noun phonetic emphasis. The software comes standard with an English-language speech engine; advanced engines are available as expansion options. The Acapela Group is providing the voices.

OpenGear users can incorporate +TTS by installing a microSD card. Those without an openGear infrastructure can use Cobalt’s BBG-1022-FS standalone unit for integration into a broadcast facility.

Cobalt Digital designs 3G/HD/SD multiviewer technology for broadcast TV based in Champaign, Ill. Nextstar Broadcasting Group is a traditional, digital, and mobile media company headquartered in Irving, Texas.

CHAMPAIGN, ILL. – Cobalt will display a pair of new products at the upcoming IBC 2015 in Amsterdam, the RGB color-space corrector and the dual-channel frame sync.

9980-CSC-3G 3G/HD/SD-SDI RGB Color-Space Corrector

The 9980-CSC-3G 3G/HD/SD-SDI RGB color-space corrector/frame sync comes with an integrated test-signal generator for both the openGear framework and Blue Box Group 1000 series. The card’s RGB color-space correction with YCbCr proc controls provides lift, gain, saturation, phase, white clip (hard and soft), black clip, and color saturation clip. With the built-in pattern generator users can pre-emphasize or de-emphasize by the color corrector to match on-set camera colorimetry. Custom settings can be saved to presets for easy recalls.

Also being introduced at IBC 2015 is the 9922-2FS 3G/HD/SD-SDI dual-channel frame sync. This new card is the highest-density card in the openGear family and provides audio and video processing, AES/analog audio embedding and de-embedding, and CVBS I/O with two signal paths of frame sync on a single openGear card. Channel density can go up to 33 channels in 2RU in the OG3-FR openGear frame, or up to 40 channels in the HPF-9000 openGear frame. Features include capability to add RGB color correction, set auto-changeover, and “moving-box” insertion over input video or internally generated test patterns for active picture verification.

Cobalt Digital will display these new products, along with other openGear and Blue Box cards, at stand 10.B44 during IBC 2015, which runs from Sept. 11-15 in Amsterdam.