It's all in the details
Michael,
I enjoyed your article called “Digital video basics” in Broadcast Engineering's May 2004 issue.
Where can I find a detailed block diagram of a CMOS (or CCD) broadcast digital video camera?
Frederic Haubrich
Lumiere Media
Doylestown, PA
Michael Robin responds:
For detailed product descriptions, you can consult their manufacturers, such as Sony or Panasonic. For general technical briefs, visit www.princetoninstruments.com.
Timing jitters
Can you recommend some reference guides on digital integration and trouble-shooting of timing jitter?
I'm trying to reach the Holy Grail of .2UI. The equipment seems fine until I try to genlock it all together. The generators are Tektronics SPG422, freshly cal'd. I'm at about .26UI. The generator bars are at .14UI. I'm looking to get maximum performance. Thanks.
Steve A. Andrews
Los Angeles, CA
John Luff responds:
SMPTE RP184-1996 is the best reference on how to specify and measure jitter (available electronically at www.smpte.org). Tektronix, Synthesis Research, Videotek and others provide hardware to do the measurement. Keeping jitter low requires more than just good gunlock signal stability. Take particular care to ensure that all other sources are performing well and reclocking is done appropriately. If your system includes multirate routing, be sure to verify what clock rates it will reclock, and ensure reclocking is set the way you intend.
References
Dear Mr. Robin,
You have written many articles in Broadcast Engineering that have educated me throughout the years. I recently threw out a stack of magazines to conserve space. Do you have a book or CD that references most of what you have written?
David Velazquez
Systems Engineer
SBC FreedomLink
Wi-Fi Global Markets
Michael Robin responds:
You can access my articles going back to Sept. 1, 2000, on the Broadcast Engineering Web site. When displayed, go to “Search” and enter “Michael Robin.” Then select “List results by date newest first” and enter “Search.” For a wide range of subjects, you can buy my book Digital Television Fundamentals, published by McGraw-Hill.
Lost at NAB
A response to Broadcast Engineering e-newsletter writer Phil Kurz's May 12 NAB Update editorial on the confusing booth numbering system used at NAB:
I have been trying, for the life of me, to figure out the numbering system used for layout of NAB booths in recent years. I am so glad that someone else has noticed. Taking into account the size of the show space and the number of booths, finding that vendor who is in a small space often becomes a real challenge. There have been times that I gave up on trying to locate a booth after wandering in circles, looking at the map, reading the numbers on the show floor and not being able to make sense or determine where the booth is located.
This year for the first time, I took the map printed in Broadcast Engineering's March issue with me to the show and used it as my primary locater. I found its 8 1/2in×11in size much more accommodating than the road map size handout you receive at the show. Opening up the giant road map with a crowd of 100,000 milling about and holding a briefcase and a bag of materials is a daunting task. Some of the booth numbers on your map were too small for my bifocal lens, but that is a result of my age and need for stronger prescription lenses.
Art Killey
Allstate Insurance
Technical Manager
Video/Satellite Systems
NAB Attendee since 1978
February Freezeframe:
Q. What broadcast product company's name was fun and chief product's name resides in the Matrix?
A. Company: Play; Product: Trinity
Winner:
No correct entries were received.
Test your knowledge!
See the Freezeframe question of the month on page 8 and enter to win a Broadcast Engineering T-shirt.
Send answers to bdick@primediabusiness.com
