Video and audio media production demands efficiency as well as precision at every point in the workflow from content capture to actual transmission. This is especially true in the mobile production sector where OB teams face the need to transport large amounts of equipment across very long distances, to work in restricted space and to safeguard against critical components failing in locations where replacements are difficult to obtain.

The carry-a-spare routine can easily fill an entire additional vehicle. Experienced production staff know to check critical tools before heading out to site in order to minimize the danger of equipment malfunctioning during a live project. Camera chains, routers, vision mixers, audio mixers, servers, slow-motion effects, intercoms, control lines, content delivery encoders and telco links – every element of the workflow needs to be fully tested before any project commences, or supported by sufficient backup resources to safeguard against hardware, software or service failure.

Multitasking

Multitasking in a test and measurement context centres on the use of a single instrument to perform several functions, comparable with a Swiss army knife which can be used in a variety of roles. A crucial distinction is the ability of Leader instruments to perform multiple functions simultaneously. An example is the LV5600W 3U high half-rack-width waveform monitor. This incorporates a 7 inch full HD touchscreen panel which operators can customize with up to four tools active simultaneously. Among the accessible tools are video histograms, vectorscope waveforms, test charts, video image sources and audio levels.

The LV5600W is fully SDI and IP hybrid. In the SD domain, SD-SDI, HD-SDI, 3G-SDI single link, 6G-SDI single link, 12G-SDI single link, 3G-SDI dual link and quad link plus HD-SDI quad link are all supported. Resolutions handled include standard definition, high definition and 4K/UHD. The instrument can be operated directly from their control panels or via WebRTC IP connectivity.

Four-in-one multi-display

Reinforcing the ability to multitask, multi-display allows measurements from any permutation of tools to be compared in a single presentation on the LV5600W screen or viewed by an entire production team via the waveform monitor’s rasterising output which can easily be shared across a video-wall screen.

Even more space-efficient is the 1U rack-mountable LV7600W, a rasterizer-only version of the LV5600W. Both versions allow the operator to select alternative display configurations quickly and easily whenever required.

Permutation selection

Choosing which tool or combination of tools to view depends on the specific role of an operator in the production and delivery workflow, or the shared roles of a team. The following are examples:

  • A camera operator working on the front line might typically select a combination of video picture display + Focus Assist + Cinezone + HDR Zone, with the freedom to switch between four-in-one multi-tool display to full-screen single-tool.
  • A camera shader is more likely to select a combination such as colorimetry zone display + vectorscope + CIE chart + HDR waveform for reference during initial alignment and throughout a production.
  • A sound balancer has the option of selecting a loudness display showing multiple functions within a single window. This can be supplemented by windows relating to audio/video timing, surround sound, Lissajous waveform, audio channel amplitude or audio metadata.
  • Production galleries are most likely to share a rasterizing display screen showing functions such as live video image + camera tally + focus assist and whichever technical drilldown capability they require from the extensive choice available in the LV5600W/LV7600W toolset.
  • Master control rooms similarly have a wide range of measurement and analysis functions to choose from, such as SDI eye-pattern waveform display + video noise meter + extended vector display and digital/analog audio input/output.
  • The engineer-in-charge of a mobile production project is responsible for supervising signal feeds to a local or off-site hub or directly to the host broadcaster. This requires attention to codec formats such as JPEG XS plus incoming SDI feeds as well as outgoing IP transport streams at various data rates. These too can be integrated into four-in-one display groups for fast comparison while retaining the ability to drill down into greater detail.

Multi-display configuration

Fast and easy operation is vital at every stage of the content production process, especially when working live. Figure 1 shows an LV5600W multi-display in quad-split configuration, one of six layout styles which can be selected quickly and easily from the front panel. To show a multi screen, the operator presses a dedicated MULTI button to access the control menu and then selects the required specifics, in this case vector, video signal waveform, status and picture (color bars).

figure 1 1

Figure 2 illustrates some alternatives to the quad-split. Additional tools can be viewed in any of these configurations which are accessible as standard in the specific instrument or integrated as an option. Shortcut keys on the front panel of the LV5600W can be assigned to specific functions.Other tools can be accessed using a USB-connected mouse plus the touchscreen. The LV7600W rasterizing version is controlled using the mouse in conjunction with an external video display. The rasterizer can also be connected to the USB touch-panel interface of a touchscreen monitor to allow control and configuration.

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Enhanced layout

Option SER26 allows the LV5600W/LV7600W measurement screens to display up to four channels to simultaneously. Figure 3 shows the configuration layout for enhanced display and Figure 4 the resultant combination.

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Setup store and recall

Up to six user configuration preset combinations encompassing a very wide range of parameters can be stored within the instruments for fast recall or archived externally for future use. Alarm detection boundaries can also be set and activated.

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Summary

The test and measurement process in media production environments is above all about ensuring the highest possible signal quality and continuity throughout the signal chain. Instruments such as the LV5600W and LV7600W offer precision and security combined with the operational versatility of multitasking and multi-display. Routine performance parameters can be monitored in real time and investigative drilldown performed as required.

When and where you need it, we have you covered!

* Kevin Salvidge commenced his broadcast industry career in 1986 as a commissioning engineer at Marconi Instruments, progressing to Sony Transcom, Tektronix, GVG/Thomson and Sony Broadcast. He joined Leader in August 2015 and is now Sales Engineering & Marketing Manager at Leader Electronics of Europe.