Cobalt Digital provides path to EBU R128 and CALM compliance
Cobalt Digital, manufacturer of 3G/HD/SD-SDI conversion gear for broadcast environments, will introduce the European market to technologies that provide an easy path to EBU R128 and CALM compliance. Notable among a complement of products is the multi-award-winning LMNTS for comprehensive transport-based loudness processing, and SpotCheck, a transport stream compliance monitor.
Cobalt will also demonstrate the new Blue Box Group series of throw down conversion modules, a new range of MADI cards including Embedder/De-embedder (with 192 x 192 crosspoint switch) and MADI DA, and both physical (OGCP-9000 and OGCP-9000/CC optimised for colour correction) and virtual remote control panels.
LMNTS (Loudness Management for n-Transport Streams)
Using LINEAR ACOUSTIC Aeromax technology, Cobalt’s LMNTS (Loudness Management for n-Transport Streams) represents a quantum leap in multi-stream loudness processing by offering an economic, consistent solution that’s easy to integrate.
LMNTS performs automatic loudness processing across many transport streams and can be used for MVPDs and MSOs where a large number of diverse programming sources must be simultaneously controlled. It operates at the MPEG IP transport layer to provide a practical loudness management solution without the need or complexity of external codecs transferring between baseband and MPEG external interfaces.
Available in both IP and ASI versions, LMNTS extracts and decodes audio codec packets from the program stream, performs high-quality PCM loudness processing, and then re-encodes and re-packets the audio within its stream. Physically, all data connections to LMNTS are via GigE IP or ASI interfaces using an industry-standard IT hardware platform with no intermediary breakouts.
SpotCheck – Audio Loudness Measurement and Recorded Data Logging System
Cobalt’s SpotCheck takes the guesswork out of loudness measurement and logging, and facilitates CALM and EBU R128 compliance. SpotCheck monitors an IP, ASI, or a transmitted over-the-air MPEG stream at the transmit (emission) encode point, and provides easy-to-use, convenient, long-term access to loudness records for all programming initiated from a broadcasting facility.
Segments can be searched via the intuitive display of loudness plots along with date/time-stamped thumbnails of the actual corresponding programming, or can optionally be queried and correlated using a database relationship with the facility as-run automation list. SpotCheck readily pinpoints all segments that are outside of CALM/R128 compliance, providing documentary proof should an erroneous complaint appear. Ethernet control enables integration with facility IT providing long-term logging/thumbnail storage.
SpotCheck provides an easily integrated, facility-based, powerful solution for loudness records and compliance interrogation and verification.
Blue Box Group – Interface Converter boxes
Cobalt will present a modular, low-cost, signal conversion line offering ease-of-operation and practical installation. The series – named Blue Box Group – receives its power directly from video monitors or other equipment via USB without bulky “wall wart” adapters.
MADI cards
Intended for the OB market, Cobalt’s new series of MADI embedder/de-embedder processing cards opens up new possibilities in multi-channel/multi-source baseband audio routing (192 x 192 crosspoint switch). The 9374-EMDE Quad Stream SDI – AES – MADI series, perfect for mobile environments, provides a full unrestricted audio crosspoint that allows channel routing between any channels on up to four SDI steams, discrete AES-3id, and AES10 MADI interfaces. It uses standard 1694A cabling thus eliminating the need for fiber. Its excellent MADI receiver performance allows up to 250m MADI receive capability with no signal degradation.
Embed and de-embed-only versions are also available, as well as dual SDI stream 9372 and single SDI stream 9371 versions.
Physical and Virtual Remote Control Panels
Cobalt has developed unique remote control panels for control, configuration, and monitoring of the 9000 COMPASS and Fusion3G cards. The OGCP-9000 can be used with multiple 8321 and HPF-9000 frames and cards. Operating with the Dashboard GUI the OGCP-9000 offers the intuitive control for quick, efficient operation. The OGCP-9000/CC is optimised for fast, real time adjustment for on-air color correction.
The WINOGCP virtual control panel via PC offers convenient controls that mirror the abilities of the hard OGCP-9000 panel using computer mouse via Ethernet. Both the OGCP-9000 and WINOGCP are intended for monitoring and logging of loudness control to meet EBU R128 and ATSC A85 requirements.