Dolby support for PHABRIX Sx handheld and Rx rackmount systems

Each range now supports generation and analysis of Dolby E, Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus audio formats transported as data bursts within the SMPTE 337M-2000 AES audio area of the SDI data stream, as well as via discrete AES audio inputs and outputs.

In addition the PHABRIX Rx range can be upgraded with a full Dolby decode module. It provides support for the decode of two stereo pairs from any of the audio sources provided by the RX – the inbuilt AES on the CPU and the new 4 AES module demonstrated at IBC for release in November 2013. The source has to be clock referenced and synchronous.

These Dolby formats can support mono, stereo, 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound audio programmes in numerous combinations; Dolby 5.1 and Dolby 7.

When moving SDI video containing Dolby audio around a facility the highest risks of failure are likely to be the caused by timing issues that critically affect the detection of the Dolby header as well as interruptions or corruptions of the data stream. The Dolby Generator and Dolby Analysis options available on the PHABRIX Sx and Rx range allow the closed loop testing of a wide range of parameters with the Dolby metadata data to analyse these high risk failures.

The Dolby Decode Module available for the PHABRIX Rx rack mount range allows the Dolby programme data itself to be decoded to base band audio channels for monitoring and analysis (for example, audio level meters, audio phase meters, lissajous display and loudness monitoring, as well as being able to actually hear the audio itself).

Paul Nicholls, director of sales and marketing at PHABRIX, comments: “We have worked closely with Dolby to provide both a handheld and a rackmount solution for testing Dolby E, D and D plus. The portable Sx instruments support metadata bitstream analysis and generation with audio levels and logging. The Rx rackmount offers a new full Dolby decode module at amazing value for money. Both solutions provide game changing technology for broadcast monitoring and engineering technical departments.”