Leader video noise meter option for 4K waveform monitor

Leader Instruments has announced an addition to the range of options available for the LV5490 4K/HD/SD waveform monitor. The new LV5490SER10 software module is believed to be the world’s first direct-digital 4K noise measurement processor. It allows measurement of noise in luminance or RGB component chroma channels.

This can be performed in all formats that can be interfaced to the LV5490: IP/12G/3G/UHD/HD/SD. Data obtained from the input SDI signal is converted directly without intermediate analog processing, allowing highly accurate and highly stable measurement.

“This new option makes the LV5490 essential for any serious multi-camera production, whether in a studio, on location or for live outside broadcasting, ” says Leader’s European Regional Development Manager, Kevin Salvidge. “It will be particularly useful for checking the noise level of cameras sourcing content for viewing on high dynamic range television receivers.

“With the advent of HDR, production companies now have the freedom to deliver the full dynamic range of their cameras. This involves shading the cameras to maximise the highlights and also capturing detail in relatively low-light areas of the image. HDR is much more transparent than standard dynamic range. If a camera is not set up correctly, low-light areas will look noisy and viewers will be able to see that noise as well as the extra picture detail.

“Prior to the launch of the LV5490SER10 option, camera noise measurement was a complicated and long-winded operation requiring digital to analogue conversion of signals which could also introduce noise to the signal. Now camera owners can simply connect the SDI output of their camera directly into the LV5490 and measure the noise levels.

“Operators can select the size and position of the measuring area as well as the Y/G/B/R component channel. An alarm can be set to alert operators if the noise level exceeds a predefined threshold. An integral low-pass filter allows elements of the high frequency band to be removed at the time of noise measurement.”