NAB 2012: Tektronix Spotlights Waveform Monitors for Content Providers

Tektronix will be showcasing its latest innovations for Postproduction, Broadcasting, and Video Service Providers at Booth N1929.

WFM7200 Waveform Monitor and WVR7200 Rasterizer
The Tektronix WFM7200 waveform monitor and WVR7200 rasterizer help content providers verify the quality of video content and make precision adjustments that reduce the potential for gamut errors during the editing and format conversion process, effectively preventing client dissatisfaction and the need for costly rework. Advanced color gamut monitoring including Tektronix patented Luma Qualified Vector (LQV) and Spearhead gamut displays which, when work in conjunction with Diamond gamut display, provide the most comprehensive color gamut monitoring tool for precise color gamut adjustments. Both the WFM7200 and the WVR7200 support an extensive list of Dual Link signal formats as standard capability and have field upgradeable options to add support for high frame rate (1080P 50/60) formats and 3D formats.

Cerify Version 7.4
Cerify automates the QC of file-based video and audio, and now includes a series of new enhancements in the version 7.4 software release. Speed improvements now enable Cerify to test content at many times faster than real-time. A growing list of supported codecs/wrappers enable Cerify to start processing files as they are being ingested, resulting in an improved workflow efficiency. Keeping pace with emerging new mezzanine standards, Cerify now supports testing of DNxHD and JPEG2000 mezzanine formats. The addition of teletext and DVB subtitling strengthens the existing 608/708 caption support.

Fully Featured WFM2200 Portable Waveform Monitors
This portable HD, SD and 3G-SDI capable waveform monitor features a large, bright LED back-lit display, and a replaceable and rechargeable battery which eliminates down time. Its sharp “CRT-like” display helps broadcast engineers and technicians quickly identify signal issues and recognize problems within the video and audio signals. It also pairs signal generation with waveform analysis, making it ideal for verifying link performance between two broadcast facility devices.

The WFM2200 displays the external reference as an analog signal to check the quality of the video sync pulse signal, and the Tektronix patented timing display helps to ensure facility system timing. The WFM2200 also offers support for ANC Data and SDI data monitoring, including closed caption and subtitle decoding, active format description detection and decoding, and VANC (vertical ancillary) data testing capabilities.

TG8000 SD/HD/3G-SDI Video Generator
The new TG8000 Signal Generator offers robust, comprehensive SD/HD and 3G-SDI signal generation for design and evaluation of professional video equipment such as routers, servers, encoders and transcoders. The new SDI7 module provides support for a wide variety of formats and standards (including 3G-SDI, HD-SDI and SD-SDI) in a single module, which provides greater flexibility in generating a range of test patterns.

SD/HD/3G-SDI generation with EMB audio and ANC Data provide the test density required for testing in manufacturing and installation in broadcast operations. The circle, multi-language text, and color logo overlays can be applied to the generated test signals to check aspect ratio, identify streams or apply station logos. A deep test signal library includes a moving zone plate test signal, critical when testing codecs.

Sentry Edge
Broadcasters can monitor for overly loud commercials and comply with the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act and with the pending Canadian CRTC audio loudness regulations by using the new Audio Loudness Module (ALM) on Sentry Edge with an 8VSB RF interface. Sentry Edge with option ALM provides the most comprehensive audio loudness and Closed Caption monitoring solution on the market.

With Sentry Edge, U.S. broadcasters can meet the monitoring and reporting requirements the FCC will use to determine when violations of the CALM Act and Closed Captioning regulations have occurred. Key compliance features of the Sentry Edge include an historical database that allows users to create graphs, executive reports and trending analysis going back 60 days.

MTS4000 MPEG Analyzer
The new MTS4000 MPEG Analyzer is ideal for the analysis and troubleshooting of audio/video and transport problems in 10G networks for fault isolation and root cause analysis. Targeting a range of design, validation and test, field diagnostics and troubleshooting applications, the new MTS4000 offers analysis capabilities for examining the video and audio quality of IP and RF transported video services. The low base price and modular nature of the MTS4000 ensures a wide range of connectivity and software analysis options so customers can customize it to meet all their application needs and budget requirements. Network interface options include full line rate 1 Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, ATSC 8-VSB, QAM-B, DVB-S2 and a Quad port ASI interface.

Cross-layer and cross-domain analysis of the video and audio quality is possible through an extensive software suite that includes real-time video and audio quality of experience (QoE) analysis, picture quality analysis (based on the human vision model), and advanced Elementary Stream analysis including H.264/AVC intra profile and SVC support.

Sentry Assure
Sentry Assure is a member of the award-winning Sentry line of video quality monitors and is specifically designed for post-splice monitoring. Able to monitor up to 1Gbps on a Gigabit Ethernet interface, it provides large scale content monitoring in real time before modulation. It can proactively monitors audio loudness issues and validate post-event complaints to help service providers meet CALM ACT and regulatory compliance and audit requirements. Sentry Assure also validates closed captioning carriage requirements by monitoring the SCTE-608/708/20 specifications for Closed Captioning compliance.

Additionally, Sentry Assure can also monitor advertising insertions, validating SCTE-35 message integrity, enabling service providers to verify when ads have been properly inserted or troubleshoot issues when insertions are not done properly.