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1 MP,(11j1;',NCV ERG WHY DIDN'T SOMEONE THINK OF THIS BEFORE? 8 and 16 track work, yet easilyTHE handle WHEATSTONElets routine production SP -6people AUDIO quickly CONSOLE accomplish A FAST -PACED PRODUCTION CONSOLE freedom.ingthose products, supplied Input allowing channel as optional muchauxiliary items greater send on creativecompet-sections ascontrol stereo room cue/solo. and stucio Control monitorThe room SP feeds, -6 and provides asstud we o ndependentI headphone, transfersductiontracksimultaneousunique bed time session andtrack cycles. stereo dubbing monitor Inputmixdown sectionoperations. channels during are the With laid multi- out its almost halving typical pro- it can facilitate allowareprovidemixindustry, designed digital -minus either providingdelay, tofeeds. bemono reverb, the 4Stereo different ormost talentstereo input versatile auxiliary foldback, effects channels inbuses sends. andthe can to tions.tonelsdipswitchmute accommodate Additional Theand selectable SPtally -6studio funcions maylarger, on modulesbe individualmulti configuredare -studio independentymay input be with installa- orderei cha-i- any ableonjust below-air likein consolesthe an the production air channel console, can quickly fader,environment. with Forsobecome machine staff those familiar comfort- interested starts with in more advanced tech- ontoreturnEven the multitrack more,inputs thethat or SP allowsent -6 to haseffects the 4 monitor auxiliary to be buses.recorded effects stereoin32ules,combination either or inmore subgroup mainframe an 8inputs. of -track mono TV The sizesmasterproduction and console rangingstereo control format isinput fromconfigurc- available ormor.- 16 a h4 nelpunchmicmonitorniques, equalizersand -ins section thetrack a breeze.SP combinations,are designed-6 employsmore Standard comprehensiveto rapidlya SP makingpowerful -6 inputcall difficult up talentchan- than live experiencetion.learn So more. why and not reputation? profit from Call Wheatstone's us today and --zs;7711,.::- or: 111411.44, PrPr'ir irprPry'r pr tigatattitia1140. P"' a...P1 tR IP*PILP;r1r ' `-` 7..s7 t.k18 rT p, "km 7r. N\A/heotxtone'' Circle6720 100 V.I on Reader Service Card Page 63 Corporation TEL 315-45S-7740/FAX 315-454-8104 GO WITH THE WINNERS. DY1YAMAX CTR100 SERIES

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Circle 101 on Reader Service Card Page 63 You can slip Sony's new Yet it does what only digi- machine can operate simulta- composite digital video re- tal can do. For example, the neously as both a source and corder right into your current Sony DVR-10 composite DTTR recorder. editing suite. With its analog gives you more than 20 gener- The DVR-10 is physically inputs and outputs, it con- ations of transparent digital small-half the size of a BVH- nects directly to your existing dubbing. And with its write- 2000 recorder-and its price equipment. after -read capability, one is as compact as its size. And the DVR-10 records you get superior dubbing capa- But see the power of digi- four PCM channels of audio, bility, data error correction, and tal for yourself...Contact your bringing you the same dra- built-in editing functions. Sony Broadcast Sales Engi- matic digital sound you've neer. Or call Sony at (800) been hearing on compact 635 -SONY. Sony Communications Products Company, 1600 Queen discs. Anne Road, Teaneck. NJ 07666. ©1988 Sony Corporation With digital techniques, SONY of America. Sony is a registered trademark of Sony. BROADCAST PRODUCTS AN C E Transcoder In this world of mixed signals, we've got the best translatoraround.

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Quality -conscious Betacam and MII And don't settle for NTSC quality when viewing your tapes. users appreciate the benefits of keep- Use the Model 733 CAV to RGB transcoder to connect your ing their signals in the component component VTR or switcher to an RGB monitor. environment. Unfortunately, many signal sources and monitors are not Up to three 732 or 733 modules can be mounted in the offered with component analog ACC -200 rack frame. Get the maximum flexibility from your A C Evideo inputs or outputs. character generator, paint system or other component device by The ACE 200 -Series Transcoders supply the missing links using an ACE transcoder. in your component system. Featuring modular construction, these rugged transcoders offer maximum flexibility ina ACE, Abekas-Cox Electronics- cost-effective package. Available in the U.S. exclusively from Midwest Communications The Model 732 RGB to CAV transcoder connects the RGB and backed by Midwest's nation- MIDMEST output of your camera or graphics system into a compo- wide service network. Communications Corp. nent VTR or switcher. This avoids the compromising effects of the NTSC decoders found in Betacam and MII recorders. One Sperti Drive Edgewood, ICY 41017 (606) 331-8990 Circle 102 on Reader Service Card Page 63 DECEMBER 1988 VOL. 24, NO. 12

BMEFOR TECHNICAL AND ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT

1 Features

30 High -Frequency ENG With the traditional ENG microwave bands growing On the cover: more and more crowded, broadcasters areseeking elbow "Microwave ENG"; room in the new, higher frequencies. Illustration by David Flaherty 39 Curing Sync Buzz The annoying problem of sync buzz can wreak havock NO with ENG microwave operations. One station describes a possible solution.

44 The Interformat Olympics The Summer Games proved a grueling field laboratory for the interface of MH video with D-1, Type C, and other formats.

50 130th SMPTE

50 The Standardization Stakes Intensify Breakthroughs in advanced television, graphics, digital audio, production and post, and cameras and recorders generated controversy and excite- ment on the convention floor.

44 62 New Products at SMPTE Olympic Engineering An alphabetical breakdown, company by company, of new equipment exhibited at the 130th SMPTE.

77 Radio Engineering

77 Radio News AES Shows "Clear Migration to DSP"...SPARS Elects New Officers..AES Product Picks

80 NCMO: An RF Modulation Breakthrough The Numerically Controlled Modulated Oscillator (NCMO) is a newly available integrated controller that makes the digital definition of any RF waveform a practical and affordable reality.

85 Please Touch Noncommercial educational KSLU-FM is the first public radio station in. the U.S. to install computerized control via touchscreen. They love it. 50 130th SMPTE BME December1988 7 DESIGNED FOR RADIO BYPEOPLE WHO KNOW RADIO...

TM MIX TRAK ON -AIR CONSOLE

Unlike other consoles that try to be all things for break) with the touch of a single switch. When the all applications, the new Mix Trak 90 modular console Source Sequencer is at work, your DJ'sare free to from Broadcast Electronics is strictly designed for concentrate on what they do best: communicate! on -air use! The Mix Trak 90 offers full VCA gain control, Penny Mix Trak 90 features include: & Giles precision faders, independent Audition and Split Program Buss Program metering, silent Hall Effect switching, Three Telephone Mix -Minus Busses automatic monitor dimming for easier cueing and Balanced Patch Points Throughout a wide range of accessory modules. On -card Voltage Regulation Transformerless Inputs and Outputs For more information about the new console designed with your special needs in mind contact Another Mix Trak 90 value feature is the optional your Broadcast Electronics Representative or Source Sequencer. The Source Sequencer permits call Bob Arnold at your on -air talent to automatically execute an entire 217-224-9600.

series of events (such as a multi -spot commercial Circle 103 on Reader Service Card Page 63

O BROADCAST =EELECTRONICS INC. 4100 N. 24th ST., P.O. BOX 3606, QUINCY, IL 62305. (217) 224-9600.TELEX: 250142, FAX: (217) 224-9607 BM E Group Publisher KEVIN J. CONDON

Editor Columns & Departments EVA J. BLINDER Senior Editor BETH JACQUES Technical Editor JAMES A. ACKERLEY Managing Editor 11 Viewpoint MICHAEL D. ESPINDLE What's Inside Contributing Editor SKIP PIZZI 13 Feedback Art Director NRSC Re -Emphasis RICK STARK Associate Art Directors DON KROGMAN 15 Update FRANK TAGARIELLO R-DAT: Time for a Standards War?...Aphex Ex- Designer cites TV..Bush May Face FCC Problems... RAYMOND WONG NAB Says It's Been a Very Good Year Production Director NICK TARTAGLIA 21 Crosstalk: An Engineering Assistant Production Manager MARGOT SUYDAM Management Journal Much Ado About Production...Good Associate Publisher PATRICK J. MOLONEY Engineering in a Small Package Northern Regional Sales Manager GENE KINSELLA 25 Tech Watch Southern District Sales Manager Al: Building a Better Brain? MICHAEL S. DAHLE Western District Sales Manager DENISE NICHOLS 88 Compute Controller The Big Squeef JOSEPH M. PANNULLO Executive Assistant 92 Spectrum: The Regulatory SHARON PORGES Environment Act III Publishing AM: Stayin' Alive President PAUL DAVID SCHAEFFER Business Briefs Senior Vice President, 96 Technical Division Alta Centaurus at L.A.'s The Production Group KEVIN J. CONDON Senior Vice President, Corporate Development & Planning 97 Advertisers Index MARTHA LORIN! Vice President, 98 Currents: A Guest Editorial Finance & Administration SAM SCHECTER AM: The New "Alternative"? Act III Publishing, Technical Division 295 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10017 (212) 685-5320 Telex: 64-4001 Fax: (212) 679-0919 Also publishers of: World Broadcast News Corporate Video Decisions BME (ISSN 0005-3201)ispublished ABPmonthly by NBB Acquisitions, Inc. BME NrBpAis circulated without charge to those re- sponsible for station operation and for C 113 specifying and authorizing the purchase of equipment used in broadcast facilities in the U.S. and Canada. These facilities include AM, FM and TV broadcast stations, CATV systems, ETV stations, networks and stu- 0 dios, audio and video recording studios, teleproduction teio. facilities, consultants, etc. Subscription prices to others: $36.00 one year, $50.00 two years. Foreign: $50.00 a: a.7" P.787. one year, $75.00 two years. Air Mail rates on request. Copyright 1988 by NBB Acquisitions, Inc., New York City. Second class postage paid New York, NY, and IMP additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to BME, P.O. 17 Box 6056, Duluth, MN 55806. R -DAT Wars?

BME December 1988 9 Still the Only Camera Better than the 1-31

The Z -31A, Hitachi's newest member of the; We increased the powep/Iof the to set-up Computacam family, further enhances the system and cut the set-up time \ihalf.' performance, features and functions that The price it's as good as the specs. have made the Z-31 so successful. Ca] the regional office nearest you and ask With newly developed Twist Field Saticon to see the camera that beats the Z-31... and tubes and improved video processing, the every other camera in it's class. Z -31A delivers 800 lines of resolution and 60dB signal to noise ratio. (o)HITACHI 175 Crossways Park West Woodbury, NY 11797 THE Z -31A...For Today's Bottom Line Broadcast Business

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Circle 104 on Reader Service Card Page 63 VIEWPOINT

The engineering his month marks the close of a year of growth and change, for BME as well as for the broadcast industry at large. The plethora of engineering issues thatissues that broadcasters face as 1989 looms large are not only technically broadcasters face are complex, but complicated also by a raft of political and economic considerations technically complexthat are often at odds with each other and with engineering excellence. This month marks the close of a year of growth and change, for BME as well as and complicated byfor the broadcast industry at large. The plethora of engineering issues that political andbroadcasters face as 1989 looms large are not only technically complex, but economiccomplicated also by a raft of political and economic considerations that are considerations.often at odds with each other and with engineering excellence. Gatherings such as October's annual convention of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers provide a forum for competing interests and ideas to battle it out before the most interested parties of all-broadcast engineers. For this reason we have, for the first time, moved our review of the SMPTE convention up an entire month to the December issue. The developments in such crucial areas as HDTV, electronic graphics and digital audio are too important to wait until January. Whether you attended the show or not, we hope our analysis of SMPTE will prove thought -provoking and useful. For this issue's editorial focus, we've chosen ENG-specifically, the changes in regulation and technology that are now affecting ENG microwave, the heartbeat of station news operations. California -based freelance writer Hal Rubin has contributed a thoughtful and thorough rundown of the advantages and possible pitfalls of the newly available high -frequency microwave bands. Another Californian, KABC-TV chief engineer Steve Pair, has shared his sug- gestions for dealing with the all -too -common problem of sync buzz in ENG microwave environments. The recent Olympics provided the arena for the first large-scale field trial of Matsushita's Mil component analog videotape format. As freelance writer Richard Baum describes, anyone who was waiting for the MH runner to stum- ble was disappointed. Baum, who observed NBC's Olympic efforts in Seoul last summer, has given us a first-hand account of how NBC's "universal format" interfaced with one -inch Type C and D-1 component digital at the International Broadcast Center. Last but emphatically not least, BME's contributing editor, Skip Pizzi, has dissected the NCMO, or numerically controlled modulated oscillator, a newly developed technology that enables the digital definition of any RF waveform. If accepted, the NCMO could revolutionize radio transmission technology. Re- member, you read it here first!

Eva J. Blinder Editor BME December 1988 11 WE'RERELIABLE. YOU'VE GOT THEIR WORD ON IT

"This transmitter has stood the test of time (nearly 9 years). We're very satisfied with its reliability:' Joe Alvin, Chief Engineer "NEC has bent over backwards tc WNNE-TV help us with any questions about White River Junction, VT the transmitter. We've had a wonderful association with them. We're very impressed with NEC quality:' Karl E. Paulsen, Chief Engine KTZZ-* Seattle, V

"We were impressed with its 'turn key' performance. It's easy to operate and doesn't require any 'tender loving care: It's reliable:' Bob Hollinger, Assistant Chief Engine( WOEX-T "Their technical support is always Pittsburgh, P. there. You can just call Chicago and get the information you need. And the transmitter's good. We're very satisfied with its performance" Phil DeLorme, Dir. of Engineering WTKK-TV Manassas, VA

If you want a clear picture of just how Highly efficient Amperex, EEV, or Thorn External (oil) or dry, internal power sup- good an NEC UHF transmitter is, take a EMI klystrons ply - as you choose look at what people who use them are Power ranges from 10 kW to 240 kW ATS ready saying. They're talking about reliability. (parallel running) Ready for stereo without modification Stability. Excellence in design. Low cost 30% reduction in exciter parts for 50% Ion pump to increase klystron life operation. And there's no comparison increase in MTBF (to 30,000 hours) when it comes to maintenance. They re- Diagnostics throughout transmitter Emergency parts are available 24 quire very little attention. Water or vapor -cooled - as you hours a day, 365 days a year in Wood choose Dale, IL, 30 minutes from O'Hare They're also saying that NEC people are Airport. Simply call 1-800-323-6656. always there when needed. With sug- gestions. Ideas. Answers to questions. For more information about NEC Replacement parts. Or whatever it takes transmitters, contact NEC America, Inc., to keep a transmitter running smoothly. Broadcast Equipment Division, 1255 Michael Drive, Wood Dale, IL 60191. What they're telling us is what we'd like Phone: 312/860-7600. to tell you. If you need a transmitter that's built to be reliable year after year, that's known for stability, and that's not power hungry, take a look at what NEC is offering. Better yet, take a user's word for it. Here's why there's no comparison: NEC 100% solid state construction Circle 105 on Reader Service Card Page 63 PCN-1400 Series VHF Transmitters also available. Power sizes 1 kW to 100 kW (parallel running,. cc Computers and Communications © 1987 NEC America, Inc. 650-C99 FEEDBACK

NRSC Re -Emphasis the apparent loudness of the signal is decreased still further. In regard to the NRSC pre -emphasis What is really needed to take ad- standard, and in particluar to the vantage of all this is a receiver that article by Stanley Salek in the Sep- allows automatic bandwidth control tember BME ("NRSC Update," p. based on signal strength, switchable 74): the pre -emphasis used with that de -emphasis, stereo decoding (all standard does definitely not, and types), and selection of upper- or cannot "...reduce adjacent -channel lower-sideband only reception when interference..." [emphasis added]. required to reduce adjacent channel Since AM radio stations are spaced interference. Adding these things, at 10 kHz intervals, no more than 5 and extending the upper end of the kHz can be transmitted without dial to 1700 kHz, could be done on a clashing with the 5 kHz energy fromhi-fi system for less than an addi- the adjacent channel. By use of a tional ten bucks at retail. A broad- narrow bandpass in the receiver, say band noise subtracter would be nice 3 kHz, it's generally possible to re- to remove atmospheric and electrical ceive adjacent noises. "Boom boxes," car radios, sired station isn't using pre -empha- and walkmen could have a few of sis; with NRSC pre -emphasis, the these features, too. only way to pick out adjacent sta- When home (and car) listeners get tions is with a demodulator that improved "radio," it will be apparent not employing audio pre -emphasis at picks out only the sideband on the how good AM can sound, even at a all before the NRSC standard was fi- side not affected by the adjacent sta-great distance to the station, and nalized. Although the intent of the tion, and that takes a type of re- also how crummy some of the sta- pre -emphasis standard is to encour- ceiver not generally available to the tions still are. Until such receiver age compatibility in a new genera- public. become available, and at reasonable tion of AM receivers, stations that re- What the NRSC mask (not the prices, stereo, the NRSC standards, duce transmitted pre -emphasis by pre -emphasis curve) does is to re- and all the discussion in the world is installing equipment to comply with move components more than 10 kHz downright silly. When the receivers the NRSC audio standard would in- away from the carrier, thus improv- become available, such talk of the deed reduce first -adjacent channel ing alternate -channel (20 kHz sepa- advantages of pre -emphasis, the interference. rated), or further, reception. That's amask, and relative merits of AM ste- Hundreds of stations now using good thing, but not the same thing. reo systems will merely be the NRSC audio standard have What the NRSC pre -emphasis counterproductive. hailed it as a positive step forward, does is increase the apparent fre- even on today's radios. By employing quency response of AM on a receiver James Reiger, PE/PTBWNRSC transmission standards, AM with limited bandwidth, normally Kitchen Productionsbroadcasters are doing their part to including a "presense hump" be- Salt Lake City, UTmeet receiver manufacturers at least tween about 2.7 and 3.5 kHz; creates half -way. an overly bright sound on high-fidel-Stan Salek replys: ity receivers (and crystal sets); and Mr. Reiger's statement that the decreses the overall loudness on NRSC pre -emphasis standard can doDo you have an questions, comments, most receivers. Since in a pre -em- nothing to reduce adjacent -channel or criticisms concerning what you phasized signal, more energy is gen- interference is not quite true. In fact, read in BME? Any bulletins or issues erated further from the carrier, an- before the audio pre -emphasis stan- you want to open up to other engineer- tenna systems with a high "Q" dard was adopted by the committee, ing management readers? Our letter absorb or reflect this energy before many stations were enjoying much column, Feedback,is your forum. it is ever radiated, and splatter in more than the prescribed 10 dB at Write to: Feedback, BME Magazine, unintended directions increases with 10kHz boost. The assumption Reiger 295 Madison Avenue, 19th Floor, New directional arrays. In either case, seems to imply is that stations were York, NY 10017. BME December 1988 13 Get in sync with Videotek's versatile team of timing devices. Nc mat -.?.r what your apD ication, V cieotek: has a range of featu-e- rich timinc devices to sui-. ii -and your budget. Take our new VDP-8000 Ipame Sto-e/Syncironizer with indeoer- cent :reeze Field capability Or our two blac irst generators-each with indivic ual horizontal al J sub- carne- timi-ig correction for up to six sources. The Times Six P model offers manual or autDT atic ooe-ation aid automatically :om- pelsates 'c r cable length ar c equipmert drift. Our new drift -free VSG-2)1 digital sync generator with sla iso- lated blackburst outputs, auk o test tc ne and "textbook" SMPTE color bar outputs can drive the whole show..41c all units feature frc r t- pnel gen lock input loss/presence indicato-s Dor't waste any time! See your Videotek dealer for cetails!

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R-DAT. Time for a Standards War?...Aphex Excites TV...Bush May Face FCC Problems...NAB Says It's Been a Very Good Year

Sony portable PCM 2000. Already gone? R-DAT: Time for a Standards War? solution that's based on technical merit," stressed IVIIatsushita Electric Industries Corpo- Mark Damon Cohen, vice presi- ration, NHK and Sony Corporation havedent of sales and marketing for Fostex. "If developed a time code standard for R- the IEC decides on a standard that has true DAT. Called "STC" (Subcode Time technical advantages as opposed simply to political ones, Code), the format was proposed to the we'd be happy to consider it." AES on November 4 in Los Angeles. The Matsushita/NHK/Sony proposal acts, in effect, as Supporting any move "toward the most -universal a "time code translator," enabling conversion of work standard possible," Steve Woolley, sales and marketing between SMPTE (29.97 Hz), EBU (25 Hz) and time code director for Panasonic/RAMSA, says he's "excited" that used in film. In development for several months, the pro-DAT is moving toward accepted standards. RAMSA proposal specifies converting time code data into time of markets a portable DAT recorder. day data and recording it within the DAT subcode. It is While the standard proposed by the three giant cor- thus machine and time code -independent, and transpar- porations is not manufacturer -specific, it is incompatibleent to international broadcast video standards including with the SMPTE-based system incorporated in the NTSC and PAL. Because DAT tapes will be exchanged Fostex D-20 R-DAT unit. Available now and widely and distributed worldwide, a DAT time code format praised throughout the same convention, the Fostex unitshould be independent of any specific video standard, is a four -head system which works by digitizing SMPTE the developers say. time code and recording it in subcode data. The proposal was designed to record and playback Prior attempts to conform R-DAT with SMPTE time time code information from a DAT tape, from asynchro- code include Sony's PCM 2000, which was fed input as nous (nonlocked) time code frame frequency, and from time code for subsequent longitudinal recording. Both DAT frequency. The proposal-which is expected to be Fostex and the backers of the new proposal have been adopted by the AES before the end of the year-also exploring expanded broadcast applications for the tape - specifies time code display and output.

based digital audio format, concentrating especially on NIIIIIP0011111111. film and video sound acquisition and post -production. '1111111111111M In an industry where the development of new and often -incompatible technologies has as much to do with Aphex Excites TV gramming in stereo Octo- blocking as with the spirit of pure scientific inquiry, ber 18, coincidentally calls for incompatible standards is one good way of side- Best known for its record- timed with SMPTE, an lining the ref during bloodshed in the end zone. ing studio processing Aphex Dominator 703 "We applaud any attempt to develop an international equipment such as the Au- peak limiter was included ral Exciter, Aphex is now in the air -chain. in hot demand, first from Peak limiters like the radio broadcasters en- Dominator, which includes gaged in increasingly com- pre- and de -emphasis, are plex "processing wars," designed to provide "soni- and now from television cally invisible" gain con- broadcasters concerned trol and accurate phase re- about stereo transmission. sponse in the pass band. When CBS -TV began These parameters enable Four -head Fostex D-20 R-DAT. Here today. transmitting network pro- stereo television transmis- BME December 1988 15 Nurad manufactures complete microwave systems: STL and ICR point-to- point systems (2-23 GHz) Central ENG receive systems with frequency- agile receivers and digital remote controls ' ENG remote transmit systems with mast - mounted power amplifiers and frequency -agile transmitters Helicopter ENG systems and automatic tracking systems Portable ENG systems with frequency -agile transmitters and receivers and compact antennas

For more information about our state-of-the-art microwave systems, please contact us by telephone, telex, or fax.

AJDOVER)nCOMPANY Circle 107 on Reader Service Card Page 63 2165 Druid Park Drive Baltimore, MD 21211 Telephone(3011462-1700 TWX(710)234-1071 FAX(301)462-1742 UPDATE

sion with wide dynamic use which implement the range but no sibilance, Dolby Surround system plus a solid stage for ste- used by most theaters. reo imaging. A consistent This system provides a Telco Casts a Shadow and solid stereo image is real audio center image especially important in and a rear channel sur- is growing evidence that the telco industry transmission for surround round, as opposed to con- Theremay not be satisfied with the role of carrier, and sound programming. ventional stereo's phantom that it is taking an increasing interest in the At this point it is not center with no surround content of what it transmits. clear which shows CBS is element. Speaking before the MST (Association of Maximum transmitting in "real ste- The issue of signal pro- Service Telecasters) Conference last September, NAB reo" and which in "pseudo - cessing remains an ongo- President Edward Fritts said, "Telco entry into stereo," if any. The fact ing subject of discussion HDTV poses a double threat to broadcasters by offer- that the network chose to between networks and ing both a new delivery mechanism, fiber optic cable, incorporate sophisticated affiliates, however, since and improved HDTV pictures. As yet, telcos have not audio processing and many stations prefer to do been given the go-ahead for video delivery, but phone worked closely with the their own. Putting al- industry representatives have made it clear they ready -processed audio up would like to. According to trade publications this on a satellite-unless it's a week, one regional Bell holding company expects that noisy system-may simply video delivery and enhanced information services to duplicate effort. "It doesn't the home will account for 65 percent of its total reve- matter whether a network nues by the year 2000." does it or the whether a station does it," cautions one industry expert. " The key is that whoever does itBush May Face Even though the FCC must do it carefully." has made one ruling on "There's more to stereo FCC Problems the implementation of TV than just a second HDTV, further decisions Audimax, and television This past spring, at NAB are needed to spell out the engineers are now finding '88 in Las Vegas, ex - Commission's full inten- this out," stressed another broadcaster Ronald Rea- tions. Under Reagan, TV: the final frontier signal processing industry gan became the first presi- broadcasters could have for Aphex's Caesar? engineer. dent of the United States expected subsequent rul- Technological develop- to deliver his message ings to give the widest supplier-Aphex president ments such as HDTV over High -Definition tele- possible latitude to the Marvin Caesar personally won't inhibit the expan- vision. Reagan equated marketplace (with the pos- advised on the first trans- sion of audio signal pro- the event to other presi- sible danger of a mission using the unit- cessing, Aphex's Caesar dential media firsts-first nondecision decison a la nevertheless indicates claims. He predicts that presidential radio, televi- AM stereo). CBS is paying close atten- sound for HDTV will re- sion, and color television The President -Elect, like tion to high -end audio main analog because of addresses-not only giving his predecessor, believes in parameters. bandwidth constraints. He an Executive Branch nod the power of the market- As U.S. networks and also says that increased to the new medium, but place to drive regulation. stations become more in- demands for quality will also communicating a dis- But Bush also brings his volved in broadcasting necessitate transmission tinctly personal pro -broad- reputation as a practical forms of stereo audio as with limiting, and with cast attitude. man into the mix. Observ- well as surround sound, on -going supervision of the According to Washing- ers predict he will support the industry looks to in- processing and transmis- ton nabobs, however, the the creation of necessary creased interest in audio sion processes. "HDTV votes may still be out on standards if their timing signal processing from sound will stay analog be- President -Elect George is appropriate. television quarters. Sev- cause digital audio eats Bush's view of broadcast- Another topic that will eral manufacturers of con- bandwidth," Caesar ex- ing, in general, and the come before the FCC in sumer equipment already plains. "It's also expen- FCC, in particular. the next four years is the market devices for home sive." Case in point: ATV. FM translator proposal al- BME December 1988 17 You toldus what you wanted, and how much you wanted to pay... We did it! We called every radio stat'on in America. Most likely we talked to you. We asked what you wanted in an on - the air board and how much you wanted to pay. We designed and built it. We named it AP -100. It has all your features plus many more. You said you would pay between five and ten thou- sand dollars. We did it. Check it out-we think you'll find it's just what you wanted. Circle 108 on Reader Service Card Page 63

Harrison Systems Inc. P.O. Box 290157 Nashville, TN 37229 (615) 834-1184 FAX (615) 834-1365 UPDATE

lowing operators to broad-again the question of free casttheir own materialenterprise versus limiting along with programmingregulation is at issue. TheNAB Says It's the FCC. In addition to received from other sta-present administration be- speedy rulemakings which tions.Industry organiza-lieves the FCC should notBeen a Very address adoption of the tions have opposedthisimpose a requirement on NRSC-1 and NRSC-2 pre - plan, pointing both to thehow long a station must beGood Year and de -emphasis curves to proposal's tendency to cre-owned before it can be sold, improve AM radio, the ate unnecessary compe-while Congress, in general,In what's described as a FCC is also considering tition and its likelihood tofavors a return to the three-very visible year for plans to improve FM via cause future interferenceyear holding period or somebroadcasters, the NAB creation of a new class problems. There islittlesimilar requirement. Oncecites the passage in 1988 (Class 3) and consideration support for the proposal,again, Bush is expected toof many items of legisla- of requests to up power to yet it is unclear what posi-support President Reagan'stion which it considers fa- 6 kW from Class A FMers. tion Bush will ultimatelyexisting policy. vorable to industry Consideration of such take. Industry pundits andinterests. pesky pop -ups as FM Controversy over thehillwatchers alike are pre - Leading the list of NAB - translators are also on the Fairness Doc- driven changes were modi-books; on the downside, trine should pro- fications to bills allowing the FCC appears to be less videa harsher home satellite dish ownersthan responsive to consid- test for the next to receive satellite -trans- erations of acceptable in- administration. mitted broadcast signals terference level, protected This Doctrine, and changes affecting the contours and multiple which arose from copyright status of pro- ownership of properties in section 315 of the gram material which coulda market. This could lead Communications be colorized. Modification to "Wild Wild West" -type Act,requires to trademark reform legis- applications of directional broadcasters to lation affecting broadcast antennas and power provide coverage advertising and editorial boosts, among other of controversial content was also cham- things. Complicated by an issues of public pioned by the NAB. oversupply of properties in importance. The Of specific interest to a market fueled by relax- FCC determined television broadcasters in ation of cross -ownership, that the doctrine the southeast, no further feared -for results include was a violation of funding will be appropri- "AM-ization" of the FM the First Amend- ated for TV Marti, which band. ment andcon- will broadcast program- The regulatory story of trary to the pub- Bush: Bullish on broadcasters? ming into Cuba from a the year for TV broadcast- lic interest. balloon tethered in the ers, of course, was the Congress,however,sup-dicting that the FCC willFlorida Keys, until the FCC's September portstheFairnessDoc- become even more stronglycontentious project has rulemaking mandating trine. Bush's expected op-conservative over the nextbeen fully authorized by compatibility with NTSC positiontothe doctrine,four years. Normally gov-Congress. Viewed by the for any HDTV or advanced and the anticipated Con-erned by one chairman andNAB as a possible source television system entering gressional reaction, couldfour commissioners, theof broadcast interference the American market. set a decidedly tumultuouscurrent body has only twoand a political justification Some 18 transmission and tone for the broadcast in-commissioners in place atfor retaliatory action such production standards are dustry for the next fourthe moment. With the ru-as jamming, pilot work for currently under test and years of the Bush adminis-mored resignation of FCCthe TV Marti project is consideration. Along those tration. Chairman Dennis Patrickscheduled to begin this lines, discrete application The President -Elect willthe three, possibly Bush -spring. of Association influence at face yet another FCC con-appointed, new members The NAB also points the FCC helped delay a troversy when he confrontswill impact the direction ofwith pride to an unprece- ruling to reallocate UHF the demand for limitationsbroadcasting for some timedented amount of broad- spectrum to land mobile on station swapping. Hereto come. cast -related activity from services. BME December 1988 19 Dp,*;;; :3%1

t ri \

The people who setour standards are very tough to satisfy.

Our standards are set byour most demanding customers. And by our scientists. And byour sales and technical service representatives. And, since all ofthem are seeking perfection, not one of them is ready to settle for less thanthe best. So if the last thing you want to worry about is the tape, chooseours. We won't be satisfied until you are.

Cade 106 on Reader Service Card Page 63 CROSSTALK AN ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT JOURNAL

Much Ado About Production... Good Engineering in a Small Package

Much Ado About Production While some segments of the television and production industry are forging ahead with 1125 -line HDTV, othersareless quick to adopt the NHK-developed V/2 system. The debate intensified at Oc- tober's SMPTE convention as NBC proposed an NTSC-compatible, 59.94 Hz production system. The NBC announcement came the first day of the show at a press conference at which Mike Sherlock, NBC's HORIZONTAL SYNC president of operations and technical TIMING REFERENCE services, asserted that 1050/59.94 will V= REFERENCE WHITE LEVEL match U.S. needs more closely than a S = SYNCHRONIZING LEVEL 60 Hz system. "NBC and a number of other organizations now realize that a world [HDTV] standard is not likely to hap- Horizontal sync waveform of NBC's pro- production system is economy. He pen," Sherlock stated in a reference to posed 525 -line progressive scan and 1050 - flatly stated that NBC would buy no the European Eureka consortium's line interlaced 59.94 Hz HDTV systems. HDTV production equipment until it advocacy of a 1250 -line, 60 Hz stan- cost no more ("not one dollar") than dard for Europe. The Eureka coun-announcement. comparable NTSC equipment. Steve tries, Sherlock said, are attempting to Quick condemnation followed fromBonica, NBC's vice president of engi- define an HDTV system that is bestthe Del Ray Group, which called theneering, added, "This set of standards for Europe; why shouldn't the U.S. doNBC proposal "inadequate, prema-represents transition scenarios which the same? ture and self-serving." In a statementallow the user to develop his The NBC proposal, which has been issuedaftertheshow,Del Raybusiness...inlogicalsteps, making formally submitted to the SMPTE forfounder Richard Iredale said, "Theeach of those steps something that is consideration,actuallyconsistsofNBC announcement has created moreeasily affordable." threeproductionstandards:confusion on the HDTV scene...We According to Bonica, a production 1050/59.94 2:1interlace, 525/59.94are greaatly concerned that adoptionVTR for 59.94 Hz HDTV is presently 1:1 progressive scan, and, for the fu- of a 1050 -line format for productionbeing built. ture, 1050/59.94 1:1 progressive. would put program producers in this NBC's action generated much com-country at a serious disadvantage in Good Engineering in a Small marketing their products abroad. A ment, both favorable and unfavor- Package able. The network released a list of1050 -line format employs only about organizations endorsing "the concept970 active scanning lines, below the WhenMarc Sophos founded ra- of this additional production stan- 1000 -line figure often quoted as being diostation WDFH, Dobbs dard," including Capital Cities/ABC,the minimum acceptable quality for Ferry, NY in 1968, it was a Zenith, Thomson Consumer Electron-an HDTV production format." Deltypical 100 mW AM run by a 10 -year - ics, North American Philips, the Cen-Ray has proposed an NTSC-compat-old. A portable record player was the ter for Advanced Television Studies,ible transmission format, HD-NTSC, sole piece of studio equipment; the Faroudja Labs and Tribune Broad-as well as a production format com-tiny transmitter ran on 110 V ac or dc casting. The Association of Maximumpatible with 1125/50. and gave Sophos and his partners a Service Telecasters,in a separate Besides compatibility, one of Sher - 50-50 chace of getting a shock when- statement, also "welcomed" the NBClock's stated goals for the proposedever they picked up a microphone. BME December 1988 21 Designed for production quality... With an eye onyour budget. MvIS Panasonic presents two very versatile, high-grade What's more, each monitor provides you with a full set color monitors --the BT-D1910Y and the BT-M1310Y. Built of front panel controls. Like Line A/B split, S -Video input for performance, these BT -Series monitors offer you the connectors, Blue signal -only switch, pulse -cross circuit, quality and reliability you've come to expect from Pana- preset picture off/on, comb/trap filter selectable and nor- sonic. Not to mention a wide array of features at an af- mal/underscan switch, just to name a few. fordable price. So when you are looking for professional quality, but Our BT -Series provides you with the controls and still need to keep an eye on your budget, look into the connections necessary for studio applications --while Panasonic BT -Series high-grade monitors. For more in- serving a host of industrial, educational and professional formation, call Panasonic Industrial Company at 1-800- video needs. 553-7222. Or contact your local Panasonic Professional/ For maximum performance and versatility, both moni- Industrial Video Dealer. tors offer complete, direct compatibility with the new S -VHS format --in addition to conventional signals. And video reproduction on the BT -Series is superb. As a matter of fact, the BT-M1310Y boasts a horizontal resolution of more than 560 lines, while the BT-D1910Y offers Panasonic you greater than 550 lines. Professional/Industrial Video

Circle 115 on Reader Service Card Page 63 CROSSTALK

The signal reached all the way to themanagement, and inearly1982dual silence sensor that gives "abso- house next door (and even around thesigned an agreement allowing WDFHlute protection" from failure, Sophos block on a good day). to provide background audio for one ofstates. He adds that the system has Twenty years later, Sophos is stillthe system's data channels. The sta-been "almost completely trouble -free" operating WDFH out of the house hetion installed an 8 kc loop to the cablesince it went on -air in October. Most grew up in. Although the operation isheadend and signed on in March, tak-evening programming is live, aired still small, it's grown tremendously ining its signal beyond the block for thedirectly from records and CDs. both size and technical sophistication.first time ever. What's next for WDFH? Perhaps The station now has three studios, one Although WDFH operates 18 hours 24 -hour operation, if the staff suc- of them located in Sophos's bedroom.a day, the volunteer staff hasn't yetceeds in its attempts to get local ste- And it reaches an estimated 9000quit their day jobs. Staff constraints homes in southwestern Westchesterled Sophos to one of his most interest- County over the local cable system. ing innovations: a station automation Sophos exemplifies the ingenuitysystem controlled by a Commodore 64 In 1968, WDFH was a and determination that makes radiopersonal computer, running software so special. WDFH's expansion beganwritten by Marvin Holverstott, CE oftypical 100 mW AM run in the 1970s when, after touring localWALK-AM/FM in Patchogue, NY. by a 10 -year -old. radio stations, he began building hisThe station airs 29:30 segments of re- own consoles and upgrading newcorded music and DJ commentary equipment. The used Bogen B-62from three Teac X -2000R reel-to-reel turntables he installed in 1978, for ex-decks; each segment is followed by a reo shops to donate a fourth X -2000R. ample, had such a slow startup timeweather forcast or promo on cassette. Upgraded audio is definitely in the (around 12 seconds) that the WDFH Each 10.5 -inch reel (running atcards; Sophos says he's planning to crew became adept atslip -cuing, 3.75 ips) holds 12 half-hour segments,upgrade the rebuilt RCA BC -7A con- which caused the turntables to sloweach followed by a 25 Hz tone. Thesoles with new electronics that will considerably, and then pushing theleading edge generates an EOM thatalso allow mix -minus for telephone platter at 33 rpm to get the record onis sent to the computer and steps it touse. Some of the equipment is old, the air at the right speed. the next event, and the trailing edgesome is new, all is well -maintained. When the town awarded its cablestops the machine, leaving it cued upAnyone who doubts that you can do a franchise in 1980, Sophos immedi-to the beginning of the next segment.lot with a little should take a good ately contacted the cable company'sThe system has a fade circuit and alook at WDFH. Studio One, located in Sophos' bedroom, has an RCA BC -7A console modified for stereo, plus Technics turntables.

BME December 1988 23 Canon is proud to introduce a lens designed to perform flawlessly in a wide range of broadcast applications, whether in the field or in the studio. And despite the J15X9.5B IRS' compact size, i+ boasts a long list of impressive features. Like a powerful 15X zoom with built-in 2X extender and macro focusing as close as half -an -inch. And full compatibility with all 2/3" CCD cameras. Yet this incredible lens is affordable too, making it the perfect choice for any size TV station, the educational marketplace and everyone else in between. However, the new J15X9.5B IRS can ICanon do more. An optional positional focus control system and a zoom shot box allow you to customize the lens to specific broadcasting requirements. And like every Canon broadcast television lens, the J15X9.5B IRS provides years of dependable service thanks to superior optical and mechanical design and construction. When you need a lens of uncom- promising performance at an affordable price, it has to be the Canon J15X9.5B IRS. (A high performance version of the J15, the J15X9.5IRS-HP, is available and features ,)/ a rugged, rain -proof drive unit.)

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Circle 111 on Reader Service Card Page 63 TECH WATCH

AI: Building a Better Brain? By James A. Ackerley

IFew prospects inflame the imagination The system was created using IBM's of super- Expert Systems Environment to en- as does the possible creation code the experience, knowledge, and human artificial intelligence. To be logical approach of skilled under- masters over omniscient, possibly om- writers. David Griffin, vice president of un- nipotent slaves is at once a fearful and derwriting for personal insurance, irresistible temptation. Artificial intel- comments, "Two years ago, our auto- ligence could be the key to all the difficulties of mobile policyholder group barely met minimum standards for the type of human existence. driver we wanted to cover, and our operation was unprofitable. In less Some benefits of artificial intelli-user to create his own expert systemthan a year, the IBM expert system gence (AI) may be far away, but cer- by supplying expert knowledge, in the has enabled us to identify the policies tain industries are reaping rewards form of rules, from his own field. To-we want to write and made a major right now. Over the last two years,day, two major computer makers,contribution to improvements in the there has been a great revival of in- IBM and Digital Equipment Corpo- division's loss ratio." terest in AI, with progress reported inration (DEC), market a line of AI pro- Another recent development in the all areas: expert systems, symbol programs including a variety of shells. field of expert systems is the cessing and neuralnetworks. Of Underwriters at Fireman's FundmicroExplorer. This system consists these, only expert systems are being Insurance Companies are using one ofof the Apple Macintosh II computer, a used in industry. The question is notthe first commercial IBM expert sys-Texas Instruments add-on board and whether the broadcast industry willtems, named Underwriter's Work-the Texas Instruments Explorer op- be affected by expert systems, butbench, to identify best -risk drivers. erating system. The add-on board con - when we will get them and how we will use them. Thefirstexpert system,called Mycin, was written at Stanford in the mid 1970s by Edward Shortliffe. In- formation received from doctors on the diagnosis and treatment of certain infectious diseases was encoded in the form of some 500 rules and stored in memory. The program then asked questions about the particular patient and, based on the answers and the rules stored in memory, supplied a diagnosis and a recommended treatment. In one test, Mycin was credited with being correct in 65 percent of the cases diagnosed-comparing very fa- vorably to a control group of human doctors. There quickly followed Emycin, for "empty Mycin," which was the shell of the Mycin program without the medi- Designed for widespread deployment of expert systems and other Al applications, the cal knowledge. The idea was for the Texas Instruments microExplorer system is symbolic processing power in a small package. BME December 1988 25 NTSC VECTOR SCOPE5854

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516n2N3Y1S- teij Leader Instruments Corporation 380 Oser Avenue, Hauppauge, New York 11788 Regional Offices: Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta 1.1 In Canada call Omnitronix Ltd. 416 828-6221 LEADER FOR PROFESSIONALS WHO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE Circle 112 on Reader Service Card Page 63 for Demonstration Circle 113 on Reader Service Card Page 63 for Literature TECH WATCH

microExplorer rojcr0EY.PI°

Sornv. darn U.es Gkorle sists of a Lisp coprocessor and addi- At the heart of the micro - Explorer system are thc tional memory. Tempest Products In-coprocessor board with corporated (TPI) will market the sys- Texas Instruments' Lisp mi- temtothevariousgovernment croprocessor and the Explorer intelligence agencies for use with onesoftware. The copro- of a number of software packages in- cessor supports up to 12 Mbytes of memory cluding an expert systemsshell, Knowledge Engineering Environ- ment (KEE), from IntelliCorp. TPIintention of dupli- has already obtained the necessarycating the results of government certification to allow thehuman thought. system to be used in this application.The other is to mod- According to William B. Brucato,el the machine on the brain itself vice president of TPI's Systems Inte-through the creation of so-called neu-required from 1731 to seven. gration, "The Tempest microExplorerralnetworks.Surprisingly,after Newell explains, "There are today will provide the capability to supportyears of relative neglect, each of these artificialintelligencesystems,of the command, control, communica-approaches is now the center of in-which Soar is a good example, which tions and intelligence communitytense interest and activity. are capable of learning from their own with the power of artificial intelli- Soar (State Operator, And Result) experiences. These systems show one gence at an affordable cost not avail-is a new symbol -processing, general- way that expert systems will evolve able until now." purpose program for solving prob- beyondtheirpresentcapabilities, Not only does DEC market shellslems. It was developed by AI pioneernamely, that they will be able to im- for creating expert systems, they also Allen Newell of Carnegie Mellon Uni- provetheir performanceasthey use expert systems. Because of a largeversity and two former students, John work." and expanding product line and manyE. Laird of Michigan and Paul S. No person has ever synthesized a options, it is necessary for DEC toRosenbloom of USC. Back in 1957, human brain cell, or neuron, but com- check orders for configuration consis-Newell and his colleague, Herbert Si-puters have been programmed to sim- tency. XCON mon, developed aulate them. Last July, 1600 people at- was createdto On its second attempt program knowntended the second annual Interna- perform this task asthe General tional Conference on Neural Networks, while ensuring to solve a particular Problem Solversponsored by the San Diego chapter of prompt delivery problem, Soar (GPS).Usingthe Institute of Electrical and Elec- of the correct con- general reason-tronic Engineers. Despite this great figuration. In the demonstrated its ing techniques,interest in the subject, progress re- courseoftime the GPS could ac- mains slaw. While the brain contains other functions- learning ability by tually solve sim-about 100 billion neurons, a super- were added. The reducing the number ofple problems. Itcomputer can simulate only about value of XCON neveradvanced 1000 at one time. Nevertheless, only expanded far be- steps required from beyond thisneural networks have shown promise yond its original 1731 to seven. stage, however,at such tasks as recognizing speech scope until it is because it couldand handwritten characters and in today both the first and the most valu- never acquire an expert's knowledge. learning by example. able of DEC's expert systems, accord- Soar overcomes this limitation by The immediate outlook is for rapid ing to the company. going to work on an intermediateincreases in the proliferation of ex- Although expert systems are, atproblem when it reaches an impasse.pert systems. The resulting more in- present, the most practical form of AI, When it solves the intermediate prob-tensive and more effective use of com- they are not actually thinking sys-lem, it encodes the result as a newputers will affect all of us. The long- tems. Real thinking is not merely fol-condition -action rule or "chunk." In range outlook, possibly within our lowingrules,however numerous.this way, it develops its own set of ex-lifetimes, is a world where our me- Real thinking involves going down apert rules. In one experiment, Soarchanical slaves are smarter than we road for the first time without sign-was tested with the expert system, are. In this world the stream of scien- posts and having the capacity to learnXCON. On its second attempt to solve tific advances will become a tidal from experience. There are two waysa particular configuration problem, wave. III to attempt this. One is to use the com-Soar demonstrated its learning abil- puter as a symbol processor with theity by reducing the number of steps Ackerley is BME's technical editor. BME December 1988 27 And no wonder-it's the ogy in 2/3" Plumbicori tubes darkest shadows and highest- Sony BVP-360. The best -look- -precise and ultra -stable level whites. And the widest ing studio camera on TV. And geometry and registration, and range of light levels in between. the one with the best -looking more than 700 lines of resolu- By design, the BVP-360 is picture. tion. The best signal-to.noise ideally suited for studio and The BVP-360 offers state- ratio. And the most accurate outdoor production. And, of-the-art mixed -field technol- color reproduction. To the since the portable companion BVP-350 uses the same circuit it's backed by Sony service. Any day. Anywhere. boards and optics, its picture Our national service organiza- But see the BVP-360 for is exactly the same. tion is on call 24 hours. yourself. Contact your Sony But most of all, the BVP- Broadcast Sales Engineer. Or 360 l looks good because it's call Sony at (800) 635 -SONY. Sony Communications Products Company. 1600 Queen from Sony-the leader in Anne Road. Teaneck. NJ 07666. C1988 Sony Corporation broadcast camera sales. And SONY, of America. Sony is a registered ttademark of Sony. BROADCAST PRODUCTS H I G II

R E Q BY HAL RUBIN Fender -bending gridlocks are not lim-ENG users. At the same time, broad- ited to the nation's highways. Thecasters must now share the 2 and 7 conventional ENG microwave bandsGHz bands, formerly their exclusive Uare becoming so congested, at least inpurview, with cable companies. The the larger markets, that some televi-FCC has anticipated increased crowd- sion broadcasters are looking to theing in these and the 13 GHz band by higher frequencies for relief. instituting minimum path require- Manufacturers of TV equipmentments for these frequencies, sched- Eand broadcasters who are the end us-uled to go into effect in 1992. ers are assessing the technical and operational tradeoffs that go along with moving up the spectrum. They are equally concerned about staying in Nthe forefront of a rapidly evolving technology and figuring out the long- With the traditional term effects of recent FCC rulings un-ENG microwave bands der General Docket No. 82-334 that became law on April 1, 1987. growing more C Docket 82-334 has opened up a number of new opportunitiesforand more crowded, broadcasters and private users alike.broadcasters are seeking The 6.4 to 6.5 GHz band, for example, formerly reserved for common carrierelbow room in the Yuse, is now available for all mobilenew, higher frequencies. 30 BME December 1988 Nurad's Silhouette microwave antennas are widely used for ENG applications (apposite). Microwave Radio's 2/7/13 GHz central receive system.

The ultra -high frequencies recentlybecause that is the only frequencysystem at the higher frequencies." opened up by 82-334 have yet to gainband they can operate in without in- Other manufacturers are skeptical widespread acceptance for two rea-terference," asserts Jeff Harding, di- about the prospects for widespread 40 sons: unfamiliarity with and concernrector of marketing for BMS. "PictureGHz um. Harris Farinon, San Carlos, over technical limitations. One sup-the Superbowl. You have 50CA, currently manufactures 2, 2.5, 6, plier of 40 GHz ENG microwave gearnewstrucks, all with 2 gig micro-and 12 GHz microwave equipment for is Microwave Radio Corp. of Lowell,waves. Then you have another 50 peo- ENG use. The 6 GHz unit is for the MA. The company was formed in 1986ple walking around inside the sta-company's thriving overseas trade, with the purchase of the portabledium shooting to the top of theparticularly Switzerland and Austra- product line from M/A-COM. stadium and down to the trucks. Youlia. Their domestic market is largely While featuring its 23 and 40 GHzrun out of room. concentrated in 2 and 2.5 GHz. lines, Microwave Radio still produces "That's where either 18 or 40 gigs "In the last few years better than 90 products in the 2, 2.5, 6.5, 7, 12, 13,can be an extremely helpfulfre- percent of the domestic market has and 18 GHz frequencies. According toquency band, especially in large citiesbeen in 2 and 2.5 GHz equipment," he Microwave Radio's Eric McCulley,where there are many interferencestates. Fields adds that rain affects all "The rule of thumb is that the higher problems." frequencies above 10 GHz. "Even on a the frequency for an equal distance, Harding says the higher frequen-two -foot dish antenna and 13 GHz, the greater the attenuation. A usercies are attractive to large users suchthe beam width is only one degree," has to realize the limitations of theas the networks and ESPN becausehe explains. "When you have people frequency band he is working in."wherever they are operating, they canworking who don't know east from With rain or sleet, the additionalavoid congestion. TV broadcasters arewest, it's pretty hard to get the an- attenuation per mile or per unit dis-also moving into the higher frequen-tenna pointed right." tance is much greater at the highercies because excessive crowding at 7 According to his calculations, a frequencies. and 13 GHz would blow intercity us-two-inch/hour rain will cause the loss McCulley suggests that 40 GHzers off the air, he adds. of 3.3 dB per mile. With a 10 -mile equipment should be used with two He notes that 40 GHz is attractivepath, that will totally wipe out the standard gain horn antennas (a 15 dBfor stadium applications because thesignal. Fields considers snow to be a and a 25 dB horn). He asserts, "Byantennas are very narrow andlesser problem than rain. A very dry staying within a mile of the transmit-multipath problems can be elimi-snow causes less problem than a wet ter and receiver you're going to benated. At the same time, the anten-snow, he says. safe-even in rain or snow." na's laser -like beam width can be a RF Technology, South Norwalk, He said he believes CBS was theproblem. Even a slight jarring of theCT, makes 1.7 to 15.6 GHz ENG network that actually gave 40 GHz itsantenna will cause a signal loss. start about four years ago. The net- Another problem, Harding notes, is work has bought 20 of those systemsthat the 40 GHz system has an ex- from McCulley's company. NBC hastremely limited distance capability- two and has ordered a third. CNNordinarily about one mile, he says. owns three. The attainable distance depends onMcCulley: "The rule of Broadcast Microwave Services,the kind of antenna used. He suggeststhumb is that the Inc., of San Diego, which has beenthat users rely on 2, 7, or 13 GHz making 13 and 18 GHz equipment, whereverfeasiblebecausemuch higher the frequency for added a 40 GHz line about six months longer shots are possible. an equal distance, the ago. NBC used their 18 and 40 GHz Broadcast Microwave is not aggres- self-containedportable tripod andsively selling the 40 GHz product,greater the attenuation. tower -mounted packages at the re-Harding says. "It doesn't make a lot ofA user has to realize cent Olympics. sense to buy a 40 GHz other than to "TV stations use the 40 GHz systemcomplement an already existing ENGhis limitations." BME December 1988 31 equipment. ABC and CBS are amongmitters and receivers in the 2, 2.5, 6.5, ations, as opposed to having a central the users, according to Patrick Brad-7, and 13 GHz bands that serve forENG receive antenna, and the same bury, vice president of sales and mar-window links and other portable mi- goes for 40 GHz. keting. Although his company doescrowave operations. The company "The 40 GHz unit is more tripod -to - not currently make equipment in thealso makes a 23 GHz unit, but not fortripod, rather than from a van to a 23 and 40 GHz range, they may do soENG use. (The 23 GHz band is nottower or building where the central in the future, he reports. authorized for ENG applications.) system may be," Neuberth adds. Some of the company's 2 and 2.5 Nurad offJs complete microwave Jim Stenberg, a design engineer at GHz equipment transmits signalsunits for ENG that include central re- Micro Communications, Inc., Man- from in -car cameras in racing cars.ceive systems with frequency -agilechester, NH, says his company devel- During the recent Americas Cup Racereceivers and digital remote controls;oped some ENG equipment and did a in San Diego, their on -boat micro- lot of antennas in the 12 GHz range wave systems were used. Their 2.5 before selling that line. GHz equipment was in service at the "There's no special reasons why our Winter Olympics. company hasn't moved into the 23 and Bradbury says that some broadcast- 40 GHz lines," Stenberg says. "It's ers avoid the 2.5 GHz frequency be- just something we've never pursued. cause they fear interference from the We did some initial research into the industrial users that share the band. lower frequencies when ENG was "But if you run a test, you'll find no first becoming popular, but we never interference occurs in 80 percent of got into the higher regions." the locations at 2.5 GHz, and it avoids Users of high -frequency ENG mi- interferring with local 2 GHz ENG crowave equipment generally accept television," he insists. the manufacturer's technical specs Ikegami Electronics, of Maywood, and operationalrecommendations. NJ, manufactures a series of ENG Drawing on their own experience in portable microwave transmitters and the field, television broadcasting en- receivers in the 2,7, and 13 GHz gineers provide pertinent footnotes. range. Television and network engineers The PP -80, available in 2 or 7 GHz, vary in their reactions to the attenua- is a portable microwave link that fea- tion problem. Dan Klos, RF engineer tures one touch of the channel selec- A microwave -equipped helicopter (shown for CBS in New York, reports that his tion and remote control terminal for here with Nurad equipment) can relay sig- company has been using the higher nals from a remote site back to the receiver. airborne operations. The unit has a frequencies for about four years. variety of uses, ranging from the stan- With a 40 dB dish and a 25 dB horn, dard application through the RX to he has reliably gotten three miles out TX control. of a 40 GHz unit in rainy weather. For The PP -70-13, a portable mini mi-remotetransmittersystems withanything past that distance, a differ- crowave link, is a 13 GHz unit de- mast -mounted power amplifiers andent frequency is called for, he says. signed for cable -free transmission offrequency -agiletransmitters; "In the 40 GHz frequency you have television and audio systems, espe-heliocopter systems and automaticto be able to tune them up correctly. cially as a window link for ENG. This tracking, systems; and portable You don't dial them up like you do a 7 model enables a microwave link to besystems. or 13 GHz," he advises. set up readily between the event site About the 40 GHz range, J. Stephen Klos believes stations in the larger and an OB van. Neuberth, vice president, comments,cities will end up going to the higher The company's portable units were"That might be an emerging fre-frequencies, especially at events that used extensively at the Winter Olym- quency band, but at the current timeattract numerous broadcasters. He pics and at the Indianapolis 500, ac- we have not developed any product foralso stresses that from an engineer's cording to company spokesman Rob-that area." standpoint, when dealing with longer ert Estony. He notes that long hauls According to Neuberth, changes inranges, aiming of the antenna be- aren't involved in the coverage ofFCC rules related to 7 and 6.5 GHzcomes very critical. The operators most special sports events. have stimulated renewed interest inhave to be well trained to do that job. Nurad, of Baltimore, MD, offersthose frequencies. He said 13 GHz is "But once a unit is up and fired, it three complete lines of ENG trans-used predominantly for portable oper- works very reliably," he states. 32 BME December 1988 liefiLiar atoSitegatgeker aviaraiiiiti

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Circle 114onReader Service Card Page 63 At the 1988 political conventions,GHz to come back to the studio. try. He likens the higher frequency CBS used 2 GHz units on the conven- In San Francisco, 13 GHz would notgear to the 2 GHz operations of 25 to tion floor and 13 and 7 GHz units out- work very well as a truck frequency30 years ago, because there are no doors, Klos recalls. The CBS news di- because it is too directional to getsynthesized oscillators. vision has six 40 GHz units and thearound buildings and other obstruc- "It's free -running, AFC controlled network has an equal number, all oftions, Johnson says. Channel 4 in thatstuff that's a little harder to use. The which are made by Microwave Radiocity has some 7 GHz trucks and somepoint-to-point range is significantly Corp. that are 2/7 GHZ combinations. limited. One advantage is thatit Ed Johnson, chief enginer of KGO- Even 7 GHz tends to become verydoesn't exhibit the multipath charac- TV, Ch. 7 in San Francisco, and thedirectional, according to Johnson. Heteristics often found in the lower Northern California frequency coordi- has encountered many sites in Sanfrequencies." nator, adds that above the 7, 11, and For the types of applications KCBS 13 GHz range the equipment becomes encounters, 13 GHz units are usually subject to rain fade. sufficient, despite the congestion in "To counter that you want to keep Los Angeles, Critchell comments. your path length short," he advises. While they were assisting a net- "A longer path should be broken up work team during the political con- into two hops." vention in Atlanta, the engineers Howard Fine, an engineer at KCBS weren't allowed to use 13 GHz at all. in Los Angeles and database adminis- In New Orleans, 7 GHz was forbidden, trator for the Southern California so they had to rely heavily on 40 GHz. Frequency Coordinating Committee, "So far, the latter frequency is typi- reports his station has no problem callylimitedtosignificant major with weather. events. But an operation that already "You just have to be aligned better, has the equipment would use it as a that's all. If the unit is properly engi- matter of course. That way they neered,weathershouldn'tbea wouldn't have to worry about bother- problem." ing somebody down the street." Robin Critchell and Ray Mascho The advantages he cites include the are engineers at the same CBS station light weight of the transmitter, low in Los Angeles. Critchell says that power drain, and small size. He sees even fog will attenuate the signal Ikegami's PP -70 13 GHz ENG links, per- no good reason why 23 and 40 GHz quite noticeably at 13 GHz and over,fect for ENG use, are small enough to beshould not have promising futures, hand-held. and a couple of miles is the longest particularly for broadcasters in major functionally practical path to run. cities. According toCritchell, 40 GHz Mascho adds that from a general doesn't have the signal margins that standpoint, 23 and 40 GHz are just an are available in the lower frequen-Francisco where a 2 GHz signal willextension of 7 and 13 GHz. The same cies. He says that's not a factor exceptget out and a 7 GHz signal won't. Thecharacteristicsapply,onlymuch where the moisture content in the airhigher the frequency, the harder it is quicker. is high. He notes, "In New Orleansto get out of certain locations. A line - "You start to destabilize more rap- during the political convention, theof -sight clear shot is needed. idly and the pointing of the antenna is humidity was trying to be higher than At times the engineers will aim themore critical," he notes. 100 percent. We never lost anythingtruck antenna not toward the re- He believes that it takes a very because of that, but we had to realignceiver, but toward a building thatgood RF engineer to know when and a couple of paths and put on largerbounces the signal toward the receiv-where to makes use of high frequency antennas." ing site. "That can be done at 2 GHzequipment. He cautions,"Certain Johnson says that KGO uses 13but not at at 13 or 11 GHz," Johnsonprocedures that work for us may not GHz in what they call a "shoebox says. work for anyone else, and vice versa."

transmitter," which enables them to Critchell notes that KCBS in Los avoid laying cable. They just put it on Angeles does not own any 23 or 40 a tripod in the building window and GHz microwave equipment, but staffRubin is a freelance writer based in Au- shoot down to the truck on the street. engineers provide assistance in net-burn, CA, who writes frequently on tech- The truck raises its mast and uses 2work RF operations around the coun- nical subjects. 34 BME December 1988 THE PROFESSIONAL VI DEO MAGAZINE FROM SONY

MADISON AVENUE APPLAUDS SP PERFORMANCE

If you think clients in general are hard to please, just try beingArthurWilliams. Williams is president and editors at Editing Concepts, a leading post - production house in mid- town Manhattan. Most of his clientsarelarge,world- famous ad agencies. Which AT COLUMBIA PRESBYTERIAN means that Editing Con- U -MAT ICS ARE ALWAYS ON CALL cepts doesn't just have to do great work for their clients. They also have to please At Columbia Presbyterianfully compatible with the their clients' clients. That's Medical Center in New York existing equipment:'

why Arthur Williams says he City, U-Matic® technology is Alloftheoperating bought a Sony U-Matic SPTM an integral part of surgery. rooms in the medical center system for off-line editing of Many proceduresare are wired for video. In the commercials. taped. The video workhorses Neurological Institute, cam- Williams' clients demand at the medical center are eras are mounted on the a cutting -edge facility "that Sony U-Matic recorder/play- microscopes that guide neu- can service them quickly. So ers. And a new BVE-900 was rosurgical procedures-to they can keep up with the recently added for editing, see and record what the sur- demands of their clients." He along with a new special geons see. Other surgeons bought the equipment on effects generator. wear "headlamp" cameras. the advice of an industry "This gives us the latest And all of the diagnostic colleague, who called the.capabilities," says Jeff imaging systems in the med- U-Matic system "user-friendly.Szmulewicz, video produc- ical center-ultrasound, and simple to operate:' Wil-.tion manager in the Audio/nuclear magnetic resonance liams says that the system is. VisualService. "Yet it is still and CAT scanners, for exam - continued on page 2 continued on back page combination of tape and viewing. At the same time, player gives us at least thethe program is recorded for AT J.C. PENNEY, same picture quality we've later viewing on tape at hun- always gotten from U-Matic dreds of smaller stores. THE STYLE IS recorders:' "Ease of use is as impor- "MIX 'N' MATCH" Several times a week, tant to us as compatibility," U-MATIC the giant retailer stages a Mr. Delsol continues. "SP five -hour "buying network has really been a boon to the broadcast" complete with non -technicians who have to J.C. Penney is one of the anchor desk, on which mer- operate these systems. The most innovative users ofchandisersdisplaytheir U-Matic equipment has been video in retailing. Last year, samples to buyers. Each so simple to work with that the company upgraded itsprogram is transmitted by everything has been wonder- Sony U-Matic 3/4" technol- satelliteto 300 Penney fully smooth:' ogy to the higher resolution stores across the U.S. for live What does the future U-Matic SPTM products. hold for video at Penney? "We needed compatibil- "We're putting together ity," says chief engineer Tony an editing suite based on Delsol. "We have a huge U-Matics," Mr. Delsol responds. library of 3/4" tapes that we "We'll be doing SP -qual- still use in a lot of ways. ity work on tapes "Of course, you only get for training, and the higher resolution with for broadcast an SP -made tape played on master- an SP machine. But any ing:'

MADISON AVE. continued much more. "With SP, we ingTM feature lets us accom- can do things we could only plish this easily and with per- do previously on one -inch. fect quality. So the agency We can make second- and was able to show the client a even third -generation tapes cut that was much closer to without degradation-for a the final on-line version:' client who wants it all done InEditingConcepts' yesterday. With SP, we can business, quality is every- do itall under one roof.thing. SP allows them to Finally." meet their clients' demands Nelson Leonard is Edit- forsophisticated editing ing Concepts' off-line editor. techniques with endless revi- Working on a commercialsions-without sacrificing for a leading fabric softener quality."There'salways company "there were two or more than one way of seeing three instances wherea concept:' Williams says. scenes needed to be cut inThen with a grin he adds, reverse action and slowed"But it's always after the down. The Sony U-Matic edi- commercialisshot that tor with the Dynamic Track - ideas change:' 11111111111.1111.11.11,

"And obviously, the public likes it. Right now we "PLAY IT AGAIN, SONY." have ten stations between THE VIDEO JUKEBOX IS BORN Miami and Ft. Worth. We're about to open four more stations. And by 1990, we'll Devotees of the jukebox, three digits through the key have over 100." take heart. With a little help padofyour touch-tone At Video Jukebox, from U-Matic® technology, phone. U-Matic VTRs are key to it it's coming back on cable TV. The menu drops away, all. "Our VP -7000s work so If you live near one of the and there's your favorite fully automated cable televi- performer: on screen sion stations operated byandinstereo.Later, Video Jukebox of Miami-you'll be billed for the well, you don't exactly drop a play by your local tele- quarter in the slot. Instead, phone company. The you dial a 976 phone num- phone company then re- ber (like the weather an-lays payment tothe nouncements). You make Jukebox Network, which your choice froma in turn splits the revenue lfmenu" of music with the cable operator. videos display- When you make your ed on your selection, a computer at TV and the station converts your enter three digits to a frame code "address"that's transmitted to a Sony VP -7000 Video Cassette Player. The VP -7000 accepts this digital code throughan RS -232C computer interface, and AMr. Steve Peters, President responds by driving at high The Jukebox Network. speed to the starting frame of well with the computer," Mr. the video you have selected. Peters adds, "that we can run "The computer gener- thestationscompletely ates graphics, programs the automated. We visit them menusin and out, andonce a week or so just to directs the Sony VP -7000 load new tapes. And U-Matic to run commercials between VTRs are so reliable, we've play selections," explains been able to reduce our rou- Video Jukebox President tine maintenance from once Steve Peters. "The combina- every 90 to every 120 days. tion of the computer and "And finally," Mr. Peters U-Matic frame code capabili- says, "there's U-Matic VTR ties is a potent one in creat- stereo. That capability is ing this new enterprise. essential with music videos:' U-MATICS ON CALL continued ple-are fitted with cameras U-MATIC AND YOU and recorders. "Our video equipment must be available 24 hours a These days, you can do more than day," Mr. Szmulewicz adds. ever with U-Matic®equipment. Because Sony's doing more than "It runs non-stop. A lot of the ever to enhance the format. units have been on the job Consider the BKU-901A Time Base Corrector, used with the BVU- for eight years. And they are 900 U-Matic SP'M Player and BVU- still going strong:' 950 U-Matic SP Recorder/Player. As Themedicalcenter recently as two years ago, it was a separate rack -mounted unit. Today, makes recordings for legal, it's digital-a single plug-in board educational, and profes- made of integrated circuits. More importantly, it makes pos- sional purposes. To create sible the new BKU-902 Digital instructional videos, they Noise Reducer, also a plug-in board, edit much of this material which gets rid of as much as 6 dB of noise across the entire video band- into lecture, graphic and width. The DNR has enough mem- other footage. And the serv- ory to store an entire frame or field in digital form. And it uses a mem- ice works with biotechnol- ory -based technique to identify and ogy companies to make eliminate the noise in the video. industrial videos. Stay tuned to this setting for more tips.

Some of the editing is quite sophisticated. They have used split screens to provide a before -and -after THFINSINSEJUNS view of a transplanted heart and three-way splits to show 'FFiCir.1 THE FLITLIBE

an organ before, during, They say good things come in small more reliable. and after a procedure. packages. And if the future shapes Digital technology is one key to up the way we at Sony anticipate, the future. A possibility that has Mr. Szmulewicz notes: even better things will come in even Sony engineers excited is comput- "Our Sony U-Matic VTRs smaller packages. erized self -diagnostics. Another is work as hard as the medical One day, devices like time base digital special effects. A third is staff. They've always been correctors and noise reducers (see improved, computerized machine there when we needed them. above) may be reduced to just one control. And large-scale integration or two integrated circuits. And if the of digital circuits will increase relia- And so has Sony. We couldn't past is any indication, they will also bility and reduce machine size, cost have asked for better service:' work better, cost less and be even and weight. ARE YOU READING US? 3/4 is here to communicate with you'd like to see us cover in future Send your comments, con- you. About anything and every- issues of 3/4, the professional cerns, kudos, pet peeves and sto- thing that matters to you as a cre- video magazine from Sony. ries of interest to: Editor, 3/4 ative video professional. Magazine, Sony Communications So let us know what you're up Products, 1600 Queen Anne to, what you're thinking and what SONY. Road, Teaneck, NJ 07666. PROFESSIONAL VIDEO

Sony Communications Products Company, 1600 Queen Anne Road. Teaneck. NJ 07666. Q1988 Sony Corporation of America. Sony, U-Matic, U-Matic SP and Dynamic Tracking are trademarksof Sony. Aproblem most commonly described as "sync buzz" has plagued some users of CURING ENG microwave equipment. This problem exhibits itself as an annoying buzz or whine in the audio when video with a high APL, or video generators that have identifiers, are routed to the input of a SYNCmicrowave transmitter. This problem is further exacerbated by the fact that audio subcarriers are sometimes placed around the 4.84MHz region, which is right on the edge of the video BUZZpassband. Video level controlis obviously TYPICAL ENG FIELD SET-UP very critical to the above situation, but many ENG vans do not have the ability to closely monitor and control the video levels being fed to the microwave transmitter. Most ENG vehicles 500' CableI 2 GHz are not equipped with an overabun- XMTR (Field Set -Up) (ENG-Truck) (RF-Path) dance of video processing gear, so the overall job rests with the operator. Not all operators are engineers, and some of them do not have a technical inclination. As a result, they can be

To Distribution familiar with the terms "luminance"

or "APL," but have no real concept of I 2 GHz the effect of each. I RCVR (RF-Path) (Studio) Operational procedures can cause i4 severe problems also. Many times the ENG vehicle is left unattended after Typical ENG field setup. the path is established, which results in the output of the camera being fed directly into the transmitter without The annoying problemany monitoring of the levels. This situation is most critical as it appears of sync buzz can wreakto be a convention that most news sto- havock with ENGries are shot with the subject matter having direct sunlight or bright sky microwave operations. as the background. It is understand- One station describesable that the camera operator, therefore, bypasses the auto -iris function of a possible solution.the lens and manually opens up the iris so as to see the subject. The result: more than 50 percent of the picture information is sent into the clippers, which might be set anywhere between 104 and 112 IRE units, and a black level that is nonexistent. Such shooting should properly have close observation and proper signal BY STEVEN C. PAIRprocessing. BMEDecember 1988 39 REF LEVEL FREQUENCY FRES SPAN/DIV -10DEN 5.0MHZ !MHZ SYNC BUZZ Most ENG vehicles are not equipped with an overabundance of video processing gear.

If/DB/VERT ODS 0-1.11 100E112 DISPLAY RE ATTN. FRED. RANCE RES.BANDWIDTH

When ENG operation is in a major Figure 1: The 4.83 MHz unmodulated market, spectral space is at a pre- audio carrier is in the center, with the un- mium. Operation on frequency offsets modulated visual carrier at the left. is commonplace, as is reduced IF bandwidth in the receiver. These arehave to address. Some manufacturers not problems in and of themselves,already provide Matthey filters spe- but these methods tend to furthercially manufactured for them. All compound the problem. agreed that proper filtering was the Several microwave equipmentanswer, either built into new equip- manufacturers have indicated thatment or added onto existing equip- the audio buzz problem is becomingment. Such filtering has to supply the an obstacle that they are going tonecessary sharp cutoff characteristics without introducing severe equaliza-

REF LEVEL FREQUENCY PRES SPAN2D1V tion and ringing problems. ..10DIM 5.0MHZ IMHZ We decided,aftertestingthe Matthey "Brickwall" filter, to install the MBW.420 B filters, which have virtually eliminated our audio buzz problem without video perturbations. When we tested the filters in a generator -to -filter -to -scope bench setup, some ringing was evident in color bars. In a practical field situation, I- however, with the video processed via i a normal microwave link and viewed on the scope, we observed very little ringing. When active video is used as the source, no apparent degradation J,v. is viewed. The effectiveness of the "Brickwall" filter is clearly shown in Figures 1, 2

IODB VERT 0DB 100EN2 DISPLAY RPATTN. FREQ. TAN. RES.BANDWIDTH Figure 2: By modulating the visual carrier, the effective noise floor of the audio carrier is increased by 25-30 dB. 40 BME December 1988 "Brickwall" filter installed in ENG equipment.

and 3. Figure 1 shows the 4.83 MHzoverall video level, we decided to mod- unmodulated audio carrier in the cen-ify our amplifer tray to accommodateSeveral microwave ter, with the unmodulated visual car-the filter as well as the audio/videoequipment rier at the left. Figure 2 shows theamplifiers. This proved to be the best effect of modulating the visual car-option as there was a minimummanufacturers have rier; the effective noise floor of the au-amount of wiring and the filter wasindicated that the dio carrier is increased by 25-30 dB.provided with a secured location (Fig- In Figure 3, the filter has been in-ure 4). Had the newer zero loss ver-audio buzz problem is stalled and the noise floor is returned sion of the filter been available, webecoming an obstacle. to its original level. This practically would have chosen that in preference. eliminates all video -on -sound effects. We have had the Matthey Since the filter introduces approxi- MBW.420 B filters installed since mately one-third of a volt drop inFebruary 1987 and have not experi- enced any audio problems on our ENG microwave links since. Figure 3: Installation of the filter returns the noise floor to its original level, practically eliminating all video -on -soundPair is engineering supervisor of KABC- effects. TV, Hollywood, CA.

REF LEVEL FREQUENCY TM SPAN/DIV INEZ -10035 5. OHNE

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IODB/VERT ODB 0-1.8 100RNZ DISPLAY RF ATTN. FREQ. RANGE RES.BANDWIDTH

BME December 1988 41 Getasharper image...

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Circle -1rii on Reader Service Card Page 63 THE INTERFORMAT OLYMPICS EWhile much has beenbeginning and continues to be a made of the financial risksbroadcaster's brainchild. "Panasonic attendant to such TV spec-wasn't the only maker we went to, but taculars, of the prestige is-they were the only ones willing to sues, and of the strategicwork with us to develop the kind of considerations on the big[recording system] we needed," he network scheduling boards, there issays. another aspect to mounting an Olym- The plant that NBC constructed in pic telecast that will have an endur-its 55,000 square feet of space at ing impact on the industry long afterSeoul's International Broadcast Cen- the hullabaloo around "1988 Olympicter was the network's third largest Games: The TV Show" has died down.production facility in the world- For its exercise, NBC selected aright behind Burbank and New York. number of technologies and practices that might send chills down the spine of the casual observer. But NBC is noKadenza permitted NBC casual observer. The network has to demonstrate drilled relentlessly over the past several years, and as Scott Rader, NBC's convincingly that Mll director of production services for the could coexist not only Olympics, noted, "NBC Sports wasn't exactly new at all this." with NTSC, but also Three years ago, when NBC an- with CCIR 601 nounced its intention to adopt the MII videotape recording format for all its component digital network videotape recording applications, there were a lot of skeptics. images. Many remain skeptical, but not the hundreds of engineers, technicians,To the outside observer, the plant operators, and production people whoseemed to be the culmination of put together the Olympic broadcast. nearly every television engineering To NBCstaffengineerSteve achievement of the recent past. For Mahrer, with the network's Technicalone thing, the entire plant was stereo, Development team, the recognition ofwhich made this Olympics "the first MII's broadcast character comes as no all -stereoOlympics," accordingto surprise. Mahrer was a member of theCharlie Jablonski, who was responsi- NBC team that carefully translatedble for all Olympics -related engineer- their broadcast experiences into de-ing for NBC. But if a stereo studio sign criteria for the MH system. Theturned out to be a little more complex MI! system, notes Mahrer, was at thethan expected, the integration of so many other facets and so much new BY RICHARD BAUM technology went more smoothly than 44 BME December 1988 The Summer Games proved a grueling field laboratory for the interface of Mil video

MOM with D-1, Type C, Uti NMI MN LA -10 and other formats.

kno

Irtegrat on of a variety of formats was vital ai the Seoul Games'. Above the NBC VTR edit room at the IBC. Featured in the inset, the MIlwraphics interface rarks.

BME December 1988 45 NBC selected a number it as the DPP -1 "digital picture pro-NTSC fromthemasterrouting cessor," was used to compose pictures switcher came into the mix through of technologies and from multiple sources, combining thethe local Horizon router after being practices that might output of the graphics suites withconverted to YUV by high -quality other pictures generated from theFaroudja decoders. Internally, then, send chills down the venues, studios, or edit suites.the Kadenza could manipulate all of spine of the casual Kadenza permitted NBC to demon-its inputs in 10 -bit, 4:2:2 digital using strate convincingly that its MII for-four Kadenza effects channels plus observer. mat could coexist not only withone channel of Kaleidoscope. Outputs NTSC, but also with CCIR 601 compo- from the Kadenza were normally in nent digital images, and still look asYUV for the MII machines, 4:2:2 back might have been reasonably antici-good as images from any of the otherto the A64, and in NTSC for monitor- pated. Said Jablonski, "We pulled itvideotape recording formats. ing and to the master grid. off, and pulled it off quite well." The Kadenza unit that NBC used The entire NBC production design NBC's Seoul graphics suite waswas a prototype system that hadwas conceptual and designed to elicit central to the on -air look of the broad-never previously operated outside offrom each person a creative contribu- casts."With thegraphicssuite,"Grass Valley Group's own develop-tion, according to Rader. The tech- noted Jablonski, "we probably have ment laboratory. nical structure was as much about the single largest component graphics To a great extent, Kadenza allowedcreativity as it as about engineering. operation in the world." The graphicsNBC to select video formats based onRader explained, "Basically, we suite was in and of itself a new tech-which one was best for each applica-planned to go with large edit rooms nology bonanza. "The Quantel Sportstion. Thus, the network could use MIIand small edit rooms. The rooms were Cypher was new, and even the [Grassfor all tape recording applications,allocatedaccordingtodaypart- ValleyGroup]Kaleidoscopewas RGB for the Quantel Paintboxes, andmorning, afternoon, prime time and new-but that worked out very well,"4:2:2 from the A64, and still be as-late night. Each daypart had its own noted Jablonski. One key to "workingsured of an effective means of combin- producers, directors, production assis- out well" lay in yet another new piece ing them. The Kadenza was set up totants, engineering staff, editors, and of technology, the GVG Kadenza. take YUV from the tape machines,so on." The Kadenza, which has been de-the Cypher graphics generators and The four large edit rooms, con- scribed as a digital production Paintboxes, and 4:2:2 digital from theceived as way stations on the image switcher despite GVG's designation ofAbekas A64. Two channels of housepath from venue to viewer, were composite video edit suites. Each room FROM MAIN GRID NTSC IN had seven Mil AU-660PE VCRs. The edit controllers were Grass Valley DIGITAL PAINTBOX/ Group Model 51s, and each suite had HARRY N its own GVG 300 production switcher NTSC TO MAIN GRID and Quantel Sports Cypher, along OUT with Ward -Beck audio consoles. STILL Y/R-Y/B-Y There were two "rings" of Kaleido- STORES N scope digital effects channels, with KADENZA three control panels. Large edit rooms Y/R Y/B Y 1 and 2 and control room A had con- MII VTR'S trollers for one ring of effects units, N Y/R-Y/B Y with large edit rooms 3 and 4 and con- OUT trol room B on the other ring. Y/R-Y/B-Y MII VT R'S CYPHERS These four edit rooms were not in- N tended simply for off-line editing. Two RGB IN DIGITAL outputs of each room (switcher Pro- WAVE - ABEKAS gram and Preset bases) reentered the FRONT OUT A 64 DIGITAL master routingswitcherthrough NBC's unique Zero Studio Delay system, allowing video to be in time with Simplified block diagram detailing the paths through GVG's Kadenza. other plant sources. Each of the large 46 BME December 1988 We built the machine that brought home thegold. The 1988 Summer Olympics.

Recorded, edited and aired on Panasonic MII equipment. Panasonic MilBroadcast Systems Company

Circle 117 on Reader Service Card Page 63 Tested in one of the toughestarenas on earth, Panasonic MU helped setnew standards in broadcast quality. Panasonic M II events, graphics, equipment helped maps and anima- NBC get over the hur- tion, NBC's Olympic dles of broadcasting team found that the world's largest M "primary ad- sports event in his- vantage was the . tory. With more ability to make last- venues. More events. minute decisions on And better quality which segments to video and audio than ever before attempted. run. A 1 -inch format would have required more From the ease with which an army of free-lance machines to do the same job: Neil Flagg, lead technicians was trained on M II...to the reliability it technical director, International Broadcasting displayed under the pressure of 180 hours of intensive Center. programming...M II equipment became one of the And the pressure was eased by the fact that cornerstones of NBC's third largest facility-right "these machines proved to be reliable workhorses behind New York and Burbank-and their first allwhile providing excellent audio and videorecording stereo facility. quality: John Wesley Nash, broadcast engineer. Between the 4 large composite edit suites and And also helped NBC set a new track recordthat the 11 small component suites, NBC utilizedup to could stand for years to come. 100 Panasonic M II machines. Machines that the In addition, the host Korean broadcast network free-lancers found "to be user-friendly, reliable and (KBS) as well as broadcast networks from Japan responsive. It enabled us to maintain a high -caliber (NHK), Austria (ORF), and the Netherlands (NOS) on -air look: Jack Slomnicki, broadcast technician. utilized the M IL advantage in theircoverage of With the grueling pressure of making it quickly to the games. All told over 300 machines brought air with a combination of archival footage, live home the gold. Panasonic MII Panasonic MIIBroadcast Systems Company Official Video Equipment Of The 1988 Olympic Games 0Q9 Title 36 Unlled Slates Code Section 380

Circle 117 on Reader Service Card Page 63 660s at the NBC center. listics of the AU -660s. The small edit rooms (NBC also had, at the center, a few The color correction problems only were designed to keep Type C recorders and a couple of U-arose when for some reason (gener- matics for playback of archive materi-ally attributable to improper camera the video in component als, but all production recording andsetup in the field) luminance levels form throughout the post -production was done onthewould get a little hot. In contrast to Panasonic units. To provide for play-thecomposite environments with editing stage. back of tapes that might come in from which the operators were a little more other sources, NBC also maintained afamiliar, in component they could not couple of Sony BVW machines.) correct the problem simply by turning edit suites could operate as a control The grist for the small edit rooms,down the levels at the encoder. Levels room using the edit controller to cue however, was strictly component sig-in component systems are preset, and and roll tape machines. nals and the rooms were designed toso, setup has to be correct. If for some Six of the seven AU -660s could be keep the video in component formreason colorimetry is incorrect, then a fed from the master routing switcher,throughout the editing stage. Thecomponent color corrector is needed to allowing them to make recordings ofswitcher employed in the rooms, forsolve the problem. incoming feeds, independent of otherinstance, was the Grass Valley Group Panasonic's Bill Bakonyi, who pro- activity within the room. Two localModel 100CV component video provided a lot of the videotape recorder 10x1 routers also connected the roomsduction switcher. Editing control, astraining, noted that some of the edi- to the master router and throughin the larger edit rooms, was throughtors who were accustomed to toggling them, any two of the seven VCRsthe GVG Model 51 editor, and the au- the fast forward and rewind controls could feed out of the room indepen-dio console was a Graham Pattenrather than using the jog control had dent of the other activities in theModel 616. Four Panasonic AU -660 trouble reacting to the extremely fast suite. PE videotape recorders made up theballistics that moved the tapes to 32 The massive 3M master routingVCR complement. times normal speed within a second. switcher integrated just about every Grid outputsfromthemasterThere was some discussion of possibly piece of video production gear into an router system were provided to eachmaking a software adjustment to the overall facility design, with every-of the three playback VCRs in each ofmachines to have theirballistics thing connected to everything else. the small edit rooms, which permitted mimic those of say, a BVH-2000 or "When we designed the rooms, we hadthem record any of the video signals VPR-3, but with a little time to adjust four things in mind: recording, quick from the venues or from elsewhere in-to the speed of the machines, the edi- turnaround of edited material, live -side the plant. Naturally, thetors found they preferred the new to -tape, back up to air," Rader re-Panasonic recorders converted any ofquickness. called. "These rooms could bring inthe incoming NTSC signals to compo- NBC's Rader seemed extremely sat- any venue, only needing to insertnent and any of the inputs to theisfied with the way the small all -com- graphics. All the studio had to do wasswitcher that did not go through theponent edit rooms came together. punch up a room." recorders were converted to compo-"There was a lot to do," Rader said of The 11 small edit suites were de-nent by Grass Valley encoders. the period leading up to the Olympics. signed to operate entirely in the com- As Jablonski put it: "I knew MII"A lot of time was spent developing a ponent domain in order to minimizewas not risk -free, but it had to appearnew technology [MIR and that didn't the number of times recordings wouldto be risk -free to the people who im- leave much [time] left over" to test out have to be encoded into NTSC. All re-plemented it. You can't make themthe various systems. cording, both in the field and in thethink they are working harder than Whatever network faces the task of broadcast center, was on MI! ma-they have to." For many of the editorsbroadcasting the 1992 Olympics in chines, though the recorders aboardwho staffed the small edit suites, thisBarcelona, they'll have a tough act to the trailers NBC leased were mostlywas their first encounter with all -follow. It's hard to imagine a perfor- Type C units, and were sometimescomponent editing. mance that can match the 1988 used to record video at venues for ei- The principal adjustment that theGames for degree of difficulty and ex- ther simultaneous or delayed trans-staff of the small edit suites had tocellence of technical execution. mission back to the IBC. Neverthe-make to working in component was less, once video arrived at the IBC, itthe absence of luminance level adjust- Richard Baum is a New York -based free- was recorded on one or more of thements on the output of the Mil ma- lance writer who specializes in video and approximately 150 Panasonic AU -chines, and the extremely quick bal- broadcasting. BME December 1988 49 STAFF REPORT

THE ONE HUNDRED THIRTIETH SMPTE CONVENTION: THE STANDARDIZATION

Controversy and Growth in ATV 51 STAKES CGs Catch Fire 51 Digital Audio: Just Slightly Ahead of its Time 52 Post in a Package 56 CCDs Get A Foot in the INTENSIFY Studio Door 60 more than 15,000 attendees Thewho gathered at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Cen- ter in October for the 130th Conven- tion and Equipment Exhibit of the So- ciety of Motion Picture and Television Engineers came at what may prove to be a watershed time in television history. The political and engineering battles over the technology of the decade, HDTV, reached a new pitch. Meanwhile, the pace of technological change in the industry as a whole ischallenging the SMPTE standardization process as never before. "Technologyisgalloping,stan- dardizationiscrawling," asserted keynote speaker William Connolly of Sony Corp., addressing the opening session Saturday morning. Due to the "drastically shortened" design cycles for new equipment, he continued, "We are approaching the real possibility of seeing a product go from R&D into the marketplace and into obsolescence while we're still talking about adopt- ing a standard...the guidance system is failing. The stress signs are appear- ing just at a time when the explosion in technology makes orderly standards more important than ever." That explosion in technology was well in evidence at SMPTE, with significant developments in areas such as character generation, audio, post- production and cameras. Hereis BME's analysis of the chief trends. 50 BME December 1988 ACTV-E in detail, they did note thatframestore for research, animation it lacks ACTV-1's "helper signal," the and broadcast. Controversy system's fourth component, which Since the world is still largely low- transmits additional vertical -tempo- def, standards conversion expert Mer- and Growth ral luminance detail. lin Snell and Wil,:ox introduced the A paper from North American Phil-ME 2001, a downconverter that ac- ips described various approaches to cepts1.125/60videoand outputs in ATV HDTV augmentation channelsin NTSC, PAL, SECAM, PAL -M and that company's HDNTSC proposal, PAL -N. The company says the prod- ADVANCED TELEVISION not to be confused with the Del Ray uctis"readyfor"theproposed Group's HD-NTSC. Richard Iredale of1250/50 European HDTV standard. Without a Del Ray offered a status report on HD- In the improved NTSC camp, CDL doubt, ad-NTSC, which is supported by Cox En- demonstrated its new E-NTSC codecs, vanced televi-terprises and Tribune Broadcasting. now known as Stage*1. The hallmark sion was the tech-A paper from Sony describewd theof this system isa new multidi- nologyoftheHDD-1000 digital VTR for 1125/60mensional filtering technique based moment atOcto- HDTV. Y, R -Y, and B -Y components on research conducted at Montreal's ber's SMPTE con-are separately and linearly quantizedBell -Northern Labs. The Stage*1 en- vention. The even- to eight bits/sample, yielding a 56 dBcoder without the two-dimensional tual choice of HDTVS/N ratio. Production Services, Inc., offilter is $7900; shipping, on a 90 -day transmission andTucson, described the application ofschedule, should commence within production systems puts so much atits Genesys technology to HDTV.the month. The 2D filter can be added risk for so many segments of the in-Genesys combines "fundamentallyon a single card. dustry-over-the-air broadcasters,new" carrier signal modulation, A/D An interesting development in the cable operators, teleproduction, pro-conversion, bit compression and de-nonbroadcast realm was High -Reso- gram producers, receiver manufactur-tection and will, the company asserts,lution Sciences' "chroma crawl -free" ers-that no one is willing to stand by allow an additional 3 MHz of informa-video technology, designed for cable and accept whatever system maytion and four digitally converted au-systems but not currently suitable for come down the pipeline. dio signals to be added to the conven- over -the -air broadcast. A company Perhaps the most talked -about de-tional NTSC signal. spokesman said no receiver modifica- velopment at the show was NBC's pro- While production equipment for the tions were necessary. posal, announced by Mike Sherlock, 1125/60 standard has been available president of NBC operations and tech-for some time now, other pieces of the nical services, at a Saturday morningHDTV puzzle have been slow in com- press conference, of a 1050 -line, 59.94 ing. SMPTE '88 showed a few signifi- Hz HDTV production standard. cant developments on the hardwareCGs The paper NBC submitted to the side. BTS, for example, was showing SMPTE actually detailed three pro-an HDTV versionofitsrouting posed ANSI standards for HDTV pro- switcher, the TAS/TVS 2001. FirstCatch Fire duction: a 1050 -line, 59.94 Hz, 2:1 in- seen at NAB, this wideband system terlace standard; a 525 -line, 59.94 Hz,has already been installed at WGBHGRAPHICS 1:1 progressive scan standard; and ain Boston. It is designed to fit into 1050 -line, 59.94 Hz progressive scanHDTV systems of any size from 10x10 Is there a CG op- standard. (See this month's Crosstalkto 200x200, and its control systemserator out there for more discussion of the controver-are fully compatible with the 2000who hasn't sial NBC proposal.) routing switcher family. thrilled to in- With the industry gearing up to Toko America, which specializes instructions "Get it startfull-scaletestingof HDTVsignal processing for HDTV, intro- uptheregood, transmission systems, developmentsduced an HDTV multi -frame synchro- fast and cheap"? on the transmission side are comingnizer and image storage system, theUntil SMPTE '88, the printable re- fast and furious. Researchers at theMFS-64H. Designed to fit into thesponse was usually: "Pick two and call David Sarnoff Research Center,1125/60 environment, the MFS-64H me." whose two -level Advanced Compat- can digitize and delay up to 30 frames, In graphics and effects, the hot ible Television transmission systemexpandable to 90, and is suited tonews is that character generators are has received much attention, intro-computer graphics and animationsuddenly sexy. Formerly, CGs were duced yet a third level, ACTV-E (forapplications, the company says. An-either quick, dirty and cheap, or state- "entry-level" ACTV). While Sarnoffother new product from Toko was theof-the-art and equally pricey boxes representatives did not describeVT -500,an$85,000HDTVgenerating foundry -based type and BME December 1988 51 STAFF REPORT

Museum of Art -quality. Revolution- ized by computer graphics technology videographics adapters. and buoyed by reports that some 80 Delivering a broadcast quality percent of commerical TV stations re- TRUE signal from an IBM PC or- cently surveyed by the NAB (Septem- new-an Apple Macintosh, the ber 1988) now use character genera- TrueVista boards incorporate a torsandgraphicstechnologyin VISION: TI34010 32 -bit graphics broadcast news, the market is re- coprocessor and carry between 1 sponding fast. and 4 Mbytes of on -board video At SMPTE, new units from the TRUE GRIT memory. Prices run from $2995 likes of Aston and Quanta and-sig- to $5995, plus a temporary nificantly-new market entries from Open up an IBM PC and you maymemory surcharge. Color, capture Ampex and Abekas promise all the find a Targa video capture and and display resolution are oldcapabilitiesplus new display board. It was designed programmable and the series is functionalities-at a price that won't and made by Truevision, a feisty NTSC and PAL -compatible. Both make one's heart stop. leveraged buyout from AT&T's the Targa and the Vista series Both the Aston Caption character former Bell Labs. Out on its own are modular, and Truevision has generator and Quanta's Orion and with frame grabbers/buffers and developed a bus for the Vista that Delta get economy -minded stations imaging software for PC -based can support, among other things, on the air fast with easily accessible, imaging, Truevision was a debut an array processor. One more easily manipulable and attractive hit at SMPTE with its TrueVista thing. These folks definitely love graphics. First announced at NAB, series of coprocessor -based their job. the Caption is essentially a single- channel version of the Aston 4. New effects including deal, stack, multirow twist and transparent back-transparencyandantialiasingofCypher Sport, doesn't make that par- grounds were introduced at SMPTE.characters and symbols. It's said to beticular link, it does download from Over 60 of the $27,500 Captions areunique because it can perform almost Cypher Sport and displays pictures currently in use, Aston says. limitless manipulation and anima- transferred from Paintbox. The multi- Initial shipments of Quanta'stion of characters and symbols; char-channel 4:4:4:4 Sprint also generates Delta-priced at $39,995-and theacters and symbols can, for instance, and composes captions independently; mid -range Orion began in Septemberbe animated in real time along anyit's intended for news, sports and elec- to a mixture of international and U.S.arbitrarily defined motion path. tion coverage. clients. A year in development and First introduced at SMPTE in 1987, based on different hardware, the firstthe Abekas A72 is scheduled to ship Orion and Delta shipments were con-in January 1989, the company says. figured for up to eight languages. Sta-More font attributes including soft tus -driven, the keyboard -addressableshadows, soft characters and charac- Orion uses 16 levels of antialiasing,ter aspect were introduced here forJust Slightly 256 levels of transparency and 16 mil-the CCIR 601 -compatible digital CG. lion colors. The Delta is an anti-Priced at $35,000 for a single channel aliased, freeform text generator withmodel and $45,000 for dual, theAhead real-timeoperation; an unlimitedAbekas A72 offers on-line instant siz- number of multilevel planes can eaching, even on the fly. All fonts and col- be rotated 360 degrees. ors are on-line; by combining theof its Time Ampex and Abekas are both new toA72's variable roll and crawl speedsDIGITAL AUDIO the character generation market, butwith an interpolated frame store, the both have the marketing clout to beunit can create animation whichDigital audio work- major contenders. Ampex in particu-looks very similar to digital effects. stations applied to lar can wield serious turnkey muscle Another industry trend is integra-video editing-in and can call on corporate resources, a tion of production and/or post -produc- theory, as Robin synergy which in fact enabled the de-tion systems, which Quantel epito-Williams would say, velopment of the Alex CG from tech-mizes by linking everythingwhat a concept. In nological "bits and pieces" the com-including the sink to Harry (Harry- fact, as evidenced at pany had on hand. Priced betweenSuite). While its U.S.-debut compactSMPTE, the equipment is not quite $23,500 and $39,500 for "mid to high(read "price competitive") characterthere, and it doesn't come cheap. end" broadcast and post -productiongenerator Cypher Sprint, the littleEqually important, anyone who says applications, Alex boasts 256 levels ofbrother of fast digital graphics boxit's a snap to get smart on these 52 BME December 1988 systems majored in a whole lot moreOpus 1 workstation is also intended$225,000, are in the field, with deliv- than new math: the new technocracyfor multitrack music editing, CDeries quoted at 90 dgys. of computer -literate audio for videopreparation and radio work-particu- Thefirstbornfromtherecent operators will be sought-after birdslarly radio drama, which can be edit - Quantel/SSL alignment under the commanding a high price. intensive. Twelve of systems, which UEI Group bowed at SMPTE as pro- Nevertheless, digital technologiesrangeinprice from $150,000to duction versions or the SSL 01 system are filtering into editing, on -air and production modalties for broadcast television and radio applications. At one time it appeared that stations would "go digital" in one fell swoop, scoopingthemortgagepooland putting in a Super Synclavier with Leaving the Users the alacrity of Murdock's London Times switching to computer editing. Another school of thought argues the of MR, Betacam SP incremental apporach: a signal processor here, a digital workstation there, some fiberoptic cabling, on -air and DIE Tape CD, touchscreen newsroom automation-and boom, whole station automation and digital through the STL. Speechless. Bolstered on one hand by the "systems integrators"-spearheadedat SMPTE byQuantelandHarry- Sound-and on the other by a host of companies which are making analog audio jump through digital hoops, the balance appears to be tipping toward the evolutionaries. The SMPTE debuts of the Lexicon Opus 1 and SSL 01 Digital Production Center were the most visible contenders in the digital audio production ring, despite strong showings from New England Digital, Fairlight and a two-day "guest appearance" from Waveframe dispensing information from a truck parked across from the convention center. NED is targeting the film and video post industries The New Eliminator 4000 heavily with its 96 -voice new There's no one better at eliminating unwanted information than Garner. So Synclavier system (a production and we won't bore you with a lot of impressive talk about our new Eliminator 4000. development deal was inked with All we'll say is that it's so effective at erasing low -end audio noise, it's the one Lucasfilm and announced at the AES degausser approved for use by the major television networks and production in Los Angeles just two weeks later). facilities. And it's the one bulk eraser that guarantees -75 dB erasure of complete- The Lexicon Opus 1 is a hard disk - ly saturated 1500 oersted metal particle tape in 12 seconds or less. based system that incorporates the If you'd like to know more about everything the Eliminator 4000 can do for functions of a digital multitrack re- you, give us a call. We've got a lot to say. corder, a digital audio editor and a digital mixer in an environment easily grasped by anyone used to working with "reels" of sound. 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Circle 119 on Reader Service Card Page 53 Why Sony cutting edgeo BVE -9000 Onecompany has consistently managed to stay at the forefront of video technology. Sony. We've been defining and redefining editing control units for more than 12 years.Which enables us to offer a wide range of sophisticated machines that are fast, accurate, easy -to -use and offer the most features possible for the money. With that in mind, it's easy to understand why the BVE -9000, BVE -900 and BVE -600 editors differ, yet share Sony's key operating controls and features. For instance, they all automatically detect and identify the type of Sony VTR being used and set the appropriate control parameters through RS -422 serial control ports. Plus, they can read Control Track,Time Code and perform video/audio split edits.The list of features goes on and on, so by all means, read on.

The BVE -9000. State -Of -The -Art That's Top -Of -The -Line. The Sony BVE -9000 is one of the most flexible andpow- crt. erful editing systems in the world. It's designed tosave the tal6 t="."1 NNE fml 111410. 111 N N most precious commodity of all: time. 11.1 12,6 AM .1 9'era C 1111 r):111 Among its significant innovations are multi -edit preview 11.1.10 nx All m1 and full assembly look ahead.This allows you to previewan mlmm nine. entire sequence of up to 999 events, before actually having to vi i EU' tl RX'rYO 4N 44N0 Op%9 record a single edit. And then,with the flick ofa few key NNE MEM NM MI strokes, you can automatically record the entire program. Of course, there are many other incredible features that BVE -900 help you control your entire editing facility. For one thing, the BVE -9000 can work with 28 separate devices. It also has an optional color menu display that's user friendly and programmable for layout and color. What's more, our Dynamic Motion Control Learn -With -Create and isonthe f technology.

switcher Learn -With -Create features allow you to record a move without having to re - rehearse it. In addition, the temporary record assignment greatly speeds up multi -layering. And the most complete set of test diagnostics in the industry helps reduce system downtime. No wonder this top -of -the -line editing system can meet all your present and future needs. The BVE -900. State -Of -The -Art TechnologyAnd State -Of -The -Art Economy. The next best thing to editing on a BVE -9000 is editing on a BVE -900. It, too, is an easy -to -use system and economically offers technical advancements and expandability. It controls up to four VTR's in any A/B roll edit. So you can perform BVE-boo sync roll and sync play. In addition, the BVE -900 gives you full control of video switchers and audio mixers, including fader selection and VCA control for split audio/ video edits. What's more, its easy -to -use menu driven display puts edit accessibility at your fingertips. The BVE -600. State -Of - The -Art Technology Even More Economically. The BVE -600 is our most economical unit. It allows you to control threeVTRs (two players and one recorder). Which, depending on your needs, may be more than enough.You have the power to dissolve, wipe, or superimpose editing sequences,without the need for an external video switcher. Our optional built-in component/composite video switcher offers a selection of 10 wipe patterns.That,with our built-in MXP-29 Audio Mixer interface, make A/B roll editing a reality.

Of all the benefits of using Sony editing control units, perhaps the greatest is that they form an easy -to -use system.Which means you can connect them to Sony VTRs, switchers, audio mixers and video monitors. All of which are serviced by Sony. For more information about Sony's entire line of editors,write to: Sony Information Center, P0. Box 6185, Union, NJ 07083.Then you'll be able to see even better why Sony is on the cutting edge of technology. SONY Broadcast Products Sony Communications Products Company

COMMUNICATIONS allows up to seven sources on the screen at one time and permits any one key to have more than one source. A dual chroma keyer with key shadow makes very transparent chroma keys. Microprocessor The unit comes in 12 and 24 input versions. Controlled Another small but powerful system is the Prodigy from Videotex. The Klystron High unit features an effects transition Power Amplifiers (ET) system that puts 100 events, 80 transitions, 10 instant replays, and 10 Field -proven and recognized for wide sequences on line with battery back- spectrum coverage and consistent, up to protect their contents. Instant reliable output, MCL:s Microprocessor Controlled (and Standard Logic) Klystron replay allows Prodigy to learn the op- High Power Amplifiers (SATCOM C -Band erator's actions against a real time and Ku -Band) are accepted and proven by communications experts worldwide. MCL clock, and programmed sequences al- Series 10000 Klystron Amplifiers are low repeatability without setting up designed to withstand variable the effect in real time. environmental and mechanical conditions and are engineered for minimum maintenance and repair. MCLs SATCOM Series 10000 Amplifier Systems feature a host of standard equipment and options, including: full microprocessor (or CMOS Logic) CCDs Geta system control panel modular assembly for rapid sub -assembly access Motorized Channel Selectors Foot in the available RS232, RS422, IEEE488, or Contact Remote Interfaces electrical/mechanical "no -step" or Studio Door SCR AC line regulator drawer Beam Supply on casters; all other assemblies on slides CAMERAS AND RECORDERS ruggedization for transportable applications The big newsin and more! camerasatOcto- MCL is the leader in the field of amplifiers and allied equipment for the field of ber's SMPTE con- satellite communications. MCL offers a vention was the first complete line of products, at competitive prices, quality -tested and proven to round of what may provide unexcelled performance. Microprocessor amplifier shown become an invasion of the studio market by CCDs. For ENG use, CCD cameras Write or call MCL today and have overcome initial skepticism and request your FREE copy of Brochure #1001 (Microprocessor virtually supplanted tubes in new Logic) or Brochure #9009 (Standard CMOS Logic) for details camera introductions and sales. and technical specifications. While tubes still have the edge for high -end studio use, advances in CCD technology are coming so rapidly that ,...Lo0°.:"%CL,INC. solid state imaging may become the M501 S. Woodcreek Road norm sooner than anyone had Bolingbrook, IL 60439 expected. 312-759-9500 TWX 910-683-1899 At SMPTE, one of the first glim- mers of the impending CCD studio in- Manufacturers of TWT and Klystron Amplifiers for Satellite Communications. vasion was BTS's introduction of its 24 -Hour Sales and Technical Support for Immediate Service Worldwide. LDK 900, a frame transfer CCD production camera with full facilities for studio use. Employing the same CCD Circle 120 on Reader Service Card Page 63 frame transfer sensors as the LDK 90 60 BME December 1988 and weighing just under 40 pounds for60 dB, and a sensitivity of f 6.2 at Another very small-and very un- the basic camera head, the LDK 9002000 lux. Also available for immedi-usual-CCD cameraisthe Sony features full studio functionality, in-ate delivery, the price is $25,000. BVW-200, which integrates camera cluding mono -knob control of iris and While CCD cameras may have only and recorder into a single body weigh- master black levels, individual RGB a foot in the door of the studio market, ing just over 15 pounds fully loaded. color painting controls, color tempera-they remain well entrenched in theAt the core of this unit is the cost- ture selection, gain control, gamma 1ENG/EFP market. The trendin effective 510 interline transfer chip. and 2, knee function, contour selec-ENG/EFP cameras is definitely toAn ideal ENG imager, it features tion and black stretch on/off. Outputssmaller size, lighter weight, and re-high -sensitivity, minimal lag and of the base station include full band- duced power draw. A good example ishigh -resistance to image burn -in as width composite RGB, component sig- the new HL -55 from Ikegami, which well as quick start-up. The company nals, and monitoring signals. Theweighs just 6.8 pounds and draws onlyreports enthusiastic industry accep- LDK 90 ENG camera is doing well,14 W. This frame interline transfertance of this revolutionary concept the company reports; BTS recentlyCCD camera,inharmonywithsince its NAB introduction, with sales sold eight LDK 90 models to CCRIkegami's Unicam concept, shares thepassing the 70 -unit mark in less than Video to tape shows scheduled for the same accessories used by the HL -95D two months. This camera, which is delayed fall season. tube camera. It features 700 lines ofalso marketed by Ampex as the CVR- Another CCD camera that is at-resolution and an S/N ratio of 62 dB,200, provides 550 lines of resolution tempting to cross the line into studioand is available in standalone andand records up to 30 minutes on a sin- use is NEC's new EP -3, which thecamcorder configurations. gle cassette. Delivery takes from 45 to company has positioned for high -end Also in this category is the three -60 days and the price is $25,000. EFP and studio applications. Thischip SK -F1 portable, introduced by Another unusual CCD camera, this unit features a completely new highHitachiastheworld'ssmallestone from Panasonic, is still in proto- resolution, interline -frame transferdockable broadcast camera. A mem-type form and does not as yet have a CCD chip and advanced shutter tech-ber of the Hitachi's Computacam fam- model number. The distinctive thing nology. It has all the features neededily, the SK -F1 offers 700 lines of reso- about this camera, which the com- forcamcorder,standaloneVTRs,lution and an S/N ratio of 60 dB. Anpany expects to be ready for April's multicore EFP, studio, and triax con-advanced frame interlinetransferNAB convention, is that while the figurations. The camera and a com-CCD eliminates the problem of verti- output is analog, the processing is dig- plete line of accessories for use withcal smear. Other important featuresital. An engineering model of the triax and multicore remote controlfound in the camera include elec-Panasonic digital camera was shown units are available for immediate de-tronic variable speed shutter, auto to reporters at NAB '88, and this was livery. The price is $40,000. knee and knee aperture, masking andits first showing to the industry at The camera is also available in aflarecompensation.The camerais large. According to the company, the scaled -down version for ENG applica-available in camcorder, standalone,camera will feature 650 lines of reso- tions, the SP -30. This camera featuresand EFP configurations. Delivery willlution, an S/N ratio of 60 dB, and an 700 lines of resolution, an S/N ratio ofbegin in February or March. iris setting of f/5.6 at 2000 lux. BME December 1988 61 signed both for live camera and remote work, the Pictoris uses component processing. It offers composite video capability and S-VHS/ED Beta (Y/C3.58) format compatibility. Suggested list price is NEW $10,900. The Pictoris is available now. Reader Service #204

ALAMAR PRESENTS RE- MOTE CONTROL PANEL Alamar Electronics USA has announced the RCMP -5 remote machine control panel. With PRODUCTS the addition of one to ten RCMP -5 panels, a full remote machine control network can be configured. VTRs, switchers, telecine chains, character generators, still store devices and general purpose interface contacts can all be remotely FROM controlled utilizing this panel. The RCMP -5 remote panel communicates with the interfaced equipment via the industry standard ESbus. Reader Service #205

AMEK EDIT SUITE INTER- FACE BOWS SMPTE New from AmeIvTAC is the ESM1000 serial and parallel interface for Amek BCII broad- BME's roundup of SMPTE product introductions brings you cast consoles. The interface enables console control from all ESAM-equipped edit the hottest audio and video technology. systems. Reader Service #206

AMPEX INTRODUCES CHAR- Use the Reader Service Card bound into this issue to get ACTER GENERATOR Alex, Ampex's first entry into the character generator market more information on these is targeted for mid- to high - end on -air broadcast and post - production applications. Fea- products directly from the manufacturers. tures include characters and symbols animated in real time along any arbitrarily defined ABEKAS PREVIEWS A84 tal noise and film grain reduc- than the original Sony battery motion path, variable speed al- DIGITAL SWITCHER tion system. It obtains noise of this type. The eleventh cell lowing smooth rolls and crawls Designed for component digi- reduction and aperture com- allows engineers to use to- to meet specific time require- tal post production, the Abekas pensation while maintaining day's power -depleting video ments, automatic perspective, A84 is a 12 -input, CCIR 601 high video quality: its primary cameras and recorders for color changes as a function of compatible digital switcher, function is to remove random longer periods of time. Voltage time or overlapping, choice of which Abekas says will be the noise and film grain during for the new battery is rated at over 16 million colors, map- most powerful post production film -to -tape and tape -to -tape 13.75 with a 1.8 Ah capacity ping to follow the curve of a switcher available. Incorporat- transfer. The DIE 125 is com- when fully charged. line, and real time "write -on" of ing Adaptive Sub -Pixel Intelli- ponent and all -digital 4:2:2. It Reader Service #203 signatures rather than left to gent Keying (ASPIK), the uses separate luminance and right uncovering. Full keyers free key edges from chrominance processing and ALTA ADDS DIGITAL EFX TO antialiasing is maintained re- stair -stepping. Up -sampling is 10 bit internal accuracy in the PICTORIS gardless of the effect, or com- also incorporated in key pro- luminance channel. Frame -re- New digital effects have been bined effects, being cessing. The unit will be shown cursive architecture provides added to the Alta Pictoris video performed. in the U.S. in early 1989 and up to 15 dB of noise and gain compression system previewed Reader Service #207 at the NAB. reduction. The DIE is available at the 1988 NAB. The Pictoris Reader Service #201 now. yields 450 lines of resolution AMPEX UNVEILS VPR-300 Reader Service #202 from 5.5 MHz bandwidth. In SERIES D-2 VTRS ACCOM DEMONSTRATES addition to infinite compres- Designed for high -quality pro- 125 ENHANCER NEW BATTERY FROM sion, the Pictoris now features duction, post -production and First shown at the 1988 NAB, ALEXANDER mosaic, vertical and horizontal broadcast applications, each Accom's 125 digital image The Alexander model BP1A-11 inversion, posterization, nega- unit of the new series is com- enhancer is a component-digi- features 11 cells, one more tive video and dissolve. De- patible with existing analog fa- 62BME December 1988 cilities and equipment and can tion amplifier features one eration. Any image can be put form monitoring signals. be a plug for plug replacement high impedance input and four on the screen by scanning, Reader Service #218 for almost any composite ana- low impedance outputs. each tracing, drawing or typing. It log VTR. The VPR-300 provides electronically servo -balanced. may then be moved, rotated, CANON CCD LENS DEBUTS a minimum of 20 transparent The unit uses transformerless duplicated, modified, colored, A new lens for use with CCD generations, superior digital circuits to develop flat fre- outlined or animated using cameras has been introduced video and four channels of dig- quency response that does not only a digitizing pen and an by Canon. The 115x9.56 IRS ital audio, simplified opera- ring or overshoot, which en- easy -to -understand graphic dynamic broadcast zoom lens tion, and advanced self di- ables distribution of SMPTE menu. features a built-in 2x extender, agnostics. A lower cost time code as well as audio. Reader Service #215 0.95m minimum object dis- version, the VPR-305, does not Each output has a dedicated tance, high M.T.F., improved include AST automatic tracking amplifier and level control. The BARCO BOWS MONITORS chromatic aberration, and de- capabilities, but may be field unit can be used as a stand- WITH INTELLIGENCE creased image distortion. upgraded to full VPR-300 alone or rack -mounted. Sug- The Emmy-winning Barco CVS Weighing in at 3.53 pounds performance. gested listprice of the 120 is series monitors feature micro- without a hood, the lens come Reader Service #208 $279.95. processor control via screen in two configurations: B3 and Reader Service #212 panel, a remote cable -at- B4. AMMO( MAGNETIC TAPE tached handset, or hard -wired Reader Service #219 ANNOUNCES MP D-2 ASTON REACHES FOR multi -control console. Other Ampex 319 D-2 composite dig- WALLET features include auto setup CDL ENHANCES NTSC ital videotape is now available The Aston Wallet is a 40 Mbyte and alignment, anti -drift bias- Stage*1 E-NTSC is a new line in three cassette sizes, with picture still store which can be ing functions, and expansion of NTSC codecs that incorpo- maximum play times of 32, 90 configured both with hard disk slots for digital, composite, rate multi -dimensional signal and 208 minute respectively. It or removable disk. It uses two and other format inputs. Avail- processing technology to de- utilizes 1500 Oersted metal disks in the same format or able models include the CVM- liver artifact -free images that particle videotape, which en- one of each and provides RGB 51 and 37 for high -end post are virtually indistinguishable ables greater bit packing den- and YUV for digital capability. and CVS-51 and 37 for broad- from original RGB images, ac- sity and slower play speeds, Targeted both at video produc- cast applications. cording to the company. Pro- thus achieving longer play tion and the broadcast mar- Reader Service #216 cessing is entirely digital with times than D1 tape formats. kets, the Wallet also provides 10 -bit internal architecture, Ampex 319 is 13 micrometers full broadcast bandwidth. The BTS ANNOUNCES ROUTING and digital I/O allows integra- thick. The cassette shell has Wallet is available now in a SWITCHER tion D-1 or D-2 equipment. An been redesigned, but the com- suggested list price range of Model TVS,TAS-2001 is a new auxiliary channel provides for pany says the D-2 composite $17,500 to $18,500. wideband audio and video dis- delay compensation for key or format is completely compat- Reader Service #213 tribution switcher from Broad- other video signals: analog ible with existing equipment. cast Television Systems with a outputs are NTSC or Y/C Reader Service #209 AUDIO PRECISION SOUPS completely new 30 MHz band- selectable. Options include UP SYSTEM ONE width video section based on genlock, analog input, ESbus ANGENIEUX MICRO -CON- The "S" version of Audio Preci- surface mount technology. interface and diagnostics. TROLLED LENS sion System One audio test set Features include clamped Reader Service #220 A new microprocessor -con- features a serial (RS -232) port video inputs, multilevel break- trolled 20x8 f/1.3 studio lens in addition to the normal T&M away capability, redundant CHYRON INTROS ACG from Angenieux allows for con- features, thus allowing opera- control card capability, power The ACG is a real-time charac- trolled focusing at any dis- tion via remote PC (even supply alarm indicators, coax- ter, graphics, animation and tance, as far up as the front laptops). Proprietary control ial party line or RS -422 control video effects system which element. Specifially designed software is being marketed by standard with SMPTE RS -422 uses an open-ended architec- for studio applications, the the company as well as a computer control optional, ture based on a 20 Mbyte Win- lens features a new accessory home-brew TV stereo proof dual video outputs and a 10 x chester hard disk with an addi- internal mechanical shutter package that provides MAIN- 10 matrix arrangement. One tional 3.5 -inch floppy disk with a speed of 1/250th of a RSP, MAIN-THD, SUB-THD, and 19 1/4 -inch high x 19 -inch drive. The ACG is compatible second for slow-motion SEP-CHK testing. wide rack mount chassis pro- with Scribe and Scribe Jr. It effects. Reader Service #214 vides up to 160 inputs with 20 features automatic character Reader Service #210 outputs or 70 inputs with 40 kerning, 16.7 million color se- AURORA HAS outputs. Additional chassis can lections, variable character ANTON BAUER'S PROBING VIDEOGRAPHICS SYSTEM be added as required. Delivery edges, automatic color ramp- OPTION Broadcasters use the AU/280 is 120 days. ing for graduated and shaded The Probe programmed battery videographics system from Au- Reader Service #217 backgrounds and real-time ani- evaluator for the Lifesaver MP - rora to generate a variety of mation. Optional features in- 4 and MP -8 microprocessor images and effects for news, BTS OFFERS FIRST STUDIO - clude logo compose and 2D fast chargers is new from An- advertising, and promotional STYLE CCD CAMERA video effects including flip, ton Bauer. The computer - sequences. Artists are also en- The LDK 900, the first frame spin and rotate. Multiple based unit is programmed to abled to create everything from transfer CCD with full studio speeds of roll, crawl and slow do diagnostic, calibration, and short opens, trailers and pro- facilities, is, at 40 pounds, the reveal plus custom animations revitalization functions. These motional clips to high resolu- lightest full facility camera yet. including cel animation are functions detect defects such tion animated station IDs, The total system consists of a also provided. as excessive self discharge, complete with sophisticated 3- small camera head, base sta- Reader Service #221 memory, separation failure, D effects. Model AU/280 also tion, and operational control shorted cells, and reduced ca- provides corporate and other panel (OCP). OCP facilities in- CMX INTRODUCES COM- pacity. LCD displayed status private video and graphics pro- clude iris and black level PLETE POST -PRODUCTION results can be printed out via ducers with the tool to en- mono -knob control, black and SYSTEM RS -232 port. hance the appearance and ef- white matching, gamma, gain, Editing and switching capabili- Reader Service #211 fectiveness of training, color temperature and knee. ties combine in the new CMX marketing, and communica- The base station has outputs 330S post -production system APHEX BOWS DISTRIBU- tions videotapes. The principal of composite, full bandwidth which evolved from the CMX TION AMP feature of this and the other RGB and component signals, 330A large scale computerized The Aphex 120 audio distribu- Aurora systems is ease of op- as well as picture and wave- editor. With a built-in BME December 198867 audio/video switcher, the 330S wireless Micromatch setup unit hum and interference, and per- MIDI control. The H3000B offers full post -production ca- that stores monitor settings mits a full color signal with automatically calculates and pabilities with on-line and off- automatically by pressing the graphics. Options include char- adjusts pitch ratio; the unit line editing, a controller with LCD sensor head to the "mas- acter generation, ID graphics provides 16 bit PCM sampling 3.5 inch disk drive interfaces ter" screen. Settings can then packages and time and tem- at 44.1 kHz. It is available for three serial VTRs, and a be invoked in other monitors perature displays. System op- now. Suggested list price is GPI for control of eight de- from the data in the handheld tions also include creation of $2995.00. vices. The audio/video switcher unit. The monitors come in custom logs allowing special Reader Service #231 provides cuts, dissolves, fade - both 13- and 19 -inch effects and animation. Charac- to -black for A, B and C source configurations. ter generator capabilities and NEW TIMECODE GENERA- machines, along with auxiliary Reader Service #225 master control are front -panel TOR FROM EVERTZ and black inputs. A non-TBC accessible. External control is Camcorder from Evertz mode allows for cuts and fade - DIGITAL F/X PRESENTS via two serial ports and GPI in- Microsystems squeezes the to -black in the absence of time COMB FILTER DECODER terface contacts. functions of a VITC/LTC genera- base correctors. Model DF/X-2A NTSC is a new Reader Service #228 tor into a package small Reader Service #222 adaptive comb filter decoder enough to be mounted on which provides high quality EDITRON DEBUTS NEW most camcorders. The unit fea- DP422 LAUNCH AND NTSC decoding in a convenient SYNCHRONIZER tures full audio track availabil- LIVELINE 5 UPGRADE one rack unit package. The The newest multistandard syn- ity, time code readability down Colorgraphics announced 6.0 DF/X-2A has been optimized chronizer in the Editron line is to still frame, LTC jam -sync release software for the for critical uses such as up- the 100 System. Features in- reader, built-in character in- Liveline 5 weather graphics stream decoding for compo- clude on -board software for 25 serter, pre-settable time and presentation system. A new nent digital signal processing machines, internal timecode user bits, VITC line selection compression algorithm enables devices. The decoder exhibits generator and monochrome and remote start/stop from expanded animation capabili- low residual subcarrier with sync pulse generator, pro- camera trigger. The price is ties and faster display time. wide frequency response to grammable record in points, $1500. Deliveries should start 6.0 software is standard as both luminance and chromi- general purpose interface re- in January. part of a Liveline 5 system. nance. Outputs are provided in lays (GPIs), and offset calcula- Reader Service #232 Also new and aimed at me- both Betacam and RGB for- tion. The 100 will lock up to 3 dium and high end facilities, mats. Delivery will commence machines to an input video ref- FAIRLIGHT UPGRADES SE- the DP422 Digital Platform in January, 1989. the price is erence, or synchronize up to 3 RIES III features multiple machine con- $4.900. slaves to input timecode, pilot The MFX control console and trol architecture enabling con- Reader Service #226 tone, biphase quadrature, or the Waveform Supervisor are trol of digital devices such as tacho pulse from a master. De- new hardware/software up- the Sony DVR-1000 and the DSC MAKES A COLLAGE livery takes 6 to 8 weeks. Price grades for the Fairlight Abekas A64 and A60. It uses The DSC Collage is a D-2 digi- with 2 interfaces is $10,000. audio/post workstation. The 4:4:4:4 internal processing tal compositor for multichannel Reader Service #229 MFX console integrates tape with a 4:2:2 interface for key, compositing of multi -layered machines with Series III se- thereby manipulating and effects and sophisticated pro- EMC OFFERS FIRST DIGI- quencers using dedicated maintaining work entirely in gram segments. It can com- TAL OFFLINE EDITING transport controls enabling di- the digital domain. Image op- posite directly to D-2 tape ma- SYSTEM rect tape transport control and erations are automatically fil- chines or disk recorders and EMC2 is a computer -based sound trigger while locked to tered to create antialiased can be upgraded to a tapeless system for digital editing of any type of sync. Claimed to edges; dissolves, fades, wipes production center with the audio and video. The system be three times faster than and graphics elements are company's DiSC real-time digi- does not control tape decks, other hard disk -based systems, done in real time through a tal disk recorder. Collage uses but works with all video and the Waveform Supervisor is two -channel additive digital a 12 bit video path; the basic sound digitally. Source mate- based on a dedicated 68020 mix effects unit. Available now DiSC system provides up to rial is transferred from tape to processor for disk operations though backordered as of 212 second of record capacity a master optical disk where up and the new Hitachi 380 SMPTE, the DP422 has a sug- and features simultaneous to four hours of SMPTE/EBU Mbyte ESDI (Extended Storage gested list price of $99,000. record and playback capability. timecoded video and audio is Device Interface) hard disk op- Reader Service #223 A D-2 interface which digitizes stored as low resolution color tion. The disk plays back six composite analog inputs (3, 6 images and digitized audio. tracks of digital audio at COMPUTER PROMPTING or 9) and contains D -A convert- This will give editors the flex- 44.1kHz and sustains bursts of SHOWS SOFTWARE ers for three NTSC outputs ibility to change cuts near the up to 16 tracks using CPC -1000 computer prompting (PGM, PVW and Key) is an op- beginning of a sequence with- Fairlight's own new buffering software, new from Computer tional standalone device. Digi- out losing work done beyond scheme. Prompting, is designed to run tally constructed sync and the edit point. Price is Reader Service #233 from a modified laptop PC burst signals and VITC $25,950. equipped with a third -party timecode can be inserted into Reader Service #230 FGV PANTHER ADDS NEW EGA card with a component the PGM output. JIB ARM output. The software is Reader Service #227 EVENTIDE BOWS BROAD- A new Super -Jib accessory for availabe in a simpler CGA ver- CAST HARMONIZER the FGV Panther crane doubles sion that does not require the DUBNER BOWS NAME Billed as "the audio special ef- the Panther's column range modifiactions required with the DROPPER II fects department in one box", geometry, along with the verti- EGA version. Dubner s Name Dropper II the H3000B Ultra -Harmonizer cal drive speed, and thereby Reader Service #224 affiliate/network ID system is combines a digital extends the drive elevation to set up for automatic insertion reverb/effects processor and 3 meters. The new accessory CONRAC MICROMATCH of local station IDs into net- an automatic stereo time is lightweight, assembles to MONITOR work promotions and pro- compressor/expander. Aimed the Panther quickly and easily, The 6550 Micromatch monitor grams. Providing playback ef- at on -air broadcasters and pro- and is ideal for both the open from Conrac features a key - fects on ten screen sectors, duction studios, the H3000B field and extremely tight lockable setup, preset memory Name Dropper II operates via a features 70 preset sounds places. The price is $13,950 defaults, and an in -line gun hidden code embedded in the which can be used immedi- for the new accessory and dot mask CRT. The 42 -dot vertical interval. This frees the ately, stereo pitch shifting with $57,000 for the basic unit. pitch unit optionally features a audio channel, eliminating full mono compatibility and Reader Service #234 68 BME December 1988 FREZZI FAST CHARGER which features a control panel freedom from degradation dur- eter which affects a different The PAG Speedcharge 6000 styled on the Model 100 pro- ing multigeneration copying, key and pattern modifiers for microcomputer -controlled fast duction switcher. The unit is the unit incorporates major ad- the various patterns. Two com- charger for nicad batteries, designed for video post pro- vances in digital processing plete mix/effects systems pro- distributed in the U.S. duction applications which re- circuitry. The VTR accepts vide maximum effects layering Frezzolini, utilizes the battery's quire high quality keys includ- small, medium, and large cas- and allow up to seven sources own cells as charge sensors. ing linear keying for anti- settes for a maximum record- on the screen at one time. The unit determines the bat- aliased character generators ing time of 208 minutes. Opti- Models 9512 and 9524 have, tery type connected and auto- and digital video effects units. mized tape guiding provides respectively, 12 and 24 inputs. matically analyzes battery Other features include addi- 60X shuttle speed. Price is $28,500. attributes as it goes throught tional keying for production Reader Service #242 Reader Service #246 the charging cycle. switchers and the company's Reader Service #235 Borderline feature for border IKEGAMI DEBUTS CCD JVC HAS NEW CCD shadow. Unique features in- CAMERA CAMERA NEW TAPE FROM FUJI clude the ability to program Model HC -230 is a compact, Camera system, model KY - Fuji has expanded its line of functions for individual require- lightweight, camera for profes- 20U, displays versatility as Beta metal oxide tapes for ments, such as selectable PAL sional use. Three 1/2 inch part of an S -VHS camcorder broadcast and field acquisition and NTSC, programmable GPI pick-up devices with 360,000 combination, or, with adapter, applications. Sixty- and 90 - and E-mem register stores. pixels (NTSC) provide 580 TV as part of an MII camcorder minute tape configurations are Suggested list price is $4995. lines and an S/N ratio of 58 configuration, or, with large now available for Beta SP for- Reader Service #239 dB. The camera can be oper- viewfinder and remote control mat, and the company has ated with a VCR or with such unit, as part of a studio or mo- also announced plans to man- PAINT, COMPOSITION FOR systems as S -VHS and compo- bile van configuration, or as ufacture D-2 tape in early HARRIS VWS nent type VCRs. An electronic part of a stand-alone configu- 1989, and consumer R-DAT Paint, composition and titling shutter offers excellent resolu- ration. Horizontal resolution is tape (to be followed eventually software applications are now tion even when shooting mov- 530 lines and the S/N ratio is with pro R-DAT). available for the 32 -bit ar- ing objects and auto knee cir- 58 dB. Multi -format output sig- Reader Service #236 chitecture Harris Vws video cuitry ensures well-balanced nals include RGB analog, MII workstation. Harris Vws Paint pictures. Price is $9,400. (Y, R -Y, and B -Y) component, FUJINON GOES TILT offers true color and high reso- Reader Service #243 S -VHS (Y/C 358) and compos- In addition to new CCD lenses lution design capability for ite video signals. Price is (including a new 8.5x5.5 wide complex image manipulation. NEW LIGHTWEIGHT CCD $9,000. angle), Fujinon has introduced Features include multiple im- CAMERA FROM IKEGAMI Reader Service #247 a line of camera control equip- aging, rotating, rescaling and Ikegami Electronics' newest ment. Fujinon pan -and -tilt cell animation as well as mul- entry in the field of frame -in- KODAK UNVEILS VIDEO heads feature compact light- tiple brushes, including user - terline -transfer CCD ENG cam- PROJECTOR weight design and are avail- defined brushes. Composition eras is model HL -55. Light Operating with a VCR, laser able in three models: EPT-11 features include image com- weight, 6.8 lbs, and low power disc player, Kodak. field head, EPT-12 studio pression, magnification, bor- consumption, 14 W, are the Displaymaker video graphics head, and EPT-12P studio dering, rescaling and adjust- main features, along with dy- system or computer, the 13 - head/prompter. Three operat- able color and background namic DTL and high sensitivity pound LC 500 will project an ing panels, the EOP-11, EOP- design. Titling features auto- allowing gains up to +24 dB. image 12 feet wide. Features 1A, and EOP-2 complement the matic antialiasing, multiple Also featured are white shad- include the ability to alternate line. fonts including italics, foreign ing correction, multi -speed between three sources, easily Reader Service #237 language sumbols and kerning electronic shutter, horizontal portable size, built-in speaker adjustment. The packages will DTL, auto highlight compres- and lens cover, ease of opera- GRASS VALLEY BOWS 200- be available in January 1989. sion and knee aperture correction and high quality images. 1 SWITCHER Suggested list price for each tion. Available now for Set-up time is under two min- Grass Valley showed the 200- begins at $2500. $28,000. utes without assistance and 1, a single mix -effects 20 -in- Reader Service #240 Reader Service #244 requires only connecting to put configuration of its model power and video sources, fo- 200 video production switcher. NEW BROADCAST CONSOLE IMAGE VIDEO'S ROUTING cusing and front panel tint, Aimed at live and post -produc- FROM HARRISON SWITCHER brightness, and audio level ad- tion applications, the 200-1 Harrison Systems, Inc. has an- The Model 9600 high -density justing. Price is $3,495. uses a program preset bus and nounced the introduction of a routing switcher from Image Reader Service #248 features including extensive new on -air broadcast console, Video, Ltd., features +/- 1 de- key and wipe facilities. Options the AP -100 series. The new gree timing of all inputs, con- LEITCH PROVIDES D/A GO- include up to eight component console has the features and stant total propagation delay, BETWEENS chroma keyers, which generate price package specifically re- two sets of video outputs, +/- Leitch has introduced a new a chrome key from component quested by a majority of radio 1 degree timing of all outputs, line of digital -to -analog decod- and RGB sources, a linear Bor- station general managers and a 40 MHz video bandwidth, ers and distribution amps and derline key edge generator, program directors. Among its and no external DAs are re- accessories. The line includes enhanced analog and matrix features is a 12 -input stereo quired. The 9600 utilizes a the DAD -6000 CCIR-601 digi- wipe patterns and four auxil- configuration. The price is modular four -type building tal -to -analog decoder, the iary buses. Three key levels- $8,900. block design, and the unit can DDA-6000 CCIR-601 distribu- each capable of linear and lu- Reader Service #241 be configured for either video tion amp, and the FR -600R minance keying- and 20 ana- or dual audio applications. digital -to -analog mounting log wipe patterns are standard. HITACHI INTRODUCES NEW Reader Service #245 frame. Suggested list price is D-2 RECORDER Reader Service #249 $30,000. Hitachi's new composite digital INTERGROUP TECHNOL- Reader Service #238 recorder, the VL-D500, will be OGIES DEBUTS SWITCHER LEXICON INTROS SOFT- ready for shipment in February, Production switcher, series WARE OPTIONS FOR 2400 NEW GRASS VALLEY LIN- 1989. In addition to the 9500, is a highly computerized Software option 2.20 expands EAR KEYER characteristic benefits of digi- switcher whose effects memory interface capability of the Grass Valley also introduced tal processing, enhanced pic- system, Reflex, holds over 200 2400 Audio Time Compressor the DSI-101 linear keyer, ture and sound quality with events including every param- Expander to include new menu- BME December 198869 selctable videotape machine trols, and powerful aperture black source, color bars and a charger acts independently choices. These include the correction are provided to trim processing amplifier in a one from the other and automati- Ampex VPR-6NPR-80, Sony the picture and provide the ex- rack -unit package. Retail price cally cuts off at the completion BVH-3000, Panasonic AU -660 aggerated contours that may is $4490. of the charge cycle. and time code slave operation. be necessary to optimize out- Reader Service #258 Reader Service #262 Version 3.0 provides the same put appearance. interfaces in V 2.2 plus DC Reader Service #253 OKI'S LATEST CONVERTER PINNACLE'S NEXT STEP IS servo capability to control the OKI has introduced theLT1210 3D PRIZM Panasonic AU -650 Mil -format MICROTIME RINGS UP GEN- digital converter. The unit of- Prizm, a VLSI -based system of- VCR. Suggested list price for ESIS ACT 3 fers four-way conversion of fering Z-axis image manipula- upgrade to 2400 owners is Microtime's Genesis Act 3 digi- PAL, SECAM, NTSC 3.58 and tion of live video images with $125 for V 2.2 and $250 for V tal video effects system offers NTSC 4.43 input. Features in- multiple layering of three-di- 3.0. three -axis rotation and per- clude a synchronizing signal mensional still images includ- Reader Service #250 spective, plus fully pro- generator, color bar generator ing perspective and rotation, is grammable size and position, and time base correction. now available as an option for MAGNI INTRODUCES HDTV including infinite compression. Reader Service #259 Pinnacle Systems 2000 and SIGNAL GENERATOR Two times normal size expan- 3000 video workstations. Model2030is a programma- sion and the manipulation of AUDIO -FOR -VIDEO OPTION Prizm is available in PAL and ble signal generator capable of live or frozen video are also FOR THE NEWSMAKER NTSC. It can also create com- producing a wide range of featured. The unit can also se- The AFV/8 +8 automated audio binations of effects including HDTV test signals, either lect and program proportional mixing package for video post splits, blinds, transposition, Magni library signals or user - borders with soft wedges be- option is a new offering for multi -image montage and designed custom signals, in tween picture and border on a Orion's Newsmaker console. multi -freeze within an image in conjunction with a personal keyframe-by-keyframe basis. The console's standard fea- perspective, rotated or curved. computer. Three of the six out- Genesis Act 3 is available now tures include ReMem setting It can also create or layer a puts are generally dedicated to in PAL -B, PAL -M and NTSC for- recall functions and a standard still 3-D montage. providing synchronizing in- mats. Suggested list price is plug-in ESAM/GPI serial editor Reader Service #263 formation such as tri-level under $30,000. A nominally - interface. Features with the sync, H -blanking and V - priced factory upgrade is avail- audio -for -video option include QUANTA LEAPS FOR blanking. Once loaded, these able for Act 1 users. eight primary and eight sec- DELTA three channels retain their sig- Reader Service #254 ondary input sources, three The Delta 1 antialiased char- nals through non-volatile mem- stereo outputs, and a video - acter generator features free ory. The remaining three chan- MICROWAVE RADIO BOWS style sytem architecture. character placement, full -color nels are usually dedicated to 23 GHZ EQUIPMENT Reader Service #260 digital compositing, unlimited test signal outputs. Delivery is FCC Docket 82-334 has color and 256 levels of trans- scheduled to begin in mid De- opened up ultra -high frequen- PANASONIC INTRODUCES parency. Dual 720 -pixel 32 bit cember. Price is $26,950. cies to broadcasters, and the MII VTR frame buffers enable on -air Reader Service #251 Microwave Radio Corp. 23 GHz Model AU-660SE, an ad- page changes and updates microwave Mini -Link is de- vanced, high performance MII during live events, while func- MCCURDY INTROS DIGITAL signed to help maximize this studio VTR for production tions are selected via a pop-up INTERCOM SYSTEM new spectrum. Designed for editing and on -air playback window menu system. Ten lan- TheCS9400+digital intercomuse with two standard -gain an- was introduced by Panasonic guages and individual key- system from McCurdy features tennas, the unit provides safe Broadcast Systems. Features board layouts are available. point-to-point communicatons, transmission, even in rain and include a 9 -bit time base cor- Delta hardware includes a pro- 80 dymanic party lines or two snow. rector with 32 Hp -p correction grammable high-speed bit wire -type operation, 80 inter- Reader Service #255 capability to reduce quantizing blitter, an additional video dig- rupted foldbacks, 48 relays, noise and provide a signal to ital compositor, a downstream and 4 -character alphanumeric NEW ENG CCD CAMERA noise ratio of better than 50 video linear keyer, 4 Mbyte of displays. The unit is designed FROM NEC dB, color framing, controlled in RAM, a hard disk and a floppy with a microprocessor control Model SP -30 is a scaled down a four -field sequence, to elimi- disk drive. The Delta 1 mea- system, and instantaneous version of the EP -3. This cam- nate the H -shift at editing sures 10 by 17 inches and is reconfiguration of the system era features 700 lines of reso- points, and 90 minutes of rack -mountable. Available now, setup is possible at any time lution, an S/N ratio of 60 dB, recording/playback together suggested list price including from the system's dynamic and a sensitivity of f 6.2 at with a 20 -minute cassette. optional camera capture and control terminal. 2000 lux. Also featured is a Also standard is an adaptive full color RGB is approximately Reader Service #252 three position (0 dB, +9 dB, edge comb filter for outstand- $39,995. and +18 dB) gain switch. ing horizontal resolution in Reader Service #264 DOWNCONVERSION FROM Available for immediate deliv- slow motion and still playback MERLIN SNELL & WILCOX ery at $25,000. in the audio tracking mode. QUANTEL INTEGRATES EN- The essential link between Reader Service #256 Additional features are audio CORE HUD AND HARRY HDTV and NTSC is now avail- split, variable memory, on -the - Quantel has integrated the able from Merlin Snell and NIKON BROADCAST LENS fly in the AT mode, preview, re- control for Encore Head -Up Wilcox. The ME2001 is an Nikon's broadcast lens line view, trim, go to, auto tag, re- Display and Harry under a sin- HDTV downconverter that ac- now includes the TV-Nikkoor try, and discontinuous time gle pen, tablet and menu concepts 1125/60 HDTV input and S15x8.5B2 EAS-20, the code. Price is $35,500. trol system called Harry Encore converts it to NTSC, PAL, S13x8.9B1, and the 13x9B Reader Service #261 HUD. A single control station NTSC4.43, SECAM, PAL -M or CCD lens, which, uses Nikon's can now handle both editing PAL -N for output. It will extra -low dispersion glass. PERROTT UNVEILS and effects composition, pre- genlock in any of its output Reader Service #257 CHARGER view and compositing. New standards, and has freeze and ThePE124lightweight 4 HR features include real-time ef- fade controls and a built-in FRAME SYNC FROM NOVA dual charger unit from Perrott, fects simulations, random ac- color bar generator. Dynamic Nova has introduced the specifically designed for use cess keyframe preview and fi- pan and squeeze controls al- NovaSync frame synchronizer. with third -pin technology, will nal sequence composition low the user to compensate for The unit combines frame syn- simulatineousky charge two within Harry via a single the reduction in aspect ratio, chronization, auto default, 14, 13, or 12 volt 4 AH nicad command. while color balance, gain con - video AGC, input switching, packs in about 4 hours. Each Reader Service #265 70 BME December 1988 RANK CINTEL LAUNCHES postition. The sturdy ENG tri- $17,600 to $21,950, depend- and sync from frame buffer CCD TELECINE pod features a standard ing on options. into NTSC and S -VHS. In addi- Rank Cintel has announced the Sachtler 14 11 fluid head Reader Service #269 tion, the module provides the worlds most advanced CCD model with both S14 long and necessary sync generation, telecine, the ADS 2, featuring medium tripod legs. NO WIRES FOR video position control and con- a new 135 linear array imaging Reader Service #267 SENNHEISER nector interfaces. Price is sensor. The ADS 2 also pro- The ENG 2003 UHF diversity $3,695. vides a wide range of user- SCHNEIDER BOWS NEW wireless mic system has been Reader Service #271 friendly facilities including LENSES introduced by Sennheiser. De electronic dirt and scratch con- New Schneider lenses, the signed for ENG/EFP applica- SKOTEL UNVEILS TIME cealment, multiplexed trans- 14.5x TV wide angle lens with tions, the system features CODE READER fers and single switch 35mm- x2 flip -in RE for 1/1/4 -inch highly -shielded metal transmit- Latest in the line of Skotel to-16mm operation. An unique pickup tubes, including the ters, a strap -mounted mounted Corporation time code readers, electronic multiplexing option BTS CDIC-6 one -inch, and the receiver antenna, and RF- model TCR-132 offers en- gives the user multiple film 14.5x wide angle lens with x2 shielded crystals. Operational hanced performance features transports which can be inter- flip -in RE and Diascope. have range for the system is about in a more compact package. It faced to the master electronics been introduced by Schneider. 100 feet. These units were is capable of reading either cubicle to provide remarkable Reader Service #268 used by NBC during the recent VITC or LTC time code over the flexibility. Improved low light Olympic Games in Seoul. full operational speed range detection enhances the resolu- SEEHORN TECHNOLOGIES Reader Service #270 from pause to forward and re- tion of dense film detail and BOWS PRE -PRO SYSTEM verse shuttle. Either VITC or greater thermal stability en- Seehorn Technologies' MIDAS SIGMA HAS INTEGRATED LTC may be selected. In AUTO, sures minimal black level drift. (Multimedia Interactive GRAPHICS MODULE the unit will automatically Another important option is the Database Access System) is a Integrated Graphics Module switch from a source that is no automatic color corrector new pre -production system for IGM 2.0 makes it possiple to longer valid to one that is. which allows the telecine to film and video. Enabling bud- integrate computer graphics Time and user bit information operate virtually unattended. get planning, storyboarding, cards into video systems, an- may be displayed simulta- Reader Service #266 media cataloging, paper cut, swering the problems, electri- neously with independent se- first cut and final edit list in a cal and mechanical, associ- lection of position and other SACHTLER'S SYSTEM single system, the system is ated with interconnecting display attributes. The price is System 14 is a full camera based on an Apple Macintosh frame buffers with cameras, $1,800. suppot package for video cam- II as the central processing VTRs, and production switch- Reader Service #272 era applications. The pedestal unit. MIDAS systems will be ers. The unit decodes either features a pneumatic center available in January 1989, at a NTSC or S -VHS into its RGB SONY SHOWS LIBRARY column that can be locked into suggested list price of components and encodes RGB MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Circle 122 on Reader Service Card Page 63 BME December 198871 The Library Management Sys- electronic dubbing sheets and SHUTL remote shuttle control, plicable to ADR. tem (LMS) was the featured bar code hardware were a CMX download, a Shuttle Reader Service e 274 product at the Sony booth. Per- discussed. Goto interface and an sonnel from the company were Reader Service #273 EBU/SMPTE bus interface. The SSL HARRYSOUND NOW on -hand to discuss recent in- shuttle knob can be used in AVAILABLE stallations of the automated SOUNDMASTER HAS NEW both shuttle and jog modes, Production versions of Solid cassette library product. Tokyo CAPABILITIES allowing control of video and State Logic's digital audio broadcaster ANB has config- New additions to the many audio machines. Thirteen editing system first shown at ured a four -unit system, Soundmaster system for audio user programmable keys per- NAB '88 are now available. De- accessing up to 4000 cas- electronic editing and sound mit up to 79 automated key- signed to extend the power of settes. And interfaces with post production include the strokes per key, a feature ap- Harry, the video editing system manufactured by sister company Quantel, HarrySound is also available as a stand-alone unit. HarrySound mixes, edits and stores up to six digital audio channels with comprehensive splicing, crossfading time - offsetting and programmable gain -profiling. HarrySound's 330 Mbyte disk store holds 50 minutes of mono audio. Op- tional 690 MByte and 840 MByte disks are available. For AM, FM, SCA In/out include RGB monitor and TV modulation monitor output, AES/EBU interface and SCSI interface for optional 8 WHEN ACCURACY COUNTS... COUNT ON... mm tape archive drive and op- Call (215) 687-5550 or write for more tical disk drive. HarrySound information on Belar AM, FM, Stereo, works via Harry -style controls. SCA and TV monitors. BELAR Reader Service #275 lLECTRONIC LASCIPATOA, INC. LANCASTER AVE AT DORSET. DEVON, PA 19333 Circle 123 on Reader Service Card Page 63 TELECINE ENHANCEMENTS FROM STEADY -FILM Two products to enhance the operation of the Rank Cintel MK III Telecine and one for the MODEL 9521 20 x 10 DUAL AUDIO ROUTINGSWITCHER MK III -B Telecine have been introduced by the Steady -Film Corporation. A high speed lens for the MK III allows twice the light transmission of a standard lens. This improves the signal-to-noise ratio if the beam current is maintained or reduces burn and prolongs tube life if the beam current is reduced. Also for the MK IIIis a notch guide that greatly reduces interference caused by notched 35 mm film. An X -Y - Zoom printed circuit board for the MK III -B comes with a remote control panel and features a scan track. A Single Rack Unit Reader Service #276 STUDER REVOX SHOWS Combining high density and flexibility, Video and Dual Audio System neatly EIGHT -TRACK RECORDER Image Video's 9521 packages two 20 x 10 contained in only two rack units. Directed at the half -inch video Audio Switchers into just one rack unit Complete with RS232/422 serial interface market, the Studer C278 eight - to provide a surprisingly compact 20 x 10 and compatibility with all Image Video track quarter -inch audio tape Dual Audio or 20 x 20 Single Level standard and custom control panels, the recorder incorporates integral Dolby HX. In addition to Switcher. And, interfacing the 9521 with 9521 sets the highest standard to date in autolocate and loop capability, our 9520 Video Switcher creates a 20 x 10 audio switching systems. the C278 generates its own time and date time code. Four - track and two -track versions plus a two-track/center track time code version are also LlIMAGE VIDEO LIMITED available. 705 Progress Avenue, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada M11 -12X1 Tel. (416) 438-3940 Tlx. 065-25392 Fax.(416) 438-8465 Reader Service #277 1051 Clinton Street, Buffalo, N.Y. Tel. (716) 855-2693 Tlx. 065-25392 NEW VIDEODISC RECORDER FROM TEAC Circle 124 on Reader Service Card Page 63 TEAC has launched the mid- 72 BME December 1988 range LV210A videodisc re- ate in the 165 to 185 MHz the absence of rails or tracks which 16 may be VTRs, anima- corder, which retains most of high -band frequency range, and cumulative error in po- tion, non-volatile 250 -event the interactive features and ex- feature IF filters, allowing sitioning is eliminated by a ram, sync roll of as many as 4 ternal computer protocol of the simultaneous multiple systems proprietary position sensing VTRs in a single event, built-in LV200 12 -inch two-sided operation from one location. system. First deliveries are ex- video dissolve unit and built-in desktop disc recorder. Priced The two receivers offered in pected before the end of the stereo audio -follow video at $17,995, the recorder does the series, the single -antenna year. mixer. Deliveries are expected not provide long play CLV. A FMR-25 and the true diversity Reader Service #284 to start before the end of the companion videodisc player FMR-25TD, are both smaller year. model LV210P is priced at than the Telex FMR-50, have ULTIMATTE UNVEILS NEW Reader Service #287 $4995. An RS232C interface removable antennas, and fea- COMPOSITING DEVICE is standard; an IEEE -488 is op- ture a carrier indicator LED, a Shadows, transparencies, VIDEOTEK ADDS LINE SE- tional. A complete set of power -on LED, and a peak smoke, reflections, strands of LECT TO FRAME MSDOS drivers enables com- reading volume indicator. hair, and blue wardrobe colors SYNCHRONIZER munication with most interac- Reader Service #281 can be reproduced in the fore- Videotek, Inc. has added line tive authoring systems. ground of an Ultimatte-300 select to the VDP-8000 Frame Reader Service #278 TOKO FIELDS FRAME composite. This unit uses the Store/Synchronizer which can STORE FOR HDTV same processing techniques now be programmed to view a TEKTRONIX OFFERS WAVE- Model VT -500 from Toko Amer- as Newsmatte-2, but with con- single line of a particular field FORM ica is a new video frame store trols designed for a production of video. Additionally, the VDP MONITOR/VECTORSCOPE designed for digitizing and rather than broadcast environ- provides jitter free lockup of Video Measurement Set, storing HDTV signals. It fea- ment. A fade control permits noisy feeds from satellite, mi- model 1780R, by Tektronix is a tures RGB or Y, PBPR30 MHz the foreground subject to fade crowave, ENG and remote new "top of the line" instru- signals for input/output, and a in or out of the composite or broadcasts. Unique indepen- ment at a very affordable bipolar, tri-level sync signal to dissolve from the fore- dent freeze field capability per- price. Operators get all the ad- (BTA S-001). External sync or ground to the background. mits the storage of two differ- vantages of separate, interac- sync separation from the Y or Reader Service #285 ent fields or one field without tive waveform and vector moni- G channel can be employed. interruption of live video syn- tors and the convenience of a An interleaved, dual -port mem- UTAH SCIENTIFIC AN- chronizing. Price is single measurement package ory allows simultaneous dis- NOUNCES TOTAL AUTOMA- $5,495. for multiple tasks. This wide play and computer access of TION SYSTEM Reader Service #288 bandwidth, multi -input analog the image data. Incoming The Total Automation System measurement set is ideally video is digitized to eight (TAS) offers fully integrated VINTEN OFFERS NEW suited for television production bits/pixel for each of the three broadcast automation from PEDESTAL facilities and transmitter sites component signals at sampling traffic system to on -air. TAS Vinten Equipment Inc. has ex- where critical measurements rates of 74.25, 64.25 and takes full advantage of today's panded its line of camera ac- are made. Four video input 48.6 MHz. "smart" machines and employs cessories with the New Vision channels accommodate com- Reader Service #282 an open architecture allowing pedestal. Designed to comple- posite and component formats. easy incorporation of improved ment the Vision 5 head, this The fifth input is a standard TRUEVISION BOWS VIDVO versions of these machines as pneumatic pedestal incorpo- Tektronix probe. Clearly BOX they become available. Based rates the main features of big marked controls, digital read- The VIDI/0 Box is a stand- on a UNIX operating system television camera pedestals in- outs, complete front panel pre- alone NTSC encoder/decoder running on redundant micro- cluding the ability to take a sets, and pre-programmed which converts analog RGB to computers, TAS provides great "pull back and rise." Light measurement modes make for composite video or S -Video for advantages in terms of pro- weight, 26.5 lbs, makes it ease of operation. The touch half -inch Super VHS and ED cessing speed and multi- ideal for use with ENG/EFP screen lets an operator make Beta. VIDI/O also decodes tasked operation. The comput- cameras. First shipments are selections quickly without go- composite video (NTSC) and S - ers communicate with other scheduled for the end of ing through any menus. Video (Y/C) to analog RGB devices in the system over a 1988. Reader Service #279 components. The box includes high-speed local area network. Reader Service #289 a black burst generator, loop - Color display terminals provide TELEMETRICS PRESENTS through in all modes and the human interface to the RACK CABINETS FROM TRIAXCAMERA CONTROL subcarrier phase adjustment. system, each terminal having WINSTED SYSTEMS Truevision, which specializes its own dedicated functions. New from Winsted Corp. is the Telemetrics triax connected in PC -based videographics Shipments are now being Model V8530/32 56 -inch rack camera control systems may adapters including the made against a 6 -month back- cabinet. Features include re- be used with Sony, Hitachi, TrueVista series of capture and log of orders. movable side panels for easy Ampex and BTS color cameras. display boards, exhibited at Reader Service #286 servicing, 16- and 26 -inch Adapters for ENG/EFP and SMPTE for the first time. The depth options, and either RECAM style cameras are VIDI/0 Box is available VIDEOMEDIA DEBUTS punched or tapped rails. available. These units provide immediately. EDITING SYSTEM Reader Service #290 all of the required system sig- Reader Service #283 The V -MAX series of editing nals such as video, audio, systems represent the first ZAXCOM VIDEO genlock, controls and power TSM ADDS X -Y BASE FOR truly modular approach to HAS NEW for distances up to 5,000 feet SERVO PEDESTAL high -end editing and post pro- INTERFACE UNIT on simple low-cost triax or A new robotic SP -200 X -Y base duction. V -MAX is based on The DP800 Data Parrot allows coax cable. Use of these sys- is now optional equipment with Videomedia's V -LAN system an editor to perform keyboard tems, especially for outside the Autocam SP -200 servo which is used by many manu- functions, and thereby to con- broadcasting, affords savings pedestal from Total Spectrum facturers of editing, animation, trol other devices, by providing in set-up time and reliability of Manufacturing. Its unique ser- graphic systems and automa- an interface between the edi- performance. vos and guidance system solve tion equipment as a rew stan- tor, the Data Parrot transmits a Reader Service #280 the problems of extremely ac- dard for machine control. V - user -programmable data curate studio floor positioning MAX I and II, as well as string, simulating keystrokes. TELEX WIRELESS MICS and collision avoidance. Com- MICKEY, may be upgraded to Delivery takes 30 days. Price The new Telex FMR-25 series plete freedom to move about V -MAX III. Features include is $850. of wireless mics, which oper- the studio floor is assured by control of up to 32 devices of Reader Service #291 BME December 1988 73 JVC's S -VHS CAMCORDERS GIVE YOU FREEDOM OFCHOICE... AND THE VERSATILITY TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR VIDEO SYSTEM

Circle 125 on Reader Service Card Page 63 Discover the breathtaking controller and JVC's BR-S810U CCDs to capture the image with performance of JVC's editing recorder/player and you 360,000 pixels, a color matrix S -VHS camcorders, the have a complete, cuts -only editing circuit, self diagnostics with most versatile, cost effective system. The BR-S410UN is the character display, 2H vertical systems available to the video only portable, dockable S -VHS contour correction, flare professional. They let you recorder/player correction, four -speed shutter, and customize your video system to that can be negative/positive image reversal, meet your needs, whether you're used as a and much more. shooting on -site inspections in low source in JVC has a complete line of light, sports in sunlight, or a med- a cuts -only S -VHS products, including the ical team under the spotlight. editing system. BR-S610U recorder/player, They're the camcorders you've Now that's BR-S810U editing recorder/player, always hoped for. versatility. BR-S711U duplicator, RM-G410U The S -VHS format gives you and RM-G810U editing The controllers, and S -VHS monitors separate Y/C signals, wider BR-S410UN is bandwidth, better signal-to-noise ranging in size from 9 in. to the packed with TM-200SU 20 -in monitor. ratio, Hi-Fi audio, and more than professional 400 lines of horizontal resolution. features for a JVC also has the accessories you In short, sharper, clearer images, full two hours of need, including time -base correctors, without NTSC artifacts. S -VHS is recording. Like multi -signal standard frame one of the most powerful, eco- audio level meters, audio controls synchronizer, battery chargers, cables, nomical formats ever developed. for Hi-Fi and normal audio, and view -finders and other camera But that's what you'd expect from separate inputs and outputs for accessories- everything required the company that developed Hi-Fi and normal audio, a for the most demanding S -VHS and VHS. comprehensive warning and professional video applications. JVC's S -VHS camcorder story diagnostic system, an LCD Now that's freedom of choice. begins with the BR-S410UN counter, and an automatic edit And don't forget, JVC's S -VHS recorder/player. Configure it the function for clean assemble edits. camcorders are way you need it: And of course, JVC quality. a key Combine the BR-S410UN with The BY -10U camera uses a element JVC's BY single-CCD camera 2/3 -in. CCD for sharp image in Multi - or 3-CCD KY -15U camera capture, a four -speed Format and it's a dockable VCR. shutter, Integration- You'll have true one- self -diagnostic the most piece camcorder warnings, three cost-effective convenience, with- white -balance way to get the best from your out the bother memory existing video equipment. of separate settings, For a complete set of product components and external sync specifications, callJVC webs of cable. input for PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS Combine the genlock, and COMPANY at 1-800-JVC-5825. BR-S410UN with your choice of Ask for a product demonstration your existing composite lenses including 11X, and experience the brilliant camera or any color camera, and 16X, or a variety of C -mount performance of S -VHS for yourself. and it's a portable VCR. lens without using an adaptor. JVC's S -VHS camcorders. Or combine the BR-S410UN The KY -15U takes S -VHS to Linking your past, present, and with JVC's RM-G410U editing center stage. It features three 1/2" future video technologies. MEI JVC ALWAYS A STEP AHEAD... ?MAT INTEGRA' TO KEEP YOU A STEP AHEAD. It's withstood nineteenyears of raps, bops, swings and hits.

Reliability. It's what ITC audio cartridge machinesare all about, even after years of pounding and playing. In fact, you'll findmany of our original models still inuse today. Like this one from KOMA-AM radio in Oklahoma City. The reason is ITC cartridge machines havealways been engineered to withstand heavy-dutyuse day in and day out. That includes today's latest models. It's reliability like thiswhich has made ITC the undisputed leader in cartridge machines aroundthe world. And our reputation doesn't just end there.Engineers tell us ITC With toll -free technical consultations. Fast turn aroundon repairs and replacement parts. And our 2 -year warrantyon factory labor and all parts, including motors, heads and solenoids. No wonder, then, more stations buy ITCmachines than any other brand. And keep coming back formore. There's an ITC cartridge machine forevery need. Including the 99B Master Recorder with the patented ELSAcartridge preparation system. The DELTA Series, the most popular cartridgemachine in the last five years. And the economical OMEGASeries offering affordable performance. To find out more, call International Tapetronics,3M Broadcasting and Related Products Department toll -freeat 1-800-447-0414. (In Illinois and Alaska, call collect, 309-828-1381.) Tell them you heard about it froma reliable source.

01988 3M Company

Circle 126 on Reader Service Card Page 63 RADIO DECEMBER 1988 ENGINEERINGNUMBER FOUR SPECIAL SECTION

AES Shows "Clear Migration to DSP" Tlie most important trend from the recent AES for radio broadcasters to note is a clear move toward digital signal processing (DSP. In addition to established industry manufacturers, a number of independentcompanies-notably Valley, which is already marketing its DDP Digital Dynamics Processor-are entering this area. Most significant of all, two major manufacturers of OEM semiconductors, Motorola and Texas -based Crystal Semiconductor Corporation, mounted strong exhibitions supporting new high -bit DSP chips. These new semiconductors are expected to feature heavily in digital processor boards, system boards, linkperipherals, A:D conversion and equipment similar to the digital stereo 10 - band graphic equalizer featured in a Motorola application note. The Motorola DSP56001 is a 56 - bit general purpose DSP; it features 512 words of full -speed on -chip program RAM. The DSP56KCC-C is a new compiler with 24 -bit accuracy. Crystal, which focuses on NED's Frank Sullivan (left) and Tori Kobayashi Lucusfilnz, high-performance hybrid ICs which combine digital cir- agree to take SoundDroid back to the future. cuitry to enhance analog devices, emphasized a 16 -bit stereo A:D converter for digital audio. TheCS5326 also Sprocket Systems Division entered a joint development performs anti-aliasing filtering and sampling, using agreement to produce film and video sound editing prod- delta/sigma modulation to achieve oversampling at 64 X ucts. The two companies will develop hardware, soft- the output word rate. CTI Research, a sister companyof ware and communications protocolsfor the systems. dbx, also demonstrated a A:D conversion set At the same time, New England Digital and Emmis (F410/D20C10/A1520) capable of 20 -bit resolution. Broadcasting Corporation have entered a similar agree- In other news, digital audio system manufacturer ment to refine NED's Post -Pro digital recording and New England Digital Corporation and Luscasfilm Ltd.'s editing system for radio broadcast use. CONTENTS

Surround Sound for the- rate real-time correction. Radio News ... .. 77 AES Product ater, and a digital multi- A proprietary circuit al- Picks plexer which can be lows the device to dis- The NC.M0 Two interesting new prod- adapted for studio criminate between phase Breakthrough..... 80 ucts include an audio time installation. errors caused by base corrector for stereo The HoweTech ATC 35 interchannel time delays, Touchscreen audio environments such Phase Chaser dynamically which it fixes, and and the Automation 85 as broadcast television, tracks changing timebase normal phase fluctuations post production and Dolby errors and provides accu- which characterize stereo. BME December 1988 77 The unit can also be PHASECHASER MODEL 2300A BLOCK DIAGRAM used with an oscilloscope as an analytic test instru- A Input AT Output ment to display stereo W ndow Detector information. A A n_ VAGC/Filter Monster Cable's Erro Fast Amplifier Lightspeed multiplexer- Integrator Cross available in January for Correlator Slow $3900-enables more ef- Integrator irr fective digital cabling. Up to 12 channels of audio w Lf B Input can be linked via one fiber e TB >A Output optic cable, both to tie studios as part of a permanent station design and to re- Howetech's 2300A third -generation PhaseChaser-thebasis for the ATC 35 stereo audio time basetain remote broadcast links corrector. in the digital domain.

NTIA Introduces ing used. The current graphic areas. standard technique for NTIA applied SUM to SUM Spectrum representing spectrum is two government fixed ser- SPARS Elects Mapping to show locations and vice bands and recom- New Officers connectivity of terrestrial mended that the SUM The Society of Profes- Executive branch commu- transmitters and receivers,database approach be ex- sional Audio Record- nications policy -making which does not quantita- tended to other parts of ing Services (SPARS) agency National Telecom- tively indicate the effects the Federally managed elected new officers munications and Informa- of frequency assignments spectrum. The NTIA fur- and a board of direction Administration has on the spectrum space ther recommended the tors during the AES developed a new approach which is used. eventual application of Convention in Los An- to analyzing use of the ra- The SUM model per- SUM to various other ra- geles on November 6. dio spectrum. Called Spec- forms interference calcula-dio services. Bruce Merley, presi- trum Use Measurement tions using data on exist- "The nature of spectrum dent of Clinton Re- (SUM), the procedure ing systems from a use must be rendered un- cording Studios, New quantifies, measures and frequency assignment file derstandable and visible York City, was named graphically displays how and accommodates map- for costs to be assessed, president of the orga- the radio spectrum is be- ping spectrum use in geo- benefits to be understood nization. and objective decisions to Other officers are be made," said Charles David Porter, Music Schott, deputy adminis- Annex, San Francisco, Errata: FM Combiners trator for the agency. CA (treasurer) and At the same time, the Dick Trump, Triad Please note the following updates to "An FM Com- NAB has requested the Productions, Des biner that Works" (BME October 1988): RFbaseband NTIA documentation for Moines, IA (secretary). response for the Gannett FM combiner system, Mi- assessment as part of its Regional vice presi- ami, FL is flat to plus/minus 200 kHz from center fre- ongoing program consider- dents include Howard quency; group delay is less than 50 ns for each sta- ing spectrum use, said Schwartz, Howard tion to plus/minus 150 kHz from center frequency. Ralph Justus, director of Schwartz Recording; Flatness in the system, built by Shively Labs, is Engineering, Regulatory plus/minus 0.5 dB. Pete Caldwell, Dopp- and International Affairs ler Recording; Dwight In the accompanying block diagram, cable connect- for the Association. The Cook, Cook Sound and ing the four -patch panel to the dividing hybridmea- NAB could not comment sures 9 3/16 inches. Picture Works; and on the new procedure be- Tom Kobayashi, cause it requires further Sprocket Systems Di- investigation, Justus vision of Lucasfilms. added. 78 BME December 1988 THINK OF US AS A UNITEDNATIONS Anywhere you find MTE sound telecine magnetic followers, equipment-that's practically video tape -film interlocks, everywhere in the world - you'll electronic looping systems, OF SOUNDfind Magna -Tech service read- dubbing systems, 16-and-35mm ily available. Not only when you electronic projectors. Or, we buy your equipment, but for as can provide total facility engi- long as you own it. Our service neering and consultation. engineers are on the road virtu- More awards have been won for ally every day of the year, call- theatrical and television films ing on customers, checking on on MTE equipment than all equipment, working with local others combined. Were ready service people. to help you win some too. With sales offices on six conti- Magna -Tech Electronic Co., Inc. nents, we can provide the right 630 Ninth Ave., N.Y., NY 10036 post production equipment fromTelephone 212-586-7240 a full line that includes magneticTelex 126191. Cable "Magtech" film recorders and reproducers,Fax 212-265-3638. MAGNA TECH ELECTRONIC NEW YORK LOS ANGELES LONDON PARIS BRUSSELS KEHL (WEST GERMANY) STOCKHOLM ROME BARCELONA ATHENS JOHANNESBURG HONG KONG TOKYO The Sound Heard Round the World SEOUL TAIPEI MANILA SYDNEY AUKLAND KUALA LUMPUR MADRAS CARACAS. Circle 127 on Reader Service Card Page 63 move-how many steps to go on the circle-by the jump size number. Thisisthe THE NCMO:AN R heart of the DDS technique of digital oscillation, as it was developed in the early 1970s. In this form, hardware costs, power requirements and spurious productionswere high. MODULATION As digital technology progressed, these problems have been reduced. Phase data from the phaseaccumu- lator is now fed to a ROM that has waveform coordinates burned into it. BREAKTHROUGHThe phase accumulator tells the ROM "waveform map" where to go along The Numerically Controlled ModulatedOscillator the time (y) axis with 12- to 24 -bit (NCMO) is a newly availableintegrated controller precision, and the ROM outputs the amplitude that corresponds to that that makes the digital definition ofany RF phase location. As a result, the ROM waveform a practical and affordable acts as a "phase -to -amplitude reality. converter." This waveform information is typically sinusoidal, but it needn't be. Any periodic waveform can becon- At a recent NAB -sponsored work-form which can be depicted as varia- tained in the ROM and generated by shop on digital technology, thetion of amplitude (on the x-axis) overthe NCMO's phase instructions. Or, participants' eyes were growing time (on the y-axis)-the familiarthe NCMO can direct a RAM, forgen- heavy and glazed as the afternoonoscilloscope display-or, in a moreeration of aperiodic waveforms. With wore on slowly towards the final theoreticalform,asthemotion sinusoidal waves, Nyquist rulesap- presentation. It had been a full day ofaround a circle. Each point on the cir-ply-that is, the highest frequency solid information, and most of thecle corresponds to a point along the y-that can be generated is one-half the class had taken in about as muchas axis of the former display within oneclock frequency of the NCMO. With they could in a single session. But,aswavelength of the oscillation. Hencenon -sinusoids, however, this upper the last speaker began, one byone thethe term "phase circle," since eachfrequency limit may be considerably class perked up, inspired by the ele-point on the circle represents a phaselower, determined by the frequency gance and potential of what was beinglocation along the oscillation's period. revealed to them. domain resolution required by the The numeric oscillator breaks thischosen waveform's area of maximum The presenter was Robert J. Zavrel,phase circle into a finite number ofcurvature. For sinusoids, the ROM ac- Jr., of Digital RF Solutions Corp.,discrete points. To control the oscilla-tually contains cosine data, since it is names as yet unknown to most of thetion, a counter is used to move alongpreferred to have amplitude errors oc- audience. What he spoke aboutwasthese points on the circle in one direc-cur at waveform peaks rather than at the NCMO, a new method of Directtion only, according to external in-zero -crossings. (Amplitude errors are Digital Synthesis (DDS) for genera-structions. Eventually the countermore likely at the edges of a map than tion of RF waveforms. To those in at-gets all the way around the circle andat the center.) Although only 90 de- tendance,thisbriefpresentationstarts the cycle again. This counter isgrees of mapping is required for gen- dashed the myths surrounding digitalcalled a "phase accumulator." Its twoerating a sinusoid, most ROMs con- modulation and replaced them with control parameters are a clockingtain 180 degrees of cosine phase -to- impatience for availability of prod-pulse, and a "jump size" value; theamplitude conversion data, to further ucts utilizing the technology. counter is told when to move along theprotect the zero -crossing integrity. To understand how the systemcircle by the clock, and how far to Modulation of the waveform in the works, a review of basic oscillation is frequency, amplitude or phase do- in order. Recall that any oscillation is BY SKIP PIZZI mains can be accomplished bynu- the generation of a repetitive wave- meric manipulations of this data, 80 BME December 1988 which is finally presented to a digital - main" datastream is input to theto these users. "On July fourth, the to -analog converter (DAC). Thewaveform map, as described above.U.S. Navy shot down an Iranian Air- DAC's output is a modulated analogThe "amplitude domain" data thatbus. On July fifth, we got a call from carrier, ready for the RF amplifica-comes out of the waveform map canRCA saying 'We're thinking of up- tion stage of a conventional transmit-then be modified through a digitalgrading our Aegis radar system to inter. multiplier which is controlled by 12crease its resolution,' " Bob Zavrel re- The NCMO approach improves onbits of AM information. Finally, the calls. these contemporary DDS basics bydata is converted to an analog wave- Tsbroadcasters,however,this integration of FM and PM modulationform-with proper filtering-and ap-whole technology is new, and the into the oscillator chip, improvementsplied to the input of the first RFNCMO's main attractions are its flex- in ROM waveform mapping to furtheramplification stage of a transmitter.ibility and cost. Zavrel contrasts con- reducespur problems and other With the NCMO it is therefore pos-ventional modulation to DDS tech- anomalies(usingwaveformsible and in fact quite straightforwardniques as "wiggling reactance versus "predistortion"), all-CMOS design forfor the first time to provide simulta-adding hertz." Obviously, the latter low power requirements and highneous, digitally controlled FM, PMcan be designed with greater accu- cost-effectiveness, and the use of high and AM to the same carrier, alongracy, stability and flexibility. Soft- clock frequencies for easier and betterwith the ability for instantaneous andware rather than componentry con- image rejection. phase -continuous carrier frequencytrols the modulation. NCMO makes As with any DDS system, carrierchange. this possible economically for broad- frequency is determined by numeric So it's no surprise that the NCMOcasters, and with spurs around -80 dB. control of the phase accumulator's ba-technology is of interest to the tele-(Compared to earlier DDS designs sic step size. On the NCMO, this iscommunications and military/ intelli-showing -40 dB typically.) Technical accomplished by a 24 -bit tuning word gence communities, where DDS inimplementation is much more applied to the oscillator's "tuninggeneral has been a bit of a householdrealistic. port." This means that the digitalword for the better part of a decade. Zavrel is no newcomer to the broad- phase circle will have about 16.8 mil-The lower spurious response of thecast world. He cut his teeth as chief lion steps, providing frequency do-NCMO design is especially attractive engineer at KWAX-FM, Eugene, OR, main resolution of about 0.5 Hz when a 10 MHz clock is used. Another iden- tical port on the NCMO is used for up to 24 bits of FM data. Both of these then interact to control the actual step size. The tuning word remains the same as long as carrier frequency doesn't change, with the FM word adding or subtracting from the tuning word's step sizes as the modulating signal determines. For frequency -agile applications, the tuning word can change, but FM can continue unaf- fected. Frequency jumps can be made within two clock pulses, without any phase discontinuity or reset, and with minimal settling time. (Should higher frequency resolution be required, two phase accumulators can be cascaded, providing 48 -bit resolution and step sizes in the nanohertz region.) Up to 12 bits of phase modulation (4096 steps -0.9 degree step size) can be applied to the data output from the phase accumulator, but while still on- board the NCMO chip. This "time -do- The "phase circle" compared to a linear time -axis display. BME December 1988 81 So it was only natural that afteryears Advantages for FM broadcasting away from broadcasting, immersed in with such a system would be evident NC1110 what he calls "spook radio" workin lower noise, especially AMsyn- (CIA, NSA, etc.), he would suddenlychronous noise, lower distortion and a pioneering public radio station. Hebegin to scribble on a napkin at lunchimproved linearity for all subcarriers. was on hand as KWAX became theone day, quickly devising a completeBoth RF and audio specs would im- first station to broadcast NPRpro- FM stereo generator and FM exciterprove, since all modulation (both FM grams received via satellite in 1979.system based on the NCMO. for main carrier and SCAs, and AM for L -R subcarrier) is performed digitally. The digital multiplier used in the L -R subcarrier modulation isa

Modulating Modulating four -quadrant type, which produces audio audio input 0 input 0 the required double-sideband,sup- (FM or PAili CADC) (AMI pressed carrier AM signal. T 24 -bit Of special interest is the fact that FM or 12 -bit this is an FM system that requiresno PM word peaklimiting whatsoeverinthe Jo to 24 oil transmission chain, since amplitude Data Output to Clock bus ROM bus Digital aliasing filter and frequency deviation maxima and NCMO waveform multiplier DAC -o map (AM only) minima are predetermined by the software and modulation words. "You can't overshoot a DAC," quips Zavrel. Of course, some audio processing A basic block diagram of a DDS sys- might be applied ahead of the ADCs, tem using the NCMO approach. or this too could be handled in the digital domain by a DSP (digital signal processor), another item that has re- L -R cently popped its head over the horizon.In Zavrel's brave new word- From Audio world, audio would be digitizedas DSP early in the process as possible at the studio, and be filtered, preemphasized LF Digital and processed digitally, then fed to Summer the digital stereo generator and Digitized ex- Stereo citer at the station, sent to a digital Composite STL and not return to analog until its hits the IF section of the transmitter. Digital Clock Quadrature needs of broadcasters Multiplier (AM stereo, FMXN could also be satisfied by the NCMO. Here,a single NCMO feeds two ROM waveform maps, one containing cosine data, the 12 8 - Clock MHz other sine data. In this way, exact quadrature relationships are accurate to within less than one degree. ( Alter- natively, a single waveformmap followed by a digital 90 -degree phase- Clock shifting circuit could be used.) A proposed FM stereo generator operating digitally with NCMO tech- Contrasting the NCMO approach to SCA nology. Input audio is already in AM broadcast modulation with the ADC aucio digital form, coming from output of Harris DX series of digital AM trans- digital signal processor. mitters provides some further insight into the future of these technologies. 82 BME December 1988 The equally elegant Harris methodcarriers is not yet possible. Neverthe- the desired frequency. is a more "mechanical" digital design, less, with the proper choices of NCMO The exciting new technology of in that it uses a digital final stage,and local oscillator frequencies, anNCMO has been available in chip switching many low power RF ampli-up -conversion mixer followingtheform for some time.Board level fiers on and off to create an analogDAC can produce an IF at the desiredproducts of use to broadcasters are AM broadcast signal. The NCMOFM channel, preserving the quality ofjust now hitting the market, however, uses digital techniques at the exciter,the carrier in all domains. A SAW and products incorporating the NCMO relying on conventional RF amplifica-(Surface Acoustic Wavel filter withare definitely ones to watch out for. tion thereafter. Both solve differentabout a 500 kHz bandpass providesFor further information contact Dig- problems associated with AM broad-filtering and maintains good phaseital RF Solutions in Santa Clara, cast-Harris's high efficiency versusresponse across the baseband. For CA. IN NCMO's high linearity and integralother applications, the NCMO can be quadrature or simultaneous AM andused with a PLL multiplier to reachPizzi is BME's contributing editor. PM for AM stereo-along with some improvements common to both in terms of low phase and amplitude 4MHz RF noise. It also seems possible that the NCMO 12.8 MHz Power two techniques might be combined, Clock 0 ROM Amplifier FM MOD with the NCMO's digital multiplier's Port filtered output directly controlling a Harris -styled digital RF stage. FM applications for NCMO seem even more beneficial, and timely as well, as FM continues to compete with digital playback equipment in the lis- Digitized Stereo tener's home and car. Although digi- Composite tal delivery over the air to the listener is the only way to truly match CD and A prooczed digital FM 3sci.ter, utilizing the DAT, this is still a long way off. In- NCMO. The local oscillc0..cei rrequeney is selected sz.:ch that its IF with t! e I Midi NCMO terim improvements to existing output will fall at the des:rs.e Flf channel fre- broadcast systems which implement 0 quency. Downstream of the SAW fil-er, all RF LO the advances offered by digital tech- ampliiication and transrn:ssic a is tradition- niques and yet remain compatible ally sryLd. must first be made. This could be a boon for FM in the 1990s. At present, the biggest limitations OscilloFraph of for NCMO applications are clock fre- an FSK waveform quencies limited to 40 MHz or so, and produced by an the quality of available DACs. Spuri- NCMO system ous production is still a problem with (upper!race), with its modulat- current DACs, especially since most 111d111111111011111 ing data pulses in DAC manufacturers are of course con- thelowertrace. cerned with DAC performance in the Note phase con- amplitude domain, but the frequency tinuity and stabil- domain performance of the DAC is ity at shEr points critical to its implementation in the in FSK wave. NCMO system. Regarding clock frequencies, again DAC performance sets the limits. While NCMOs actually improve the phase noise of any clock with which they are used, the current limitation on frequency means that direct modulation of FM BME December 1988 83 NuE : E'!.0,NcE

Compact, lightwEight and fully portable. the Oki LT1250TSC prov_des you with easy bidirectional NTSC, NTSC 4.43* and PAL conversion. plus the option for SECAM and PAL -M conversion. Input standard is selected automatically; output standard with a flick *o'.E.switch on the operation pare!. A time base correction function assures clear, stable images even when cerverting wi=k a 3/4 -inch U-matic VTR or 1[2 -inch home VCR. Also, available from Television Standards Con ierter Oki, the LT1210TSC allows stancard NTSC, PAL and SECAM conversion. Use either model for your television standard conversicn requirements. Both are pe7fectly simile. And quite simply the best. *Input crir

Head Office: Lyndon Office Loca OKI Castibutor Overseas Marketing & SalesGround Floor North 3, 10-3, Shibaura 4-chome, Shortlands, Hammersm thSAECC IATERMAIIONAL ALBC L CLAFK LTO. Minato-ku, Tokyo 108, JapanInternational Centre, 1122 East Chevy aiase Drive. 30 Gcchester AwerJe Tel: (03) 454-2111 LDndon W6, U.K. Glendale, CA 9.2e5, Torcito, Ontaiic Mrs 1V6, Fax: (03) 452-5214 MI: (01) 741-2324 U.S.A. Canada Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. Telex: J22627 F9x: (01) 741-4122 Tel: (214 2457738 Tel: 416) 25545&4 Tokyo, Japan Cable: OKIDENKI TOKYO Ta.lex: 927029 OKIDEN G Fax: _81E) 241-Z-91 Fax: 016) 255-260 Crcla 118 :4- Reader Service Carc Page 63 Somehow it's fitting that the first track up on the live -assist tape deck when Hammond,LA's KSLU-FM went operational full-time PLEASE TOUCH with touchscreen-accessed computerized control was by the jazz group Spe- Noncommercial educational KSLU-FM is the first cial EFX. Developed by Media Touch Sys- public radio station in the U.S. to install tems, Inc., the Touchstone system in computerized control via touchscreen. They love it. operation at KSLU since August 3, 1988,replaced a traditional radio control board with a computer -driven system. Announcers for the 3 kW Class A FMer now sit in front of asystem. This isuseful, Hogan ex-way. Such a system can control ran- television monitor with all functionsplained, because KSLU has its owndom access into mass storage such as at their fingertips-literally-insteadHoneywell mainframe -based, in-a CD player holding up to 100 com- of operating the knobs, levers and di-house system developed by students.pact disks, stacking up any cut to play als of a traditional on -air broadcast Media Touch wrote a custom interfacethrough a database. Another treat- console. that captures the KSLU program logment is to randomly access a sound "The thing I remember most is allgenerated by the mainframe com-effects library or jingles from a pro- the wiring. And lots and lots of solderputer and then downloads it into theduction console acting as an on -air connections,"saidRalphHogan, network. Logs are programmed daily console. KSLU's chief engineer. On the cam-and appear on the touchscreen, as the The KSLU system is based on a pus of Southeastern Louisiana Uni-computer simultaneously tracks Novell286conyater network, which versity, the station uses many collegeevents via the same screen. Everylinks a file server and several remote students in addition to full-time staff.event or operation is logged as thestations. Two computers-Zenith The station thus decided to combinetouchscreen is tracked, which auto-Data SystemsZ248 ATcompatibles state-of-the-art technology with itsmatically generates a program log.with hard disk drives-are located at "tried and true" production studio The system can be updated or queriedthe station, with a third at a perma- equipment-including a Cetec Spartaat any point, Hogan adds. nent remote site in Hammond Square board with Daven stepped attenua- Announcers see seven horizontalMall, tied back through phone lines. tors-to provide tomorrow's radio op-rectangles on -screen, which list theKSLU broadcasts from the remote erators and engineers internshipsnext seven events as they come up.four hours daily, Monday through with maybe -better -than -real -world,The event currently airing heads theFriday, and the touchscreen allows hands-on experience. list, highlighted in color. The next barthe operator to control the entire mas- "Now people coming out of schoolrepresents the next event; each eventtercontrolareafromthemall will see both sides of the field," Hogan is brought to air by lightly touchinglocation. said. "Everything's going computer-the monitor screen image. The screen The linchpin of touchscreen opera- ized, and computer access and thatalso displays announcement copy, ortion is a digital interface to the com- type of control system is becomingmessages to the announcer-whichputer, supplied by the system de- more prevalent in today's technol-are marked as received when thesigner. Users with newer equipment ogy." KSLU was fortunate in beingscreen is touched to verify someoneaccess master control via an open col- able to draw on CPB funding and usereadit.Operators can reschedule,lector to ground interface; stations grant money for the purchase, heplay and record all aired items via the like KSLU with older equipment use added. The total touchscreen systemscreen because the system stores therelays. in use at KSLU cost some $50,000, al- whole day's log. Logs are permanently Hogan adds that KSLU is planning though a station could save somestored on floppy disk. to add R-DAT equipment to the on -air control point in master control and in $12,000if it already had computers. The Media Touch system can also Many options are available, so thehandle a music library, Hogan says,production. The station records pro- cost of touchscreen computerized con- although KSLU is not set up thatgramming off satellite and plans to trol is highly installation-specfic, Ho- replace a reel-to-reel deck with R- gan stressed. BY BETH JACQUES DAT to record off -satellite and play The system interfaces to any traffic this programming back in the air BME December1988 85 trol to pick up actualtouchscreen. In addition to the main points off R-DAT, Hogan studio, output from the production PLEASE TOUCH!says.Currentlystart - studio console comes in as input, stops are relay control oralong with the Hammond Squarere- chain. This function will also inter-opto-isolator, open collect or ground. mote, one delay and one nondelay face with the touchscreen system. Me- All 48 inputs to KSLU master con- phone line, seven satellite demodu- dia Touch is working on machine con-trolcanbecontrolledviathelators, four analog reel-to-reel tape decks, a CD player, a turntable, three cart machines (two Broadcast Elec- tronic Phase Trak 90s and one ITC Delta), 2 mics, EBS audio, National Weather Service,a Marti remote (which is often used for liveprogram- ming including campus concerts and parish council meetings), an EBS tonegenerator for local tests orginating from KSLU and provisions for two R-DATS and a cassette deck. Satellite programming comes in ei- Operations manager Craig Williams, music director Shawn Mangunoand chief engineer ther as mono input or paired for stereo Ralph Hogan (left to right) admire KSLU-FM's touchscreenautomation system, the first in by combining two mono demodu- the south and the first -ever for public radio. lators. Managing and changing the stereo status can be controlled by the touchscreen, working with a Ramko routing switcher set up to provide information to the system's database. PRECIOUS METAL KSLU has also purchased a trans- Has a whole new ring! mitter remote control, which itis working on interfacing through the touchscreen system. "The capability isthereforfullcontrol," Hogan stated, adding that power can already DYNAMAX Cobalt- be raised and lowered through the a new generation of tape cartridge system. "The holdup is remote meter- loaded with broadcasting's first cobalt ing, since we don't know at the remote tape. site what we do at the transmitter DYNAMAX Cobalt cartridges yet," he said. Once that software is give you more than 2dB of additional worked out, KSLU plans to be a beta headroom where you need it most. site, and certainly one of the first sta- So, CD's sound like CD's and your tions to use this capability. KSLU cur- spots and jingles sizzle! rently operates a CSI 3 kW transmitter at 2100 W. "We have fantastic tube life," Hogan quipped. The station prepares only local news, although the system is capable DYNAMAX of tying in to wire services andna- Cobalt Cartridges from Fideiipac tional services. The newsroom is set up as a non -on -air function, however, For a great price and the world's fastest delivery, call and although the touchscreen inter- faceinteracts,eager newshounds can't get operational control. NORTHEAST BROADCAST LAB, INC. The good news for potential newus- 10373 SARATOGA ROAD. P.O.BOX 1179 ers of touchscreen automation is that MID -ATLANTIC OFFICE SOUTH GLENS FALLS. NY 12803 P.O. Box 565 Hogan reports running into no major 518 7932181 MILO Southampton, PA 18966 obstacles, either in installationor op - FAX 518 793-7423 215-322-2227

Circle 129 on Reader Service Card Page 63 Audiocom Intercom Systems Are Simply...

eration, apart from an occasional wiring error in routing. He does caution that computers are very subject to power line disturbances, and so rec- ommends putting an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) on every microcomputer. Hogan knows this from personal experience-Hammond loses power several times a month, al- Sophisticated. legedly due to bad load regulation. In addition to a UPS on every computer, the station has also installed a Con- trol Concepts Islatron surge protector on the incoming power line feeding the whole plant. Changeover to emergency on master control happens automatically, retaining the operations screen, but KSLU is off the air for the 15 minutes it takes to crank up the emergency generatorforthe transmitter. The screen and data remain operationalbecauseof the uninterruptableautomatic backup

The good news: no major obstacles. But be prepared for 2000 feet of wiring.

Radio's going From the simple two person intercom to the sophisticated 4 -channel computerized, unit, Audiocom technology responds to your communication needs. The balanced line design protects wiring from external interference but KSLU trainees get and, Audiocom interfaces with Clearcom, FITS and Telco. Simple color - better -than -real - coded cabling takes the headache out of wiring for theaters, auditoriums, industrial, broadcast, recording and a host of sporting world experience. applications involving spotter -to -coach communications. Audiocorn's microprocessor circuitry adds the option of closed-circuit power supply. Money well spent, Ho- communications capability for discreet communications between the gan says, as the power company and master station and any of up to 150 remote stations. the campus duke out who's to blame. Telex has also developed a line of light, comfortable intercom headsets Space precludes detailing the num- to be used with Audiocom. Telex has once again taken sophisticated ber and quality of touchscreen opera- technology and made it simple and comfortable to use. For more tion's feature, but Hogan calls them detailed information, write to Telex Communications, Inc., 9600 Aldrich "just phenomenal." Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55420 "This is the tip of the iceberg as to what can be done," he says, adding that new computer software will help bothproductionandengineering staff. "We're very fortunate to be on TELEX. the leading edge," he concludes.

Jacques is BME's senior editor. Circle 130 on Reader Service Card Page 63 BME December 1988 87 COMPUTE

The Big Squeeze By Ronald F. Balonis

n this, the age of computers in broadcast-calculate, beforehand, if the equipment will fit ing, to everyone who has been able tothrough the halls, around the corners, and make the change, the First Class license isthrough the doors. So that's what this month's but a vague memory-the change from aCompute program, FITTHRU.BAS, does. Provid- job filled with detail and requiring a lim- ing the muscle, however, is still left to the ingenu- ited number of skills, to one still filledity of the engineer. with detail, but now requiring an unlim- In moving large equipment, it is its width that ited number of skills, new and old. is the limiting dimension that determines ifa In the old days, possession of the Firstgiven piece of equipment Class License represented the sum total of skills will fit around corners, and and proficiencies needed to be a radio engineer.through doors of given di- Yet even then, as now, a license or a certificate ofmensions. The width that any sort does not guarantee the ability to usewill pass is a function of the what it represents. In short, today's broadcast en-length of the equipment and gineer needs to be able to handle anything fromthe width of the halls and representing his staff in a board meeting to over-the doors, and, the "will seeing the details of a studio reconstruction or pass width" is always some- move. what less than the smallest hall or door, varying In the old days, moving large cumbersomeas a function on the length of the equipment. broadcast equipment could tax the best of engi- The problem can be solved mathematicallyus- neers or professional movers. And moving usuallying a trigonometric model to compute the "pass- entailed a lot of trial and error, grunts anding width" and equipment angle as it moves from groans, busted knuckles and profound sayings. one area to the other. The model consists of solv- But not anymore. A simple computer programing, as a function of the equipment pass angle, can somewhat lessen the trial and error (and min-two right triangles representing the hall and/or imize the profound sayings) by enabling you todoor and the height of an oblique triangle repre-

++ CALCULATEEQUIPMENT FIT AROUND CORNERS & THRU DOORS ++

Dl - (INCHES)

D1= ? 30 D2= ? 48

L = ? 60 W = ? 22

D2 MAX WIDTH = 23.9 ANGLE = 58.0

It will FIT.

DO ANOTHER ?

Demo screen for FITTHRU.BAS

88 BME December 1988 CM43 Now introducing Shibasoku's new lineof monitors: The CM23 and CM43. The CM23 and CM43 have a variety of standard input selections : One of the three NTSC inputs can be switched to Y/C separate signal input to reproduce a high resolution picture wrthout cross collor interference. The RGB input is also standard ; this input can be switched to TTL levels for computer image processing applications. A Flat Square CRT with a dot in -line gun is utilized. The CRT face is made of Semi -Tint glass which gives a wider contrast range and provides black levels that really look black. The CM23 and CM43 monitors incorporate features important to a broadcast environment such as high quality comb filters, high stability feed back clump circuits, H/V delays, pulse cross and scanning size selections.

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Asaca/Shibasoku Corporation of America raricary 12509 Beatrice Street. Los Angeles CA. 90066. U.S.A. Tel.(213)827-7144 Fax.(213)306-1382 Shibasoku Co., Ltd. Head office: P.O. Box.6010. Shinjuku NS Bldg. 4-1, Nishi Shimuku 2-chome, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 163Japan. Tel:(03)349-1511 Fax.(03)349-1522 Singapore:Te1.2746316/Seoui:Te1.784-7020/Shanghai:Te1.531164 Circle 131 on Reader Service Card Page 63 COMPUTE

senting the equipment. It's a relatively simple straight for-

ward applications program: Starting 0 'FITTHRU.BAS + For Moving Equipment + at Lines 100 through 120, they dis- 5 'By Ronald F. Balonis 2/19/86 & 8/20/88 play its one and only screen which is 10 'Based on 'Calculator Notes', Page 150 stored as DATA statements in Lines 12 'in the June 8, 1978 issue of ELECTRONICS 15 ' 60 to 79. Then in Lines 200 to 270 it 20 RD=45/ATN(1):BIG=500:'--BIGGEST DIMENSION

prompts for the input data in inches- 50 TLE$=++ CALCULATE EQUIPMENT FIT AROUND CORNERS&THRU DOORS++" 60 DATA Dl, D2, L, and W. For all the prompts, I DI - I (INCHES)

61 DATA " I / \ 1" data values less than zero or greater 62 DATA " I / \ I 01= " than BIG (biggest dimension allowed, 63 DATA I / \ I D2= ' 64 DATA / set in Line 20) cause a data reprompt. I / 1 65 DATA -- At the D1 prompt, a zero or a null / \I L = 66 DATA enter terminates the program. At the / /I W = 67 DATA I / / other prompts, a zero backs up the 68 DATA D2 / / I MAX WIDTH." program to the first prompt. 69 DATA / L / I ANGLE 70 DATA / / / Lines 325 and 330 code the actual I 1 trigonometric 71 DATA I / W / / "moving equipment 72 DATA model" (formula); it determine the / I It will 73 DATA \ /\ / largestequipment width (WOK), 74 DATA \ / \ / 75 DATA given a length (L), and the hall or \ / / I" 76 DATA I door dimensions of D1 and D2. Start- \ I" 77 DATA \ / ing with the equipment in a horizon- 78 DATA tal position, the loop of Lines 320 and 79 DATA " 350 increments its position one de- 130 CLS:PRINT TAB(12);TLE$:PRINT gree at a time until the smallest clear- 110 FOR 1=1 TO 20 ance width is reached-Line 340 de- 115 READ A$:PRINT TAB(20):A$ 120 NEXT I tects it when the value of WW starts 200 LOCATE 5,55:PRINT SPACES(10):LOCATE 5,55 to increase. The loop then terminates 205INPUT DI:IF 01=0 THEN STOP and the results display. If it fits, Line 210 IF D1<0 OR D1>BIG THEN 200 355 says YES or if it doesn't, Line 360 220LOCATE 6,55:PRINT SPACE$(10):LOCATE 6,55 says NO, Line 365 displays the maxi- 225INPUT D2:IF D2=0 THEN 200 mum equipment width, and Line 335 230 IF D2<0 OR D2>BIG THEN 220 240LOCATE 8,55:PRINT SPACES(10)1LOCATE 8,55 displays the equipment pass angle. 245INPUT L:IF L=0 THEN 200 Finally, Lines 375 to 390 prompt for 250 IF L<0 OR L>BIG THEN 240 another calculation or to quit. 260LOCATE 9,55:PRINT SPACES(10):LOCATE 9,55 FITTHRU.BAS is a simple -to -use 265INPUT W:IF W=0 THEN 200 270 IF W<0 OR W>BIG THEN 260 basic application program: you just 295 accurately measure (in inches) the di- 300'---USE A DUMB ITERATION LOOP TO FIND OUT mensions of the equipment to be 310WOK=BIG*2:.--ALWAYS START TOO BIG moved, the halls the equipment will 320FOR I=0 TO 90 STEP 1:'- ONE DEG INCREMENTS 325 be going through, and the doors it has EQA=I/RD:SEQA=SIN(EQA):CEOA=COS(EQA) 330 WW=D1*SEQA+D2*CEQA-L*SEQA=CEQA to pass through in your facility. Then, 335 LOCATE 12,65:PRINT USING".1111.11";I: key in the measurements to find out if 340 IF 4W>WOK THEN I=90:'------LOWEST the equipment will fit down the hall, 345 IF WW=W THEN PRINT 'FIT.' 360IF .40K< W THEN PRINT NOT FIT!' FITTHRU.BAS, was writtenin 365 LOCATE 11,65:PRINT USING11114.(1";WOK GWBASIC running on an IBM com- 370 patible. Other than the LOCATE 375LOCATE 20,51 statement (to position the cursor for 380 INPUT "DO ANOTHER "; ANS$ 385 IF ANS$=Y OR ANS$=y THEN RUN printing at a location on the screen), 390 the program code is near generic. STOP:' ---END OF THE PROGRAM -- Balonis is chief engineer of WILK-AM, Basic listing for FITTHRU.BAS, an equipment dimension -fittingprogram. Wilkes-Barre, PA. 90 BME December 1988 Readyto Score AnItiter Scoop!

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ARMONK OFFICE 111 BUSINESS PARK DR.. ARMONK NYI u . PHONE :914)273-1750 FAX (9 I 41273-9516 TELEX 131-556 Circle 132 on Reader Service Card Page 63 SPECTRUM THE REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT

AM: Stayin' Alive By Harry Cole

As part of its continuing effort tominimum power and city -grade cover rules, the keep the AM service alive, theFCC seems effectively to be taking the position Commission initiated four sepa-that any nighttime service, no matter how lim- rate rulemaking proceedings inited, is a good thing. That may be a defensible October. While there's no ques-position in certain respects. In real -life practical tion that the FCC is trying to doterms, however, it is not at all clear that anyone what it can to assure the sur-can be expected to benefit from such an approach. vival of AM radio, it's not at allWhile a daytime -only licensee who never had a clear that the limited steps itchance to sell time at night might think that any proposes to take are likely to have any substan-such chance would be worthwhile, this belief tial salutary effect, even if they're adopted. would be sorely tested if it turned out that the In the first proceeding, the Commission pro-nighttime signal available for authorization were posed a number of modifications in its rules gov- barely strong enough to reach the boundary of the erning nighttime operations by Class II and IIIstation's transmitter site. stations. In particular, the FCC believes that it Even if the licensee were may be a good idea to permit Class II -S and III -S not disillusioned by such stations to operate at night with a separate night-limitations, it's entirely pos- time antenna system which would not be subjectsible-if notlikely-that to the minimum power, city -grade coverage orpotential advertisers would minimum operating schedule requirementsrecognize those shortcom- which currently apply to such operations. Alsoings and be reluctant to pay open for comment is the possibility of allowingsubstantial advertising full service Class II and III stations to reducerates for an insubstantial Cole is a partner in power voluntarily below minimum power of 250signal. Since operation atBechtel, Borsari, watts. Cole & Paxson, a \ nightentailsmuch the Washington -DC - These proposals are, in the FCC's words, "partsame overhead expense as based law firm. of (the Commission's) continuing efforts to`allevi-operates during the day, a ate the severe problems faced by daytime -only lack fiLadvertising revenue could mean that the stations because of their inability to operate neir-tattime service might prove counter-pro - during nighttime hours." It appears that the 'ye: if added costs exceed newly -produced Commission believes that those problems even es, the former daytime -only licensee might be alleviated by creating at least some -might find that minimal nighttime service is possiblity of nighttime service, no matter how hurting rather than helping its bottom line. negligible. In some instances, of course, this The second proposal-and the one which approach might be welcome. There are al- may be most likely to have a direct impact on most certainly a number, and possibly even the fate of the AM service-involves possi- a substantial number, of daytime -only ble revisions in the calculation of protec- broadcasters who would be willing to action standards for nighttime service. As cept virtually any kind of nighttime you are no doubt aware, satisfying the authorization. protection standards presents one of the The difficulty, though, is that any greatest obstacles to new nighttime new nighttime service arising from authorizations. Thus it might be pos- the FCC's most recent proposal ap- sible, in effect, to define some of those pears, in all likelihood, to be of mi- obstacles away simply by redefining nor benefit both to the broadcaster the standards. It appears that this and to the public. By considering may be at least partly what the elimination or waiver of the FCC had in mind in proposing

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Circle 110 on Reader Service Card Page 63 SPECTRUM

modification of the rules governingin many instances, however, provenference relationships between AM the calculation of the nighttime RSSunnecessary to ensure the provision stations. (root -sum -square) skywave interfer- of a listenable signal to the city of li- Although therevisionof these ence level to the protected ground -cense and the surrounding areas. curves is important in a number of wave contours of Class II and Class III The precise redefinition of the stan-respects, it may be necessary to ex- stations and the skywave service con-dards (or the calculations underlyingtend this approach significantly be- tour of Class I clear channel stations.those standards) has not yet beenfore it will produce maximum benefits (The Commission also indicated that adopted, and it is therefore difficult tofor the AM service. While changing itwouldbewillingtoconsiderdetermine how effective this approachthe propagation curves represents a whether adjacent channel skywavemight ultimately prove to be. major step, to have maximum effect it signals should be included in these The third and fourth proposals ad- will probably be necessary to compare calculations.) vanced by the Commission in Octoberthe data on which the old and new This approach might hold someare less direct in their impact on AM curves are based in order to derive a greater degree of promise for newservice. These proposals involve better idea of the precise nature of the nighttime service.Historically themerely the replacement of ground- real-as opposed to the theoretical- Commission has designed its protec-wave and skywave propagationfactors affecting AM interference. If tion standards conservatively, to as-curves with newly developed curves. new data are available which provide sure maximum protection to existing The new skywave curves 'are based ongreater insight into the nature of the stations. That, of course, is why those "recentscientificanalysis"which interference phenomena, it is possible standards have generally been so dif- should provide a more accurate depic-that those data may provide a key to ficult to satisfy. Such protection hastion of AM skywave service and inter- revising allocation standards in a way

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94 BME December 1988 Circle 133 on Reader Service Card Page 63 which could permit more meaningful It may be necessary to survive. In order to obtain advertising nighttime service opportunities. revenues, it must be able to deliver to All these proposals can be viewed rethink AM advertisers a particular audience. with both optimism and pessimism. altogether...and throw And in order to deliver an audience, it On one hand, it's clear that the Com- must have a signal which people will mission is truly making an effort to do out all existing notions listen to. something about the AM service. Ev- of how the spectrum is Because of this, such approaches as eryone now agrees that changes must changes in the governing curves or be made, and the FCC is not shirking used. considerationof permitting mini- its proper role as the prime mover for mally -powered nighttime operations such change. adays akin to a large luxury liner inare likely to be of marginal help, both On the other hand, the changesan era of faster craft. in the short run and in the long run. which the Commission has proposed The plight of AM broadcasters must Instead, it may be necessary to re- thus far resemble, to an extent, a sim-invariably be viewed in the context ofthink the matter of AM radio alto- ple shifting of deck chairs on thethe marketplace. AM licensees aregether. Indeed, it might be preferable Titanic. While the fate of the AM in-competing with FM licensees andto throw out all existing notions of dustry may not be quite so dire, theother media outlets for advertisinghow the spectrum allocated to AM is analogy is not inapt. Both because ofdollars. Whether an AM station oper- now used and approach the matter as its propagation characteristics and ates full-time or daytime -only, witha tabula rasa, with an eye toward because of its historical and socio-po- 50 kilowatts or 250 watts, it must ob-determining how it can now best be litical development, AM radio is now -tain advertising revenues in order toused. NI

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irhe NAB has an-and GM, WBTV, Charlotte, NC,an early television pioneer, began his nounced the rosterschairman; Radio Allocations Taskresearch into visual broadcasting in for the association's Force, Robert E. Fish, president, Fed- 1924. 1988-1989 commit-eralCommunications Corp.,chair- tees. Some pertinentman; and the FM Translator Sub-Ampex has announced the opening of engineering -relatedcommittee, Denise A. Shoblom, VPa new two million dollar, 9600 square committees includeand station manager, KFWJ/KBBC,foot test center at its Opelika, AL, the Advanced Tele-Lake Havasu City, AZ, chairwoman.tape processing plant. The test facil- vision Task Force, ity incorporates eight separate labs Daniel E. Gold, president and CEO,Philips Laboratories and Philipsfor one -inch video, cassette video, au- Knight-RidderBroadcasting,Inc., Consumer Electronics Co., both di-dio, instrumentation, plastics, chairman; AM Improvement Com-visions of North American Philipsphysicals, and microscopy studies. mittee, Art Suberbeille, presi-Corp., have announced their support"This lab will be a vital part of our dent/GM, KANE-AM, New Iberia,of the 1050 -line/ 59.94 frame rate pro-operation," says Gene Nyland, direc- LA, chairman; Daytime Radio Broad-duction standard for HDTV recentlytor of operations. "The lab's engineers casters Committee, Bayard H. Wal-proposed by NBC at the SMPTE con-are recording experts, ready to help ters, president, The Cromwell Group,ference in New York. The standard, Ampex provide customers with supe- chairman; Engineering Advisoryaccording to Dr. Mark M. Rochkind,rior quality products and service." Committee, Milford K. Smith, Jr.,president of Philips Laboratories, isOther news out of Redwood City re- VP engineering, Greater Media, Inc.,consistent with the FCC's proposedportsamilestonepurchase,by chairman; FM Transmission Sub-guidelines in the U.S. and comple-WCVB-TV, Boston, of the 2000th committee, John Marino, VP engi-ments Philips' own HDS-NA ad-Ampex ADO system. The unit is neering, NewCity Communications,vanced television system. WCVB's second ADO and forms part chairman; Engineering Conference of a $750,000 purchase that also in- Committee, T. Arthur Bone, VP engi-SMPTE has conferred its highest ac-cluded two D-2 format VPR-300 neering,Knight-Ridder Broadcast-colade, the status of honorary mem-VTRs, an ACR-225 D-2 automated ing, chairman; Local Carriage Taskber, upon Kenjiro Takayanagi, su- cassette system, and an AVC Century Force, Cullie T. Tarleton, senior VPpreme advisor of JVC. Takayanagi,switcher.

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96 BME December 1988 ADVERTISERS INDEX

Manufacturer PageCircle Manufacturer PageCircle Manufacturer PageCircle No. No. No. No. No. No. ADX Systems Pty Ltd... 94 133 Midwest Corporation 6 102 Videotek 14 106 Avcom of Virginia, Inc. ... 95 134 NEC America, Inc. 12 105 Ward Beck Systems Ltd... Coy. IV Belar Electronics 72 123 Nurad 16 107 Wheatsone Corporation ... Coy. II 100 Broadcast Electronics, Inc. 8 103 Northeast Broadcast 86 129 Camera Mart 93 110 Labs, Inc. ETATIMENT Of Meanie.. 64.5.40EMENT ANO CNICOLAMON . Canon USA, Inc. 24 111 Oki Electric Industry Co., Eroadraet Management of Engineering 0'0.0'153 2 0'1 10,15/89 Monthly 12 536.00 Eastman Kodak Co. 54-55 119 Ltd. 84 128 295 Mad Len Avenue, New York, NY 10017 136 English Electric Valve, Inc. Coy. III Panasonic Broadcast 295 Madimon Avenue, Mew York, NY 10017 Systems Co. 42-43 116 Fidelipac Corp 3 101 Emndoo. 295 Madison Avenue. Nevio46.00 10017

Panasonic Industrial Co...47-48 117 Eva J. Blinder. 295 Madison Avenue, New York. MY 10017 Garner Industries 53 118 Michael D. [spindle. 295 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10017 The Grass Valley Group 33 114 Shibasoku 89 131 Sony Broadcast Products, Harrison Systems 18 108 Inc. 4-5 Mw cell one, leg. Hitachi Denshi America 10 104 -"-tt:6-1-"ranTYIA " .X17 Sony Broadcast Products, Image Video Ltd. 72 124 64.1441. Inc. 28-29 International Sony Broadcast Products, Tapetronics /3M 76 126 Inc. 58-59 JVC Professional Products Sony Pro Video 35-38 138 38,594 37,457 Co. 74-75 125 Telemetrics, Inc 57 121 35.319 35,063

Leader Instruments 26 112,113 Television Equipment 35.329 , 35 063 2,797 1,926

Associates, Inc 95 135 38.136 36 989 Magna Tech Electronic 468 468 Co., Inc. 79 127 Telex Communications . 87 130 35.594 3,457 nyn pxonvong MCL, Inc. 60 120 3M Magnetic Media 20 109 . SALES OFFICES

295 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10017 Telex: 64-4001

Eastern States Western States Europe/United Kingdom Japan/Far East 295 Madison Avenue 21757 Devonshire Street 33A Station Road Suite 312 Azabu Heights New York, New York 10017 Suite 3 North Harrow 1-5-10 Roppongi, 212-685-5320 Chatsworth, CA 91311 Middlesex HA2 7SU England Minato-ku, Tokyo 106 Japan Telex: 64-4001 (818) 998-5154 (01) 427-9000 (03) 587-0581 Michael Dahle Denice Nichols Telex: 21289 Telex: J28208 Gene Kinsella Ric Bessford Fax: (03) 585-5472 (G11-0111) Takashi Kasai Shoichi Maruyama

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REGIONAL SALES MANAGER WEST COAST Ex- cameras, audio and video magnetic recorders, perienced Individual to market Broadcast/Indus- sound and lighting equipment, synchronizing and trial Video thru Dealer Distribution. Must be self test signal generators used in television broadcast- motivated, goal oriented with successful sales ing. The position requires three to five years ex- background. Excellent opportunity with'exception- perience in broadcast electronics in a major market al income potential. Complete Company Benefit or network, and education or technical training in Package. All responses held instrictest confi- electronic theory. Candidates must hold a valid dence. Send resume to: FCC general radio telephone license or an SBE certification with TV endorsement. if you would like to serve in this Christian Ministry send your resume CBN -700 CLUB MAINTENANCE ENGINEER to: THE CHRISTIAN BROADCASTING NETWORK Employment Department (CBN) has an immediate opening for a TELEVI- CBN Inc, Box ME SION MAINTENANCE ENGINEER. Applicants CBN Center must be able to repair and install television Virginia Beach, VA 23463 BME December 1988 97 CURRENTS A GUEST EDITORIAL

AM: The New "Alternative"? By Catherine Buckley

t all started when the younger genera-technically possible for AM to sound as good as tion wanted their own identity. "Alter-FM, or that AM stereo was invented only for car native" music, plugged by record compa-radios? nies, began getting airplay on the Although the FCC and AMers themselves must "other" radio band, which had nothing toaccept responsibilty for AM's plight, the worst lose by experimenting. The FCC helpeddamage done to the image of AM stations was the by ruling out simulcasting. marketing done by FM stations. What can AM do People had barely known the otherabout it? Unite and fight back, the way FM did. band existed, but the unique, commer-AM has a choice: continue to get anihilated, or cial -free programming drew them over. Potential produce a better mousetrap. ratings were being lost, however, as many radios All AM stations, whatever their allocation, could not receive the band. The huge response tomust compromise and lobby for mutually benefi- station -conducted in-store promotions convinced cial issues. Three areas must be addressed by AM: manufacturers to produce radios with both bands*Engineering/FCC: Listeners perceive the AM and good -quality stereo. signal as "harsh," so process station audio to re- It has taken 10 years, but now in the year 2004, flectconsumers' impressionsof high-fidelity these events have made AM the dominant band.sound. Mandatory strategies include NRSC and Other factors included the FCC decision to main-stereo AM transmission (pick a system) on all tain an equal number of AMs as FMs, better spac- stations; minimize simulcasting (FCC I; improve ing on the AM dial, original programming on the AM coverage and reduce crowding in rated mar- new AM superstations-plus, of course, the digi-kets; better regulation of interference. tal AM signals, which are far superior to the anti-*Manufacturing/Sales: Manufacture shielded quated FMs. The youth of the '90s, now primeAM antennas that reduce man-made RF, and im- target demos, listen only to AM, while old FMprove AM antennas in portable receivers. Manda- listeners are dying off. Hopefully, FM broadcast- tory strategies include AM stereo or continuous- ers will react before it's too late... tune on every radio; stereo pilot light; digital History may or may not repeat itself, but tosynthesis tuning and/or muting/quieting between undo the AM predicament, the industry has tostations; NRSC standard on receivers; lobbying to address the issues that made it occur. The publicmanufacturers and incentives for sales. has developed negative attitudes toward AM for*Image/Programming: Counter-attack using two reasons: image and reality. The reality is thatthe tactics FM found successful. Consider a new AM was vulnerable. The image festered, how-acronym for AM ( like a call -letter change). Target ever, because AM allowed it. Where was AMyounger-more likely to buy new AM stereos. when salespeople and manufacturers started If you AMers want to win, you have to act. Re- pushing FM radios? How spond to the FCC calls for com- many times mustIhear ments, talk to the NAB, and salesmen say that it is not pin up your FM dartboards!

Buckley owns Light Sound Me- dia, a Chicago -based consulting firm specializinginelectronic media and audio/visual installation and production. She was project director for NAB's recent "Psychoacoustic Listening Study" and has worked in production and research at radio stations and as a TV station engineer.

98 BME December 1988 wordscannotdescribe the best in the business

LEDDICON® tubes for all cameras

USA: EEV Inc, 4 Westchester Plaza, Elmsford, NY 10523 Telephone: (914) 592 6050 Telex: 6818096 Fax: (914) 682 8922 EEV CANADA: EEV Canada Ltd, 67 Westmore Drive, Rexdale, Ontario M9V 3Y6 Telephone: (416) 745 9494 Telex: 06 989363 Fax: (416) 745 0618 UK: EEV, Waterhouse Lane, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 2QU, England Telephone: (0245) 493493 Telex: 99103 Fax: (0245) 492492

Subsidiary of the General Electric Company plc of England Sdre Leddicon is the Registered Trademark of EEV lead Oxide Camera Tubes

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