IBC 2010: Cobalt Digital Brings Host of New Products to Amsterdam

Cobalt Digital showcased a host of products this year at IBC 2010, including two new cards addressing Loudness Processing and Metering issues.  The Company’s 9985 Loudness Processor with Frame Sync from its new Fusion3G range and its 9085 Loudness Processing card from the established 9000 Compass series.

Cobalt’s 9985 Loudness Processor with Frame Sync, from the Company’s new Fusion3G range for openGear, was introduced as Loudness Processing tops many requirement lists to ensure broadcast compliance with regulatory standards (ATSC A/85 and ITU BS.1770).

Fusion3G 9985 Loudness Processing cards use the Linear Acoustic AEROMAX technology that provides a sophisticated multiband approach, specifically targeting frequency ranges and other characteristics within the program material to achieve multifaceted correction. The resulting audio remains free from abrupt loudness or image shifts while preserving more of the original content than previously possible.

The 9985 is 3D TV compliant 1080p. Available base models provide 5.1, Stereo, or Dual Stereo Loudness Processing in various combinations as options.

The 3 Gigabit-capable Fusion3G range supports Loudness Processing, Audio Loudness Metering, Dolby Encode and Decode (now with Dolby Digital+), Colour Correction, Fibre Transmit and Receive, and Up/Down/Cross Conversion. Remote control is quick and easy with the free DashBoard remote control software, the award-winning OGCP-9000 remote control panels, or optional SNMP agent software for openGear frames. HD/SD-SDI versions of the Fusion range are also available.

Fusion3G was designed for openGear, the format that handles cards from multiple manufacturers in the same frame. The range incorporates all the features of Cobalt’s established and popular 9000 Compass series, plus much more. Inputs and outputs include analogue video and audio, HD/SD-SDI video & audio, and Fibre.

The 9085, from the established 9000 Compass series, offers Loudness Processing capability and supports HD/SD-SDI. The 9085 maintains multiple processes, although only one process can be operated at a time.

Combine the 9985/9085 Loudness Processing cards with Cobalt’s +LM Loudness Metering option and OGCP-9000 Remote Control Panel for a comprehensive on-air loudness metering, assessment and processing (ATSC A/85 and ITU BS.1770 compliant) solution with LKFS measurement, true peak level detection, error tracking and logging, and an intuitive touch screen control interface.

Cobalt Digital’s Fusion3G for openGear Meets European Market

Cobalt Digital’s new range of 3 Gigabit-capable Fusion3G cards for openGear met the European market for the first time at IBC 2010, with the multi-purpose 9901-UDX converter being featured as a show highlight.

Fusion3G are multi-functional, multi-featured cards that address Loudness Processing, Audio Loudness Metering, Dolby Encode and Decode, Colour Correction, Fibre Transmit and Receive, and Up/Down/Cross Conversion. The range offers all the features of Cobalt’s popular 9000 Compass series, plus much more. Inputs and outputs include analogue video and audio, HD/SD-SDI video & audio, and Fibre.

The openGear format takes application flexibility to new levels with its ability to handle 3G/HD/SD video processing cards, plus audio processing cards, from multiple manufacturers in the same frame.

The Fusion3G 9901-UDX is a 3G HD/SD-SDI up/down/cross converter with multiple inputs and outputs, frame synchronization, plus full-embedded audio and ancillary data support with per-channel audio delay. As with all Cobalt 9900 Fusion3G and 9000 Compass series cards, remote control is quick and easy via free Dashboard GUI software, Cobalt’s OGCP-9000 remote control panel, or optional SNMP agent software for openGear frames. Separate versions are available solely to perform up conversion (9901-UC), down conversion (9901-DC) and 3G/HD to 3G/HD cross conversion (9901-XC); all include 3G/HD/SD pass-through.

End-users may choose from a wide range of options to add fiber I/O, analogue video I/O, AES and analogue audio I/O embed/de-embed – all on the same module. This level of integration reduces module count and simplifies the signal chain, as well as providing flexibility for ever changing system requirements, including 3-D TV compliant 1080p. Other available options include wings insertion, general purpose keying, colour correction, Dolby E/AC-3 encoding and decoding, ITU BS.1770 loudness metering, processing, and up-mixing using Linear Acoustic AEROMAX and UPMAX processors. Loudness processing and up-mixing are available as options, either individually or in combinations.

The Fusion3G range may be controlled and monitored using the ‘free of charge’ Dashboard software, as well as by Cobalt Digital’s award winning OGCP-9000 Remote Control Panels (SNMP monitoring is also supported). HD/SD-SDI versions of the Fusion range are also available.

Cobalt Intros +LM Audio Loudness Meter System

Cobalt Digital also demonstrated its new +LM Audio Loudness Meter system for the first time in Europe at IBC 2010. The software program, developed for use with both the new Fusion3G and 9000 Compass series cards for openGear, provides a flexible, comprehensive solution for ingest or on-air loudness metering and assessment. The openGear format handles cards from multiple manufacturers in the same frame.

With peak level detection, error tracking and logging, and intuitive interface with touch screen control, the metering option ensures thorough audio level and LKFS assessment information (ATSC A/85 and ITU BS.1770 compliant).

The Audio Loudness Meter (+LM) operates on select 9000 cards from Cobalt’s COMPASS range, and all 9900 cards from Cobalt’s Fusion3G series in tandem with the award winning OGCP-9000 remote control panel. The system is also an ideal complementary solution for use with the 9085 COMPASS and 9985 Fusion3G Loudness Processing cards.

The software can be ordered with product purchase, or activated later using a downloadable feature key via free Dashboard remote control/monitoring software with no need to remove or replace card.

The +LM Audio Loudness Meter system supports Cobalt’s objective to provide customers with a “Complete Audio Monitoring/Metering and Processing Solution”

Embedders/De-Embedders and Frame Syncs

Cobalt Digital also demoed a series of Embedders/De-Embedders and Frame Syncs as part of its new range of Fusion3G cards for openGear at IBC 2010.  The units, which offer comprehensive IO support, management, accuracy and reliability all on the same module debuted alongside other products from the manufacturer’s new card series.

The Fusion3G 9931-EMDE base model is a 3G/HD/SD-SDI Embedder / De-Embedder with full embedded audio and ancillary data support. Users may choose among options to add Fibre I/O, analog video I/O, AES and analog I/O embed/de-embed – all on the same module.

Alternate base model options include the 9931-EM 3G/HD/SD-SDI Embedder and the 9931-DE 3G/HD/SD-SDI De-Embedder.

The Fusion3G 9921-FS Frame Sync and 9922-DFS Dual Frame Sync are 3G/HD/SD-SDI capable with full embedded audio and ancillary data support. These robust devices offer unsurpassed accuracy in audio-video delay (lip sync) management, glitch-free per-channel audio delay adjustment, and redundant reference inputs with failover to alternate selected sources.

The Fusion3G series for openGear offers solutions to all of today’s signal processing challenges, including Loudness Processing, Audio Loudness Metering, Dolby Encode and Decode, Colour Correction, Fibre Transmit and Receive, and Up/Down/Cross Conversion. It includes all the features of Cobalt’s popular 9000 Compass series, plus much more. Inputs and outputs include analogue video and audio, HD/SD-SDI video & audio, and Fibre.

Flexible remote control choices include Cobalt’s OGCP-9000 remote control panels, optional SNMP agent software for openGear frames, and the cost-free Dashboard™ GUI software. The openGear format handles cards from multiple manufacturers in the same frame.

The Fusion3G series may be controlled and monitored using the ‘free of charge’ Dashboard software, as well as by Cobalt Digital’s award winning OGCP-9000 Remote Control Panels (SNMP monitoring is also supported). HD/SD-SDI versions of the Fusion range are also available.