Wohler Debuts Audio Monitors, Tools

Wohler Technologies is introducing two audio monitors and ancillary-data and captioning/subtitling tools in Booth N2524 at the NAB Show.

MADI-8
The new MADI-8 multichannel audio monitor uses the Multichannel Audio Digital Interface (MADI or AES10) protocol, enabling broadcasters to take advantage of MADI support for greater numbers of channels per line and the protocol’s use of coaxial and optical fiber for transmitting audio signals over long distances — up to 3,000 meters. Broadcasters are able to simplify their workflows by reducing the amount of heavy cable typically associated with traditional analog or AES audio distribution.

The MADI-8 can be connected in a series within a 64-channel MADI stream for monitoring up to eight assigned channels. The monitor features a 16-character by two-line LCD display, coax and optical MADI inputs and outputs, mixed two-channel or mono analog outputs, built-in speakers, a front-panel headphone jack, channel-presence indicators, and eight user-nameable presets. The 1RU, narrow-depth chassis is designed to fit in tight spaces, such as crowded production trucks.

D-Series
The new D-Series of eight-channel audio monitors offers a lower-cost solution for operators that must decode only Dolby Digital (AC-3) signals. The in-rack monitors provide a new middle tier of functionality within Wohler’s AMP-S8 and AMP-E8 audio-monitor series.

Available in 1RU or 2RU configurations, the four new multiformat monitors are capable of processing and monitoring up to eight channels from a Dolby Digital bit stream, two sets of four AES/EBU signal pairs (balanced and unbalanced), or eight balanced analog channels. Eight high-resolution multisegment tricolor LED bar graph audio-level meters provide accurate and instantaneous visual level monitoring at a glance. A convenient high-contrast LCD display on the front panel shows the user settings and status (as currently selected), type of signal, channel selection, mute status, and alternately, phase/correlation.

The AMP1-D8MDA-3G, one of four in the new D-Series line, is featured in the Wohler booth.

HDCC Series
The new HDCC Series of tools provides support for captions/subtitles and ancillary-data management across both WST/OP-47 and CEA-608/CEA-708 standards.

Within the HDCC OP-47 product range, the HDCC-OP47MULTI card is a definitive subtitling solution for WST and OP-47 subtitling formats. The OP47MULTI enables dual independent channels on a single card. For CEA-608 and CEA-708 closed-captioning formats, the HDCC-708MULTI supports dual independent channels in challenging captioning applications. Subtitling/captioning capabilities on both cards include encode, bridge, transcode, decode, monitor, and GPI encode/decode.

The new Analysis Range of dual-channel decoding and monitoring solutions includes the HDCC-OP47MON and HDCC-708MON for analysis and monitoring of captions/subtitles in the WST/OP-47 or CEA-608/CEA-708 formats, respectively. Each card provides powerful software and hardware capabilities for analysis of captions/subtitles and associated data with external logging and monitoring, together with on-board OSD monitoring. The cards enable independent dual-channel operation for either SD or HD with automatic format detection, and they support dual raw- or CDP-data extraction through Ethernet or serial ports. The cards provide two OSD-decoded caption/subtitle outputs that retain the original video formats, with dual bypass-relay protected pass-through video outputs.

In the Transmit Range, the HDCC-OP47TX and HDCC-708TX dual-independent-channel captioning/subtitling encoders provide support for WST/OP-47 or CEA-608/CEA-708 standards, respectively. Caption/subtitle encoding capabilities include encode, bridge, and transcode. Also, the new HDCC-GPITX dual-channel SD/HD GPI transmitter/receiver enables synchronous encoding and decoding in either VBI (SD) or VANC (HD) for up to four GPI cues per channel.

The HDCC-V608 dual-channel closed-caption transcoder converts CEA-608 (“Line21”) data to and from VANC608 data according to SMPTE334 specifications. The card also supports direct encoding and decoding in CEA-608 or VANC608 formats.

CD-2
The new CD-2 native-format OSD video monitor adaptor decodes and renders captions or subtitles for any digital video monitor to display, conveniently allowing the operator to confirm the presence and accuracy of critical video and caption data using existing or low-cost monitors that lack caption-display capability.

With automatic format detection for SD or HD content, the CD-2 provides an OSD-decoded output for captions and subtitles that maintains the original video format, as well as a reclocked pass-through video output. The system automatically detects and decodes WST, OP-47, and CEA-608/CEA-708 subtitles. Suitable for any point in the broadcast or production chain, this small, externally powered unit translates a 3G/HD/SD-SDI multi-rate input containing captioning signal into a burned-in 3G/HD/SD-SDI or DVI signal with open captions added to the picture. An LED indicator on the front panel provides a quick check of caption/subtitle presence.

Rebranding
Wohler has announced that its PANORAMAdtv and Rockridge video-monitoring product lines have been consolidated under the Wohler brand. All products in the two categories are now offered as Wohler-branded products, carrying the same model numbers as before.

For more information, visit Booth N2524 or www.wohler.com.