IntroductionSoftware version 1.60 adds a host of new capabilities to the globally most widely installed DTV processors, TC DB4 and DB8. These processors are capable of real-time loudness and format control for multiple optimized transmission feeds, such as HDTV, SDTV, Mobile TV, Internet etc., and even include features to automate metadata handling in Dolby™ codec based operations.
New UpCon™ ProcessorSoftware 1.60 includes the new processor, UpCon™, which continuously monitors the format of the incoming audio, and if the signal falls back from a true 5.1 to stereo it seamlessly cross-fades into a convincing 5.1 surround up-conversion.
UpCon may be inserted directly in the main HDTV Transmission feed. One DB4 or DB8 processor can simultaneously, and in real-time, condition both SD and HD outputs. Regardless of the input format, the first always stays stereo, the latter remains 5.1. UpCon detection of the incoming format utilizes new real-time sensing principles, and doesn't need metadata or any external control to function correctly. The latency through this high resolution up-converter is less than 3 ms (less than 1/10 frame), and it cross-fades into and out of up-conversion without muting or interruptions. UpCon is based on TC's high resolution UnWrap™ algorithm that is considered the standard for such programs in the music, film and post-production market.
UpCon may alternatively be used in an OB truck for prestigious sports, music or show productions; when stereo and 5.1 feeds are needed. On top of the up-mix, UpCon can add further unique 5.1 enhancements, known as UpCon Plus™, to differentiate the HD output from the SD output. One DB4 or DB8, together with extra speakers, takes advantage of the production studio’s stereo production topology and, without further changes, upgrades its capacity to 5.1.
New Grid™Loudness Control ProcessorTogether with broadcasters, broadcast organizations and academic communities, TC has conducted a yearlong investigation into measuring and controlling loudness rather than merely level. DB4 and DB8 offer the new Grid Processor for real-time control of the loudness level of mono, stereo and LtRt signals in Transmission and Ingest.
Grid complements and automates loudness control in environments based on recent ITU recommendations as well as Dolby’s LM100 meter, see example
Fig 1.
Fig 1. Grid Loudness Control example. Challenging broadcast segments, 30 seconds each, butt edited and measured using a Dolby LM100 meter. 1) Without DB8 loudness control. 2) With DB8 Grid loudness control.New MDX5.1 Film to Broadcast ProcessorMDX5.1 is a high resolution dynamics processor for multichannel signals. It offers a realtime translation of dynamic range from cinema to domestic listening conditions far superior to what can be achieved in consumer decoders based on metadata alone. The processor is capable of bringing up low level detail, rather than boosting everything, and then having to limit the transients afterwards, see
Fig 2.
Fig 2. DXP processing vs. traditional Compression and Limiting.
Note how already loud signals are unnecessarily affected when relying on limiting and clipping.In MDX5.1, low level lift can be applied to specific channels selectively in one, two or three frequency bands plus LFE in order to preserve speech intelligibility under less than ideal listening conditions, see
Fig 3.
Fig 3. Processing Example. Preset named “Film Remap Curve B6”.
In this example, low level boost and spectral shaping is added to the Center channel.The diagram shows more low level gain being added to the Center channel than to the other channels. It also shows the Center channel at low level being subjected to extra boost at high frequencies, thereby helping speech intelligibility further.
MDX5.1 features 48 bit fixed point processing throughout, and phase linear split and reconstruction filters. The processor was developed for the film industry as an improvement to traditional compression and limiting techniques.
New Presets- Loudness Control presets using the new Grid measure. Presets based on US, EBU, JP and BBC standards available in Bank F1-0.
- Theatrical to Broadcast conversion presets using new DXP processing for DTV Transmission added in Bank F2-2.
- Theatrical to Broadcast conversion presets using new DXP processing for Ingest added in Bank F2-3.
- Auto-sensing UpCon presets for DTV Transmission added in Bank F4-5.
- Auto-sensing UpCon Plus presets for 5.1 Production and Transmission added in Bank F4-7.
New Alerts- Yellow/Red Alerts: Better at-a-glance overview through differentiated Yellow (non-critical) and Red (critical) remote control alerts.
- New SNMP message added: Silence detect on audio outputs.
New Clock Recovery FunctionThe Clock page now includes a Revert to Internal Reference function. If the parameter is enabled, the machine flags a yellow alert, and switches to internal clock in case the reference input is lost.
