Press Release
Sonifex Show New BLITS Tone Generator at IBC 2008
9th July 2008
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The Redbox RB-TGHDB.
On IBC stand number 8.E61, Sonifex will be showing some new products for radio and TV broadcast stations together with the customary array of Redbox audio products. The main release is of a new line identification originator, the Redbox RB-TGHD multi-channel HD tone generator.
The RB-TGHD is an 8 channel audio tone generator that provides line identification for multi-channel audio systems, including BLITS 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound typically used in high definition television broadcasts. By using a range of widely accepted industry standard tone sequences, channel identification and associated levels can be determined easily. Correct channel configuration in fold-down mixes can also be highlighted when a broadcaster needs to mix several audio channels into a stereo feed. Available tone sequences include EBU R49, GLITS and BLITS stereo line-up, EBU R49 and BLITS channel identification and a standard Phase check.
GLITS is an acronym for ‘Graham's Line Identification Tone System’, a test signal for stereo systems devised by BBC TV Sound Supervisor Graham Haines in the mid 1980s. BLITS stands for ‘Black and Lane's Ident Tones for Surround’, developed by Sky Television Sound Supervisors Martin Black and Keith Lane to provide a standardised form of channel identification and alignment for surround sound material.
Managing Director of Sonifex, Marcus Brooke commented: “We’ve had a number of requests for tone generators at previous IBC exhibitions and the BLITS specification is being widely adopted by many broadcasters worldwide, so it means that it’s a good time to release such a product.”
The RB-TGHD caters for 2, 4, 6 and 8 channel configurations and all of the available audio tone sequences for each channel configuration can be cycled through automatically, or selected manually. A loop mode allows patterns of tones to be repeated. A bank of 4 pushbuttons on the front panel sets these options and the associated LEDs indicate the current setting. A set of 8 LEDs on the front panel indicate audio presence for each output channel.
The RB-TGHD is available in two variations, each providing both analogue and digital audio outputs. The RB-TGHDX offers balanced AES/EBU digital audio outputs on 3 pin XLR connectors and the RB-TGHDB has unbalanced digital audio outputs on BNC connectors. Both types also provide 8 balanced analogue outputs on 3 pin XLR connectors.
There are optional synchronisation reference input boards which can be added providing synchronisation to analogue video, digital video or digital audio (AES/EBU or Word-clock) inputs.
The audio level line-up of the RB-TGHD can be adjusted from 0dBu to +24dBu in 1dBu steps (ref FSD) to suit different environments, via the front panel mounted DIP switches. Changing the audio line-up does not affect the gain relationship between each channel, ensuring that correct levels through the target system can be maintained. These switches also provide settings for digital sample rate, which ranges from 32 kHz to 192 kHz, and digital sample width, which is either 16 bit or 24 bit.
The serial port allows the RB-TGHD to be connected to a PC running SCi - the Sonifex serial control software. This allows full control of the unit and the ability to generate a user defined audio tone sequence. In addition, a remote port on the rear provides a simple interface to remotely control the unit and there are several outputs to indicate which tone sequence is active. Power is indicated by a blue front panel LED.
These new products will be displayed with the full range of Redbox digital audio converters, word-clock, audio and headphone distribution amplifiers, microphone amplifiers, matching amplifiers, mixers, source select units, silence detect unit, limiters, a power controller and stereo to mono converters.
The Reference Monitor range of 1U rack-mount audio monitors will also be available to view at IBC for the first time. Each unit offers quality loudspeaker monitoring and accurate, high-resolution metering of up to four or ten stereo audio sources (more with the addition of an optional expansion card). Sources may be in any mixture of analogue and AES/EBU digital formats, with sample rates up to 192kHz accepted and a 5 band parametric EQ can be used to tailor the unit for the room it is mounted in.
Also showing is the DHY-03 digital telephone hybrid. Probably the best performing telephone hybrid in the world with a 75dB null, universal line compatibility, input/output gain adjustment & metering, conferencing, RS232 control, local/remote line hold switching and auto-answer.
The S2 hybrid analogue/digital radio broadcast mixer will be mounted in S2 Solutions technical radio studio furniture and Sonifex Talkback Intercoms will be shown in use with this set-up too.
Finally, the V2.0 of the D:Scribe transcription software will be demonstrated with the Net-Log audio logger which records 4 channels of audio to an internal hard-disk for playback across a network.
For a larger image of the RB-TGHDB click here >
For a larger image of the RB-TGHDX click here >
For further images click here >
Contact sales@sonifex.co.uk for further information.
US enquiries :
contact Fraser Jones of Independent Audio, tel : +207 773 2424 fax : +207 773 2422
email : info@independentaudio.com website : https://www.independentaudio.com
UK and other export enquiries :
contact Eamonn Heffernan of Sonifex Ltd, tel : +44 1933 650 700 fax : +44 1933 650 726
email : sales@sonifex.co.uk
