AJA HDP User manual

HDP
HD-SDI/SDI To DVI-D
and Audio Converter
User Manual
September 22, 2006 P/N 101657
Test Equipment Depot - 800.517.8431 - 99 Washington Street Melrose, MA 02176 - FAX [phone] - TestEquipmentDepot.com

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AJA HDP HD-SDI/SDI to DVI-D and Audio Converter User Manual — Introduction
Introduction
The HDP is a miniature HD-SDI/SDI to DVI-D converter for LCD or Plasma
monitors. Using a very high quality scaling engine, the HDP will automatically size
4 x 3 or 16 x 9 inputs to many DVI-D monitors. For appropriate monitor
configurations, scaling is automatically 1 to 1—for example, displaying 1920 x 1080
video on a WUXGA (1920x1200) monitor. The HDP will also automatically adapt
the input frame rate for monitor compatibility. In addition, the HDP provides 2
channel RCA style audio monitoring and 2 looping outputs of the SDI inputs.
The HDP is designed for use as a general monitoring device, perfect for use in
applications such as:
• General post-production reference monitoring
• Client monitoring
• Presentation
• Projection
• Corporate displays
• Kiosk applications
• ...and much, much more!
The scaling engine in the HDP makes it a simple and effective way to get full-screen
images from a myriad of SD and HD sources.
Note:
The HDP is not intended as a critical viewing device, for applications such
as color-correction, etc. We recommend professional/broadcast grade monitors for
such critical applications.
Features
• Converts HD-SDI/SDI to DVI-D for LCD/Plasma monitors
• Automatically adapts to most LCD monitors up to 1920 x 1200
• High quality scaling engine for proper display of 4 x 3 or 16 x 9 content
• Scaling is 1 to 1 for appropriate user-selectable monitor configurations
• 2 channel “RCA-Jack” audio output
• 2 HD-SDI/SDI looping outputs
• Flexible 5-18V power supply
• External Dipswitch Configuration

4
About Monitor Compatibility
The HDP is designed to work with most DVI-D monitors. The HDP uses the industry
standard EDID communication protocol (within the DVI link) to communicate with
the monitor, and then adjust the DIP’s internal scaling engine to scale the input video
to the native resolution of the monitor. However, due to the hundreds of variations of
DVI formats currently in use, proper operation with all monitors cannot be
guaranteed.
The HDP has 2 modes of operation that occur automatically, depending on what
monitor it is attached to: Recommended Monitor Mode and VESA Mode.
Recommended Monitor mode
For recommended monitors, there is custom firmware that will provide an accurate
frame-locked image for all supported SDI and HD-SDI input formats. The HDP
automatically determines the monitor it is connected to.
Recommended Monitors
• Apple 23" HD Cinema, model M9178LL/A (aluminum bezel)
• Sony 23", model SDM-P234
• Viewsonic VP231wb
• Barco LC-42 (supported on HDP serial numbers H05019 or higher)
1
• Barco LC-47 (supported on HDP serial numbers H05019 or higher)
1
• Westinghouse LVM-37wl
1
Automatic 1080p Support
1
Monitors that report 1920x1080 in their “Prefered Timing Mode” section of EDID
readback will receive a 1920x1080p signal from the HDP.
Manual 1080p Support
1
The HDP can be configured manually for 1080p. This is discussed under “User
Controls” later in this manual.
___________________________________________________________
1
Many manufacturers claim to display 1080p50 or 1080p60. This is often misleading.
While it is true that the image they present is at 1080p50 or 1080p60, this does not
necessarily mean that the DVI input will accept a 1080p50 or 1080p60 signal. The
Recommended monitors
1
noted here (Barco LC-43, LC47, and Westinghouse
LVM-37wl) are known to accept 1080p at 50/59.94/60Hz.
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AJA HDP HD-SDI/SDI to DVI-D and Audio Converter User Manual — Video Scaling
VESA Mode
For DVI-D monitors not on the recommended list, the HDP will use standard VESA timing
based on the particular monitors “preferred timing”—as determined by the EDID
communication with the monitor. Because VESA timing standards are not based on video
formats, the HDP cannot frame lock to the input video and will operate like a frame
synchronizer - it will frame rate convert by adding or dropping frames as needed. If a
particular monitor reports a preferred timing mode that is not supported by the HDP, the
HDP will default to standard XGA (1024 x 768 60Hz) timing.
Monitors tested for Compatibility in VESA Mode:
• HP HPL2335
• Samsung 170T
• Samsung 213T
• Samsung 243T
• Samsung 173P
• Dell 2405FPW
Video Scaling
As shown in the graphic below, the HDP will scale the input video to the best fit for a given
monitor and video input. In cases where the input video and the monitor are already the same
or similar, the HDP automatically turns off scaling. For example, a 1920 x1080 video and a
1920 x1200 monitor will not be scaled.
Note:
The HDP also properly supports 16:10 and 5:4 monitors.
If the HDP scaling is turned off with user control Dipswitch 1, the input raster will be
displayed unscaled. This means that input rasters smaller than the monitor appear as a
“floating” image surrounded by black. For example, a 1280 x 720 image on a
1920 x 1200 monitor only fills about 40% of the screen. Standard definition inputs unscaled
on a 1920 x 1200 monitor only fill about 20% of the screen. This mode will only work when
the input raster is smaller than the monitor resolution.
The Full Screen mode, controlled by Dipswitch 2, causes the scaler to fill the monitor screen
when the input and monitor aspect ratios do not match. This is done with a combination of
horizontal stretch and zoom (for 4 x 3 video on a 16 x 9 monitor) or a combination of
horizontal squeeze and zoom (for 16 x 9 video on a 4 x 3 monitor). Both of these operations
crop part of the image and slightly distort the aspect ratio.
16 x 9 Monitor
16 x 9 Video
4 x 3 Video
16 x 9 Monitor
4 x 3 Monitor
4 x 3 Monitor 16:9
Full Screen
Full Screen “Widez
o
“Letterbox”
4:3
M
“Wide
z
“Pillarbox”

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Vertical Locking
Depending on the input frame rate and the capabilities of the monitor in use, the HDP will
provide a vertically locked signal to the monitor. Because most DVI monitors have their
own internal scaling, the internal scaler of the monitor may or may not lock vertically to the
HDP output. The recommended monitor list shown below lists only monitors which have
been tested for proper vertical lock. The HDP works with many LCD and Plasma monitors
not shown on the recommended monitor list—however, these monitors may have one of
two types of issues associated with not being vertically locked:
Frame add/drop: The monitor occasionally adds or drops a frame of video which
appears as discontinuous motion. For example, a moving object may appear to
briefly pause or jump ahead.
Motion tearing: The monitor displays video from 2 different fields or frames on
screen. This appears as a horizontal discontinuity in the video during motion.
For example, a moving object may appear to be split horizontally with the upper
part ahead or behind the lower part.
Frame Rates
When the HDP is either automatically, or manually configured for video standard timing,
the output frame rate is based on the following incoming frame rates:
50/59.94/60Hz
Video
The HDP will generate a vertically locked output at that same frequency.
23.98/24Hz Video
The HDP will frame rate convert to either 59.94 or 60Hz, respectively.
Block Diagram
HDP Converter, Simplified Block Diagram
DVI-D Output
SDI/HD-SDI
Input
SDI/HD-SDI
Output
SDI/HD-SDI
Output
Audio
Disembedder
Audio
D/A
Video Scaler
and
Framebuffer
SDI Receiver
SDI Transmitter
DVI
Transmitter
2-Channel
Analog Audio
Output

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AJA HDP HD-SDI/SDI to DVI-D and Audio Converter User Manual — I/O Connections
I/O Connections
HDP Converter
User Controls
The user interface for the HDP is a 4-switch DIP accessible
through a cut-out in the bottom of the unit. Use the DIP
switches to enable/disable and configure scaling modes, and
assign which AES audio channels are disembedded. An internal
Jumper block with 3 jumpers allows further configuration
possibilities in the event your application doesn’t require the
factory defaults.
The exact function of each DIP switch and the jumpers are
described on the following pages.
SD/HD-SDI Input
Output
2 Channel
BNC
SD/HD-SDI
Loop
Output 1
+ 5-18VDC
Power
Input
DVI Connector
SD/HD-SDI Loop
Output 2
Unbalanced
Analog
Audio
(RCA Jacks)
HDP DIP Switches
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Switch 1 SCALE—Turns Scaling On or Off
:
Switch 2 FULLSCRN—Selects Scaling Mode (when SW1 is ON)
:
Switch 3 AUDIO—Selects Two AES Channels for Disembedding
:
Switch 4 AUX—Forced 720p, 1080p, or Normal Output
2
___________________________________________________________
2
For HDPs with Serial Number H05019 and later: Internal Jumpers #1, #2 and #3
The 3-position jumper information (shown on the following page) does not apply to HDPs
with serial numbers below H05019.
ON OFF
Normal Operation Turns scaling off; the picture will output 1:1.
Note: only works when it is possible to display
the entire unscaled raster
For example, it is not possible to display a 1920
x 1080 input on a 1600 x 1200 monitor.
Use a 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) monitor for
optimal performance. 1:1 scaling will then
be supported for all input formats.
OFF ON
Normal Operation (aspect ratio preserved) Scaler always fills screen as described in “Video
Scaling”
1/2 3/4
Selects AES Channels 1 and 2 for
disembedding from the SDI stream.
Selects AES Channels 3 and 4 for disembedding
from the SDI stream.
OFF ON
Normal Operation. Forces output to 720p or 1080p as determined by
the internal jumper #2. With jumper#2 removed
(default) it forces 720p. With jumper#2 installed, it
forces 1080p. Jumpers are described later in this
manual.

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AJA HDP HD-SDI/SDI to DVI-D and Audio Converter User Manual — Installation
Internal Jumper
To access this jumper, remove the four phillips screws securing the back side of the HDP case
(the side having the DIP switch access hole in it). Once the case cover is removed, locate the
jumpers next to the two stereo RCA audio jacks. Jumper positions 1 through 3 are clearly
marked on the circuit board next to the jumper.
Installation
Typically, HDP installation consists of the following steps:
1. Ensure the HDP is disconnected from power.
2. Configure the DIP switch for the desired configuration and video scaling.
3. Connect video equipment to the convertor BNCs and DVI connector.
4. Connect audio equipment to RCA connectors (optional)
5. Apply +5 to +18VDC power to the converter (AJA power supply model DWP or
DWP-U).
Jumper #1 (default = removed) Jumper #2 (default = removed) Jumper #3 (default = installed)
Installed: Anamorphic SD.
SD sources will be scaled
appropriately based on 16x9 original
content.
Removed: Normal SD(default)
SD sources will be scaled
appropriately, based on 4x3 original
content.
Installed: 1080p Mode
1080p will be output when DIP switch 4
is in the ON position. This jumper has
no effect when switch 4 is in the OFF
position.
Removed: 720p Mode (default)
720p will be output when switch 4 is in
the ON position. This jumber has no
effect when switch 4 is in the OFF
position.
This jumper is provided as a spare.
Whether installed or removed, it has
no effect.
1
2
3
1
2
3
Defaults Shown Here
1=OFF, 2=OFF, 3=ON

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Specifications
Item Specification
Inputs SMPTE-259/292/296 SDI/HD-SDI
Input Formats 1080i, 1080p, 720p, 525i, 625i
Video Input HD-SDI/SDI, SMPTE-259/292/296/274
Outputs DVI-D (E-DDC and E-EDID compatible)
Audio (2 channel RCA-style outputs) @ -10dBV nominal
2 Looping SDI outputs of the SDI inputs
Supported Output Displays
(native resolution)
Note: for resolutions not listed
here, the HDP defaults to
1024 x 768
640 x 480 — VGA
800 x 600 — SVGA
848 x 480 — Plasma
852 x 480 — Plasma
1024 x 600 — WSVGA
1024 x 768 — XGA
1280 x 720 — HDTV
1280 x 768 — WXGA
1280 x 960 — 4:3 SXGA
1280 x 1024 — SXGA
1360 x 768 — Plasma
1366 x 768 — Plasma
1600 x 1024 — WSXGA
1600 x 1200 — UXGA
1680 x 1050 — Apple 20” Cinema HD
1920 x 1200 — WUXGA
Maximum DVI resolution 1920 x 1200 @ 60Hz
Size 5.8” x 2.4” x 1” (131 x 61 x 25mm)
Power
(AJA power supply model DWP or
DWP-U)
+5 to +18v DC regulated, 5 watts
Test Equipment Depot - 800.517.8431 - 99 Washington Street Melrose, MA 02176 - FAX [phone] - TestEquipmentDepot.com