Crystal Vision Q-Down-A-AFD User manual

Crystal Vision Ltd., Lion Technology Park, Station Road East, Whittlesford, Cambridge, CB22 4WL, England.
E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.crystalvision.tv Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Q-Down-A-AFD
Broadcast down converter and
distribution amplifier for embedded
audio with Active Format Descriptor

Q-Down-A-AFD User Manual R1.2 Crystal Vision
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Contents
1 Introduction 3
2 Hardware installation 5
2.1 Module configuration 5
2.2 Rear modules and signal I/O 7
Rear module connections with RM34 7
Rear module connections with RM45 7
2.3 General Purpose Interface (GPI) 8
3 Card edge operation 12
3.1 Card edge controls 12
3.2 Card edge buttons 12
3.3 Card edge rotary control 12
3.4 Reading card edge LEDs 13
3.5 Navigating card edge menus 13
3.6 Card edge configuration 14
Menu tree 14
Status menu 15
Video menu 16
Alarms menu 19
Preset menu and factory reset 20
4 Using the front control panel 21
4.1 Module selected 21
Updating the display 22
4.2 The Q-Down-A-AFD active panel menu structure 23

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Active control panel menus 24
The Status menu 24
The video menu 26
The alarm menu 29
Preset menu and factory reset 32
Statesman 33
4.3 Statesman operation 33
4.4 Statesman operation 33
Status 34
Video properties 34
Presets and Alarms 37
Factory reset 38
5 Trouble shooting 40
Card edge monitoring 40
Basic fault finding guide 41
6 Specification 42
Revision 1. Updated Auxiliary data section in Specifications
table, page 41 30/10/08
Revision 2. Selectable processing delay added, Software level 2.30 24/03/09

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1Introduction
The Q-Down-A-AFD is a broadcast down converter and distribution amplifier that can
auto aspect ratio switch using Active Format Descriptor (AFD) and insert wide screen
signalling information on both analogue and SD digital outputs. Two groups of embedded
audio can also be passed to the digital outputs after the correct delay has been applied.
The video delay can be selected from minimum, fixed or one frame. With a full screen
HD input the short processing delay is 16 SD lines. Q-Down-A-AFD also additionally
provides a variable video delay of up to one frame in SD, adjustable in one line steps.
Audio is automatically delayed to suit the video delay. A useful signal probe function will
monitor the incoming video and report should a fault arise such as video absent, black or
frozen, audio missing or silent. Two reclocked input loop-throughs (eight with the
optional sub PCB fitted) are available along with three Standard Definition link selectable
SDI/analogue outputs. The analogue outputs can be selected to give CVBS, YC, YUV or
RGB. The output frame rate at all times will be the same as the input frame rate.
Q-Down-A-AFD converter
The main features are as follows:
High quality down conversion with adjustable video delay
Aspect ratio and vertical filter selection with a High Definition input
Auto output aspect ratio selection using Active Format Descriptor (AFD)
625-line Wide Screen Signal insertion in both analogue and digital outputs
Two input loop-throughs or six with an addition sub PCB (Q-Down183-A-AFD)
Link selectable output formats - Standard Definition, analogue and digital
Passes two groups of embedded audio, with delay matched to video
One SD frame in lines of adjustable video delay
Signal probe function

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Q-Down-A-AFD is a 100mm x 266mm module, which fits in all standard frames and can
be integrated with any board from the company’s full product range. Extended loop
throughs are available using a double-decker extender board (Q-Down183-A-AFD).
Audio
When down converting from HD to SD the first two numbered audio groups will be de-
embedded and re-embedded onto the output, so if the input has groups 1, 2, 3 and 4
present, only groups 1 and 2 will be processed and presented on the output. Likewise if
only groups 2 and 3 are present on the input these will appear as groups 2 and 3 on the
output.
This will also be true when an SD input is connected to the Q-Down-A-AFD unless the
reclocker is set to bypass mode. When bypass is selected all input groups will appear in
their respective positions on the output.
Delay
There are three delay settings available, minimum (processing delay), fixed (52 SD lines)
and frame. A further full frame of delay can also be added between the input and output
video, variable in one output line steps. This delay is in addition to any minimum
processing delays through the Q-Down-A-AFD. Note, the user delay control is made
inoperative when frame delay is selected.
Q-Down-A-AFD’s processing delay is determined by several factors such as input format,
aspect ratio selection and reclocker status. With a High Definition input the processing
delay will be 16 SD lines with a full screen output. Selecting Letterbox will increase this
delay to 52 SD lines. For a Standard Definition input the minimum processing delay will
be as little as 1s with the reclocker bypassed, fixed and frame will remain 52 SD line and
one frame respectively.
Signal probe
Q-Down-A-AFD has a signal probe functionality making it useful for signal monitoring
and flagging up faults should they occur. The status indications available are video not
present, video frozen, video black, audio not present and audio silence (<-56dBu). Fault
reporting can be via the two GPI outputs or Statesman alarm logging.
Aspect ratio
There are three manual aspect ratio settings available, Anamorphic (no conversion) will
allow the input video to be mapped directly to the display device, this mode will be
correct for a 16:9 widescreen display. Should it be necessary to view the output on a 4:3
display, setting the aspect ratio selection to letterbox will give the correct picture
dimensions by adding black bars to the top and bottom of the picture. Centre cut will
show the central 75% of the 16:9 widescreen picture mapped to the full monitor height
with the corresponding loss of the left and right picture edges.
AFD and WSS
Q-Down-A-AFD will select its output aspect ratio according to the AFD data embedded
in the input video and insert WSS information onto both its analogue and serial digital
outputs when 625-line. WSS data is not inserted into a 525-line output. The WSS
information can either be inserted manually or set to automatically follow the incoming
AFD data.

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2Hardware installation
2.1 Module configuration
There are five user settable links on the Q-Down-A-AFD. These are - PL9 and PL10 on
the PCB top side and PL6, 7 and 8 on the bottom side. The PL9 and PL10 are used for
selective NTSC pedestal and Betacam levels. PL6, 7 and 8 are used to select between
analogue and serial digital outputs.
Q-Down-A-AFD top side
The surface-mounted LEDs on the top side of the PCB are not visible from the front of the
frame and are included for diagnostic purposes only.
Note: The four potentiometers have been factory set and should not require further adjustments.
Q-Down-A-AFD bottom side

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Link configurations
PCB top side
Link Function Towards front 1-2 Towards rear 2-3
PL9 Betacam Betacam levels Normal levels
PL10 Pedestal (NTSC) Pedestal applied (NTSC M) No pedestal applied (NTSC J)
PCB bottom side
Link Towards board edge 1-2 Away from board edge 2-3
PL6 CVBS / Y / G output Standard Definition serial digital output
PL7 CVBS / U / B / YC-Y output Standard Definition serial digital output
PL8 CVBS / V / R / YC-C output Standard Definition serial digital output
Note: Analogue video output formats are selected via the board edge or remotely. When the
Y/C output format is selected the third output will give CVBS.
Engineering LEDs
These LEDs are included for diagnostic purposes and are not visible from the front of the
frame.
LED Illuminated Not Illuminated
LED3 Input present
LED4 Board configuring Board configured
LED5 Data
LED6 Link

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2.2 Rear modules and signal I/O
The 4U Indigo 4 frame will house up to 24 single height modules with up to three power
supplies. The 2U Indigo 2 frame will house up to 12 single height modules and dual
power supplies. The 1U Indigo 1 frame will house six single height modules and a single
or dual power supply. The Indigo DT desk top boxes have a built-in power supply and
will house up to two single height modules. All modules can be plugged in and removed
while the frame is powered without damage.
Note: For details of fitting rear connectors please refer to the appropriate frame manual.
Rear module connections with RM34
The RM34 being a single height module will allow maximum packing density with the
maximum number of outputs available.
RM34 rear module connector Description
RM34
24 Q-Down-A-AFD modules
per Indigo 4 frame
12 per Indigo 2 frame
Six per Indigo 1 frame
2 per Indigo DT
All frame slots can be used
BNC I/O assignment
SD/CVBS/Y/G OUT Standard Definition SDI / CVBS, Y, G output
SD/CVBS/U/B/YCY OUT Standard Definition SDI / CVBS, U, B, YC-Y output
SD/CVBS/V/R/YCC OUT Standard Definition SDI / CVBS, V, R, YC-C output
HD/SD IN LOOP OUT High Definition/Standard Definition serial digital input reclocked loop-through
HD/SD IN LOOP OUT High Definition/Standard Definition serial digital input reclocked loop-through
HD/SD IN High Definition/Standard Definition serial digital input
Rear module connections with RM45
The RM45 is similar to the RM34 but an input loop-through has been replaced by a
further SD output giving up to four available.
RM45 rear module connector Description
RM45
24 Q-Down-A-AFD modules
per Indigo 4 frame
12 per Indigo 2 frame
Six per Indigo 1 frame
2 per Indigo DT
All frame slots can be used

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BNC I/O assignment
SD/CVBS/Y/G OUT Standard Definition SDI / CVBS, Y, G output
SD OUT Standard Definition SDI output
SD/CVBS/U/B/YCY OUT Standard Definition SDI / CVBS, U, B, YC-Y output
SD/CVBS/V/R/YCC OUT Standard Definition SDI / CVBS, V, R, YC-C output
HD/SD IN LOOP OUT High Definition/Standard Definition serial digital input reclocked loop-through
HD/SD IN High Definition/Standard Definition serial digital input
Note: The Q-Down183-A-AFD with seven/eight input loop-throughs requires two RM34 or an
RM45 plus RM34 rear module, thus requiring two frame slots compared to the Q-
Down123-A. The upper RM34 position will supply the six extended loop-though
connections.
2.3 General Purpose Interface (GPI)
Each frame slot has up to six connections ‘a-f’ for GPI control and monitoring. These
connections are available at the rear of the frame on the 26-way D-Type remote
connectors.
GPI Low (<1V) High (+5V)
1‘a’ Recall preset bit 1
2‘b’ Recall preset bit 2
3‘c’ Recall preset bit4
4‘d’ Recall preset bit 8
See following table for user preset control
5‘e’ Input missing,
Video frozen/Black,
Audio silence/missing
Selected Alarms asserted
after set delay
(Input missing immediate)
No alarm
6‘f’ Input missing,
Video frozen/Black,
Audio silence/missing
Selected Alarms asserted
after set delay
(Input missing immediate)
No alarm
As supplied, each GPI output has a 270Ωresistor in series with its output. This allows for
an external LED to be driven, connected to a DC voltage of +5V.
Each General Purpose Input (GPI) is fitted with a 6800Ωresistor connected to the internal
+5V.
The 16 user preset configurations can be recalled using binary notation.
GPI Bit 8 Bit 4 Bit 2 Bit 1 GPI Bit 8 Bit 4 Bit 2 Bit 1
Preset Preset
10000 91000
2000110 1001
3001011 1010
4001112 1011
5010013 1100
6010114 1101
7011015 1110
8011116 1111

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4U frame GPI connections
GPI lines ‘a’ to ‘f’ of each card connect to two of eight rear remote connectors as follows:
Slot no. ‘a’ pin ‘b’ pin ‘c’ pin ‘d’ pin ‘e’ pin ‘f’ pin
18 (1) 9 (1) 18 (1) 26 (1) 19 (2) 20 (2)
27 (1) 16 (1) 17 (1) 25 (1) 10 (2) 11 (2)
38 (3) 9 (3) 18 (3) 26 (3) 19 (4) 20 (4)
47 (3) 16 (3) 17 (3) 25 (3) 10 (4) 11 (4)
55 (1) 6 (1) 15 (1) 24 (1) 1 (2) 2 (2)
64 (1) 14 (1) 13 (1) 23 (1) 3 (2) 4 (2)
75 (3) 6 (3) 15 (3) 24 (3) 1 (4) 2 (4)
84 (3) 14 (3) 13 (3) 23 (3) 3 (4) 4 (4)
93 (1) 12 (1) 22 (1) 21 (1) 12 (2) 13 (2)
10 10 (1) 11 (1) 19 (1) 20 (1) 21 (2) 22 (2)
11 3 (3) 12 (3) 22 (3) 21 (3) 12 (4) 13 (4)
12 10 (3) 11 (3) 19 (3) 20 (3) 21 (4) 22 (4)
Slot no. ‘a’ pin ‘b’ pin ‘c’ pin ‘d’ pin ‘e’ pin ‘f’ pin
18 (5) 9 (5) 18 (5) 26 (5) 19 (6) 20 (6)
27 (5) 16 (5) 17 (5) 25 (5) 10 (6) 11 (6)
38 (7) 9 (7) 18 (7) 26 (7) 19 (8) 20 (8)
47 (7) 16 (7) 17 (7) 25 (7) 10 (8) 11 (8)
55 (5) 6 (5) 15 (5) 24 (5) 1 (6) 2 (6)
64 (5) 14 (5) 13 (5) 23 (5) 3 (6) 4 (6)
75 (7) 6 (7) 15 (7) 24 (7) 1 (8) 2 (8)
84 (7) 14 (7) 13 (7) 23 (7) 3 (8) 4 (8)
93 (5) 12 (5) 22 (5) 21 (5) 12 (6) 13 (6)
10 10 (5) 11 (5) 19 (5) 20 (5) 21 (6) 22 (6)
11 3 (7) 12 (7) 22 (7) 21 (7) 12 (8) 13 (8)
12 10 (7) 11 (7) 19 (7) 20 (7) 21 (8) 22 (8)
Table shows pin number (remote number)
Note: Remote 1, Remote 3, Remote 5 and Remote 7 are 26-way high-density D-Type female
sockets. Frame ground is pin 2 and +5V @500mA is pin 1 in each case.
Remote 2, Remote 4, Remote 6 and Remote 8 are 26-way high-density D-Type male plugs
and frame ground is pin 6 in each case and +5V @500mA is pin 15 on Remote 2 and
Remote 6.
Note: The +5V output is protected by self-resetting thermal fuses, which limit the total
output current available from Remotes 1-4 to approximately 1A. Remotes 5-8 are similarly
protected.
UpperLower

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2U frame GPI connections
GPI lines ‘a’ to ‘f’ of each card connect to two of four rear remote connectors as follows:
Slot no. ‘a’ pin ‘b’ pin ‘c’ pin ‘d’ pin ‘e’ pin ‘f’ pin
18 (1) 9 (1) 18 (1) 26 (1) 19 (2) 20 (2)
27 (1) 16 (1) 17 (1) 25 (1) 10 (2) 11 (2)
38 (3) 9 (3) 18 (3) 26 (3) 19 (4) 20 (4)
47 (3) 16 (3) 17 (3) 25 (3) 10 (4) 11 (4)
55 (1) 6 (1) 15 (1) 24 (1) 1 (2) 2 (2)
64 (1) 14 (1) 13 (1) 23 (1) 3 (2) 4 (2)
75 (3) 6 (3) 15 (3) 24 (3) 1 (4) 2 (4)
84 (3) 14 (3) 13 (3) 23 (3) 3 (4) 4 (4)
93 (1) 12 (1) 22 (1) 21 (1) 12 (2) 13 (2)
10 10 (1) 11 (1) 19 (1) 20 (1) 21 (2) 22 (2)
11 3 (3) 12 (3) 22 (3) 21 (3) 12 (4) 13 (4)
12 10 (3) 11 (3) 19 (3) 20 (3) 21 (4) 22 (4)
Table shows pin number (remote number)
Note: Remote 1 and Remote 3 are 26-way high-density D-Type female sockets. Frame ground is
pin 2 and +5V @500mA is pin 1 in each case.
Remote 2 and Remote 4 are 26-way high-density D-Type male plugs and frame ground is
pin 6 in each case and +5V @500mA is pin 15 on Remote 2.
Note: The +5V output is protected by self-resetting thermal fuses, which limit the total
output current available from Remotes 1-4 to approximately 1A.
1U frame GPI connections
GPI lines ‘a’ to ‘f’ of each card connect to two rear remote connectors as follows:
Slot no. ‘a’ pin ‘b’ pin ‘c’ pin ‘d’ pin ‘e’ pin ‘f’ pin
18 (1) 9 (1) 18 (1) 26 (1) 19 (2) 20 (2)
27 (1) 16 (1) 17 (1) 25 (1) 10 (2) 11 (2)
35 (1) 6 (1) 15 (1) 24 (1) 1 (2) 2 (2)
44 (1) 14 (1) 13 (1) 23 (1) 3 (2) 4 (2)
53 (1) 12 (1) 22 (1) 21 (1) 12 (2) 13 (2)
610 (1) 11 (1) 19 (1) 20 (1) 21 (2) 22 (2)
Table shows pin number (remote number)
Note: Remote 1: 26-way high-density D-Type female socket. Frame ground is pin 2 and +5V
@500mA is pin 1.
Remote 2: 26-way high-density D-Type male plugs and frame ground is pin 6 and +5V
@500mA is pin 15.
Note: The +5V output is protected by self-resetting thermal fuses, which limit the total
output current available from Remotes 1-2 to approximately 1A.

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Indigo DT desk top box GPI connections
GPI lines ‘a’ to ‘f’ of each card connect to two rear remote connectors as follows:
Slot no. ‘a’ pin ‘b’ pin ‘c’ pin ‘d’ pin ‘e’ pin ‘f’ pin
18 (1) 9 (1) 18 (1) 26 (1) 19 (2) 20 (2)
27 (1) 16 (1) 17 (1) 25 (1) 10 (2) 11 (2)
Table shows pin number (remote number)
Note: Remote 1: 26-way high-density D-Type female socket. Frame ground is pin 2 and +5V
@500mA is pin 1.
Remote 2: 26-way high-density D-Type male plugs and frame ground is pin 6 and +5V
@500mA is pin 15.
Note: The +5V output is protected by self-resetting thermal fuses, which limit the total
output current available from Remotes 1-2 to approximately 1A.

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3Card edge operation
3.1 Card edge controls
Q-Down-A-AFD board edge
3.2 Card edge buttons
The two tactile push button switches allow the operator to navigate within the menu structure.
.
Button Function Normal state Up, Action Down
Up Menu Push to jump up a menu level or cancel a selection
ENTER Select/Action Push to select a menu and to action and confirm a change
3.3 Card edge rotary control
The board edge rotary encoder is used to navigate through the menu categories and adjust
parameter values.
Control Function
SCROLL
/ADJUST
Rotate SCROLL to identify a menu category. In combination with the ENTER button
select and ADJUST to change the current level or select a further option.
Notes: The rotary control can access menus and parameter values by clockwise or anti-clockwise
rotation.

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3.4 Reading card edge LEDs
Card edge LEDs may be used in conjunction with status information from any connected
remote status panel display or from Statesman if available.
Refer also to the trouble-shooting chapter for more help with solving problems and
monitoring status information.
The following table summarises the card edge LED functions and colours:
Name LED
Colour Function when ON Function when Off
PSU Green Good power supply (PSU) rails One or more of the monitor
supplies is out of specification
ARC Yellow Aspect ratio conversion selected Full screen (anamorphic) selected
HD Yellow Video input standard is HD
(High Definition)
SD Yellow Video input standard is SD (Standard
Definition)
Input not present
GPO5 Yellow GPO5 active / low GPO5 inactive / high
GPO6 Yellow GPO6 active / low GPO6 inactive / high
Yellow No function
Yellow No function
3.5 Navigating card edge menus
To access the card edge menu system proceed as follows:
Press the up-arrow [] until a top menu category is reached
Rotate the SCROLL control until the desired menu category is found
Push ENTER to enter the sub menus of that category
Rotate SCROLL to select a sub menu
Push ENTER to select the desired function. Selection will be indicated by the
text being displayed in italic text
Rotate ADJUST to make the desired change to the selected parameter. The
display brightness will flash slowly to indicate that a change has been made and
requires confirmation
Push ENTER to action the change. The display will cease flashing
Use the up-arrow [] and SCROLL control to navigate to further menus
Note: The displayed menu brightness will flash slowly if confirmation of a change is required.

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3.6 Card edge configuration
Menu tree
Q-Down-A-AFD Board edge menu structure
Tip: To reach the top menu push the button repeatedly until a top menu is reached. Rotate the
SCROLL control anti-clockwise until the STATUS menu appears.

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Status menu
From the STATUS top menu press ENTER then SCROLL to access the status menu options.
Menu Comment
Input/Output
line Standard
The Input video line standard is shown.
IP 625i 50,IP 525i 59,IP 720p 50/59, IP 1080i50/59, No Input
Not known
Embedded
audio groups
present on input
Groups containing audio data present on the input video.
1234 groups contain audio. ‘-’ no audio present.
Output audio
groups present
Groups containing audio data present on the output video.
1234 groups contain audio. ‘-’no audio present.
Input audio
groups 1-4
Input audio channel status
1234 channels active. schannel silent.
Input video
status (Black)
Status of the input video.
Ip Not Blk, Ip Black.
Input video
status (Frozen)
Status of the input video.
Ip Not Frz, Ip Frozen.
Output
reclocker status
Status of the output reclocker.
Reclck Act, Reclck Byp, Reclck N/A.
GPO5 status GPO5 status, The last digit indicates the active alarm priority. One
being of highest priority and 8 lowest.
GPO5 Off, GPO5 Act 1…8
GPO6 Status GPO6 status, The last digit indicates the active alarm priority. One
being of highest priority and 8 lowest.
GPO6 Off, GPO6 Act 1…8
Link PL9
position
Position of PL9. Selects Betacam video levels, Active on NTSC YUV
only. Betacam Off, Betcam On.
Link PL10
position
Position of PL10. Select 7.5 IRE pedestal. Active on NTSC only.
NTSC M Lnk, NTSC J Lnk.
Software
version fitted
The version number of the currently installed software.
PCB serial
number
The electronically stored PCB serial number. This should correspond
with the serial number label affixed to the PCB connector.
Note: Alarm priority is numbered 1-12 with input missing being the highest and channel silence
Group 4 being the lowest. A low priority alarm will be masked by a higher priority alarm.

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Video menu
From the STATUS top menu press ENTER then SCROLL to access the video menu options.
Menu Comment
Vertical
bandwidth filter
Rotate the Scroll/Adj. control to show filter selected. Press ENTER
and rotate Scroll/Adj. to make a new selection. Press ENTER to select.
Softest, Soft, Sharp, Sharpest.
Analogue output
format
Rotate the Scroll/Adj. control to show output format selected.
Press ENTER and rotate Scroll/Adj. to make a new selection.
Press ENTER to select. CVBS, YUV, RGB, YC.
Output aspect
ratio selection
control
Rotate the Scroll/Adj. control to show the aspect ratio selected.
Press ENTER and rotate Scroll/Adj. to make a new selection.
Press ENTER to select. Anamorphic (no conversion), Letter Box,
Centre Cut, Auto 16x9, Auto 4x3, Auto Adapt.
Output
reclocker bypass
control
Rotate the Scroll/Adj. control to show output reclocker control.
Press ENTER and rotate Scroll/Adj. to make a new selection.
Press ENTER to select.
Reclk Act, Reclk Byp, Reclk N/A.
Video delay in
SD lines
Rotate the Scroll/Adj. control to show the delay in lines menu. Press
ENTER and rotate Adj. to set the delay in lines. 1-625 SD lines.
Wide screen
signalling
control menu
Rotate the Scroll/Adj. control to show the wide screen signalling
insertion menu. Press ENTER and rotate Adj. to set WSS option.
WSS Auto,WSS 4:9 FF, WSS 16:9FF, WSS 16:9LB, WSS Off,
WSS Pass, .
Processing
deley control
menu
Rotate the Scroll/Adj. control to show the processing delay menu.
Press ENTER and rotate Adj. to set delay option.
Minimum, Fixed, Frame .
Vertical Filters
Q-Down-A-AFD uses sophisticated two dimensional filtering to achieve a reliable
artefact-free conversion. Four selectable levels of filtering from sharpest through sharp
and soft to softest allow Q-Down-A-AFD’s performance to be optimised for the material
being down converted.
Output Aspect Ratio
There are three fixed aspect ratios: anamorphic which will map the input picture directly
to the native aspect ratio of the viewing display with the resulting distortion associated
with this. Output WSS will be full format 16:9. Should it be necessary to view the output
on a 4:3 display, setting the aspect ratio selection to letterbox will give the correct picture
dimensions by adding black bars to the top and bottom of the picture and set the output
WSS to 16:9 centre. Centre cut will show the central 75% of the 16:9 widescreen picture
mapped to the full monitor height with the corresponding loss of the left and right picture
edges with output WSS set to full format 4:3.

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There are three further selections which are associated with the AFD reader and will
automatically set the output WSS when Wide Screen Signalling is set to auto.
Selecting Auto 16:9 will for all AFD input codes will give an anamorphic aspect ratio
conversion and for a 625-line output, WSS will be set to full format 16:9. When set to
Auto 4:3 the output aspect ratio and WSS data will depend on the input AFD.
Undefined/reserved and full frame codes will produce a Letterbox aspect ratio with the
output WSS set to box 16:9 centre. Pillarbox 4:3, Pillarbox 14:9 and Letterbox greater
than 16:9 will give a centre cut conversion and set output WSS to full format 4:3.
Selecting Auto Adaptive will for any full frame input give an anamorphic aspect ratio
with WSS set to full frame 16:9. Pillarbox 4:3 will give a centre cut conversion and set
output WSS to full format 4:3. Undefined/reserved, Pillarbox 14:9 and Letterbox > 16:9
will make no change so the previous conversion will remain. On power up the default
conversion will be Anamorphic.
Response to SMPTE 2016 AFD codes
Incoming
AFD value Explanation Auto 16:9 Conversion
(output WSS)
Auto 4:3
conversion
(output WSS)
Auto adaptive
Conversion
(output WSS)
0, 1, 5, 6, 7,
12 Undefined/reserved Anamorphic
(full format 16:9)
Letterbox
(box 16:9 centre)
No change, as
previous
2, 8, 10, 14,
15 Full frame Anamorphic
(full format 16:9)
Letterbox
(box 16:9 centre)
Anamorphic
(full format 16:9)
9, 13 Pillarbox 4:3 Anamorphic
(full format 16:9)
Centre cut
(full format 4:3)
Centre cut
(full format 4:3)
3, 11 Pillarbox 14:9 Anamorphic
(full format 16:9)
Centre cut
(full format 4:3)
No change, as
previous
4Letterbox>16:9 Anamorphic
(full format 16:9)
Centre cut
(full format 4:3)
No change, as
previous
Note: Wide Screen Signalling must be set to Auto for the output WSS to be automatically set by
the incoming AFD data.
Output reclocker
An integral part of Q-Down-A-AFD’s down converter is an output reclocker. This
reclocker has the benefit of making output jitter independent of the input jitter but at the
expense of through-board delay, approximately 3.8S from input to output. In certain
circumstances this small delay could be unacceptable so there is a provision to bypass the
reclocker block and reduce the through-board delay to its minimum of 1S.
Note: Reclocker bypass is only available in SD-SD mode. When the reclocker is bypassed the
output jitter will be a function of the input jitter.

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Q-Down-A-AFD User Manual R1.2 18 23/04/09
Adjustable Delay
Video delay is adjustable from 0 to 1 frame in 1 line steps of the output i.e. SD lines. Any
delay added will be in addition to the processing delay through the board which will vary
depending on input format and ARC configuration. See the Introduction chapter for a full
explanation.
Note: The maximum adjustable delay in NTSC 525-line is one frame. Displayed values greater
than 525 lines will produce the maximum delay of 525 lines only.
Wide Screen Signalling
Output wide screen signalling can be set to automatically follow the input AFD data or be
manually selected. If WSS data should be present on the input video this can either be
passed to the output unchanged or substituted for a user selectable code. WSS data can
also be set to be blanked.
Out going
WWS
codes
Explanation Conversion
0001 full format 4:3 Centre cut
1101 box 16:9 centre Letterbox
1110 full format 16:9 Anamorphic
Processing Delay
There are three user selectable video processing delays. These are minimum delay, fixed
delay and frame delay. The minimum video delay will depend on the aspect ratio setting.
Conversions that contain no vertical processing such as anamorphic or centre cut will
have a minimum delay of 16 output lines whereas letter box sees a minimum delay of 52
output lines. This is in addition to any user set variable delay. The fixed setting makes the
delay 52 output lines for all situations.
For a Standard Definition input the minimum processing delay will be as little as 1s with
the reclocker bypassed, fixed and frame will remain 52 SD line and one frame
respectively.
Note: Selecting frame delay fixes the input to output delay to one frame (SD) and disables the
variable control.

Crystal Vision Card edge operation
Q-Down-A-AFD User Manual R1.2 19 23/04/09
Alarms menu
From the STATUS top menu press ENTER then SCROLL to access the alarms menu
options.
Menu Comment
GPI5 alarm
configuration
Rotate the Scroll/Adj. control to show AlarmsGPO5 selected.
Press ENTER and rotate Scroll/Adj. to access the alarm option.
Press ENTER to select.
GPI6 alarm
configuration
Rotate the Scroll/Adj. control to show AlarmsGPO6 selected.
Press ENTER and rotate Scroll/Adj. to access the alarm option.
Press ENTER to select.
Input Present Rotate the Scroll/Adj. control to set input present alarm ON or OFF.
Press ENTER to select.
Input Black Rotate the Scroll/Adj. control to set input black alarm ON or OFF.
Press ENTER to select.
Input Frozen Rotate the Scroll/Adj. control to set input frozen alarm ON or OFF.
Press ENTER to select.
Audio missing Rotate the Scroll/Adj. control to set audio missing alarm ON or OFF.
Press ENTER to select.
Group l channel
1-2 silent
Rotate the Scroll/Adj. control to set silence on group 1 channels 1-2
alarm ON or OFF. Press ENTER to select.
Group l channel
3-4 silent
Rotate the Scroll/Adj. control to set silence on group 1 channels 3-4
alarm ON or OFF. Press ENTER to select.
Group 4 channel
1-2 silent
Rotate the Scroll/Adj. control to set silence on group 4 channels 1-2
alarm ON or OFF. Press ENTER to select.
Group 4 channel
4-3 silent
Rotate the Scroll/Adj. control to set silence on group 4 channels 3-4
alarm ON or OFF. Press ENTER to select.
Alarm delay time
menu
Rotate the Scroll/Adj. control to show the alarms delay time menus.
Press ENTER and rotate Scroll/Adj. to make a selection.
Press ENTER to select.
Picture black
delay interval
Rotate the Scroll/Adj. control to set delay interval in seconds.
Press ENTER to select. (0-20 seconds)
Picture frozen
delay interval
Rotate the Scroll/Adj. control to set delay interval in seconds.
Press ENTER to select. (0-20 seconds)
Audio channel
silence delay
interval
Rotate the Scroll/Adj. control to set delay interval in seconds.
Press ENTER to select. (0-120 seconds)
Note: GPO5 and GPO6 menus are identical.