Ensemble Designs BrightEye 5 User manual

R Revision 5.1 SW v1.2.2
Analog Composite
TBC and Frame Sync
User Guide
5

Everything is made at our factory in
Nevada City, California.
Come on by and visit us.
Drop in for lunch and a tour!
Shipped with care to television broadcasters
and video facilities all over the world.
And consider our Avenue product line when
you need a modular system.
BrightEye — palm sized video and audio conversion,
HD up/down/cross conversion, scan conversion and
test signal generators with 3G, HD, SD, ASI, HDMI video,
audio and optical choices.
“Regardless of how quickly we need to take Mitto to air, it works famously every time. And it looks spectacular. When
we covered the blizzards last winter, all of our user-generated content submissions and Skype camethrough Mitto.”
~ John Schilberg, VP of Technology, Grin Communications, KWTV, KOTV and KQCW
By Engineers, For Engineers
In 1989, a former television station engineer who loved designing
and building video equipment, decided to start a new company.
He relished the idea of taking an existing group of equipment
and adding a few special pieces in order to create an even more
elegant ensemble. So, he designed and built his rst product and
the company was born.
Focused On What You Need
As the company has grown, more former TV station engineers have
joined Ensemble Designs and this wealth of practical
experience fuels the company’s innovation. Everyone at the
company is focused on providing the very equipment you need
to complete your ensemble of video and audio gear. We oer
those special pieces that tie everything together so that when
combined, the whole ensemble is exactly what you need.
Notably Great Service for You
We listen to you – just tell us what you need and we’ll do our best
to build it. We are completely focused on you and the equipment
you need. Being privately held means we don’t have to worry
about a big board of directors or anything else that might take
attention away from real business. And, you can be sure that
when you call a real person will answer the phone. We love this
business and we’re here to stay.
Bricks and Mortar of Your Facility
The bricks and mortar of a facility include pieces like
up/downconverters, audio embedders, video converters,
protection switches, routers and SPGs for SD, HD and 3Gb/s .
That’s what we’re focused on, that’s all we do – we make proven
and reliable signal processing and infrastructure gear for
video facilities worldwide, for you.
Who is Ensemble Designs?

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Analog Composite TBC and Frame Sync User Guide
Contents
Product Overview 4
Capabilities Overview for BrightEye 5 4
Free Software Upgrades Forever 4
Functional Description and Block Diagram 5
Applications 6
Time Base Correction of Noisy Microwave Signal 6
Rear Connectors 7
Power Connection 7
USB Connector 7
Input and Output BNCs 8
Operation 9
Front Panel Controls and Indicators 9
Status Indicators 9
Adjusting Parameters from the Front Panel 10
Using the BrightEye Control Application 12
Input Menu 12
Proc Menu 13
Timing Menu 14
Output Menu 15
Cong Menu 16
Software Updating 17
Warranty and Factory Service 17
Warranty 17
Factory Service 17
Specications for BrightEye 5 18
Glossary 19

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Product Overview
BrightEye 5 is a Time Base Corrector with analog composite inputs and outputs. 12 bit digital signal
processing ensures the best signal handling and a solid output. BrightEye 5 will time base correct
signals from analog sources such as consumer VCRs, cameras and noisy microwave receivers.
The analog input is converted at 12 bits of resolution for digital processing. The signal is time base
corrected and frame synchronized to the reference input and converted back to analog for output.
BrightEye 5 auto detects the video standard of the input (NTSC or PAL), or can be set manually to
either NTSC or PAL if preferred.
Basic controls are provided on the front panel. With BrightEye Mac or PC software, you can control
video proc functions: Gain, Chroma, Pedestal, and Hue. The vertical interval can be passed or blanked.
A glossary of commonly used video terms is provided at the end of this user guide.
Capabilities Overview for BrightEye 5
• Use with VCRs, Cameras, Satellite Receivers
• Analog Video Inputs and Outputs
• TBC and Frame Sync
• 12 Bit Processing
• Intuitive Front Panel Controls
• Easy-to-use Mac and PC User Interface
• Genlockable and Fully Timeable
• Rackmountable
• 5-Year Warranty and Free Software Upgrades
Free Software Upgrades Forever
BrightEye Mac/PC software is included with each unit at no charge and oers complete control of
BrightEye 5. Use BrightEye Mac/PC software to control a single BrightEye unit or any number of units
connected to a USB hub. BrightEye Mac/PC software is not required as the BrightEye 5 front panel
controls are intuitive and provide extensive control. You can choose what type of control is best for
your facility.
BrightEye software is easily upgraded through the unit’s USB port. Software upgrades are available at
no charge for the life of the product and are conveniently downloadable at the following link:
www.ensembledesigns.com/support/brighteye-support/brighteye-software

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Functional Description and Block Diagram
As shown in the functional block diagram below, analog video is fed to the unit on a single BNC
connector. This analog input is converted at 12 bits of resolution for digital processing. The signal is
time base corrected and frame synchronized to the external reference input and converted back to
analog for output. The video standard of the input signal is automatically detected. For applications
with intermittent or low quality input signals, the video standard can be set manually to either NTSC or
PAL. This will improve performance when the input signal is compromised.
BrightEye 5 is powered by a 12 volt DC universal power supply. This power supply can accept an input
voltage between 90 and 230 volts, at 50 or 60 Hertz.
BrightEye 5 uses a standard IEC line cord and can be used anywhere in the world. It is normal for the
converter to be quite warm to the touch when operating.
BrightEye 5 Functional Block Diagram
Cpst In
Ref In
Composite Out 1
Composite Out 2
12 bit
A to D
Converter
TBC/
Frame
Sync
Proc
Amp
12 bit
D to A
Converter

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Applications
Time Base Correction of Noisy Microwave Signal
One useful application for the BrightEye 5 is time base correction of an excessively noisy analog video
signal from a microwave receiver. This application utilizes the full functionality of BrightEye 5 by time
base correcting a noisy analog video microwave input signal and frame synchronizing it to a house
reference which is also feeding analog video devices.
Refer to the application drawing below for an example of using BrightEye 5 for this purpose.
BrightEye 5
Analog Router
Composite In
Composite In
Ref In
Ref In
Ref In
Analog Switcher
House Reference
Analog Video
Composite
Out 1
Composite
Out 2
Microwave
Receiver
BrightEye 5 Time Base Correction of Microwave Signal Input

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Rear Connectors
All connections to the BrightEye 5 are made on the rear of the unit. Refer to the illustration below for a
snapshot reference of the rear connectors. A more detailed explanation of the rear connectors follows.
Power Connection
Connect the modular power supply (ED part number 23118900) to the 12-volt DC power input
connection on the far left of the unit. Use the locking ring to secure it.
USB cable that is included with your BrightEye
USB Connector
Your BrightEye 5 comes with a USB cable, shown to right.
Connect the USB port to a PC or Mac running BrightEye
software for more comprehensive control, diagnostics, and
upgrades to the unit. BrightEye PC/Mac control application
software is included on CD that came with your BrightEye 5, or
the application can be downloaded for free at the following link:
www.ensembledesigns.com/support/brighteye-support

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Input and Output BNCs
There are four rear BNC connectors which are used as inputs and outputs as follows:
• Cpst In (Composite Input) – This BNC input accepts an analog composite signal, 525 or 625
line standard. The input standard is auto-detected.
Note: For applications with intermittent or low quality input signals, the video standard can
be set manually to either NTSC or PAL in the Input menu. This will improve performance
when the input signal is compromised.
• Ref In (Reference Input) – For synchronizing (genlocking) the input signal to an external
reference, connect a composite video signal (PAL or NTSC with the same line rate as the input
video) to the Ref In BNC.
• Composite Out 1 and 2 – Two timed composite outputs are provided for feeding analog
destinations. The output standard follows the input standard and must be the same standard
as the reference, if one is used.

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Operation
Control and operation of the BrightEye 5 is performed from the front panel or remotely from a
networked PC with the BrightEye Mac/PC Control application software.
Note: Some control settings are only available with BrightEye PC or Mac. These parameters
cannot be monitored or controlled from the front panel.
Front Panel Controls and Indicators
The front panel of the converter, shown in the gure below, provides status and control indicators for
adjusting parameters from the front panel.
BrightEye 5 Front Panel
Status Indicators
• In (Input) – Illuminates green when a valid input is detected on the Cpst In BNC connector.
• Ref (Reference) – Illuminates green when a valid NTSC or PAL reference is detected on the
Ref In BNC connector.
Note: A reference is not required for operation.
• Pwr (Power) – The power indicator illuminates green when the BrightEye unit has power and
the internal voltage regulator is functioning correctly.

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Adjusting Parameters from the Front Panel
Use the Mode, Right Arrow, and Left Arrow buttons to select and adjust parameters from the front
panel.
Pressing the Mode button activates the front panel for editing and tabs between each section of
editable parameters.
Pressing the Right Arrow or Left Arrow advances the selection within a given section of parameters,
or increases (Right Arrow) or decreases (Left Arrow) the value of a selected parameter.
Note: The LED of an edited parameter will blink for 15 seconds, after which time its value is
stored in memory. If power is interrupted before this 15 second timeout period has elapsed,
the edited state will not be not saved.
The controls and their indicators are described below: .
• Timing – The timing function operates in one of three modes:
1. When the TBC/Frame Sync control is turned On and a proper reference signal is
connected to the Ref In BNC, the video output of the unit will be synchronous and locked
to the external reference. The output may be timed with respect to the Ref In using the
timing controls. In this case, the unit will accept asynchronous video and time base errors
will be corrected.
2. When the TBC/Frame Sync control is turned On and no reference signal is connected,
the unit will act as a time base corrector only. The output will not be synchronous to any
reference, including the input. This mode allows a noisy analog input signal to be time base
corrected for a clean stable output.
3. When the TBC/Frame Sync control is turned O, any reference signal to the Ref In BNC
is ignored. The video input is synchronous to the video output when a nearly perfect, clean
video input signal is present (SDI or analog video with no time base correction required).
The output timing of the module can be adjusted with the following controls when the TBC/Frame
Sync is turned On:
Vert – Adjust the vertical timing in lines with reference to the Ref In.
Hor – Adjust the horizontal timing in clocks with reference to the Ref In.
Fine – Adjust the timing in subpixels with reference to the Ref In.
• TBC/Frame Sync – This control enables the Frame Sync genlock function and the timing
controls when an external reference is present on the Ref In BNC.

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• Vid Gain – This control adjusts the gain of the analog video signals in the Digital-to-Analog
converter and encoder circuitry of the converter. The right arrow will increase the gain, the left
arrow will decrease it. The Vid Gain indicator will illuminate green when the gain is set to its
nominal or unity setting.
This is the setting which will produce correct analog output levels from a digital input source
which itself is at proper level. The Vid Gain indicator will illuminate red whenever the control
is adjusted either higher or lower than the nominal setting. The gain can be reset to nominal
(green) by pressing both arrows simultaneously.

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Using the BrightEye Control Application
BrightEye Mac and PC Control application software is included on a CD with each unit and oers
complete control of your BrightEye 5. BrightEye Mac/PC software is designed to allow you to congure
and control the BrightEye 5 from a personal computer. Installation and instructions for using this
software application are given in the PDF manual on the CD.
If the BrightEye 5 is connected to a computer running BrightEye Mac/PC software, the following
menus are available for controlling and monitoring the unit.
Input Menu
• Input Pres – Gives read-only status indication of input video presence (None, 525 Lock, or
625 Lock).
• Format Mode – Your BrightEye 5 is set at the factory to auto-detect the input standard.
For applications with intermittent or low quality input signals, use this control to set the video
format standard manually to either NTSC or PAL. This will improve performance when the
input signal is compromised.
Select between: Auto Detect, NTSC Only, or PAL Only.
• Ref Pres – Gives read-only status indication of reference video presence (No Ref or
Ref Present).
• Comb Mode – Set the type of comb ltering from 3 Line or 5 Line.
• Analog Setup – Use this control to turn Analog Setup On or O.
Set to On if the input signals being used with the BrightEye 5 have Setup present. The On
setting will cause Setup to be removed from the input signal in order for the digital processing
to have the appropriate black reference level. Further, Setup will be added back into the
output when the control is On. Setup is optionally used in NTSC systems, and is never used in
PAL. See the Glossary for a discussion of Setup.
BrightEye 5 Input Menu

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Proc Menu
The Proc Amp menu oers a Gain control, which aects the overall video level. The Proc Menu also
includes controls for the Chroma amplitude, the Pedestal or black level, and Hue. This is an NTSC-
style Hue rotation. It can be used to make small adjustments in colorimetry.
The nominal settings for these controls would be 100% of overall Gain and Chroma, zero adjustment
to Pedestal and zero degrees of Hue rotation.
You can change these values by clicking and dragging on the slider control, by using the up and down
arrow buttons, or by entering values directly into the elds.
• Gain – Adjusts the percentage of gain. Range is 50 to 150%, default is 100%.
• Chroma – Adjusts the percentage of chroma. Range is 50 to 150%, default is 100%.
• Pedestal – Adjusts the pedestal in IRE. Range is -5 to 5 IRE, default is 0 IRE.
• Hue – Adjusts the hue of the signal in degrees. Range is -180° to 180°, default is 0°.
BrightEye 5 Proc Menu

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BrightEye 5 Timing Menu
Timing Menu
The Timing menu is used to time the input signal to an external reference.
• Ver Time – Adjust the vertical timing of the signal in lines with reference to the Frame Sync
input. Default is 0 lines.
• Hor Time – Adjust the horizontal timing of the signal in clocks with reference to the Frame
Sync input. Range is -1700 - 1700 clocks, default is 0 clocks.
• Fine Phase – Adjust the ne phase of the signal in subpixels with reference to the Frame Sync
input. Range is -100 - 100 subpixels, default is 0 subpixels.
• Frame Sync – Set the Frame Sync function On to genlock to the external reference input to
the module or O for no Frame Sync.

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Output Menu
Use the Output menu to set the following output conditions for the BrightEye 5:
• V Blanking – Set the vertical blanking to Narrow (NTSC: lines 1-9, PAL: lines 1-6) or
Wide (NTSC: lines 1-20, PAL: lines 1-22).
• Test Pattern – Select a test pattern at the module output from Black or Color Bars or turn to
O for normal operation.
• Signal Mute – The signal muting control aects the behavior of the module when the video
input is lost or interrupted. Set the control for one of the following conditions:
No Muting – Nothing is done when the input is lost or intermittent. In this case, the module
may present a very disturbed output in response to an intermittent input.
Mute on Noise – The output will go black if the input is lost.
Freeze on Noise – The output will freeze on the last image when the input is lost.
BrightEye 5 Output Menu

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Cong Menu
Use the Cong menu to enable or disable the front panel controls.
• Panel Disable – Set the Panel Disable to On if you want to disable the front panel controls.
Set to O to enable standard control from the front panel.
BrightEye 5 Cong Menu

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Software Updating
Software upgrades for BrightEyes are available free at the following link:
www.ensembledesigns.com/support/brighteye-support/
Use BrightEye Mac or PC software to install the software update into your BrightEye.
Warranty and Factory Service
Warranty
This module is covered by a ve-year limited warranty. If you require service (under warranty or not),
please contact Ensemble Designs and ask for customer service before you return the unit. This will
allow the service technician an opportunity to provide any other suggestions for identifying the
problem and to recommend possible solutions.
Factory Service
If you return equipment for repair, please get a Return Material Authorization Number (RMA) from the
factory rst.
tel [phone]
fax [phone]
[e-mail]
www.ensembledesigns.com
Ship the product and a written description of the problem to:
Ensemble Designs, Inc.
Attention: Customer Service RMA #####
870 Gold Flat Rd.
Nevada City, CA 95959 USA
Be sure to put your RMA number on the outside of the box.

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Specications for BrightEye 5
Analog Video Input
Number One
Type NTSC, PAL Composite
Impedance 75 Ω I
Return Loss >40 dB, DC to 5.5 MHz
Input DC +/-1 volt DC
Input Hum <100 mV
Reference Input
Number One, BNC
Type 1 V P-P Composite Video, PAL or NTSC
Impedance 75 Ω
Return Loss >40 dB
Performance
Frequency Response ±0.1 dB , 0 to 5.5 MHz
K Factor <1%
ScH Phase Error <±2°
Dierential Phase <1°
Dierential Gain <1%
Signal to Noise >65 dB
Timing Window Innite (with respect to reference), Output ScH Phase matches reference
Timing Resolution Adjustable to within 1° of subcarrier
Analog Video Output
Number Two, BNC
Type Composite PAL or NTSC (follows input)
Delay Adjustable from < 90 µSec to 1 frame
Return Loss >40 dB
Output DC <100 mV
General Specications
Size 5.625”W x 1.7” H x 5.5” D (143 mm x 20 mm x 140 mm)
including connectors
Weight 14 oz
Power 12 volts, 4 watts (100-230 VAC modular power supply not included)
Temperature Range 0 to 40° C ambient
Relative Humidity 0 to 95° non-condensing

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Glossary
AES/EBU
The digital audio standard dened as a joint eort of the Audio Engineering Society and the European
Broadcast Union. AES/EBU or AES3 describes a serial bitstream that carries two audio channels,
thus an AES stream is a stereo pair. The AES/EBU standard covers a wide range of sample rates and
quantizations (bit depths). In television systems, these will generally be 48 KHz and either 20 or 24 bits.
AFD
Active Format Description is a method to carry information regarding the aspect ratio of the video
content. The specication of AFD was standardized by SMPTE in 2007 and is now beginning to appear
in the marketplace. AFD can be included in both SD and HD SDI transport systems. There is no legacy
analog implementation. (See WSS).
ASI
A commonly used transport method for MPEG video streams, ASI or Asynchronous Serial Interface,
operates at the same 270 Mb/s data rate as SD SDI. This makes it easy to carry an ASI stream through
existing digital television infrastructure. Known more formally as DVB-ASI, this transport mechanism
can be used to carry multiple program channels.
Aspect Ratio
The ratio of the vertical and horizontal measurements of an image. 4:3 is the aspect ratio for standard
denition video formats and television and 16:9 for high denition. Converting formats of unequal
ratios is done by letterboxing (horizontal bars) or pillar boxing (vertical pillars) in order to keep the
original format’s aspect ratio.
Bandwidth
Strictly speaking, this refers to the range of frequencies (i.e. the width of the band of frequency) used
by a signal, or carried by a transmission channel. Generally, wider bandwidth will carry and reproduce
a signal with greater delity and accuracy.
Beta
Sony Beta SP video tape machines use an analog component format that is similar to SMPTE, but
diers in the amplitude of the color dierence signals. It may also carry setup on the luminance
channel.
Bit
A binary digit, or bit, is the smallest amount of information that can be stored or transmitted digitally
by electrical, optical, magnetic, or other means. A single bit can take on one of two states: On/O,
Low/High, Asserted/ Deasserted, etc. It is represented numerically by the numerals 1 (one) and 0
(zero). A byte, containing 8 bits, can represent 256 dierent states. The binary number 11010111, for
example, has the value of 215 in our base 10 numbering system. When a value is carried digitally, each

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additional bit of resolution will double the number of dierent states that can be represented. Systems
that operate with a greater number of bits of resolution, or quantization, will be able to capture a
signal with more detail or delity. Thus, a video digitizer with 12 bits of resolution will capture 4 times
as much detail as one with 10 bits.
Blanking
The Horizontal and Vertical blanking intervals of a television signal refer to the time periods between
lines and between elds. No picture information is transmitted during these times, which are required
in CRT displays to allow the electron beam to be repositioned for the start of the next line or eld.
They are also used to carry synchronizing pulses which are used in transmission and recovery of the
image. Although some of these needs are disappearing, the intervals themselves are retained for
compatibility purposes. They have turned out to be very useful for the transmission of additional
content, such as teletext and embedded audio.
CAV
Component Analog Video. This is a convenient shorthand form, but it is subject to confusion. It is
sometimes used to mean ONLY color dierence component formats (SMPTE or Beta), and other times
to include RGB format. In any case, a CAV signal will always require 3 connectors – either Y/R-Y/B-Y,
or R/G/B.
Checkeld
A Checkeld signal is a special test signal that stresses particular aspects of serial digital transmission.
The performance of the Phase Locked-Loops (PLLs) in an SDI receiver must be able to tolerate long
runs of 0’s and 1’s. Under normal conditions, only very short runs of these are produced due to a
scrambling algorithm that is used. The Checkeld, also referred to as the Pathological test signal, will
“undo” the scrambling and cause extremely long runs to occur. This test signal is very useful for testing
transmission paths.
Chroma
The color or chroma content of a signal, consisting of the hue and saturation of the image.
See also Color Dierence.
Component
In a component video system, the totality of the image is carried by three separate but related
components. This method provides the best image delity with the fewest artifacts, but it requires
three independent transmission paths (cables). The commonly used component formats are
Luminance and Color Dierence (Y/Pr/Pb), and RGB. It was far too unwieldy in the early days of color
television to even consider component transmission.
Composite
Composite television dates back to the early days of color transmission. This scheme encodes the
color dierence information onto a color subcarrier. The instantaneous phase of the subcarrier is the
color’s hue, and the amplitude is the color’s saturation or intensity. This subcarrier is then added onto
the existing luminance video signal. This trick works because the subcarrier is set at a high enough
frequency to leave spectrum for the luminance information. But it is not a seamless matter to pull