EVS Synapse GDK200 User manual
Synapse
GDK200
3Gb/s and HD keyer, mixer with dual 2D DVE
Version1.00|November2021
INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
Disclaimer
This manual and the information contained herein are the sole property of EVS Broadcast Equipment SA
and/or its affiliates (EVS) and are provided “as is” without any expressed or implied warranties, including,
but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In
particular, EVS makes no warranty regarding the use or the consequences of use of this manual and the
information contained herein. Furthermore, EVS may not be held liable for any direct or indirect,
incidental, punitive or consequential loss, damage, cost or expense of any kind whatsoever and
howsoever resulting from the normal or abnormal use of this manual and the information contained
herein, even if advised of the possibility of such loss, damage, cost or expense.
While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this manual is accurate,
up-to-date and reliable, EVS cannot be held liable for inaccuracies or errors that may appear in this
publication. The information in this manual is furnished for informational purpose and use only and
subject to change without notice.
This manual cancels and replaces any previous versions thereof.
Copyright
Copyright © 2003-2021 EVS Broadcast Equipment SA. All rights reserved.
This manual may not be reproduced, transcribed, stored (in a database or a retrieval system), translated
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INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
Synapse GDK200|Disclaimer| i
GeneralInformation
ALWAYS disconnect your entire system from the AC mains before cleaning any component. The product
frame (SFR18, SFR08 or SFR04) must be terminated with three-conductor AC mains power cord that
includes an earth ground connection. To prevent shock hazard, all three connections must always be
used.
NEVER use flammable or combustible chemicals for cleaning components.
NEVER operate this product if any cover is removed.
NEVER wet the inside of this product with any liquid.
NEVER pour or spill liquids directly onto this unit.
NEVER block airflow through ventilation slots.
NEVER bypass any fuse.
NEVER replace any fuse with a value or type other than those specified.
NEVER attempt to repair this product. If a problem occurs, contact your local EVS distributor.
NEVER expose this product to extremely high or low temperatures.
NEVER operate this product in an explosive atmosphere.
To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture.
This product complies with the requirements of the product family standards for audio, video, audio-
visual entertainment lighting control apparatus for professional use as mentioned below.
EN60950 Safety
EN55103-1: 1996 Emission
EN55103-2: 1996 Immunity
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions:
1. This device may cause harmful interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Tested to comply with
FCC Standards
FOR HOME OR OFFICE
USE
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Contents
Disclaimer i
GeneralInformation ii
Contents iii
What'sNew? v
1. Introduction 1
2. UnpackingandPlacement 2
3. QuickStart 3
3.1. Changing Settings and Parameters 3
3.2. Using Cortex with Synapse 5
4. TheGDK200Card 6
5. SettingsMenu 10
5.1. Introduction 10
5.2. Control 10
5.3. DVE Settings 12
5.4. Mixer Options 15
5.5. Keyer Options 17
5.6. Embedder 21
5.7. De-Embedder 22
5.8. Preview Audio 23
5.9. Audio Proc Amp 23
5.10. GPI Mode 24
5.11. Network 25
6. StatusMenu 26
6.1. Introduction 26
INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
Synapse GDK200|Contents| iii
What'sNew?
In the Installation and Operation Manual the icon has been added on the left margin to highlight
information on updated features.
The changes linked to new features in version 1.00 of GDK200 are listed below.
SMPTE ST 352 Payload Identifier
•See section "Control" on page 10.
INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
Synapse GDK200|What's New?| v
1. Introduction
Synapse is a modular system designed for the broadcast industry. High density, intuitive operation and
high-quality processing are key features of this system. Synapse offers a full range of converters and
processing modules. Please visit the EVS website at www.evs.com to obtain the latest information on
our new products and updates.
Local Control Panel
The local control panel gives access to all adjustable parameters and provides status information for any
of the cards in the Synapse frame, including the Synapse rack controller. The local control panel is also
used to back-up and restore card settings. Please refer to the RRC18, RRC10, RRC04, RRS18 and RRS04
manuals for a detailed description of the local control panel, the way to set up remote control over IP and
for frame-related settings and status information.
Remote Control Capabilities
The remote-control options are explained in the rack controller (RRC18 / RRC10 / RRC04 / RRS18 / RRS04
/ ERC108-118 / ERS108-118) manuals. The method for connecting to a computer using Ethernet is also
described in the ERC/ERS/RRC/RRS manuals.
Cortex software will increase system flexibility of one or more Synapse frames.
Although it is not required to use Cortex with a Synapse frame, you are strongly advised to use a remote
personal computer or laptop PC with Cortex installed, as this increases the ease of use and
understanding of the modules.
INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
Synapse GDK200|1. Introduction| 1
2.UnpackingandPlacement
Unpacking
The EVS Synapse card must be unpacked in an anti-static environment. Care must be taken NOT to
touch components on the card – always handle the card carefully by the edges. The card must be stored
and shipped in anti-static packaging. Ensuring that these precautions are followed will prevent
premature failure of components mounted on the board.
Placing the Card
The Synapse card can be placed vertically in an SFR18 frame or horizontally in an SFR04 and SFR08
frame. Locate the two guide slots to be used, slide in the mounted circuit board, and push it firmly to
locate the connectors.
Correct insertion of the card is essential, as a card that is not located properly may show valid indicators,
but will not function correctly.
On power up, all LEDs will light up for a few seconds.This is the time it takes to initialize the
card.
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3.QuickStart
Powering Up
On powering up the Synapse frame, the card set will use basic data and default initialization settings. All
LEDs will light up during this process. After initialization, several LEDs will remain lit – the exact number
and configuration is dependent upon the number of inputs connected and the status of the inputs.
Default Settings
In its default state, the GDK200 acts as a back-up switcher with only the carrier detector active.
3.1. ChangingSettingsandParameters
The front panel controls or Cortex can be used to change the settings. An overview of the settings can
be found in later chapters of this manual. Please refer to "Settings Menu" on page 10, "Status Menu" on
page 26 "Graphical User Interface" on page 1 and "Events Menu" on page 28.
Front Panel Control
Front Panel Display and Cursor
Settings are displayed and changed as follows:
Use the cursor ‘arrows’ on the front panel to select the menu and parameter to be displayed and/or
changed.
Move forward through the menu structure.
Go back through the menu structure.
Move up within a menu, or increase the value of a parameter.
Move down through a menu or decrease the value of a parameter.
INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
Synapse GDK200|3. Quick Start| 3
When editing parameters, pressing ► twice will reset the value to its default setting.
How to Change Parameters Using the Front Panel Control
With the display as shown below:
Pressing selects the SFS10 in frame slot 01.
The display changes to indicate that the SFS10 has been selected. In this example the Settings menu
item is indicated.
Pressing the selects the menu item shown, in this example Settings.
(Pressing or will change to a different menu, e.g. Status, Events).
The display changes to indicate that the SFS10 Settings menu item SDI-Format has been selected and
shows that its current setting is Auto.
Pressing the selects the Settings item shown, in this example SDI-Format.
(Pressing or will change to a different setting, e.g. Mode, H-Delay).
The display changes to indicate that the SFS10 Edit Setting menu item SDI-Format has been selected.
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To edit the setting of the menu item, press or .
All menu items can be monitored and/or changed in this way. Changing a setting has an immediate
effect.
Menu Structure Example
Slot Module Item Parameter Setting
S02 Identity
S01 SFS10 Settings Standard dig Auto
S00 RRC18 Status Mode 625
Events Ref-Input 525
H-Delay
3.2.UsingCortexwithSynapse
EVS Cortex Software
Cortex can be used to change the settings of Synapse modules from a PC, either locally or remotely. The
software enables communication based on TCP/IP between the Setup PC and Synapse
frames/modules.
Each Synapse frame is addressed through its rack controller’s unique IP address, giving access to each
module, its menus and adjustment items. Cortex has access to data contained within the Synapse
module and displays it on a GUI. The software has an intuitive structure following that of the module that
it is controlling.
For operation of Cortex, please refer to the Cortex help files.
Further information about Front Panel Control and Cortex can be obtained from the ERC, ERS,
RRC and RRS operational manuals and the Cortex help files.
INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
Synapse GDK200|3. Quick Start| 5
4.TheGDK200Card
Introduction
The GDK200 is an advanced keyer platform for use in transmission applications. Especially where a full
master control unit is overkill, these cards can be a cost and space-saving alternative. These units have
4 triple rate (all SD, HD, 3Gb/s capable) inputs: 2 background inputs, 1 fill input and 1 key input. It also
has 4 triple rate outputs: 2 program outputs and 2 preview outputs.
Depending on the connector panel, you have either Ethernet (for easy and fast card upgrading) or GPI
control (over RJ45).
The GDK200 is not designed for external 3rd party control protocols. The units can be used with GPIs
and Cortex ‘soft’ control panels. Of course, 3rd party control via ACP is possible.
Features
The following is a summary of the features that the GDK200 offers:
•2 selectable background inputs
•Key or Fill input
•Self key
•2x 2D DVE
•Advanced routing capabilities for flexible program/production applications
•Mix engine with speed and transition adjustments
•Adjustable slice level and transparency
•Preview output with transition preview, for content verification prior to go on air
•Transparent for 16 channels of embedded audio
•Transparent for timecode data
•Quad speed Synapse audio bus for enhanced external audio applications
•Compatible with:
◦270 Mbit/s (SMPTE 259M) 50 / 59.94Hz
◦1485 Mbit/s (SMPTE 292M) 50 / 59.94Hz
◦2970 Mbit/s (SMPTE 424M) = 3Gb/s 50 / 59.94Hz.
•Locks to Tri-level or Bi-level syncs
•Depending on the connector panel, you have either Ethernet or GPI control:
◦GPI with BPH17 or BHX17b
◦Ethernet with BPH19 or BHX19.
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Applications
The GDK200 can be used as:
•an entry level program output processor for basic program channels.
•a production (3Gb/s) mixer/2D-DVE for live applications, e.g. sports events.
Block Schematic
INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
Synapse GDK200|4. The GDK200 Card| 7
Important Notice About Input Specifications
The GDK200 does not have a built-in frame synchronizer. Therefore it is up to the system engineer to
synchronize the inputs before feeding them to the keyer card. All inputs have to fall within the following
specifications:
1080p
1000 pixels (6.756 µs) in front of or behind the reference (which is fed to the GDK card via the rack
controller).
1080i
1000 pixels (13.5 µs) in front of or behind the reference (which is fed to the GDK card via the rack
controller).
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720p
700 pixels (9.42 µs) in front of or behind the reference (which is fed to the GDK card via the rack
controller).
SD
400 pixels (29.62 µs) in front of or behind the reference (which is fed to the GDK card via the rack
controller).
Important Notice About Output Delays
The keyer card adds a slight delay to the outputs in comparison to the inputs. These are the measured
delays per format:
Format Measured delay
1080p Not measured
1080i 2 lines delay, ±11.89 µs
720p 3 lines delay, ±8.46 µs
SD 1 line delay, ±23.9 µs
INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
Synapse GDK200|4. The GDK200 Card| 9
5.SettingsMenu
5.1. Introduction
The Settings menu displays the current state of each GDK200 setting and allows you to change or
adjust it.
Settings can be changed using the front panel of the Synapse frame (SFR18, SFR08 or SFR04) or with
Cortex. The SCP08 control can also be used. Please refer to "Quick Start" on page 3 for information on
the Synapse front panel control and Cortex.
5.2.Control
Setting Description
Inp_Format With Inp-Format you can set the input format. Possible settings are:
•1080p60 •1080p50 (default)
•1080i60 •1080i50
•720p60 •720p50
•SD525 •SD625
The default setting for this item is 1080p50.
Lock-Mode With this setting you select to what the card should lock to: input1, ref1, ref2. Can
also be set to RefAuto.
When set to RefAuto the card chooses ref1 as its source. Whenever ref1 fails, it
will switch to ref 2 (only for SFR08 and SFR18 frames and only when ref2 offers
the same ref format as ref 1). When ref 1 is back up again, it will only
automatically switch back to ref 1 when ref 2 fails.
Please be aware that the GDK200 does not have a built in frame-synchronizer. This means
that all inputs should already be locked to the lock-source (ref1, ref2 or input1). This should
be accurate within the values stated on page 12 under the paragraph ‘Important notice about
input specifications’.
Ref-Type The GDK200 is able to lock onto an HD sync 600mV nominal Tri-level as
described in the SMPTE 274M and 296m spec. An SD sync 300 mV nominal Bi-
level sync can also be used. Ref-Type sets the type of reference to Tri-level or
Bi-level.
The default setting is Bi-level.
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Add-On-Mode With this setting you can set the Synapse Add-on bus mode to Quad speed
audio (Quad_Speed) or to Normal mode. Default is Quad_Speed. For a detailed
description of the quad speed audio mode, please refer to "Quad Speed ADD-
ON Bus" on page 1.
Output 4 The GDK200 has a fourth SDI output whose output can be user-defined. You can
choose to make this a third Program output, a second Preview output, or an
output with a Modified key. By default it is set to Program.
AAFilter Anti-Aliasing Filter. Limits the bandwidth of the inputs, in order to prevent
aliasing. Can be set to Normal (Anti-aliasing is applied, although some sharpness
is maintained), Soft (Anti-aliasing is applied, resulting in a softened image) or Off
(no anti-aliasing is applied). By default is it switched off.
FirstActLine Options are Video (default) or ANC.
SMPTE ST 352 Video Payload Identifier
The SMPTE ST 352 Video Payload Identifier, also known as VPID, is transported within the ancillary data
of an SDI stream. The ancillary packet is placed in the HANC space. This packet contains 4 bytes of
data.
There are two versions of the standard. The first was published in 2011 and the second in 2013. The
revision can be seen within the 4 bytes.
When the GDK200 is not processing the incoming VPID packets, they will be passed transparently.
When it generates the packets, the GDK200 will output VPID packets using the 2013 standard.
S352_Insert S352_Insert enables the Video Payload Identifier insertion in the HANC space. It
enables the user to insert or passthrough (On) the S352 Dynamic range and
colorspace payload. When this menu item is set to On (default), it will generate a
SMPTE ST352-2013 packet and overwrite the existing one (for both Luminance
and Chrominance).When it is set to Off, it will pass the packet to the output as-is
(only on Luminance).In HD 1080i for ATC-LTC transparency, the user may switch
it Off to pass the ATC-LTC HANC packet on line 10.
HDR_Curve_Out The dynamic range is the range of information between the lightest and darkest
part of an image, also known as an image’s luminosity. This setting enables you
to set the dynamic range in standard dynamic range SDR (default), HLG, PQ or
SLOG3. With all of these settings, the S352 data is included in the S352 packet.
(This does not change anything in the picture.)
Output-Matrix This setting will only work if S352_Insert is set to On. It enables you to set the
colorspace in REC709 (default) or REC2020. When set to either REC709 or
REC2020, the S352 data is included in the s352 packet. (This does not change
anything in the picture.)
Bit_Depth_Out Bit depth is the range of bits being used. This setting enables you to set the bit
depth to Narrow (8bits) or Full (10bits). When set to either Narrow (default) or
Full, it includes this data in the S352packet. (This does not change anything in
the picture.)
INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
Synapse GDK200|5. Settings Menu| 11
5.3.DVESettings
Please also refer to "Appendix 2: DVE Settings Visualized" on page 39 for more details.
Setting Description
DVE-Mode-Ctrl With this item you select how the DVE-Mode setting is controlled:
Manually (manual) or via GPI-triggers (GPI-A, GPI-B or GPI-C). By
default it is set to Manual. The GPI pools (GPI-A, GPI-B and GPI-C)
are defined with the settings under the header GPI-MODE. Refer
to "Appendix 1: GPIs Explained" on page 35 for a detailed
description of the GPI pool functionality.
DVE-Mode With this setting you set the card in 2 DVE mode (Mode-2DVE,
only available in the HDK200) or 1 DVE mode (Mode-DVE), which
is the default setting.
Outlines Switches on or off the outline around the DVE. Default is off.
PrstEditView With this setting set to Follow Active, the edit preset settings will
follow the active preset when the active preset is changed. This to
avoid confusion when changing the active. Set to Independent the
edit preset will not automatically follow active preset changes. By
default set to Follow Active.
DVE1-Preset-Ctrl With this item you select how the DVE1-Active-Prst setting is
controlled: Manually (manual) or via GPI-triggers (GPI-A, GPI-B or
GPI-C). By default it is set to Manual. The GPI pools (GPI-A, GPI-B
and GPI-C) are defined with the settings under the header GPI-
MODE. Refer to"Appendix 1: GPIs Explained" on page 35 for a
detailed description of the GPI pool functionality.
DVE1-Next-Ctrl With this item you select how the DVE1-Next-Prst setting is
controlled: manually (Manual) or via GPI-triggers (GPI-A, GPI-B or
GPI-C). By default it is set to Manual. The GPI pools (GPI-A, GPI-B
and GPI-C) are defined with the settings under the header GPI-
MODE. Refer to"Appendix 1: GPIs Explained" on page 35 for a
detailed description of the GPI pool functionality.
DVE1-Active-Prst With this item you can change the currently active preset of DVE1.
Can be any preset between 1 and 16. By default it is set to 1. All
menu settings that are preceded with a ‘#‘-prefix are part of this
preset. The contents of the presets are shared with both DVEs, for
example: DVE1 set to preset 2 will have the same menu settings as
when DVE2 is set to preset 2.
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