
PRODUCT DATA SHEET
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With a 14-inch (34.5 cm) depth, you
never have to reach between closely
stacked equipment in a rack to grab an
Acappella system cable. And should you
need to power off the router at night, it
will remember and initialize the previous
crosspoint configuration when turned
back on the next morning.
Inside, the architecture of the Acappella
system has several key advantages. Its
vertical input and output boards enable
low-cost factory expansion of its base
model to provide the crosspoints you
need. This architecture also makes it
easy to add new features to future
Acappella routers.
The Acappella router also offers high-
performance digital video and audio
processing. Its video processing
features include automatic input cable
equalization as well as automatic output
muting when no input is present. It also
supports the reclocking of a data stream
at all standard data rates, including
1.5 Gb/s, eliminating the jitter associated
with long cable runs and previously
processed signals.
When this reclocking functionality is
active, Acappella routers automatically
adjust the rise times of digital data
to correctly match the SMPTE
specifications for both SD and HD data
rates. Acappella routers perform vertical
interval switching and are configured to
switch at the proper horizontal line in
all cases for 525, 625, SD, HD, and the
different HD formats.
For digital audio, Acappella routers offer
synchronous switching at the sample
boundary to create a contiguous data
stream, eliminating any downstream
signal-processing issues. Unlike other
routers, they generate digital silence
when no audio is present; this unique
feature keeps downstream equipment
synchronized and eliminates unwanted
audio disturbances. They also support
sum, swap, invert, bypass, and block-
align modes.
Plug-and-Play Operation
An Acappella router comes ready to use.
In the few instances when configuration
is necessary, all you need to do is
connect a standard Web browser to the
router’s Ethernet interface—or use the
Grass Valley NetConfig application that
comes standard with the router.
Acappella routers feature built-in control
of up to four levels of 16 inputs and 16
outputs with a combination of either
local or remote control panels. You can
also deploy the Prelude control system
to support larger networks of Acappella
and Concerto™Series routing matrix.
Acappella routers use an Ethernet
interface to connect remote control
panels and additional matrices. In
addition to a local control panel attached
to the router frame, you can connect
multiple remote panels to an Acappella
system.
Panel Features Streamline
Workflows
Acappella system control panels have a
number of powerful features to speed
and streamline your workflows—and to
help prevent mistakes.
The destination gang mode, for example,
lets you send a single source to multiple
destinations with a single button
press, which is very useful for VTR
tape duplication and system-alignment
applications.
With the router’s chop mode, you
can automatically toggle between
two selected inputs; it’s a great
capability when you need to make
quick and simple level timing and phase
comparisons of input sources.
Meanwhile, the panel-enable mode of
the Acappella router quickly enables/
disables a panel from allowing source
takes. This mode provides an extra
measure of security from unintentional
button contact that can disrupt your
workflow or signal.
Acappella routers also feature a
destination protect mode, which adds
a level of security to your source-to-
destination connections. When in this
mode, it will ask an operator to confirm if
they want to make a particular source-to-
destination change and require removing
that layer of protection to effect the
change.
Acappella routers interface with the
Grass Valley Series 7000 system, Jupiter,
Prelude, and Encore systems. For
connections to third-party automation
and control systems, Acappella routers
have an RS-422 serial control port that
comes standard on every matrix. This
control interface port uses the industry-
known HX-TCI protocol to enable simple
plug-and-play automation control.
Acappella Systems
All systems come standard with:
CD-ROM containing product•
documentation and the Grass Valley
NetConfig application
Hard copy documentation•