Plura RUBIDIUM Series User manual

TIMING SOLUTIONS
Rubidium Series
RUB AT-P
RUB XT-P
Biphase to Time Code Converter
Film Frames Counter
Film Footage Counter
Film Frames to Time Converter
Biphase
10:59:48:23
+123456.09
[phone]
Option “P”
Version: 2.2
December 3, 2020

Option “P” Biphase to Time Code Converter Page 3
CONTENTS
A1 REVISION HISTORY 4
A2 COPYRIGHT 4
A3 GENERAL REMARKS 4
1FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION 5
1.1 OVERVIEW 5
1.2 CONFIGURING THE RUBIDIUM MODULE 6
1.3 SPECIFICATION 13
2CONNECTIONS 14
2.1 GPI: INPUT FOR BIPHASE AND FOR RESET/SET CONTROL 14
3APPLICATIONS 15
3.1 BIPHASE TO LTC CONVERSION FOR SYNCHRONIZING PURPOSES 15
3.2 TIME, FOOTAGE COUNTER AND FRAME COUNTER IN A TIME CODE FORMAT
17
3.3 TIME, FOOTAGE COUNTER AND FRAME COUNTER VISIBLY INSERTED ON A
VIDEO MONITOR 17
3.4 TWO PROJECTORS CONNECTED VIA A SWITCHING BOX 18

Page 4 Option “P” Biphase to Time Code Converter
A1 Revision History
No.
Date
Subject
0.n
Preliminary documents, changes without notice.
1.0
March 01, 2007
First released document.
1.1
January 02, 2008
- Revised.
- Chapter “Two Projectors Connected via a Switching Box” added.
1.2
May 05, 2011
Adapted to XT modules.
2.0
November 06, 2012
Phase shift of LTC with respect to biphase.
2.1
September 30, 2019
Changed address of Plura Europe GmbH.
2.2
December 3, 2020
Re-formatted in new design.
A2 Copyright
Copyright © Plura Europe GmbH 2007-2020. All rights reserved. No part of this publication
may be reproduced, translated into another language, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise without the prior written consent of Plura Europe GmbH.
Printed in Germany.
Technical changes are reserved.
All brand and product names mentioned herein are used for identification purposes only and
are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
Information in this publication replaces all previously published information. Plura GmbH
assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for
damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
For further information please contact your local dealer or:
Plura Europe GmbH
Binger Weg 12
D- 55437 Ockenheim
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-Mail: [e-mail]
Internet: http://www.plurainc.com
A3 General Remarks
This manual is a supplement to the “Functional Description & Specifications” of the
appropriate module (AT or DT or HT or XT).
It describes a special function of the module realized by an optional firmware.
A module with this special option may have not all the functions as there are in a standard
module.

Option “P” Biphase to Time Code Converter Page 5
1 Functional Description
1.1 Overview
The “Option P” for a RUBIDIUM Time Code Module (AT, DT, HT or XT) has been developed
for “film and time code” applications.
This special RUBIDIUM Module accepts biphase signals at its GPI inputs. These pulses will be
converted to a time (HH:MM:SS:FF), to a film frame counter and to a footage counter. These
data can be output in a time code format and can visibly be displayed on a video window.
Choose the Rubidium module according to the video system:
RUB AT: CVBS analogue video 525/60 (NTSC) or 625/50 (PAL).
RUB DT: Digital video channel (SD).
RUB HT: HD or SD digital video channel.
RUB XT: 3G or HD or SD digital video channel.
The special RUBIDIUM module transfers the data in a time code format to further RUBIDIUM
modules, so the time can visibly insert on different video channels. External time code reader
units are able to decode and display the data.
These are the key features of the system:
•Biphase pulses with 1 to 255 pulses per frame.
•Film frame counter: ± 0 to ± 99 999 999.
•Film frame rate selectable 10 to 100 frames per foot.
•Film footage counter: ± 0 to ± 999 999·99. A start value can be set.
•Biphase to time converter. A start value can be set.
•Start values can be programmed utilizing any of our configuration tools. The values can be
set pressing a front button or using a GPI input (SET and RESET function).
•Time code frame rate selectable: 24/25/30/30drop.
•The module generates LTC and/or VITC (as well as D-VITC, ATC - depending on the type
of the module). The time code generator can be genlocked to biphase, to video, to
external LTC or to internal crystal.
•The time information of the time code can contain the film frame counter (biphase to time
conversion) or a free-running counter.
•The binary groups (user bits) of the time code can contain the film frame counter, the film
footage counter, the time converted from the biphase, or a fixed programmed value.
•The film frame counter, the film footage counter and the time converted from the biphase
can visibly be inserted on a video monitor. The video windows can be positioned over the
entire screen. Size, brightness, background mask, … , can be adjusted.

Page 6 Option “P” Biphase to Time Code Converter
1.2 Configuring the RUBIDIUM Module
Upon delivery the RUBIDIUM module has got a setup to a basic configuration. The following
guide describes the most important setups and enables you to find the configuration for your
special environment. This example shows screen shots of the PC program tabs configuring an
AT module.
1. “Factory Settings”: Start the configuration after a “Reset” of the module.
Activate the “Profile” page and select: Profile: Factory Settings
Click on the OK button.
2. Select Functions:
If the “Factory Settings” has been applied the following functions now are
activated/deactivated:
To enable further functions, click on the applicable Edit and/or Use check boxes.

Option “P” Biphase to Time Code Converter Page 7
3. Basic set-up of the time code generator:
The following adjustment will be important for a biphase to time conversion:
Frame Rate: Select the frame rate of the time code: 24/25/30df/30. For a frame
accurate biphase to time code conversion this frame rate has to
correspond to the number of film frames per second. 30df
corresponds to 29.97 Hz.
Sync: Select the genlock source:
Internal internal crystal
Video at VIDEO IN connected video signal
LTC Read at LTC_IN_A / LTC_IN_B connected LTC
Biphase at GPI_1 / GPI_2 connected biphase signal

Page 8 Option “P” Biphase to Time Code Converter
4. Biphase and film parameter:
Swap A/B inputs: In case that all counters (time, footage counter, frame
counter) are counting in the wrong direction, the input
signals A and B (“R” and “S”) probably have been reversed.
Instead of changing the connection you can swap A with B
(“R” with “S”) activating this check box.
Pulses per Frame: Number of biphase pulses each film frame.
Range: 1 –255.
Example: Choice = “2”corresponds to a nominal
frequency of 50 Hz/25 fps or 60 Hz/30 fps respectively.
Frames per Foot: Number of film frames per foot. Range: 10 –100. This
enables to calculate the film length.
Lock auto count: As soon as the unit detects nominal biphase frequency (film
frame = time code frame), a “Lock” state will be indicated.
Having this check box activated the counting of time,
footage, and frames will be done automatically during
“Lock” state. This guaranties a “clean” time code output
with a continuous ±1 counting without drop-outs or jumps,
even if the biphase input signal jitters.
Lock Delay: Number of frames needed to enter the “Lock” state. Range:
10 –100.
For further details to these items please refer to chapter “Biphase to LTC
Conversion for Synchronizing Purposes”.
Phase shift: Select between: 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°.
As default, the LTC frame is synchronized to the leading

Option “P” Biphase to Time Code Converter Page 9
edge of signal at GPI 1 (signal A or R); this corresponds to
0°. Any change to 90°, 180°, or 270° will shift the LTC
frame as shown in the diagram:
LTC: 0°
LTC: 90°
LTC: 180°
LTC: 270°
GPI1:A(R)
GPI2: B (S)
This entry mainly is relevant where “Pulses per Frame = 1”
has been selected.
TC user mode: Select the data content of the binary groups (user bits) of
the time code from the drop-down list:
No counter: Binary groups contain a fixed programmed
value (‘Set User’, refer to the “Generate“ function).
Frame counter: Binary groups contain the 8-digits film
frame counter (BCD), without sign.
Footage counter: Binary groups contain the BCD 6-digits
footage counter and 2-digits frame counter (film length),
without sign.
Biphase to time conversion: Binary groups contain the
time converted from the biphase, in a HH:MM:SS:FF
format.
TC time mode: Select the data content of the time information of the time
code from the drop-down list:
Free running: Time generated independently from the
biphase. A start value can be set (‘Set Time’, refer to the
“Generate“ function).
Biphase to time conversion: The time information
contains the time converted from the biphase, in a
HH:MM:SS:FF format.
Auto mute LTC: If this check box is activated the LTC output will be switched
off if the biphase stops. Valid only if “TC time mode =
Biphase to time conversion“ has been selected.
Utilizing the RUBIDIUM CONFIGURATION PC program, you enter a number
pressing the tabulator key at the PC’s keyboard afterwards.
Set footage: Start value for the footage counter.

Page 10 Option “P” Biphase to Time Code Converter
Range: 0.0 –999 999.99. Please stop the biphase before
setting a start value. Click on the Set button to transfer the
start value to the module.
Set time: Start value for the time converted from the biphase.
Please stop the biphase before setting a start value. Click
on the Set button to transfer the start value to the module.
Set: A click on this button transfers the current start values (‘Set
footage’ and ‘Set time’) to the module. This resets the film
frame counter to zero. This function is available for any of
the module’s function keys or for GPI_3 or GPI_4.
Reset: A click on this button resets all counters in the module: film
frame counter, footage counter and the time converted
from the biphase. This function is available for any of the
module’s function keys or for GPI_3 or GPI_4.