New multi-function PC hardware card handles embedded audio for HD productions

Following a trend in 2007 towards multi-function PC hardware cards, Crystal Vision’s Q-Down, an economical broadcast downconverter and distribution amplifier, can be used in a variety of ways. It can be an HD or SD distribution amplifier, an HD to digital SD downconverter, an HD to analog SD downconverter, or a standard-definition D-to-A converter.
Several of these functions can even be performed simultaneously, due to the number and flexibility of the output combinations available. The card, depending on version, has two or eight reclocked loop-throughs of the HD or SD input and three SD outputs that individually link between analog (composite, Y/C, YUV or RGB) and digital. Q-Down’s two-dimension filtering produces broadcast-quality results, while a processing delay of 16 lines means there is no need to compensate other signals for the video delay.

Crystal Vision has introduced a new “A” version with three main new features. Called Q-Down-A, the update adds the ability to handle embedded audio. With a standard-definition input it will pass two groups of embedded audio transparently to the digital SD output, while with an HD input it will de-embed the two groups of audio, converting them to the appropriate format while re-embedding them into the digital SD output.

Q-Down-A also provides a variable video delay of up to 100 SD lines, adjustable in single-line steps, allowing it to match other equipment delays in the system. And Q-down-A includes signal probe functionality similar to the Smart DA and Smart Switch, which is useful in multi-channel applications to flag faulty signals.

For more information, visit http://www.crystalvision.tv/.