3Gb/s special report
2006 document, you can see that
4. 3 Gb/s systems design:
Depending on the complexity of
there are many types of video
All equipment is not
the systems design, master control
signals. The formats for television are
created equal
and branding, as well as compression
highlighted. equipment for contribution and
Since the television community
When designing a system for 3 Gb/s,
distribution, may be required to
has always used a single link, the
it is important to examine whether
In a constantly
support both Level A and Level B.
video formats available were limited.
the equipment to be purchased is
evolving
Instead of full-bandwidth RGB colour
able to support all of the possible market, the
5. Considering equipment
space, the colour-limited and smaller
video formats that are on a single
most practical
purchases for a 3 Gb/s
bandwidth YCbCr colour space
co-axial cable for the production
move is to
future
became the standard.
workflow. Only one common format
Following are some additional
exists that spans both Levels A and
verify that any
Considering a move to 3 Gb/s may
facts about television video signal
B: the YCbCr colour space with 10-bit
new be daunting to those who have
formats:
4:2:2 bandwidth-limited sampling. equipment
recently invested in a new
• Interlacing also reduces
For distribution, patching and
you plan to
infrastructure or added onto an
bandwidth for higher resolution
crosspoint switching (routing), both
buy is 3 Gb/s-
existing infrastructure that supports
signals (1080i versus 720p).
Level A and Level B can readily move
capable or
1.5 Gb/s.
• The sampling structure 4:4:4 used
through equipment that meets the
If you are looking at purchasing
for RGB and YCrCb and 12-bit word
SMPTE 425 standard. Distribution
that it may be
new equipment now, you can easily
length has full bandwidth for
amplifiers and routing switchers can
updated or future-proof your infrastructure with
production purposes.
be added in at little or no extra cost. upgraded in
equipment that supports 3 Gb/s as
• For television, a 4:2:2 sampling
Video processing - including frame
structure and 10-bit word length are
the future to
well as 1.5 Gb/s HDTV and .27 Gb/s
synchronisation, processing
used for reduction of bandwidth.
3 Gb/s.
(or 270 Mb/s) SDTV. The key is to
amplifiers and conversion for
• The frames per second are
television production - utilises the
Understanding
determine if Level B support is
required based on the system’s
limited, and television systems do
YCbCr colour space with 10-bit 4:2:2
the format design.
not support many frame rates.
bandwidth-limited sampling. While and interface
In some cases - especially for
• It is important to note that MPEG
both Level A and Level B support the
standard and
processing equipment - future
compression also utilises the YCbCr
YCbCr colour space with the10-bit
colour space, with techniques for
choosing the
updates via a software key license
4:2:2 format, it is important to realise
more bandwidth reduction.
that equipment for video processing
right
for 3 Gb/s and for Level B are a
possibility. Even though the software
For the production community, all
may not support Level B (dual
equipment for
key represents an additional cost,
of the video formats referenced in
stream) input and output. Level A
the future will choosing software-keyed equipment
the chart can be used. In the past,
and Level B transformations will allay any fears
spares you from investing in more
two coaxial cables have been used in
most likely be required for television
a dual-link connection; it should be
you may have
hardware, re-cabling and planning
production of 1080p 3 Gb/s signals.
noted, however, many of these
about
for a switchover from the old
Cameras, tape transports and
formats can be moved over a single
production switchers support many
implementing
equipment to the new. Knowing that
1080p 3Gb/s can easily be added on
link.
formats used in the production
1080p 3 Gb/s whenever the time is right will help
The opportunity for higher-quality
domain. If the YCbCr colour space technology in
you plan your budget for future
formats in television is now possible
with 10-bit 4:2:2 format is not used
a modern
system upgrades.
by converting to YCbCr further down
for the entire production, signals will
the production chain, enabling a
television
As for the technical side, the
have to be converted - adding to
television producer to utilise high-
cost and quality concerns. At the
facility.
hybrid nature of systems design
continues. Another layer is added
quality equipment for content
very least, Level A and Level B
onto the digital realm with the ability
creation. It is also interesting to note
interfacing is required if YCbCr colour
to process SD, HD and 3.0 Gb/s over
that the two streams may also be
space with 10-bit 4:2:2 format is
the same infrastructure. Design your
utilised for 3D television in the future.
utilised.
system knowing the possible formats
and standards.
In a constantly evolving market,
the most practical move is to verify
that any new equipment you plan to
buy is 3 Gb/s-capable or that it may
be updated or upgraded in the future
to 3 Gb/s. Understanding the format
and interface standard and choosing
the right equipment for the future
will allay any fears you may have
about implementing 1080p 3 Gb/s
technology in a modern television
facility.
Further information on the
Harris product and solution
portfolio is available at
Table 1 is from
SMPTE 425M-2006.
www.harris.com.
www.ibeweb.com l January/February 2009 l ibe l 37
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