ADX-3981

The ADX-3981 is an advanced, high quality audio processor which de-embeds up to eight (8) AES signals at 48kHz from a 3Gbps/HD/SD video signal.

The ADX-3981 can simultaneously process up to 32 channels of audio (16 channels from the embedded audio input plus others generated internally). Functions include down-mixing, Proc Amp, channel shuffling and mixing. Options include Automatic Loudness Control, dynamic processing (limiter, compressor, and expander) and loudness metering. A new lip sync option generates audio/video fingerprints to detect and measure lip sync errors in a broadcast facility.

It has one on-board socket for optional modules, which can offer Dolby decoding, Dolby encoding and stereo upmixing using Linear Acoustic upMAX™ technology. Two new modules provide Automatic Loudness Control (ALC), using the AEROMAX™ technology by Linear Acoustic, or Level Magic™ by Jünger Audio. Both solutions are capable of maintaining constant loudness across different audio programs (See Automatic Loudness Control (ALC)) .

The card will pass and delay automatically all 32 internal audio channels to preserve lip sync between the channels. Each channel can be delayed independently to correct any lip sync issues. All audio channels can be mixed and shuffled to provide 16 channels for embedding in the video output, and 16 more channels on the discrete AES outputs.

When genlocked to the frame reference using the internal URS signal, the ADX-3981 can handle video hot switches at the input without losing sync at the output. In the absence of a video input, the card can still output synchronous video and audio silence on the discrete AES outputs.



The card has a frame buffer (not a frame sync) which allows an increase in the video delay of up to 15 frames to compensate for the long audio processing delay required by some modules. For applications which require a small processing delay, the frame buffer can be bypassed to reduce the delay to a few micro-seconds.

The ADX-3981 can de-embed Ancillary Time Code (ATC) in 3Gbps/HD, or DVITC in SD, to generate Linear Time Code (LTC). Up to 3 GPIO can be used as input, or output, to embed or extract GPI events to/from the Time Code user bits in transport applications. They can also be used simultaneously to trigger the card's user presets.

Dolby Metadata insertion in the VANC is possible from multiple sources, such as a Dolby E decoder module, an embedded VANC stream, an external RS-422 link, or from the integrated Metadata generator. All parameters in the Metadata stream can be probed and monitored. Dolby Metadata can be used to steer the behaviour of the audio downmix and upmix modules.

A fiber input/output cartridge is offered as an option on some rear modules. Once the cartridge is installed, the inputs or outputs are selectable through the control interface. The input of the card allows you to select between fiber and copper inputs. The outputs are via copper and fiber simultaneously (with appropriate fiber cartridge).

There are many benefits to the ADX-3981's high level of feature integration. A lower purchase cost per channel is obviously highly desirable but there are many other dimensions to cost savings that are readily achievable. These include reduced space and cooling costs, less cabling, and a reduced spares inventory. By simplifying video and audio synchronization, and reducing the number of vendors, the system integration is also simplified significantly.