SYNAPSE DDP84 Operating instructions

Committed.

DDP84

Multi stream Dolby Digital Plus and Pro encoder

with Dolby E decoder.

Installation and Operation manual

Lange Wagenstraat 55

NL-5126 BB Gilze

The Netherlands

Phone: +31 (0)161 85 04 50

Fax: +31 (0)161 85 04 99

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: www.axon.tv

TECHNICAL MANUAL

DDP84

Multi stream Dolby Digital Plus and Pro encoder

with Dolby E decoder.

3

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR

ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS

APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE

● ALWAYS disconnect your entire system from the AC mains before cleaning any component. The product

frame (SFR18, SFR08 or SFR04) must be terminated with three-conductor AC mains power cord that

includes an earth ground connection. To prevent shock hazard, all three connections must always be used.

● NEVER use flammable or combustible chemicals for cleaning components.

● NEVER operate this product if any cover is removed.

● NEVER wet the inside of this product with any liquid.

● NEVER pour or spill liquids directly onto this unit.

● NEVER block airflow through ventilation slots.

● NEVER bypass any fuse.

● NEVER replace any fuse with a value or type other than those specified.

● NEVER attempt to repair this product. If a problem occurs, contact your local Axon distributor.

● NEVER expose this product to extremely high or low temperatures.

● NEVER operate this product in an explosive atmosphere.

Warranty: Axon warrants their products according to the warranty policy as described in the general terms.

That means that Axon Digital Design BV can only warrant the products as long as the serial numbers are not

removed.

Date created: 15-07-08

Date last revised: 15-07-08

Axon, the Axon logo and Synapse are trademarks of Axon Digital Design B.V.

This product complies with the requirements of the product family standards for audio, video, audio-visual

entertainment lighting control apparatus for professional use as mentioned below.

EN60950

EN55103-1: 1996

EN55103-2: 1996

Safety

Emission

Immunity

Axon Digital Design DDP84

Tested To Comply

With FCC Standards

FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules

Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

(1) This device may cause harmful interference, and

(2) This device must accept any interference received, including

interference that may cause undesired operation.

4

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction to Synapse

An introduction to Synapse

Local Control Panel

Remote Control Capabilities

Chapter 2 Unpacking and Placement

Unpacking

Locating the card

Chapter 3 A Quick Start

When powering-up

Default settings

Changing parameters and settings

Front Panel Control

Example of changing parameter using Front

Panel control

Synapse Setup Software

Menu Structure Example

Chapter 4 The DDP84 card

Introduction

Key Features

Chapter 5 Settings Menu

Chapter 6 Status Menu

Chapter 7 Events Menu

Chapter 8 LED Indication

Chapter 9 Block Schematic

Chapter 10 Connector panel

5

1 Introduction to Synapse

An Introduction

to Synapse Synapse is a modular system designed for the broadcast industry. High

density, intuitive operation and high quality processing are key features of

this system. Synapse offers a full range of converters and processing

modules. Please visit the AXON Digital Design Website at www.axon.tv

to obtain the latest information on our new products and updates.

Local Control

Panel The local control panel gives access to all adjustable parameters and

provides status information for any of the cards in the Synapse frame,

including the Synapse rack controller. The local control panel is also used

to back-up and restore card settings. Please refer to the RRC18, RRC10,

RRC04, RRS18 and RRS04 manuals for a detailed description of the local

control panel, the way to set-up remote control over IP and for frame

related settings and status information.

Remote Control

Capabilities The remote control options are explained in the rack controller

(RRC18/RRC10/RRC04/RRS18/RRS04) manual. The method of

connection to a computer using Ethernet is described in those manuals as

well.

! CHECK-OUT: “CORTEX” SOFTWARE WILL INCREASE

SYSTEM FLEXIBILITY OF ONE OR MORE SYNAPSE

FRAMES

Although not required to use Cortex with a Synapse frame, you are

strongly advised to use a remote personal computer or laptop PC with

Cortex installed as this increases the ease of use and understanding of the

modules.

6

2 Unpacking and Placement

Unpacking The Axon Synapse card must be unpacked in an anti-static environment.

Care must be taken NOT to touch components on the card – always handle

the card carefully by the edges. The card must be stored and shipped in

anti-static packaging. Ensuring that these precautions are followed will

prevent premature failure from components mounted on the board.

Locating the card The Synapse card can be placed vertically in an SFR18 frame or

horizontally in an SFR08 or SFR04 frame. Locate the two guide slots to be

used, slide in the mounted circuit board, and push it firmly to locate the

connectors.

Correct insertion of card is essential as a card that is not located properly

may show valid indicators, but does not function correctly.

Note: On power up all LEDs will light for a few seconds, this is the time it

takes to initialise the card.

7

3 A Quick Start

When Powering-

up On powering up the Synapse frame, the card set will use basic data and

default initialization settings. All LEDs will light during this process.

After initialization, several LEDs will remain lit – the exact number and

configuration is dependant upon the number of inputs connected and the

status of the inputs.

Default settings In the default condition, the DDP84 acts as a Dolby Digital Plus encoder

locked to AES input 1, encoding AES 1/2 till AES 7/8 into a 5.1+2 Dolby

digital plus output, using external incoming meta data program streams.

Changing settings

and parameters The front panel controls or Cortex can be used to change settings. An

overview of the settings can be found in chapter 5, 6 and 7 of this manual.

Front Panel

Control Front Panel Display and Cursor

Settings are displayed and changed as follows;

Use the cursor ‘arrows’ on the front panel to select the menu and

parameter to be displayed and/or changed.

Press ► To go forward through the menu structure.

Press ◄ To go back through the menu structure.

Press ▲ To move up within a menu or increase the value of

a parameter.

Press ▼ To move down through a menu or decrease the

value of a parameter.

REMARK: Whilst editing a setting, pressing ► twice will reset the value

to its default.

[No Alarms]

8

Example of

changing

parameters using

front panel

control

With the display as shown below

Pressing the ► selects the SFS10 in frame slot 01.

The display changes to indicate that the SFS10 has been selected. In this

example the Settings menu item is indicated.

Pressing the ► selects the menu item shown, in this example Settings.

(Pressing ▲ or ▼ will change to a different menu eg Status, Events).

The display changes to indicate that the SFS10 Settings menu item SDI-

Format has been selected and shows that it current setting is Auto.

Pressing the ► selects the settings item shown, in this example SDI-

Format.

(Pressing ▲ or ▼ will change to a different setting, eg Mode, H-Delay).

The display changes to indicate that the SFS10 Edit Setting menu item

SDI-Format has been selected.

To edit the setting of the menu item press ▲ or ▼.

All menu items can be monitored and/or changed in this way. Changing a

setting has an immediate effect.

Cortex Cortex can be used to change the settings of Synapse modules from a PC,

either locally or remotely. The software enables communication based on

RRC18 [Select Card]

>S01=SFS10

SFS10 [Select Menu]

>Settin

g

s

SFS10 [Settings]

>SDI-Format=Auto

SFS10 [Edit Setting]

SDI-Format>Auto

9

TCP/IP between the Setup PC and Synapse frames/modules.

Each Synapse frame is addressed through its rack controller’s unique IP

address, giving access to each module, its menus and adjustment items.

Cortex has access to data contained within the Synapse module and

displays it on a GUI. The software has an intuitive structure following that

of the module that it is controlling.

For operation of Cortex, please refer to the Cortex help files (press F1 in

any window).

Menu Structure

Example

Slot Module Item Parameter Setting

▲

S02 Identity

▲ ▲

S01 SFS10 ►Settings ►SDI-Format ► Auto

▼ ▼ ▼ ▼

S00 RRC18 Status Mode 625

▼ ▼ ▼

Events Ref-Input 525

▼

H-Delay

▼

REMARK: Further information about Front Panel Control and Cortex can

be obtained from the rack controller manual and Cortex help files.

10

4 The DDP84 Card

Introduction Dolby Laboratories, with Dolby Digital Plus, is targeting at the next

generation of digital transmission and optical formats. The advantage of

Dolby Digital Plus is a channel count of up to 7.1 (13.1 in the future) and

bit rates of about 50 percent of normal Dolby Digital.

The calculation power of the DDP84 make a simultaneous encoding of 4

individual stereo channels (languages) to 4 Dolby Digital (Plus) 2.0

streams. It can even decode Dolby E to encode the decoded audio to

Dolby Digital (Plus).

Application An important application is the transcoding of normal Dolby Digital to

Dolby Digital plus for cable head-ends. This gives a data rate reduction of

50% for the audio path. The DDP84 includes a Dolby E decoder. This

enables the decoding of Dolby E and encoding that into Dolby Digital

(plus).

Key Features The DDP84 is a stand alone Dolby Digital Plus encoder. It will support the

following encoding algorithms:

• Up to 4 times 2.0 Dolby Digital (Plus) outputs.

• 5.1 Dolby Digital (Plus) + 2.0 Dolby Digital (Plus)

• Dolby Pro Logic II

• Individual offset delay per input

• Individual gain control per input (except bitstream input)

• Able to handle all AES/EBU input formats

• Full audio channel shuffling

• Ability to use the Synapse ADD-ON bus for in- and output

purposes.

• Decoding Dolby E and encoding to Dolby Digital (Plus)

Program

Procedure This card can be updated with new firmware when new firmware versions

are released by Axon. You can download the .spf file from our website

when new releases are announced. To upgrade the DDP84 you can follow

the instructions as described in the ‘reprogramming cards quick-guide’,

downloadable via our website.

When the DDP84 is updated with a new .spf file, the card will need about

6 minutes to start up after the card is ready programming. All LEDs will

be blinking and the encoder status item (in de status menu) will be

indicating ‘programming’. Only the input LEDs are showing the

progress.

11

5 Settings Menu

Introduction The settings menu displays the current state of each setting within the

DDP84 and enables the item to be changed or adjusted.

Settings can be changed using the front panel of the Synapse frame

(SFR18, SFR08 or SFR04) or Cortex.

Please refer to chapter 3 for information on the Synapse front panel

control and Cortex.

SYSTEM CONTROL

LockMode The DDP84 can be used as an ADD_ON card (in combination with an

embedder/de-embedder card) In that case the card will extract the

reference from the master card. In this case you are referred to the setting

MasterCard. It is also possible to use an external signal to lock to. In that

case you are referred to the setting:

AES1 = Locks to the AES/EBU signal on input 1

AES5 = Locks to the AES/EBU signal on input 5

Ref1 = The uppermost B&B reference input of the RRC18 rack

controller connection panel at the rear of the SFR18

Ref2 = The lower most B&B reference input of the RRC18 rack

controller connection panel at the rear of the SFR18

Default setting is: AES1.

Add_on With this setting you set the add-on functionality of the card (the 4

Synapse bus connectors) to be either Inputs, Outputs or 2 inputs and

2 outputs (In_Out_In_Out, setting the first add-on card as input, the

second as output, the third as input and the fourth as output). Default is

Inputs. The lines and blocks that are marked red in the following

schematic are done by this setting:

12

Out_1 ~ Out_4 With these settings you can select what the sources should be for physical

outputs 1 and 2, or bus outputs 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Out_1 = physical output 1 and bus output 1

Out_2 = physical output 2 and bus output 2

Out_3 = bus output 3

Out_4 = bus output 4

Following sources are selectable:

- enc1 = Encoder 1

- enc2 = Encoder 2

- enc3 = Encoder 3

- enc4 = Encoder 4

- aes1/2 = First physical input (can be delayed in bypass mode)

- aes3/4 = Second physical input (can be delayed in bypass mode)

- aes5/6 = Third physical input (can be delayed in bypass mode)

- aes7/8 = Fourth physical input (can be delayed in bypass mode)

- bitstream = Fifth physical input: Dolby Digital, Dolby E or PCM

(no bypass delay possible)

- testtone = Testone for testing the chain where the DDP is part of

Defaults for outputs 1, 2, 3 and 4 are respectively enc1, enc2, enc3 and

enc4.

The lines and blocks that are marked red in the following schematic are

done by this setting:

13

INPUT CONTROL

E_Input With this setting you can choose which Dolby E stream the Dolby E

decoder should use. The input can be either one of the Add-on bus groups

(AddOn1/2 till AddOn7/8) or the physical bitstream input

(Bitstream_Inp). By default this is set to Bitstream_Inp.

The lines and blocks that are marked red in the following schematic are

done by this setting:

Dolby_CH_1 ~

Dolby_CH_8 With these items you can select which source will be used to fill Dolby

channels 1 till 8 Possible are In1 till In8 (physical inputs AES 1 till

AES 8) and AddOn1 till AddOn8 (audio on bus) or Gen (tone

generator).

Defaults for channels 1 till channels 8 are respectively In1 till In8.

The lines and blocks that are marked red in the following schematic are

done by this setting:

14

Delay_CH_1/2 ~

Delay_CH_7/8 These settings allow you to delay the audio of each Dolby channel pair in

a range of 0 to 1300 ms. In steps of 0.01 ms. Default is 0ms. The lines and

blocks that are marked red in the following schematic are done by this

setting:

Gain-CH_1 ~

Gain-CH_8 These items allow you to gain the audio for each individual Dolby channel

in a range from –60dB to 12 dB in steps of 0.25 dB. –999dB mutes this

channel. Default is 0dB.

The lines and blocks that are marked red in the following schematic are

done by this setting:

Phase-CH_1 ~

Phase-CH_8 These items allow you to gain the audio for each individual Dolby channel

with 180 degrees. Default is 0 degree. This setting does the same red

blocks and lines as shown in the schematic above (Gain-CH setting

explanation).

15

Byp-Delay_1/2 ~

Byp-Delay_7/8 With these items you can adjust the delay of the AES1/2 till AES7/8

channels in bypass mode (when Out_1 till Out_4 are set to AES1/2,

AES3/4, AES5/6 or AES7/8) can be delayed in a range of 0 to

1

300

ms. Default is 0ms. The lines and blocks that are marked red in the

following schematic are done by this setting:

16

ENCODER CONTROL

Enc_Input This setting lets you choose to either use the passed PCM channels (PCM)

as encoder input, or the decoded Dolby E channels (Dolby E). You can

also set this to Auto, meaning it will automatically switch to the input

where a valid signal is available with Dolby E as priority. By default it is

set to Auto.

The lines and blocks that are marked red in the following schematic are

done by this setting:

Enc_config See next page.

17

Enc_config With this setting you configure the encoder. The DDP84 supports multiple

output formats. This always sets the maximum amount of channels (so

metadata could change 5.1 to 2.0). Default setting is 5.1+2.

Normal encoder settings:

The following Enc_config settings are the normal settings. In the

following table you see which settings have what outputs. Note that DD(+)

means that the output is either Dolby Digital or Dolby Digital Plus,

depending on what settings have been done at the Enc_mode settings

which are next in the menu.

Setting Encoder out 1 Encoder out 2 Encoder out 3 Encoder out 4

2 DD(+) 2.0 - - -

2+2 DD(+) 2.0 DD(+) 2.0 - -

2+2+2 DD(+) 2.0 DD(+) 2.0 DD(+) 2.0 -

2+2+2+2 DD(+) 2.0 DD(+) 2.0 DD(+) 2.0 DD(+) 2.0

5.1 DD(+) 5.1 - - -

5.1+2 DD(+) 5.1 DD(+) 2.0 - -

5.1+1+1 DD(+)5.1 DD(+)1.0 DD(+)1.0 -

5.1+2 or

5.1+1+1 DD(+)5.1 DD(+)2.0 or

DD(+)1.0

- or DD(+)1.0 -

Transcode and auto-backup settings:

The following Enc_config settings are special settings when using the

bitstream input (either a physical Dolby digital input on input 5 or a Dolby

digital input via the Synapse bus). This signal is converted to Dolby

Digital Plus when using these settings. In case the Dolby digital signal is

lost, then the inserted PCM signals will be used in the defined way you

selected. For example: when the setting 2+2 or TC is applied, the

Dolby Digital input is transcoded to dolby Digital Plus, but when the

Dolby digital input signal is lost, then the designated PCM inputs will be

converted to a 2x 2.0 DD(+) output automatically.

Setting Encoder out 1 Encoder out 2 Encoder out 3 Encoder out 4

2.0 or TC DD(+)2.0 or TC - - -

2+2 or TC DD(+)2.0 or TC DD(+)2.0 or TC - -

5.1 or TC DD(+)5.1 or TC - - -

TC TC - - -

Pro logic II settings: The DDP is capable of encoding Pro Logic II

signals. Pro Logic II is a multichannel sound source down mixed to a

single stereo channel. The table and schematics on the following page

display and explain the 2 possible Pro Logic II settings.

Setting Encoder out 1 Encoder out 2 Encoder out 3 Encoder out 4

5.1+2+PL.0(a) DD(+) 5.1 PLII DD(+) 2.0 PL II -

5.1+2+PL.1(b) DD(+) 5.1 PL II DD(+) 2.0 -

18

(a) = It is possible to embed a Pro Logic II encoded signal into a Dolby Digital (Plus)

stream. This means that, out of a multichannel environment a Pro Logic II stereo signal is

created. That stereo Pro Logic II signal is then passed on to the Dolby Digital (Plus)

encoder to be embedded into a Dolby Digital (Plus) audio stream. With this setting you

create 1 Pro Logic II DD(+) output on encoder out 2 and one normal stereo Pro Logic II

output on encoder out 3. Schematically, this would look as follows:

(b) = This settings creates one normal stereo Pro Logic II output on encoder out 2 and

one normal 2.0 DD(+) output on encoder out 3. This normal 2.0 DD(+) stream is encoded

out of the EAS inputs and is not a Pro Logic II audio stream. Schematically this looks as

follows:

The lines and blocks that are marked red in the following schematic are

done by the Enc_config setting:

Pro Logic II

encoder

Dolby

Digital (Plus)

encoder

Pro Logic II

Stereo signal

Multiple AES

inputs

Dolby Digital

(Plus) audio

output on Enc3

Output on Enc2

Pro Logic II

encoder

Dolby

Digital (Plus)

encoder

Pro Logic II

Stereo signal

Multiple AES

inputs

Dolby Digital

(Plus) audio

output on

Enc2

Output on Enc3

19

Enc1_mode ~

Enc4_mode With this setting you can set the Dolby Digital mode in which each

encoder should function. The following settings are possible:

- DD+_Man = Dolby Digital Plus mode, with a manually set bitrate

(refer to Enc1-DD+_Man ~ Enc4-DD+_Man to set the bitrate)

- DD+_Auto192 = Dolby Digital Plus mode, automatically set to a

bitrate of 192 kbps. When the output is changed to Dolby 2.0, it will

automatically use a bitrate of 96 kbps.

- DD+_Auto200 = Dolby Digital Plus mode, automatically set to a

bitrate of 200 kbps When the output is changed to Dolby 2.0, it will

automatically use a bitrate of 96 kbps.

- DD+_Auto224 = Dolby Digital Plus mode, automatically set to a

bitrate of 224 kbps. When the output is changed to Dolby 2.0, it will

automatically use a bitrate of 112 kbps.

- DD+_Auto256 = Dolby Digital Plus mode, automatically set to a

bitrate of 256 kbps. When the output is changed to Dolby 2.0, it will

automatically use a bitrate of 128 kbps.

- DD_Man = Normal Dolby Digital, with a manually set bitrate (refer to

Enc1-DD+_Man ~ Enc4-DD+_Man to set the bitrate)

- DD_Auto384 = Normal Dolby Digital mode, automatically set to a

bitrate of 384 kbps. When the output is changed to Dolby 2.0, it will

automatically use a bitrate of 192 kbps.

- DD_Auto448 = Normal Dolby Digital mode, automatically set to a

bitrate of 448kbps. When the output is changed to Dolby 2.0, it will

automatically use a bitrate of 256 kbps.

Default is DD+_Man.

Enc1_DD_Man ~

Enc4_DD_Man This item manually sets the used audio bitrate of the Dolby Digital mode

when the corresponding Enc_mode is set to DD_Man. Can be between

32kbps and 640kbps. The following table displays all the possible

steps in between. Lowest bitrates can not be selected in 3/2 (in other

words: 5.1).

32 kbps

40 kbps

48 kbps

56 kbps

64 kbps

80 kbps

96 kbps

112 kbps

128 kbps

160 kbps

192 kbps

224 kbps

256 kbps

320 kbps

384 kbps

448 kbps

512 kbps

576 kbps

640 kbps

Default is 384kbps.

20

Enc1_DD+_Man

~

Enc4_DD+_Man

This item manually sets the used audio bitrate of the Dolby Digital Plus

mode when the corresponding Enc_mode is set to DD+_Man. Can be

between 32kbps and 1532kbps. The following table displays all the

possible steps in between. Lowest bitrates can not be selected in 3/2 (in

other words: 5.1).

32 kbps 208 kbps 576 kbps

40 kbps 216 kbps 640 kbps

48 kbps 224 kbps 704 kbps

56 kbps 232 kbps 768 kbps

64 kbps 240 kbps 832 kbps

72 kbps 248 kbps 896 kbps

80 kbps 256 kbps 960 kbps

88 kbps 272 kbps 1024 kbps

96 kbps 288 kbps 1088 kbps

104 kbps 304 kbps 1152 kbps

112 kbps 320 kbps 1216 kbps

120 kbps 336 kbps 1280 kbps

128 kbps 352 kbps 1344 kbps

144 kbps 368 kbps 1408 kbps

160 kbps 384 kbps 1472 kbps

176 kbps 400 kbps 1532 kbps

192 kbps 448 kbps

200 kbps 512 kbps

Default is 384kbps.

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SYNAPSE DDP84 Operating instructions

SYNAPSE DDP84 Operating instructions

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