Grass Valley Adds Two New Audio Processing Modules to Densité Family at NABShow2015

The Densité family features modular construction that offers unlimited scalability and outstanding performance in a space-saving design for applications from a single signal to thousands of signals. The new modules can be integrated into existing Densité systems and are ideal for both playout and live production applications. As broadcasters are pressured to “deliver more with less,” the Densité concept of flexible, reconfigurable signal processing tools helps them achieve a competitive level of operational efficiencies.

“Broadcasters have a wide variety of new opportunities for delivering content, but with those opportunities come a number of challenges in managing signals,” explained Mike Cronk, senior vice president of strategic marketing, Grass Valley. “The beauty of the Densité system is that it’s easy for users to upgrade modules whenever needed—providing the best processing solution for their environment at any given time.”

The new Densité MAP-3901 is the latest-generation audio and metadata processor in the Densité family, offering a 400 percent increase in audio processing power compared to previous Densité audio processing modules. A single MAP-3901 module can provide two Dolby-E decoders, four Dolby Digital and Digital Plus encoders and two upmixers (2.0 to 5.1), which is comparable to having eight XVP audio processing boards on a single module.

The powerful and versatile processing platform delivers significant value by simultaneously processing up to 56 channels of audio (16 channels of embedded audio from the video, plus others generated internally) and includes functions such as dual downmixing, level control and channel shuffling/mixing This advanced audio processing power makes the MAP-3901 especially valuable for managing complex, multilingual audio for playout.

Another advantage of the MAP-3901 is the video delay of up to 4.2 seconds, making it very effective for processing incoming feeds, especially where there is a mix of short and long delays (often the case when managing large live events). Up to 10 MAP-3901 processors can be housed in the Densité 3 frame, and up to four in the Densité 3+ FR1 (1RU) for even greater space efficiency.

Additionally, four audio metadata insertions in the vertical ancillary data (VANC) are possible from multiple sources, such as Dolby-E decoders, embedded VANC streams or from the integrated metadata generators. All parameters in the metadata streams can be probed and monitored. Audio metadata (method A or B) can be used to steer the behavior of the audio downmixers and the Dolby encoders.

The new ADX-1901 is a high-quality, high-performance audio de-embedder and digital-to-analog converter designed to extract eight analog audio signals from 3G/HD/SD video. It offers a high level of functional integration with cutting-edge signal processing functions such as metadata de-embedding and advanced probing and loudness measurement combined on a single 2RU module.

The ADX-1901 can also perform audio channel shuffling and mixing, and offers loudness measurement with logging of up to eight audio programs using the iControl loudness monitoring software to analyze and report compliance with respect to various loudness legislation requirements worldwide. Additionally, a delay of up to 2.7 seconds can be programmed independently per de-embedded audio channel to provide lip-sync correction.

“With the introduction of the Densité MAP-3901 and ADX-1901, advanced audio processing that previously demanded multiple modules can now be achieved with a single module—saving space and reducing power consumption, while improving scalability and reliability,” concluded Cronk.

For more information go to grassvalley.com or stop by the Grass Valley booth SL206 at the NABShow2015.