Cambridge Research Systems Ltd.

Cambridge Research Systems has developed the HardingFPA Flash and Pattern Analysers and is recognised by programme makers and broadcasters around the world as the gold standard for protecting viewers from video material that could trigger photosensitive epileptic seizures. Offering full implementations of the ITU-R BT1702, UK-Ofcom and NAB (Japan) guidelines on provocative flashing and patterns, the HardingFPA systems provide both an efficient method of testing material and a wealth of information to assist editors in repairing non-compliant imagery. A core part of the new DPP Broadcast Delivery Specifications, systems are available for both tape and file based workflows.

The new Flash and Pattern Legaliser Flash and Pattern Legaliser calculates exactly when and by how much the photosensitive guidelines have been exceeded and it then uses a suite of algorithms to implement the minimum correction necessary to achieve compliance. The new Flash and Pattern Legaliser can provide instant, real-time repairs for ‘News’ and ‘Live’ material, where post production video editing is not an option correcting the flash violations in real-time. It can also be used as a video editing aid for correcting some flash and pattern failures without constraining an editor’s flair and creativity for correcting major violations. Once used; the output of the corrected video will, in most cases, contain no noticeable changes.

All flash and patterned stimuli which go close to, but do not exceed the guideline limits are left completely unaltered. Working with the Harding Flash and Pattern Analyser engines, it knows exactly when and by how much the guidelines have been exceeded. This enables the Legaliser to perform the absolute minimum level of video correction necessary to achieve full compliance within a two pass process, in real time and with a latency of less than five seconds. Finally, if used as an in-line tool in the broadcast chain, the FP-Legaliser provides broadcasters peace of mind by quietly ensuring complete compliance at all times.

Based on a host PC the Harding FPA-HD is a stand-alone application for analysing HD/SDI video feeds and optionally HD/SD video files. The HardingFPA-HD includes real time HD/SD analysis, specific HD/SD algorithms for improved handling and codecs with Legacy SD mode for backwards compatibility to HardingFPA V2.54b and many more features.

The HardingFPA-XL is a lower cost application designed specifically for small organisations limited to analysing and certifying HD/SD video files both as work-in-progress reference-clips during an edit and as a finalised product. We also have an optional file analysis module for the HardingFPA-HD tape based system.

The HardingFPA-X is a distributed-networked-analysis-system for file-based-workflows consisting of a suite of application programs that are designed to integrate into an existing set of networked hardware. The HFPA-X is a cross platform product which can operate in a mixed environment with the core analysis module residing on either a MAC or Windows PC on the network and other components in the system using Mac or Windows platforms as required in the workflow.

For more detailed information on all our products please visit www.hardingfpa.tv