Courtyard Futureproof SPGs With PTP, 4K And 12G

The move to transition from SDI to IP is gathering pace, standards are coming together and manufacturers are endeavouring to meet the technical challenges to offer suitable product.

In this transitional period, end users need to feel comfortable that the products they buy now can meet their current technical and workflow requirements whilst offering a clear path to satisfying future needs wherever possible. High end Broadcast SPGs, which are complex and precision instruments, are no exception to this.

Courtyard is releasing a range of options for their CY460 Master SPG and time reference generator to ensure as seamless a transition as possible for both existing, and future applications. These include Precision Time Protocol (PTP) Grandmaster (including SMPTE- 2059 profiles); 4K UHD Test Patterns in Quad Link square division or 2SI (possible without the need to add an option card); 4K UHD or 12G Single Link option card which can output HD/3G/4K/12G test patterns, allowing an end user to have simultaneous mixed format test signal outputs.

The availability of such a wide variety of test signals simultaneously, in any format from SD to 12G Single Link, together with all the video, audio and time references possible, make the CY460 one of the most powerful and flexible reference generators ever.

The CY460 can now also playout audio file idents (e.g. 'This is channel one') as well as a wide range of tones. The addition of another option particularly suited to major live events allows accurate Lip Sync measurement of up to 16 channels of audio. It can even identify any channel swap errors.

To expand its range of SPGs even further, and to compliment the CY460, Courtyard has also launched two new products – the CY440 SPG and CY445 SPG changeover unit. These products are built to the same exacting standards and performance as the CY460, while providing a cost effective high end solution to customers whose applications do not require the full feature set.

All of the Courtyard SPGs and Automatic Changeover units have also been given a makeover in the form of new rack mount frames with handsome industrial designed front panels. Pleasing to the eye though they are, the new front panel arrangement allows users to clearly see the status of each unit and practically and easily make changes when required.

"Our intention has always been to offer products with as broad and up to date a feature set as possible, whilst maintaining the highest possible technical performance and reliability standards. We now provide a range of reference products which can be a perfect fit for all studio, outside broadcast or any other media application. This is our 30th year of doing just that, and we look forward to many more of the same," said Steve Cranny, Sales Director.

Tel: +44(0)1252 712030

www.courtyard.co.uk

This article also features in the September edition of Broadcast Film & Video.

(JP/LM)