DigiBox-AE/A & DigiBox-AE/D - SDI Embedders for Analogue and Digital Audio

Digibox SDI Audio Embedder

DigiBox-AE/A and DigiBox-AE/D are full broadcast specification SDI Audio Embedders. The DigiBox-AE/A enables embedding of a stereo pair or two mono analogue audio into a 270Mb/s serial digital video signal whilst the DigiBox-AE/D enables embedding of two AES/EBU digital audio signals into a 270 Mb/s serial digital video signal. These DigiBoxes are part of a family of completely self-contained and incorporate high quality audio analogue to digital converters. Conversion is locked to the SDI data rate ensuring synchronous operation.

An analogue audio pair only requires half an audio group but the unused half is nevertheless embedded with the DigiBox-AE/A to ensure compatibility with extractors which cannot handle half audio groups. The Digibox proprietary interface, the ‘A-Link’, allows daisy-chaining of multiple units to fill both halves of each audio group. A maximum of eight audio pairs may be embedded in this way.

The DigiBox-AE/A complements the DigiBox-AE/D which provides embedding of AES/EBU digital audio into SDI and is fully compatible with the Digibox SDI Audio range of De-Embedders / Extractors.

Digibox-AE/A Analaogue Audio SDI Embedder Digibox-AE/D Digital Audio SDI Embedder


The DigBox - AE/D will fill any one of the four possible groups available in the SDI signal. By cascading up to four DigiBox AE/D units it is possible to embed up to eight AES/EBU signals. The DigBox - AE/D can 'overwirte' existing embedded audio or it can 'append audio and the user may select whether the audio will be formatted as 20-bit or 24 bit, to permit greater compatibility with equipment which does not handle extended data packets. The user can select to process and output EDH or remove EDH from the source SDI signal. The AES/EBU sources must be synchronous with the SDI . The Vortex SPG-100HD can provide this capability, providing both AES word clock and silence as well as Black-Burst and HD reference.


The DigiBox-AE/A and AE/D will find application in temporary and small installations and also where space is at a premium such as in OB trucks. It is possible to combine a number of Digibox units using an RK-4X 1U tray RK-4X.

The unit is housed in a robust steel case and has an integral mains power supply (universal 90 to 250Vac range) with filtered IEC power connector for safe and reliable installation..



RK4 rack adapter fully laden

Features

Rear Panel DigiBox-AE/A for Analogue Stereo Audio Rear Panel DigiBox-AE/A for AES Digital Audio

Specifications
INPUTS
Digital Video Input:
Input signal: SDI – 270Mb/s to SMPTE RP259M, EBU Tech 3267
Line standard: 625/50 or 525/60 automatically selected
Return Loss: <15 dB, 10 MHz to 270 MHz
Input Equalization: up to 250m of Belden 8281 or similar
Connector: BNC, 75ohm terminating
Analogue Audio Input (Digibox AE/A):
Inputs: 2 mono audio or 1 stereo pair, electronically balanced
Connectors: 2, XLR style sockets with retention clips
Input Level: +24dBu
AD Conversion: 24-bit, 48kHz, locked to SDI input
A Link: Input - Unbalanced digital audio – from another DigiBox-AE/A
Connector - BNC
Digital Audio Input (Digibox AE/D):
Inputs: 2, AES/EBU, 20/24bit, 48 Khz synchronous
Connectors: 2, XLR style sockets with retention clips
Impedance: 110 ohm, balanced
OUTPUTS:
Digital Video Outputs:
No of outputs: 1
Output: SDI – 270Mb/s with audio embedded to SMPTE RP272M-A
Output Connector: BNC, 75 ohm
Return loss: <15 dB, 10 MHz to 270 MHz
A Link: Input - Unbalanced digital audio – from another DigiBox-AE/A, Connector - BNC
Indicators:
LED Indication: Presence / Absence of SDI input
LED tri-colour Indication (AE/D): Red - No SDI input
Orange - SDI present but no AES/EBU inputs
Green - SDI and AES/EBU inputs present
Controls:
Group Select: Rotary switch to select groups 1-4
DIL Switch: MUTE, ERASE or APPEND audio packets, 20 or 24-bit operation EDH/no EDH insertion, EMBED or THROUGH operation
Installation data:
Package: Standard Digibox-SDI housing, with 75 ohm BNC, and XLR sockets, 184 x 103 x 42.4mm.

Upto Four units can be combined using the optional RK4 1-U rack adapter
Weight: 850g
Mains supply: 90 – 250Vac
Consumption: <10VA
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