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DK-Technologies has been given permission to incorporate BSkyB’s BLITS 5.1 surround sound test tone sequence into its flagship range of MSD 600M audio meters. The new test tone sequence was developed by BSkyB Senior Sound Supervisors Martin Black and Keith Lane to provide a source ident tone sequence for BSkyB’s HDTV broadcasts with associated 5.1 surround sound. (Black & Lane’s Ident Tones for Surround). Provision is made for stereo line identification, channel phase and identification of the six 5.1 audio channels, L, R, C, LFE, Ls and Rs. These channel identification frequencies correspond to notes A4, A4, E4, E0, E3 and E3 respectively. Since its introduction, BLITS has become a standard test mechanism on board BSkyB’s Outside Broadcast vehicles producing the Sky Sports Premiership HD OBs and on HD Cricket and Rugby OBs. BLITS tone has become a regular tool in the company’s HD production studios and post production studios. It is currently being used to check all loudspeakers in 5.1 configurations, as well as all 5.1 audio paths within the BSkyB production and transmission system. David Moore, manager of sound at BSkyB, says: “BLITS is very easy to use and completely hassle-free. We are glad to have it out there in the market because it is such an effective way of calibrating and checking a 5.1 audio path. We want to encourage as many people as possible to use it so that it becomes a common standard. DK-Technologies decision to incorporate BLITS into its MSD 600M meters will only help with this aim.” Andy Page, director of DK-Technologies UK who negotiated the deal, says: “BSkyB has pioneered the use of surround sound in broadcasting and to be able to capitalise on their experience and knowledge is hugely beneficial for us. The BLITS tone has been developed from an end user’s point of view and therefore is an ideal tool for broadcast engineers working with surround sound.” DK-Technologies is currently writing the necessary software to implement BLITS and plans to have the test tone sequence available in the next release of the software.
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