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On IBC, Sonifex are showing some new products for radio and TV broadcast stations together with the customary array of Redbox audio products. One of a number of releases is of a new line identification originator, the Redbox RB-TGHD multi-channel HD tone generator.The RB-TGHD is an 8 channel audio tone generator that provides line identification for multi-channel audio systems, including BLITS 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound typically used in high definition television broadcasts. By using a range of widely accepted industry standard tone sequences, channel identification and associated levels can be determined easily. Correct channel configuration in fold-down mixes can also be highlighted when a broadcaster needs to mix several audio channels into a stereo feed. Available tone sequences include EBU R49, GLITS and BLITS stereo line-up, EBU R49 and BLITS channel identification and a standard Phase check. GLITS is an acronym for ‘Graham's Line Identification Tone System’, a test signal for stereo systems devised by BBC TV Sound Supervisor Graham Haines in the mid 1980s. BLITS stands for ‘Black and Lane's Ident Tones for Surround’, developed by Sky Television Sound Supervisors Martin Black and Keith Lane to provide a standardised form of channel identification and alignment for surround sound material. The RB-TGHD caters for 2, 4, 6 and 8 channel configurations and all of the available audio tone sequences for each channel configuration can be cycled through automatically, or selected manually. A loop mode allows patterns of tones to be repeated. A bank of 4 pushbuttons on the front panel sets these options and the associated LEDs indicate the current setting. A set of 8 LEDs on the front panel indicate audio presence for each output channel. The RB-TGHD is available in two variations, each providing both analogue and digital audio outputs. The RB-TGHDX offers balanced AES/EBU digital audio outputs on 3 pin XLR connectors and the RB-TGHDB has unbalanced digital audio outputs on BNC connectors. Both types also provide 8 balanced analogue outputs on 3 pin XLR connectors. There are optional synchronisation reference input boards which can be added providing synchronisation to analogue video, digital video or digital audio (AES/EBU or Word-clock) inputs. The audio level line-up of the RB-TGHD can be adjusted from 0dBu to +24dBu in 1dBu steps (ref FSD) to suit different environments, via the front panel mounted DIP switches. Changing the audio line-up does not affect the gain relationship between each channel, ensuring that correct levels through the target system can be maintained. These switches also provide settings for digital sample rate, which ranges from 32 kHz to 192 kHz, and digital sample width, which is either 16 bit or 24 bit. The serial port allows the RB-TGHD to be connected to a PC running SCi - the Sonifex serial control software. This allows full control of the unit and the ability to generate a user defined audio tone sequence. In addition, a remote port on the rear provides a simple interface to remotely control the unit and there are several outputs to indicate which tone sequence is active. Power is indicated by a blue front panel LED.
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