New from Crystal Vision is ALLDAC - a 12 bit broadcast encoding converter and distribution amplifier which takes all the best features from the company‘s existing DACs and combines them into one affordable product.

ALLDAC has been designed to convert SDI into combinations of analogue and digital and to do so in an extremely flexible way. It can be used with three different frame rear modules - the RM01, RM02 and RM18 - providing up to eight analogue and four reclocked SDI outputs and allowing the broadcast engineer to choose exactly what he needs for his application, with eleven different output combinations possible when using the RM18. The analogue outputs can be configured as a mixture of composite, Y/C, YUV and RGB by board edge or remote control, while the number of reclocked SDI outputs can be selected by adjusting on-board links.

The variety of outputs makes ALLDAC ideal for a wide range of applications, such as distributing SDI signals, monitoring in RGB or composite on plasmas or large displays, driving waveform monitors and vector scopes, high quality recording from an SDI source or analogue transmissions.

ALLDAC has high quality 12 bit D to As with four times oversampling, and offers Crystal Vision‘s best encoding performance yet, with enhanced analogue accuracy and frequency response.

Explains Crystal Vision‘s Managing Director, Philip Scofield: “Encoders and distribution amplifiers have always been some of our most successful products, with us selling thousands of them over the years. ALLDAC proves that Crystal Vision is still dedicated to providing those essential conversion products, and to doing so in the best way possible.”

Data in the vertical blanking interval is always passed to the analogue composite output, while setup on the Y output can be selected in 525 line applications, allowing ALLDAC to output the US (NTSC-M) and Japanese (NTSC-J) standards. The ability to select NTSC Betacam chrominance levels for YUV outputs - giving 700mV for 75% colour bars instead of the standard 700mV for 100% bars - increases the range of systems with which it can be used.

ALLDAC is a space-saving 100mm x 266mm module which fits in Crystal Vision‘s standard frames allowing easy integration with any other product from the range, with 24 boards housed in 4U, 12 in 2U, six in 1U or two in a desk top box. Control options include an intuitive board edge interface, an active frame front panel, a remote control panel or the Statesman PC software.

ALLDAC is expected to replace a number of different Crystal Vision products over time and is shipping now.

Based at Whittlesford near Cambridge in the UK, Crystal Vision provides digital keyers and a full range of digital and analogue interface equipment including converters, decoders, encoders, distribution amplifiers and audio embedders to the professional broadcasting industry worldwide.