Important safety instructions UpCon – Basic concepts and operation Setting up audio and syncing Warning Operating UpCon I/O Setup – SDI Caution: Hardware versions I/O Setup – UpCon AES Service Expanding your UpCon Setting up audio dithering EMC/EMI UpCon SDI: The Serial Digital Interface...
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The UpCon algorithm Appendix 1: Links and additional An introduction to UpCon information UpCon algorithm – Main page Support resources UpCon algorithm – Level page TC Electronic on… Style page TC HD resources UpCon algorithm – Limit page Product-related information UpCon algorithm –...
Do not install in a confined space. heat. ate normally, or has been dropped. ► Do not open the unit – risk of electric shock 9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the po- inside. larized or grounding-type plug. A polarized UpCon English Manual (2014-10-07)
Replace only with the same or equivalent type. ► Ventilation should not be impeded by cover- ing the ventilation openings with items, such as newspapers, tablecloths, curtains, etc. ► Only used at altitude not exceeding 2000 m. UpCon English Manual (2014-10-07)
► Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/ TV technician for help. The user may find the following booklet, pre- pared by the Federal Communications Com- UpCon English Manual (2014-10-07)
This manual is only available as a PDF download from the TC Electronic website. Please do not operate UpCon before you have made all connections to external equipment as described in “Setting up UpCon” on page 31. In the subsequent sections of the manual, we...
Before you get started Register your product Please register this product so we can inform you about updates and other product-related news. To register your product, please go to: tcelectronic.com/support/ account-registration/registration/ UpCon English Manual (2014-10-07)
35. items: ► 1 UpCon unit ► 2 power cables ► 1 USB stick containing… – the TC Icon software, – the UpCon software, – this manual in PDF format. UpCon English Manual (2014-10-07)
Software: TC Icon and UpCon firmware Software: TC Icon and UpCon firmware UpCon English Manual (2014-10-07)
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(see above) to transfer firmware to your When you are working with a system involving UpCon unit(s). one or multiple UpCon units, you are interacting with two types of software: Downloading and installing UpCon firmware updates is described in “Updating UpCon TC Icon software:...
Microsoft Windows at the time of production is provided on the USB stick that came with your UpCon, but you may want to download the latest version from the TC Electronic website. You can download the latest version of the TC Icon software for Microsoft Windows from: tcelectronic.com/support/software/...
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Software: TC Icon and UpCon firmware Updating TC Icon software easily find the application – e.g., the Windows desktop. To update the TC Icon software on your comput- er when a newer version is released, ► quit the TC Icon software if it currently run- ning on your PC, ►...
“Downloads” folder for your user OS X at the time of production is provided on the account. USB stick that came with your UpCon, but you may want to download the latest version from ► Go to the folder containing the file you just the TC Electronic website.
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Software: TC Icon and UpCon firmware Updating TC Icon software To update the TC Icon software on your comput- er when a newer version is released, ► quit the TC Icon software if it currently run- ning on your Mac, ►...
A 5.1 signal generated by UpCon translates bet- We are aware that UpCon is inserted at a very ter into stereo than one made by any competing critical point in your audio signal path. It’s an “al- upconverter –...
UpCon – Basic concepts and operation Operating UpCon Hardware versions Expanding your UpCon UpCon is equipped with one or more signal pro- UpCon is available in five different hardware UpCon offers considerable flexibility in routing cessing cards. Each card encompasses four so- versions: UpCon SDI with one, two or three du- and processing audio signals.
SDI vs. AES Digital Interface For many years, TC Electronic has focused on There are no versions of UpCon that provide SDI With regards to inputs and outputs, UpCon SDI developing highly intelligent clocking solutions. and AES inputs and outputs on the same unit.
With a fully load- on international standards. More presets will be synchronous I/O, 32 bit and higher internal ed UpCon, up to 24 audio channels can be made available as part of software updates from processing. processed simultaneously.
PSU 1 and PSU 2 LEDs This section of the manual describes the de- vice’s status indicators and connectors. UpCon has the following front panel status indi- cators: The PSU 1 and PSU 2 LEDs indicate the status Please note that the number of front panel sta- of the two built-in power supplies.
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Sync LED(s) – SDI versions Sync LED(s) – AES versions Alert LED UpCon has three Sync LEDs – one for each of The Sync LED of UpCon AES (balanced/unbal- UpCon has three Alert LEDs – one for each of the up to three cards/engines in the device. If anced) indicates if synchronization to the sig- the up to three cards/engines in the device.
The Reset button on the front panel can be used The Signal LEDs indicate if audio streams are re- to reset the IP address of a UpCon unit or to ceived and processed by UpCon. reset Ethernet communication between UpCon...
5 seconds until the LEDs start blinking. Due to the redundant design, UpCon will still be fully operational when one of the two power sup- This will reset Ethernet communication with- plies fails. However, to ensure maximum security out interrupting audio streams.
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(“RJ45”). A “crossover” type cable is not required. Connecting multiple 3G cards If you are using a UpCon. with two or more 3G The Ethernet ports are used exclusively for con- Transmission cards installed, daisy-chain the necting a controller (namely a computer running SDI cards as follows: TC Icon software).
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9-16 on the lower connector. The SDI versions of UpCon have no AES In ports. The SDI versions of UpCon have no AES Out ports. The SDI versions of UpCon have no AES I/O ports.
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UpConstatus indicators and ports About AES channels GPIO Port(s) UpCon AES (balanced/unbalanced) comes fully Connect a controller to this port to control vari- loaded with 16 channels of unbalanced AES I/O, ous UpCon features remotely. and by default the first 8 channels are active.
…where [nn] is identical to the last two digits in the UpCon’s serial number (you will find the se- rial number of UpCon on a label on the rear side of the device). This way, multiple UpCon’s can be setup directly out of the box without having to change their IP numbers.
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Setting up UpCon Changing your computer’s subnet If your computer is using the same IP address mask and TCP/IP address as a UpCon on the same network, you have two options: If and where you can change the subnet mask ►...
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Confirm by clicking Enter. To change the subnet mask and TCP/IP address of a UpCon, you need to access it using a com- puter running the TC Icon software. This means that in case of an IP address conflict that keeps you from accessing UpCon in the first place, you need to change your computer’s IP first as de-...
The following screen will appear: will be 192.168.1.100, as “00” is not a valid IP number in all networks. There is a small risk that two UpCon (or other TC signal processors) on a network have the same Ethernet last two digits in the serial number and thus will connection conflict after a reset.
Setting up UpCon Updating UpCon software ► If you cannot access UpCon, please refer to “Networking basics and troubleshooting” on The latest version of both the UpCon software page 32. and the TC Icon software editor available at the time of production are supplied with your Up- That’s it –...
The TC Icon software interface has been opti- ► Use the tab buttons on the upper edge of the tion to operating UpCon using the TC Icon soft- mized for use in real-time situations in broadcast ware. and post production environments (which usual-...
The TC Icon software has large on-screen fad- ers. They have several features that will help you When a parameter is assigned to a fader, you The TC Icon software has two operation modes: operate your UpCon efficiently. can choose between Normal Fine adjust- Base Device operation.
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► Use the arrow buttons on the Fader Group selector (on the left edge of the TC Icon soft- UpCon algorithms encompass many parameters ware window) to select the desired Fader Even when using one of the predefined Fader on several pages. For efficient operation, the Group.
Basic operation On-screen keyboard UpCon allows you to store and rename presets, assign labels to inputs and outputs and perform other functions where text input is required. When you access one of these functions, an on- screen keyboard will be displayed.
Power up your computer and your UpCon. In a more complex setup with multiple TC Icon ► Click the icon representing the UpCon to ac- hardware remote controls and/or several net- ► On your computer, launch the TC Icon soft- cess it.
In the following sections of this manual, we as- ► when devices are powered up or down, or sume that you are operating a basic system with only one UpCon connected. ► if there are connection errors, these may not be detected immediately.
Power indicator as the device is powered – see “Front panel indi- cators” on page 24. Indicates the source of the clock signal UpCon is Displays the current state of the UpCon power Additional status information can be obtained currently following.
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“Signal LED” on page 26. Frame Identification parameter If you are operating a complex system with mul- tiple UpCon units, you may need to identify one specific unit quickly. To do so, select the respec- tive Frame using TC Icon software and then use...
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Obtaining UpCon status information Temperature indicator Shows the current internal temperature of Up- Con in degrees Celsius. UpCon English Manual (2014-10-07)
SDI stream for metering and processing. The on- screen LED for each available group will light up in green. If the UpCon is not locking to an incom- ing SDI stream, all indicators are turned off. UpCon English Manual (2014-10-07)
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When you set the Rate Detect Mode parameter tion of this page. Follow In Group setting to SD, UpCon will only accept the SD format and The processed audio signals will be assigned to not consider locking to HD or 3G signals. This re-...
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Please note that when running 3G Level B, data stream 1 and data stream 2 need to have the same bit width so UpCon can de-embed and process audio. I.e., both data streams need to contain 8-bit data, or both data streams need contain 10-bit data).
► “No Lock” (red LED / Error): “No Lock” is typi- lows: cally displayed when there is no signal pres- ent on the Input that UpCon is set to lock to, ► Green: A green “LED” indicates that a signal...
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Advanced settings activated UpCon will continue running on the “last good ly from Internal to External Sync. rate”. If possible, UpCon will run on a 96 bit precision version of the last good sample rate Advanced settings switch that the UpCon received. This will only gener-...
/ I/O / Dither. Setting “Off” (no dithering applied), With both settings, UpCon will revert to the ref- 24 bit, 20 bit, 18 bit , 16 bit erence input signal (as set with the Sync source Use the Dither out parameters to configure dith- parameter) once it becomes available again.
UpCon remote control Remote – Master Scene Recall section UpCon provides extensive remote control fea- tures. GPI and SDI metadata allow you to tailor The Remote Master page provides an overview remote control to your station’s demands. of the current remote control setup. It also al-...
Remote – GPI Processing section “N/A” display “N/A” (“not available”) indicates that the currently Audio processing in your UpCon can be con- selected function is not available/applicable to trolled via GPI or SDI metadata. the algorithm currently loaded in the Engine.
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Select one of three Presets using GPI1 and GPI2. the Scene Bank parameter. 3 Presets setting This mode uses simple binary inputs on GPI1 Select one of three Presets using GPI1. and GPI2 – i.e. 00, 01, 10 and 11. UpCon English Manual (2014-10-07)
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For information on voltage windows and GPI cir- This mode uses 8-state on GPI1 and binary on external GPI setup. cuits, see “Appendix 2: UpCon GPI/O page” on GPI2. page 101. In this mode, the Scene Presets are always re- “Idle”...
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Use the Engine parameter to specify which En- For information on voltage windows and GPI cir- the Processing section. gines should be remote-controlled. cuits, see “Appendix 2: UpCon GPI/O page” on page 101. Note that SDI metadata can also control audio Status field processing with the SDI Metadata license loaded on a UpCon with SDI input/output.
Two relay-based general-purpose outputs are tions. available. Use this page to configure them. Fig. 29.: UpCon GPI calibration page GPO 1 and GPO 2 parameters Each GPI may be used to switch between up to 8 states. GPI calibration should be performed...
SMPTE2020” and “Ch. Mode 2/0” by using the Detecting parameter ► If you set Idle State 1 to “Open”, the GPO 1 SDI Metadata license on a UpCon with SDI in- Use this parameter to enable remote control of relay… put/output.
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Channel Mode (ACMOD) value is “2/0”, dard to be used when there is only one audio set up as expected in both UpCon and the up- UpCon is forced to upconvert the incoming sig- program associated with the SDI stream, and stream products.
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Can only be displayed when the Detecting pa- rameter is set to Any SMPTE2020. Indicates that rameter is set to Any SMPTE2020. Indicates that The UpCon does not change any metadata on UpCon is receiving valid SMPTE2020 metadata valid metadata are being detected and have in- its output –...
Recalling, storing and deleting settings Scenes, Routings, Engines Engines Routings To use UpCon effectively, you should make all required settings as described in this manual Instead of recalling or storing a full Scene as de- All the settings that define how signals are rout-...
Recalling, storing and deleting settings The Library concept The Library gives you access to all settings of all parameters of the currently selected UpCon. The highest organizational level of the Library is a Bank. A Bank will hold either… ►...
Select the subpage for the setting type you ► want to access: Click the Info tag to display additional infor- mation about this preset in a modal dialog. – Scene – to recall a Scene preset UpCon English Manual (2014-10-07)
“Store (Scene / Route / Engine) Pre- – Scene – to store all settings (including ► Routing and all algorithm settings) as a Use the on-screen keys or the physical key- set” button. Scene. board of your computer to edit the name. UpCon English Manual (2014-10-07)
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Please note that even when renaming presets or adding information as described above, the faders for the previously accessed page are still available and operational. This means you can continue operating the faders even when the keyboard is shown on screen. UpCon English Manual (2014-10-07)
To access the Library Delete page: ► Select the “Library” tab. ► Select the “Delete” page. ► Select the subpage for the setting type you want to delete: – Scene – Route – E(ngine) 1 or E(ngine) 2 UpCon English Manual (2014-10-07)
– Route – to copy Routing presets. – Engine – to copy Engine presets. To copy from a Bank to a file on disk ► Select “From Bank” in the first column. The second column will switch to “To File” ac- cordingly. UpCon English Manual (2014-10-07)
Updating UpCon firmware Updating UpCon firmware UpCon English Manual (2014-10-07)
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Updating UpCon firmware You should keep both the TC Icon software running on your computer and the software of your UpCon (the firmware) up to date. ing up-to-date software versions ensures you benefit from bug fixes and the latest features.
You can download the latest version of the Up- Con firmware from: tcelectronic.com/support/software/ ► On this page, locate the “UpCon” section. ► In this section of the support page, look for “Firmware” and click the button representing the latest version of the UpCon firmware.
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In the next steps, you will select this .tca file in the folder “UC” on the drive root (see pre- by clicking the “Yes” button. the TC Icon software to transfer it to UpCon. vious steps) will assume that you have extracted the con- ►...
In the next steps, you will select this .tca file in Enter the path to the folder where the down- the TC Icon software to transfer it to UpCon. loaded .tca file is located. Depending on your browser type and con-...
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Updating UpCon firmware Locating and transferring the The name of the .tca file you downloaded UpCon firmware file – example 1 should now be displayed right under the “Common Software Update Folder” field. This is a simple default scenario where we as- sume that…...
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Updating UpCon firmware Locating the UpCon firmware file – example 2 If you have moved the .tca file to a folder called “UpCon_updates” on an external hard disk called “DAW2”,the correct path to enter in “Com- mon Software Update Folder” would be: // Volumes / DAW2 / UpCon_updates / For the remaining steps, see Example 1.
Icon software to Base mode by To update the TC Icon software, please refer to clicking the Icon symbol in the the “Updating UpCon software” on page 36 upper left corner of the window section of this manual. – see “TC Icon modes: Base and Device operation”...
► Select a device from the list on the left side of the screen. ► Click one of the eight slots on the right side of the screen to assign the selected device to this slot. UpCon English Manual (2014-10-07)
This will be indicated by set Clip” button. This feature ensures that clock errors or clippings do not go unnoticed. a semi-transparent overlay and a “Device UI is locked” message on all device-related screens. UpCon English Manual (2014-10-07)
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Joystick page UI page Color page The MIDI Joystick setup page of the TC Icon software is not required for operating UpCon and not described in this manual. Fig. 35.: TC Icon software – UI page TC Icon Window parameter Use the TC Icon Window parameter to specify if and where faders should be shown.
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To change the color, select a user interface component in the Color Element list (e.g. Background) and set the three R(ed) G(reen) B(lue) faders to the desired values. ► To apply the new color scheme, click the “Ap- ply User Scheme” button. UpCon English Manual (2014-10-07)
The UpCon algorithm An introduction to UpCon The UpCon algorithm (simply referred to as “Up- Con” or “UpCon algorithm” for the remainder of this manual) is an automatic, real-time 5.1 up- conversion audio processor. UpCon continuously monitors the format of the incoming audio –...
Parameter range is from -18 dB to +18 dB. Main Only setting If UpCon is used for ingest, better results may When 5.1 and Stereo signals are fed to the same be obtained by using the In Gain parameter to physical inputs (i.e.
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Use the Format Convert parameter to specify if When you have set the Format Convert parame- and how the signal being processed should be ter on UpCon’s Main page to Downmix, the Gain converted. Center parameter can be used to apply a static gain to the Center channel before delay and true- peak limiting.
These buttons are not intended for use during normal operation – they should only be used Left Surround / Right Surround Fig. 38.: UpCon algorithm – Level page during setup phase when the algorithm’s set- (Surround Channel Gain parameters) tings are tuned.
Center channel in L/R. You should set this parameter in tandem with the front channel gain parameters. LFE Proc. Hi Cut parameter Use the LFE Proc. Hi Cut parameter to set the cut-off frequency for the LFE extraction low- pass filter. UpCon English Manual (2014-10-07)
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Level page. Decorrelate parameter Use the Decorrelate parameter to specify the de- correlation algorithm for the surround channels. Focus parameter Use the Focus parameter to set the surround image. The obtainable surround imaging ranges UpCon English Manual (2014-10-07)
If the threshold is exceeded on the LFE chan- Limit Threshold, even in digital transmission. Re- nel, only that channel is limited. Fig. 40.: UpCon algorithm – Limit page serve the top of the digital scale for occasional peaks in wide range material (feature films, clas- The Limiter uses true-peak detection exceeding sical music), so don’t go above -6 dBFS in HDTV...
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For all settings except for “AC3 Codec”, the true- peak threshold is the same for all channels. For “AC3 Codec”, however, AC3 downmix headroom is protected, while the dynamic properties are the same as “Universal”. UpCon English Manual (2014-10-07)
Center, L and R Sur- round inputs. For instance, if the Detect param- eter is set to “16 bit”, UpCon reads dither on the C, LSr and RSr inputs. If dither is available on any of them, UpCon assumes that a 5.1 signal is available, and cross-fades into 5.1 bypass.
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The UpCon algorithm UpCon English Manual (2014-10-07)
Appendix 1: Links and additional information Product-related information Extending your product’s capabilities with optional licenses The capabilities of your UpCon can be extended ► UpCon support page: by purchasing optional licenses listed below. tcelectronic.com/UpCon/support/ To learn where to obtain demo versions or buy...
(this is the Selection between up to 8 presets is achieved by nector on the UpCon back panel is configured default setting) or closed. Each relay can handle feeding the processor a DC voltage to the GPIO as follows: 200 mA / 24 V AC/DC max.
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Appendix 2: UpCon GPI/O page cal voltages when the supply is 3.30 V. (If the supply voltage is e.g. 3.315 V, the table should be corrected by multiplying these val- ues by 3.315/3.3). 1 of 2 1.000 2.67 3.30 3.30 open Fig.
Dimensions: 19 x 1.75 x 13.2 inches (483 x 44 x 334 mm), 1 RU Weight UpCon with one card 9.5 lbs. (4.3 kg) UpCon expanded max. 10.4 lbs. (4.7 kg) Mains voltage: 100 to 240 VAC, 50-60 Hz auto-select...
Technical specifications Transmission 3G Card General Number of Processors Two UpCon HD processors, Stereo or 5.1 Number of audio channels processed 8 in, 8 out (per card) 16 in, 16 out optional for AES Audio format configuration 2, 5.1, 2+2, 5.1+2, 2+5.1, 5.1+5.1 Audio processing delay 0.15 ms...
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Technical specifications Inputs and outputs – UpCon SDI Connectors 1 BNC In, 1 BNC Out. 75 Ohm Bypass relay Input to output while powered off and during boot-up Function Audio de-embed/embed, video thru SDI formats support – SD 525i59.94, 625i50 SDI formats support –...
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Technical specifications Inputs and outputs – UpCon AES unbalanced Connectors BNC, 75 Ohm Bypass Relay Input to output while powered off and during boot-up Formats supported AES/EBU (24 bit), AES3-id in/out Status bits In: Accepts all, Out: Pro-status bits Complies with standards...
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Technical specifications Inputs and outputs – UpCon AES balanced Connectors DSUB incl. cable for XLR, 110 Ohm Bypass Relay Input to output while powered off and during boot-up Formats supported AES/EBU (24 bit), AES3 Status bits In: Accepts all, Out: Pro-status bits...
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4 multi-state, multi-function. 0 V to 3.3 V DC sensing GPO output (D-SUB) 2 relays, floating, 200 mA / 24 V AC/DC max Output voltage (D-SUB) 3.3 V DC, 100 mA current limited Ethernet and remote control 2 ports, 10/100 Mbits/s, Base-T, SNMP-enabled UpCon English Manual (2014-10-07)
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Technical specifications UpCon English Manual (2014-10-07)