Plura TCA Operating Manual

Plura TCA Operating Manual

Timecode analyzer with ltc reader and generator

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Measurement System
TIMING SOLUTIONS
TCA
Timecode Analyzer with
LTC Reader and Generator
Operating Manual
Version: 1.0
September 19, 2022

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Summary of Contents for Plura TCA

  • Page 1 Measurement System TIMING SOLUTIONS Timecode Analyzer with LTC Reader and Generator Operating Manual Version: 1.0 September 19, 2022...
  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Operating Manual TCA Page 3 CONTENTS REVISION HISTORY COPYRIGHT WARRANTY UNPACKING/SHIPPING/REPACKAGING INFORMATION SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION 1.1. INTRODUCTION 1.2. FEATURES 1.3. DISPLAY 1.3.1. Function Keys 1.3.2. Time 1.3.3. User (Binary Groups) 1.3.4. Framerate, Flags 1.3.5. Dropout Counter 1.3.6. Delay Measurement 1.3.7.
  • Page 4: A1 Revision History

    A2 Copyright Copyright © Plura Europe GmbH 2022. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, translated into another language, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written consent of Plura Europe GmbH.
  • Page 5: A3 Warranty

    This warranty is given by Plura with respect to this product in lieu of any other warranties, express or implied. Plura and its vendors disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
  • Page 6: A4 Unpacking/Shipping/Repackaging Information

    Ensure that all packaging material is removed from the product and its associated components before installing the unit. Products returned to Plura for servicing or repair should have a tag attached showing: • Name and complete address of the owner and the name of the person that can be contacted.
  • Page 7: A5 Safety Instructions

    Page 7 A5 Safety Instructions The general safety information in this part is for both operating and service personnel. Plura products are only to be used as directed. Specific warnings and cautions will be found throughout the manual where they apply.
  • Page 8 Page 8 Operating Manual TCA OBSERVE EMC REGULATIONS The EMC regulations are observed only under the following condition: Use high quality shielded cables at data inputs and outputs. SUSPECTED FAILURES Whenever it is likely that safe operation is impaired, the apparatus must be made inoperative and secured against unintended operation.
  • Page 9 Operating Manual TCA Page 9 Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Precautions All semiconductor devices are sensitive to ESD. To prevent any damage or degradation on components of the product caused by ESD, observe these precautions when directed so (installing, removing sensitive components): Use a Ground Strap.
  • Page 10: Functional Description

    Operating Manual TCA Functional Description 1.1. Introduction TCA is a timecode analyzer with LTC reader and generator. A 4.3" LCD provides all LTC related information in one place. The TCA is a unique and convenient solution for all LTC related measurements.
  • Page 11: Function Keys

    Waveform Below the different display parts are described in detail. 1.3.1. Function Keys The programmed function of the two programmable function keys on the back of the TCA. 1.3.2. Time Time of the LTC reader. Format: HH:MM:SS:FF. 1.3.3. User (Binary Groups)
  • Page 12: Framerate, Flags

    Page 12 Operating Manual TCA 1.3.4. Framerate, Flags Beside time and user (binary groups) some more information is decoded from LTC. Value Frame rate, detected from LTC input. The frame rate is not coded directly in LTC, it’s detected from frame values counting.
  • Page 13: Dropout Counter

    Operating Manual TCA Page 13 With some binary group flag combinations, the LTC binary groups are decoded further: Value Description BGF1 Eight-bit character set and unspecified clock time. Binary group bits are decoded as ASCII characters. Example: Explanation: 0x56 = ‘V’, 0x54 = ‘T’, 0x52 = ‘R’, 0x31 = ‘1’...
  • Page 14: Delay Measurement

    (binary groups). 1.3.8. MTD Timer “MTD” are stop timers, generated by Plura timing equipment like RUB GT. If MTD timers are detected in user (binary groups) then it’s shown here. All six MTD timers, A-F, are shown, as well as MTD time and date. Above it the three MTD main timers, 1-3, are shown.
  • Page 15: Waveform

    Operating Manual TCA Page 15 1.3.10. Waveform The waveform display allows checking the quality of the input signal. The display is lazy, please allow about 10 seconds to stabilize. The horizontal axis is fixed to 100 µs/Div (division), while the vertical amplification is set automatically between 0.25 V/Div and 2 V/Div.
  • Page 16: Configuration

    Windows 10 operating system, or later). You can download the latest version of the program from: https://www.plurainc.com The TCA can be configured via a USB interface. Firmware update is performed by this program as well (chapter “Firmware Update”). The USB connection requires a standard USB-C cable. The first time the device is plugged to the PC, Windows will install a driver for it.
  • Page 17: Profile" Tab: Store And Load A Complete Set-Up

    Operating Manual TCA Page 17 2.2. “Profile” Tab: Store and Load a Complete Set-Up This feature enables to easily change the complete set-up of the unit during normal operation. During installation, the current set-up can be stored as a “profile”. You can enter a name in the “name”...
  • Page 18: System" Tab: View And Change System Parameters

    Page 18 Operating Manual TCA 2.3. “System” Tab: View and Change System Parameters Unit Name Give the device a significant name. This name appears in the device list of the connection page. Enter a text (10 characters) in the Name field. Complete with Enter or Tab key.
  • Page 19: Ltc" Tab: Ltc Output

    Operating Manual TCA Page 19 2.4. “LTC” Tab: LTC Input and Output LTC IN Frame Rate Frame rate of LTC reader. Auto Automatic frame rate detection. Default (starting point) of detection is the frame rate of the LTC generator (see below).
  • Page 20 Page 20 Operating Manual TCA Binary group flags (BGF) of LTC generator. Character set not specified and unspecified clock time. Eight-bit character set and unspecified clock time. Character set not specified and clock time specified. Reserved binary group usage and reserved clock time.
  • Page 21: Display" Tab: Display

    Operating Manual TCA Page 21 2.5. “Display” Tab: Display Display Brightness of LCD background illumination (1 to 7). Show Show or hide portions of the display.
  • Page 22: Keys" Tab: Function Keys

    Page 22 Operating Manual TCA 2.6. “Keys” Tab: Function Keys Function Keys Set function of key F1. Function Description No Operation No Function. Center Waveform Calibrate DC offset of LTC input. Reset Dropout Reset dropout counters to zero. Start Generator Re-Start LTC generator.
  • Page 23 Operating Manual TCA Page 23 Beeper is muted, on dropout Short beep on every dropout detected.
  • Page 24: Firmware Update

    Page 24 Operating Manual TCA Firmware Update Firmware updates require a (windows operating system) computer with a USB interface and the UD SC Config.exe program. You can download the latest version of the program from: https://www.plurainc.com The new firmware should already be stored as a .tcf file at your computer.
  • Page 25: Technical Data

    Operating Manual TCA Page 25 Technical Data 4.1. Connections at the Rear LTC OUT LTC IN Pin assignments LTC IN LTC OUT XLR3 XLR3 USB-C female male receptacle 1: GND 1: GND 2: LTC_IN_A 2: LTC_OUT_A USB 2.0 3: LTC_IN_B...
  • Page 26: Specifications

    Page 26 Operating Manual TCA 4.2. Specifications Operating voltage 5 V DC, ± 5 % provided over USB Power consumption 2.0 W typical Environmental character- Temperature: +5 °C to +40 °C istics, operating Relative humidity: 30 % to 85 %, non-condensing...
  • Page 28 Contact Us Corporate Offices: U.S.A. Plura Broadcast, Inc. Ph: +1-602-944-1044 Sales@plurainc.com GERMANY Plura Europe GmbH Ph: +49-6725-918006-70 Sales@plurainc.com Plura MEA U.A.E. Ph: +971-50-715-9625 Sales@plurainc.com S. KOREA Plura Asia Ph: +82-10-6688-8826 Sales@plurainc.com...

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