Introduction - Apogee BIG BEN User Manual

BIG BEN – User's Guide

Introduction

Apogee Electronics' Big Ben Master Digital Clock provides a complete clock synchronization solution for
the digital production studio. Each feature of Big Ben has been carefully designed to ensure the highest
quality, stability and simplicity when synchronizing your studio.
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At the heart of Big Ben, Apogee's C777 Clock Technology uses Direct Digital Synthesis to
generate ultra-stable clock frequencies whose jitter is virtually un-measurable regardless of
the clock source. Big Ben operates at frequencies up to 192 kHz, including common pull up/
pull down frequencies and VSO (varispeed) functionality.
Adaptive Loop Filtering (ALF) optimizes clock performance and attenuates jitter, so that even
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poor reference clock sources won't degrade Big Ben's performance.
A wide range of input and output connections simplifies studio configuration; included are
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AES, S/PDIF and Optical I/O, plus 6 Word Clock outputs and 1 Word Clock/Video input. An
Option Card slot, for "emerging" digital formats such as FireWire, offers the ability to update
Big Ben's functionality. Format conversion is available between AES, S/PDIF, Optical and
Option formats.
Sure Lock ensures a fail safe lock to external sources, thereby stabilizing the entire clock
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configuration. Word Clock termination sensing verifies that all Word Clock connections are
properly terminated, thus avoiding transmission mis-matches which lead to hard-to-find
clocking errors.
Please register this unit by filling in the included registration card, or registering online at
http://www.apogeedigital.com/register.html
Please read this manual – if you call for technical support, we'll assume that you have. There will be a quiz.
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