1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Linear Acoustic Manuals
  4. Recording Equipment
  5. MetaMAXLA-5180
  6. Operation manual

Linear Acoustic MetaMAXLA-5180 Operation Manual

Metamax series audio metadata frame synchronizer and generator
Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual
Model LA-5180
MetaMAX Series Audio Metadata Frame
Synchronizer and Generator
Operation Manual

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the MetaMAXLA-5180 and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel

Related Manuals for Linear Acoustic MetaMAXLA-5180

Summary of Contents for Linear Acoustic MetaMAXLA-5180

  • Page 1 Model LA-5180 MetaMAX Series Audio Metadata Frame Synchronizer and Generator Operation Manual...
  • Page 3 Model LA-5180 AC-3 Frame Synchronizer and Rate Shaper Operation Manual Release Date: October, 2007 Software Version: 00.00.33 and later Linear Acoustic Inc. Phone: 717-735-3611 FAX: 717-735-3612 Web: www.LinearAcoustic.com...

  • Page 4: Warranty Information

    Linear Acoustic be liable for incidental, special, direct, indirect or consequential damages, or loss of use, revenue or profit even if Linear Acoustic or its agents have been advised, orally or in writing, of the possibility of such damages.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Table of Contents List of Figures ............................vii Chapter 1: Introduction ........................5 Principles of Operation..................6 Location of LA-5180....................6 Future Updates......................6 Warranty and Feedback ..................7 Chapter 2: Connections ........................9 Unpacking and Inspection ..................9 Installation .......................9 Rear Panel ......................10...
  • Page 6 Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Chapter 5: AMAS Software ......................23 Installation ......................23 Starting AMAS ......................23 Connecting to LA-5180 Hardware..............23 General Application Layout ................24 5.4.1 Main AMAS Window (Figure 5-1): ...........24 5.4.2 Program Status Window (Figure 5-2): ..........25 5.4.3...

  • Page 7: List Of Figures

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual List of Figures LA-5180 Metadata Frame Synchronizer and Generator Simplified Block Diagram ....6 Rear Panel ............................10 LA-5180 processing VANC metadata ....................13 LA-5180 Used as a stand-alone metadata generator ..............14 Audio Metadata Analysis System (AMAS) typical setup .............15 LA-5180 Menu Tree (first half) .......................17...
  • Page 8 Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual viii...

  • Page 9: Chapter 1: Introduction

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Chapter 1: Introduction The Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Audio Metadata Frame Synchronizer and Generator is an integral part of any facility relying on the successful creation and continuity of metadata for proper audio transmission. The flexible unit accepts professional audio metadata (also known as Dolby or Dolby E metadata) via a standard RS-485 serial input, or as delivered inside the VANC space of an HD-SDI stream.

  • Page 10: Principles Of Operation

    Simplified Block Diagram Location of LA-5180 The Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Synchronizer and Generator can be located anywhere. Typical locations include audio mixing facilities or rooms, remote outside broadcast (OB) trucks, transmission facilities, playout facilities, satellite facilities, etc... In many cases, it may be located near AC-3 encoders such as a Dolby DP-569.

  • Page 11: Warranty And Feedback

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Introduction Warranty and Feedback Please take a moment to fill out the warranty card included with the unit and drop it in the mail. This will enable us to contact you if there are any software or documentation issues.
  • Page 12 Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Introduction...

  • Page 13: Chapter 2: Connections

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Chapter 2: Connections This chapter covers all required connections for the LA-5180. Unpacking and Inspection Before unpacking the unit, inspect the outer carton for shipping damage. If the car- ton shows damage, inspect the unit in those areas. Please save the carefully designed shipping carton and packing materials.

  • Page 14: Rear Panel

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Connections Rear Panel The rear panel of the Linear Acoustic LA-5180 contains all signal and power I/O. WARNING: Replace fuses only with the same type and rating 2.3.1 Connection Ports All of the LA-5180’s connections are on the rear panel and are described in detail be- low.

  • Page 15: Quick Setup Notes

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Connections • LTC Input: Used for generating timestamps in AMAS system logs. • AES In/Out: Apply Dolby E signal for measurement of Dolby E guard band with respect to the vertical interval of the applied video reference signal.
  • Page 16 Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Connections...

  • Page 17: Chapter 3: Applications

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Chapter 3: Applications The LA-5180 is intended to be used in an emission (transmission) environment, or installed in a production or master control area. This chapter shows several applica- tions of the system as it is intended to be used. Of course other applications are pos- sible: •...

  • Page 18: Stand-Alone Metadata Generator Application

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Applications Stand-alone Metadata Generator Application Black Burst Local Vref Non-Metadata Production Studio GPI Closure (Preset Recall 1-4) Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Term RS-485 Audio Metadata Figure 3-2 LA-5180 Used as a stand-alone metadata generator Figure 3-1 above shows the LA-5180 used as a stand-alone metadata generator.

  • Page 19: Amas Metadata Analysis Application

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Applications AMAS Metadata Analysis Application B la c k B u rs t L o c a l V re f V T R A E S (D o lb y E )
  • Page 20 Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Applications...

  • Page 21: Chapter 4: Menus

    (Next) front panel button must be pressed. To continue without storing the change, press the left (Prev) front panel button. Like all Linear Acoustic products, when in doubt you can simply use the Left Arrow (Prev) to back out towards the Main menu level.

  • Page 22: La-5180 Menu Tree (Second Half)

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Menus C o n t i n u e d . . . P r o g r a m 1 – X P r e s e t s S y s t e m...

  • Page 23: Main Menu Level

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Menus Main Menu Level Referring to the menu tree on the preceding page, it can be seen that the Main Menu level can be scrolled through using either the left or right arrows. The choices are: Version, Sta- tus, Statistics, and Setup, each of which have sub menus (except the version screen).

  • Page 24: Setup Menu

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Menus 4.1.3 Setup Menu The Setup Menu is the main menu from which adjustments to the unit will be made. It contains the I/O, System, and Preset Menus. To adjust a particular parameter, simply ro- tate the rotary encoder knob until the desired value is displayed.
  • Page 25 Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Menus 5180. RS-485 is the 9-pin serial metadata input, and VANC is the metadata extracted from an applied HD-SDI signal. • x Metadata To (RS-485, VANC, RS-485 & VANC) - Selects how metadata is out- put from the LA-5180 (serial, VANC, or both).
  • Page 26 Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Menus...

  • Page 27: Chapter 5: Amas Software

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Manual Chapter 5: AMAS Software The Audio Metadata Analysis System (AMAS) option for the LA-5180 provides a compre- hensive tool for monitoring, analyzing, and logging audio metadata signals. Further, critical information about the status and position of Dolby E encoded audio is provided to aid in diagnosing issues related to incorrectly encoded or recorded bitstreams.

  • Page 28: General Application Layout

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Manual AMAS Software click the "Connect" button. The Hardware Communication Status should change to "Con- nected" and the "Recs:" field count should now start incrementing. To change these fields on the hardware see the unit's user manual. NOTE: the LA5170's default Port Number is 5170, and the LA5180's is 5180.

  • Page 29: Program Status Window (Figure 5-2)

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Manual AMAS Software Figure 5-1 Main AMAS window. 5.4.2 Program Status Window (Figure 5-2): This shows the Dolby Digital metadata fields detail for two programs. You can select which 2 programs to display from the Program Fields drop-down selectors at the top of the window.

  • Page 30: Activity Log Window

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Manual AMAS Software Figure 5-2 Program Status window showing primary metadata programs. 5.4.3 Activity Log Window This shows the same data as that sent to the Job File. An "**" at the beginning of a line...

  • Page 31: Metadata Edit Rules

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Manual AMAS Software Figure 5-3 Activity Log window showing details also written to log file Metadata Edit Rules Edit rules are used to determine when metadata fields should be flagged as invalid. There is a stock set of rules embedded in the AMAS program. You can also create and use your own custom sets of rules.

  • Page 32: Edit Rules Window

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Manual AMAS Software Figure 5-4 Edit rules window In the Field Values box, all the possible values are displayed, with a status square next to each value. For "simple" edit rules the color of the square indicates how to treat the field when it has that value.

  • Page 33: Other Features

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Manual AMAS Software to the field's value verbiage. This alerts the operator that the field is in error because of a dependency edit rule. Note that "simple" edit rules and "dependent" edit rules can both be applicable at the same time.

  • Page 34: Diagnostics

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Manual AMAS Software Diagnostics In the Settings Menu, there is a "Show Diagnostic Options" menu item. When clicked, sev- eral diagnostic options are available. These options are not generally helpful for AMAS metadata monitoring. They can produce massive amounts of data logging activity, so it is...

  • Page 35: Chapter 6: Specifications

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Chapter 6: Specifications Table 6-1 Electrical Specifications Sampling Rate 48 kHz (±0.1%) Output Delay 1 video frame: NTSC = 33 msec, PAL = 40 msec Programs Up to eight AC-3 metadata programs...
  • Page 36 Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Specifications Table 6-4 Environmental Specifications Operating Temperature C to 50 C, convection cooled Non Operating Temperature C to +70 – (Storage) Humidity Up to 98% relative humidity, non-condensing EMC Radiation Limits FCC Part 15 Class A, ICES-003...
  • Page 37 Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Specifications RS485/422/232 Port 9-pin female D-connector with full-duplex RS-485 protocol running up to 115 kbps. Pinout is compatible with SMPTE 207M. Input is relay bypassed to Output on sys- tem failure, power off, or via front user control.

  • Page 38: Ethernet Port

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Specifications Ethernet Port The Ethernet port is a standard RJ-45 female connector that supports 10BASE-T. This connector is currently reserved for software updates but will support monitor- ing and control functions in a future software version.

  • Page 39: Chapter 7: Metadata

    Dolby E Metadata) carries up to eight consumer metadata programs along with setup information for mezzanine coders such as the Dolby E and Linear Acoustic e- squared systems (if they are used). In essence, Consumer Metadata is a subset of Profes- sional Metadata.

  • Page 40: Informational And Control Metadata

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Metadata Informational and Control Metadata In the simplest terms, there are two functional classifications of metadata parameters with- in a consumer metadata stream: Informational: These parameters convey information but do not affect either the encoded bitstream or the decoding process.
  • Page 41 Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Metadata Table 7-1 Metadata Parameters Metadata Parameter Info Ctrl Dialogue Level (dialnorm) Channel Mode (acmod) LFE Channel (lfeon) Bitstream Mode Line Mode (dynrng) RF Mode (compr) Center Downmix Level (cmixlev) Surround Downmix Level (smixlev)

  • Page 42: The Three D's

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Metadata The Three D's The three most critical types of metadata parameters, Dialog Level, Dynamic Range Con- trol, and Downmixing, are discussed in detail below. Channel Mode, which determines how many audio channels will be Dolby Digital encoded, is equally important, with the re- maining parameters falling in behind.

  • Page 43: Dynamic Range Control (Drc)

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Metadata A Simple Rule: 31 + (dialogue level value) = Shift applied Example: 31 + (-21) = 10 dB The most important point to remember is that in setting the dialogue level parameter, you are providing your listener with an essential service.
  • Page 44 Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Metadata operating modes are known as Line Mode and RF Mode due to the type of output they are typically associated with. Line Mode is typically used on decoders with six- or two-channel line-level outputs and RF Mode is used on decoders that have an RF-remodulated output.

  • Page 45: Transform Function Of Drc System In Ac-3, Aacplus, And Others

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Metadata RF Mode is designed for products (such as set-top boxes) that generate a downmixed sig- nal for connection to the RF/Antenna input of a television set; however, it is also useful in situations where heavy DRC is required-for example, when small PC speakers are used for DVD playback.
  • Page 46 Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Metadata • Film Light Max Boost: 6 dB (below -53 dB) Boost Range: -53 dB to -41 dB (2:1 ratio) Null Band Width: 20 dB (-41 dB to -21 dB) Early Cut Range: -26 dB to -11 dB (2:1 ratio) Cut Range: -11 dB to +4 dB (20:1 ratio) •...
  • Page 47 Importantly, these gain control values can be extracted and displayed in the form of a gain reduction/expansion meter a very useful tool available in the Linear Acoustic LAMB- DA and Dolby DM100, DP564, and LM100 products.

  • Page 48: Downmixing

    These previews can be achieved in real time using the Dolby DP570 Multichannel Audio Tool, the Linear Acoustic LAMBDA, and other products.

  • Page 49: Typical Program Scenarios

    SAP or Visual Descriptive audio (if present) can then be distributed to affiliates using Linear Acoustic e-squared, Dolby E, or some other method. At the local station, the stream is decoded back to baseband audio and metadata. The audio program is monitored and the metadata is altered or re-created as other elements of the program are added in preparation for broadcast.

  • Page 50: Theatrical Movies For Broadcast

    SAP or Visual Descriptive audio (if present) is sent to the trans- mission audio processor (such as the Linear Acoustic AEROMAX 5.1) which accept base- band audio and the Professional Metadata stream and encode the audio program according to its associated metadata.

  • Page 51: Sitcom

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Metadata lower than the other main channels. This causes the film mixers to record the sur- rounds louder (it sounds quieter, so they turn up the level to compensate), and a film soundtrack played directly into a consumer system will have surrounds 3 dB too loud.

  • Page 52: Visual Descriptive

    Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Metadata The SAP program audio can be treated like a standard mono or stereo program with the table at the end of this section being used as the basis for metadata settings. Note that just...
  • Page 53 Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Metadata Parameter Live Sports Action Film Drama News (Stereo) SAP or Visual Event (5.0) (5.1) (Lt/Rt) Descriptive Measured Measured Measured Measured Measured Dialogue Level (see text) (see text) (see text) (see text)
  • Page 54 Linear Acoustic LA-5180 Metadata Frame Sync/Generator Operation Manual Metadata...

Table of Contents