Crystal Vision has released a linear keyer that works with IP (SMPTE ST 2022 and ST 2110 video), with SDI or with both IP and SDI at the same time. The M-KEY can key one externally-generated graphic over a video stream or a matte and is a traditional linear keyer designed for those who use a character generator or graphics PC to provide their key and fill sources. The M-KEY is ideal for a wide range of channel branding and graphic overlay applications, while the mixed IP/SDI I/O means that it can provide a cost-effective solution for those using SDI caption generators to key into an IP feed, with the SDI to IP conversion included in the cost of the keyer. The M-KEY is a software app that runs on the MARBLE-V1 media processor hardware, a card housed in the Vision frame which features a powerful CPU/GPU processor and both SDI and 10GbE IP network interface connections.
The M-KEY offers the user a choice of keying modes – with the key generated using either External Key mode or Self Key mode and with both additive and multiplicative keying available to suit different types of graphics. The keyed graphic can be faded in and out, either manually or as a timed transition, while crops can be used to prevent keying in particular areas of the picture by forcing areas of background or foreground. The Min Clip and Max Clip controls can be used to change the key gain, with adjustable thresholds to force or remove areas of key – ideal for compensating for a key signal which does not have enough amplitude to force full keying or for creating a semi-transparent effect for the graphic.
The M-KEY's support for multiple signal formats gives the easiest possible SDI to IP upgrade, while also making it perfect for mixed SDI and IP installations as well as fully IP or fully SDI environments. The M-KEY's gateway functionality can be used to integrate SDI into an IP environment or IP into an SDI environment. Its IP to IP translation functionality can be used for network address translation, protocol conversion between any of the input and output formats, unicast to multicast address conversion and the creation of media firewalls. The IP flows can be separated and protected across up to four bi-directional 10GbE SFP+ network interfaces. It includes output traffic shaping and is tolerant of any input packet distribution.
The M-KEY includes a number of timing features to help with system integration. These include a framestore synchroniser timed to an external Black and Burst or tri-level syncs analogue reference or PTP, with user configurable options for timing source priority and redundancy. Additional video delay – adjustable in one frame steps – is also available both on the input and output. The ten frames of flow input video delay allows delay compensation between the background source and two foreground sources – useful as the fill and key coming from a graphics machine may arrive several frames later than the background programme video. The ten frames of flow output video delay allows compensation for any big system delays.
Other useful features include a quad split which allows the Output video, Output key, Keyed foreground and Keyed background to be viewed simultaneously, with zoom available for fine-detail checking during setup. Comprehensive SDI, IP and PTP monitoring information is available and can be used to generate SNMP traps, while 13 built-in test patterns can help with fault finding. The flexible choice of control options include the VisionPanel touchscreen control panel, VisionWeb Control web browser software and complimentary SNMP – while 16 time-saving presets can be assigned and recalled.
Explained Crystal Vision's Managing Director, Philip Scofield: “The M-KEY app is another building block towards making IP and mixed IP/SDI systems that are more flexible and better value than pure SDI solutions. The mixed IP and SDI input is particularly useful for using SDI graphics generators in an IP environment.”
The M-KEY software app is available to buy now.
Based at Whittlesford near Cambridge in the UK and providing a full range of interface and keyers, Crystal Vision helps people transition through a range of technologies – from SD to HD and from HD to IP.
