LEADER Electronics Corporation, a globally active producer of high-grade test and measurement equipment for the broadcast industry, is introducing new options for its award-winning LV 5490 4K/UHD/HS/SD multiscreen signal monitor. These provide added support for 12G SDI, high dynamic range and video over IP. The new options will be promoted at BVE 2016 in London, February 23-25.
   

Accompanying image shows front and rear of LEADER's LV 5490 waveform monitor, now available with 12G SDI, HDR and video over IP options.

"The LV 5490 is already one of the most versatile test instruments currently available," comments LEADER's European Market Development Manager Kevin Salvidge. "In its standard form, it offers 4K, UHD, HD, SD and sub-SD format features in a compact portable unit which can be operated on mains or battery power.

"The three new options will be particularly appreciated by broadcasters and production companies planning to adopt video over IP infrastructures but more immediately needing to implement UHDTV baseband workflows. Each option in this suite of upgrades is available at the initial time of purchase or can be added later, allowing customers to migrate confidently from baseband SD-SDI and HD-SDI to more advanced technologies in line with market demand.

"12G-SDI connectivity is achieved via an optional interface card equipped with four SD-SDI inputs. This will support 12G-SDI, 3G-SDI quad link, 3G-SDI dual-link and HD-SDI, each input handling a quarter of the 4096 x 2160 pixel 4K or 3840 x 2160 pixel UHD image. A reclocked 12G-SDI output is also provided.

"HDR screen zone display allows the false-color technique used in the standard version of CINEZONE to be used to highlight areas of concern when operating with High Dynamic Range content. Latest-generation consumer displays such OLEDs as are already delivering increased brightness and darker shadows with high-precision luminance steps that no longer introduce artefacts.

"Ensuring the production remains within HDR recommendations is of major concern. HDR screen zone display supports SMPTE ST2084 (PQ curve) and ARIB STD B-67 (Hybrid Log Gamma). The gamma curve conversion table, waveform and histogram displaces can be switched quickly between HDR and Standard Dynamic Range (SDR)."

LEADER announced during InterBEE 2015 its support for ASPEN video over IP technology. ASPEN (Adaptive Sample Picture ENcapsulation) has been developed as a collaborative effort by Evertz and many other leading broadcast industry organisations to meet the real-world requirements of an IP-centric facility while implementing proven MPEG2 transport streams. It offers a robust format for encapsulating uncompressed UHD/3G/HD/SD over MPEG-2 transport streams. With 10GbE (and higher) network interfaces now commodity items, the transport of uncompressed video becomes a reality. This follows on from LEADER's announcement, during the 2015 NAB Show, of its support for Sony's IP Live Production System.

12G SDI, HDR and Video over IP will also be available as options for the LEADER LV 5480. The LV 5480 provides the features broadcast cameramen, post-production houses and technical support staff need in today's HD world. It can be upgraded quickly and easily to the full 4K feature set of the LV 5490, including 4K pattern generator, eye pattern and digital audio card.