Up/Down/Cross Converter with Noise Reduction
and Standard Definition Frame Rate Converter

Revised October 13, 2011

Introduction
A Wide Range of Applications
Overview
Filters and Algorithms
Block Diagram
Formats
Quick Start
Installation
Box Contents
Rear Panel
On Screen Display (OSD)
Web-based User Interface
Control Panel
Menus and Functions
Input / Output Settings
Aspect Ratio Menu
Video Settings (Proc Amp Adjustments)
Audio Settings
Noise Reduction Level
Split Screen
Source Menu
Time Code
Presets
Current Settings Information
Appendix - Factory Reset Settings
Specifications

A Wide Range of Applications

Up/Down/Cross Conversion
The Teranex mini is a DTV format converter that will allow the user to perform real-time upconversion, downconversion and high definition cross conversions, all with noise reduction and all with the same Teranex quality conversions our customers are accustomed to.

Standard Definition Frame Rate Conversion
The Teranex mini provides real-time conversions from NTSC to PAL and from PAL to NTSC (480i59.94 <--> 576i50).

Cadence removal
The 3:2 cadence detection algorithm will automatically detect a 3:2 sequence, even if it's broken or mixed with video content, and provide an HD output at 23.98.

Filters and Algorithms

PixelMotion De-interlacing
De-interlacing of video originated material produces perfect progressive frames in preparation for further processing. The processing aperture is adjusted on a pixel-by-pixel basis, which preserves all of the detail of the original interlaced image and eliminates ‘jaggies’ in the output image.

Cadence Detection
Recognizes and handles the redundant fields inserted by the telecine during 24fps film to 30fps video conversion. The input signal is analysed frame by frame to detect the cadence (film-based content, video over film content, Broken 3:2 sequences, etc). With this information, the mini can properly handle the input material and perform better de-interlacing by maintaining the full vertical resolution.

Aspect Ratio Control
Allows selection from standard aspect ratios such as common top and bottom, common sides, anamorphic, 14:9 and Flexview.

Detail Enhancement
Detail Enhancement is an edge-sharpening filter based on a traditional film compositing technique called ‘unsharp masking’. This filter corrects any blurring introduced during image capture, compression or resampling.

Noise Reduction
Offers a greater degree of image quality through the use of temporal recursive noise reduction. By doing Motion Detection, the mini can identify moving areas of the image and perform noise reduction with no artifacts. The filter can be set in one of three levels of processing (LO, MED, and HI).

 

Block Diagram

Formats

The mini supports the following formats:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Installation

Getting assistance with the mini
This Quick Start Guide will help in the setup of the Teranex mini. However, if you need further assistance, please contact:

• Technical Support Phone:
  For US & Canada: 1.877.2.TERANEX (1.877.283.7263)
  International: 1.407.858.6000

• Technical Support e-mail:
  support@teranex.com

• Technical Support web site:
  www.teranex.com/support

Servicing
Only authorized service personnel should open the unit. Disconnect AC sources to the power supply before servicing.

 

 

 

Box Content

• 1 Teranex mini
• 1 AC Power Supply (120/240V AC-to-12V DC converter with 3-Pole Plug-USA)
• 1 Quick Start Guide
• Teranex Limited Warranty Statement

Rear Panel

12VDC
Attach 12 VDC power supply

Ethernet
RJ45 Connector for Ethernet Network

Loop
Active loop out of Serial Digital input

SD/HD SDI IN
Serial Digital In: 1 x SDI (SD or HD) (BNC), 10-bit serial digital input

• SD at 270Mbps; Rec 601 with embedded audio SMPTE 272M
• HD at 1.485Gbps; SMPTE 292M with embedded audio SMPTE 299M

SD/HD SDI OUT
2 x SDI (SD or HD) (BNC), 10-bit serial digital outputs

• SD at 270Mbps; Rec 601 with embedded audio per SMPTE 272M
• HD at 1.485Gbps; SMPTE 292M with embedded audio per SMPTE 299M

 

 

 

Control Panel

OSD Button
Enables the On Screen Display (OSD) for setup and control of the mini.

Pwr LED
Indicates that the mini is on.

Status LED
Indicates the condition of the mini's input signal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Button
Used to scroll through the input formats (480i59.94, 576i50, 720p and 1080i).

When the In button is pressed, the mini enters the input select mode. In this mode, each time the In button is pressed, the mini advances to the next available input format resolution or framerate, indicated by a color-coded Input Format LED (See table below). Once the input format and framerate are selected, the user should select the desired output format resolution and framerate.

Input Format LEDs
Indicates the current input format (480, 576, 720, 1080). The LEDs are color coded to indicate the input video's frame rate. See table below.

Output Format LEDs
Indicates the current output format (480, 576, 720, 1080). The LEDs are color coded to indicate the output video's frame rate. See table below..

 

 

 

 

 

 

Out Button
Used to scroll through the output formats.

When the Out button pressed, the mini enters the output select mode. In this mode, each time the Out button is pressed, the mini advances to the next available output format resolution or framerate that is available. The availability is based on the currently selected input. The output framerate is indicated by a color-coded Output Format LED. (See table above.) Once the input and output format have been selected, pressing the Enter key enables the selected format conversion.

Arrow Buttons
Used to navigate through the OSD. Also used to adjust slider controls in Picture Setting menu.

Enter
Used to select items in the OSD. It is also used to enable the currently selected input / output formats. Once the input and output formats have been selected, pressing the Enter key enables the selected formats. Once enabled, the Input and Output Format LEDs change to the appropriate color based on table above.

Reset
Resets the mini (same as a power cycle).

 

 

 

On Screen Display (OSD)

An On Screen Display, overlayed on the output video can be used to set and control the mini. Simply press the mini's front panel OSD button to get access to this graphic interface. The OSD, visible on the output display, can be controlled through the mini's front panel arrow keys. Use the up and down, left and right arrow keys to move through the 3 menu levels of the OSD, and to set the mini parameters.

With the Menu Position function, you can define where to OSD will appear on the output display:

• Center
• Top Left
• Top Right
• Bottom Left
• Bottom Right

 

 

 

WEB-based User Interface

The new mini now features an intuitive web-based user interface through which you can set and control the product's many functions. The interface can be controlled using Firefox, Chrome or Safari.

All of the mini's controls are located in the 7 tabs of the interface. When the user has an active connection to the Internet, an integrated translator can set the interface to display all text in any of the 50+ languages available. Simply select a language from the drop down menu.

 

Web Interface / Set an IP Static Address
The mini web interface is integrated to the product - you do not need to install a software. You may, however, need to set an IP address. Use the following steps to access the web interface:

• 1- Power on the mini and connect the output to an SDI monitor
• 2- Connect the computer you are using and the mini to the same ethernet network (via crossover cable, network switcher or router)
  
• 3- The default IP address for the mini is 192.168.1.50 and the default subnet mask is 255.255.255.0. If those addresses work for your network please proceed to step 12, otherwise continue with step 4
• 4- Turn on the OSD by pressing the OSD button on the front of the mini. Use the down arrow to move to the Setup Page - press enter
  
• 5- Use the down arrow to move to the Network Settings tab and press enter
• 6- Use the right arrow to progress through the octets of the IP address and subnet mask
  
• 7- Press enter for any octet you wish to change and use the up/down arrow to increment/decrement by 10 and right/left arrows to increment/decrement by 1
• 8- Once you have the desired setting press enter and proceed in a similar manner through each octet until the IP address and subnet mask are set as you require
• 9- Press the right or down arrow until you reach the "Invoke New IP Settings" selection and press enter
• 10- A message will appear asking you to Cycle Power on the Mini. Turn the mini OFF and turn it ON again to set the new IP address
• 11- Press the OSD button and scroll down to the information page. Verify that the new IP address is correct
• 12- Open a web browser (currently mini will support Chrome, Firefox or Safari) and enter the IP address for the mini
  

You should now have control of the mini over the web interface.

 

Setting a new Static IP address for the Web Interface
If you need to change the Static IP or subnet mask in the future you may use the above steps to change through the OSD.

If you are able to connect via the web interface and need to change the IP address settings you may also use the following instructions for the web interface:

• 1- Go to the Info/Status page and click on the button labeled "Set Static IP"
  
• 2- This will bring up a pop-up text box to enter the desired static IP address in the format www.xxx.yyy.zzz where each octet will accept a value of 0 to 255. Click OK. This will bring up a pop-up text box to enter the desired subnet mask in the same format as the IP address. Click OK.
  
• 3- This will bring up a pop-up box asking to confirm the IP address - click OK.
  
• 4- Finally, a pop-up box will ask you to cycle power the mini. Please turn the mini off and then back on to invoke the new settings for IP address and subnet mask.
  

Input / Output Settings

When you first access the I/O Settings tab of the Web Interface, dark blue buttons indicate the input and output formats previously set in the mini. Select the input and output format of your choice, and hit the Apply Formats button.

With your selection of input and output video formats, the mini performs Up/Down/Cross conversion or Frame Rate Conversion. Refer to the Format Conversions table for available conversions.

 

Where to find in Menus

 

 

 

Aspect Ratio Menu

The Aspect Ratio section of the I/O Settings tab provides access to the parameters listed below:

Common T&B
Common T&B ensures that the top and bottom edges of the input image match the top and bottom edges of the output aspect ratio. If the aspect ratio of the input video is 4:3 and it is passed on to a 16:9 display using the common top and bottom method (e.g. up-conversion), the original 4:3 image will appear centered in the 16:9 display with black bars, or pillars, on the left and right side.

If the input aspect ratio is 16:9 and it is passed on to a 4:3 display (e.g. down-conversion), the original image will be cropped on the left and right side so that the original image's top and bottom edges will be common to those of the output display. While this method maintains correct geometry and fills the entire output display, it also results in an overall loss of approximately 33.33% of the input information in the horizontal domain.

Common Sides (CS)
The Common Sides aspect ratio ensures that the left and right edges of the input image match the left and right edges of the output aspect ratio. If the input aspect ratio is 4:3 and the output aspect ratio is 16:9 (e.g. up-conversion), the left and right edges of the input image will be stretched to match the left and right edges of the output. In order to maintain correct geometry of the image, the input image is then stretched vertically as well. This has the same result as "zooming in" on the image. While this method maintains correct geometry and fills the entire output display, it also results in an overall loss of approximately 33.33% of the input information in the vertical domain. This loss of information is split evenly between the top and bottom of the image.

If the input aspect ratio is 16:9 and it is passed on to a 4:3 display (e.g. down-conversion), the image will appear centered in the 4:3 display with black bars at the top and bottom of the image (a letterbox display).

Anamorphic
Anamorphic mode is similar to Common Top and Bottom in that it ensures that the top and bottom edges of the input aspect ratio match the top and bottom edges of the output aspect ratio. However, it also stretches the image horizontally to fill the output 16:9 aspect ratio. This mode is designed for use with material that was originally captured with an anamorphic lens, thereby generating an output image with correct geometry when stretched horizontally to 16:9. When used with standard 4:3 material, it will have the effect of stretching the material horizontally, causing circles to appear as ovals, etc.

Flexview
Flexview, available in up-conversions only (480i59.94 to 720p59.94 & 1080i59.94 and 576i50 to 720p50 & 1080i50), is a non-linear anamorphic aspect ratio designed for use when converting 4:3 material to 16:9 without the traditional distortion of a normal anamorphic stretch. Flexview leaves the center portion of the image untouched, while providing increasing amounts of stretch towards the left and right edges of the image, filling the 16:9 image without distorting the center action area.

14:9
The fixed 14:9 mode scales the input image to occupy a 14:9 ratio area of the output display. For example, if the input aspect ratio is 4:3 and it is passed on to a 16:9 display, the input image will be stretched horizontally and vertically to fill a 14:9 ratio of the output image, leaving the 16:9 display with black bars (pillars) on the left and right side. While this method maintains correct geometry, it also results in an overall loss of approximately 16.6% of the input information in the vertical domain (half of what is lost when using the Common Sides mode). This loss of information is split evenly between the top and bottom of the image. If the input aspect ratio is 16:9 and it is passed on to a 4:3 ratio display, the output image will be cropped on the right and left side (also with an overall loss of approximately 16.6% of the input information), and will have black bars (letterboxed image) at the top and bottom of the image.

Where to find in Menus

 

 

 

Video (Picture) Settings (Proc Amp adjustments)

The Video Settings Menu in the Web Server (Picture Settings menu in OSD) provides access to the parameters listed below:

Video Gain Slider
Sets the overall amplitude of the output video signal.

• The range of the control is -6.00dB to +6.00dB, default = 0dB
• The single arrow keys increase or decrease the setting by 0.1
• The double arrow keys increase or decrease the setting by 1
• Pressing the Default key resets the value of this parameter to factory default.

Black Level Slider
Adjusts the black level of the output video signal.

• The range of the control is -30 mV to +30 mV, default = 0 mV
• The single arrow keys increase or decrease the setting by 1
• The double arrow keys increase or decrease the setting by 10
• Pressing the Default key resets the value of this parameter to factory default.

Hue Slider
Adjusts the phase of the output video signal.

• The range of the control is -179 degrees to +178 degrees, default = 0 degrees
• The single arrow keys increase or decrease the setting by 1
• The double arrow keys increase or decrease the setting by 10
• Pressing the Default key resets the value of this parameter to factory default.

Saturation Slider
Adjusts the Chroma Saturation of the output video signal.

• The range is -6.0dB to +6.0dB, default = 0dB
• The single arrow keys increase or decrease the setting by 0.1
• The double arrow keys increase or decrease the setting by 1
• Pressing the Default key resets the value of this parameter to factory default.

Sharpness Slider
Adjusts the Sharpness of the output video signal.

• The range of the control is -50 to +50, default = 50
• The single arrow keys increase or decrease the setting by 1
• The double arrow keys increase or decrease the setting by 10
• Pressing the Default key resets the value of this parameter to factory default.

Detail Enhancement Slider
Allows the user to soften or sharpen the detail in the image.

• The range of the control is 0 to 100, default = 0
• The single arrow keys increase or decrease the setting by 1
• The double arrow keys increase or decrease the setting by 10
• Pressing the Default key resets the value of this parameter to factory default.

Reset All

• Resets all values to factory default

 

Where to find in Menus

 

 

 

Audio Settings

Audio Error Checking

On
Enables Audio Error Checking. In this mode, the mini will not pass audio if there are any errors detected in the audio data.

Off
Disables Audio Error Checking. In this mode, the mini will pass audio with any errors detected in the audio data.

 

Where to find in Menus

 

 

 

Noise Reduction Level

The mini Noise Reducer is a motion adaptive temporal recursive filter that removes random and Gaussian noise. Each pixel in an image is labeled as motion, no motion, or noise. Each of these classes of pixels is treated differently in the noise reduction process. For pixels for which there is no motion, low-level Gaussian noise may be reduced via temporal processing by a weighted averaging over successive frames. For pixels labeled as random noise, spatial processing replaces these pixels. Pixels labeled as being ‘in motion’ are retained unchanged to avoid artifacts from being introduced through temporal processing.

Off
Disables the noise reduction filter

Low
Enables the Temporal Recursive Filter in the Low Noise Mode

Medium
Enables the Temporal Recursive Filter in the Medium Noise Mode

High
Enables the Temporal Recursive Filter in the High Noise Mode

 

Where to find in Menus

 

 

 

Split Screen

The Split Screen function allows the user to turn the split screen mode on or off.

On
Enables the split screen mode. In split screen mode, the left half of the image remains unprocessed and the right half shows the processing effect of the Temporal Recursive Noise Reduction.

Off
Disables the split screen mode.

 

Where to find in Menus

 

 

 

Source Menu

The Source Menu provides access to the parameters listed below:

Auto
This mode makes video/film decisions on the fly at the pixel level. This should be the default for most applications, especially if there is a mixture of video and film, or video credits over a film background.

Video
Select this mode if the source material is interlaced video material. This mode will optimize the algorithms for processing interlaced material.

Film
Select this mode when the source material is film-originated. This mode will optimize the algorithms for processing film-originated material and will weight the cadence decisions toward matching film frames when the cadence is mixed or broken.

 

Where to find in Menus

 

 

 

Time Code

Vertical Interval Timecode (VITC) processing is available for all conversions. The mini will auto detect the input timecode in the SDI stream, delay it according to the currently running conversion and then output the timecode in the SDI stream.

Time Code Output Line
Allows the user to select the output line on which timecode will be placed for standard definition outputs. High Definition outputs will always have timecode placed on line 9. Use the left and right arrows to select the line desired. Single arrows will increase or decrease the value in increments of 1 line, double arrows in increments of 10 lines.

• The range of the control for 480i59.94 outputs is 10 to 20, default = 14
• The range of the control for 576i50 outputs is 6 to 22, default = 19
• In HD video format outputs, timecode is always placed on line 9

 

Where to find in Menus

 

 

 

Presets

It is possible for the user to save all settings for the mini into one of five Preset memories and recall these settings when needed.

Power On
The configuration settings saved in the Power On selection will be automatically recalled by the mini at each power up.

Preset 2, 3, 4 & 5
Select the name under which the current configuration settings of the mini will be saved, or selects a configuration of the mini to recall to memory.

Load (Recall)
Loads the configuration settings contained in the selected preset into the mini.

Save
Saves the current configuration settings of the mini into the selected preset.

 

Where to find in Menus

 

 

 

Current Settings Information

Information on the mini's current settings is provided through 3 sources: The product's front panel, the OSD menu, and the Web interface menu. Refer to the Control Panel section of this manual, for information on the product's front panel.

Web Interface
In the Info/Status tab, the Web Interface provides the following information about the current settings of the mini:

• Firmware Revision
• Bootloader Revision
• FPGA Revision
• Serial Number of the internal PCB
• Product Name
• Status of the mini
  • No input / invalid input signal
  • Valid input signal
• Static Subnet
• Static IP Address
• MAC Address

OSD
The mini OSD provides the following information about the current settings of the mini:

 

• Input Resolution & Frame Rate
• Output Resolution & Frame Rate
• Serial Number of the internal PCB
• Firmware Revision
• Bootloader Revision
• Product Name
• IP Address

 

Where to find in Menus

Factory Default Settings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video & Audio I/O

• Serial Digital In - 1 x BNC SD/HD-SDI, 10-bit serial digital inputs at 1.485Gb/s - SMPTE 292-1997, audio embedding per SMPTE 299m or 270Mb/s - Rec 601 and audio embedding per SMPTE 272m
• Active Input Loop out - 1 x BNC SD/HD-SDI
• Serial Digital Out - 2 x BNC SD/HD-SDI, 10-bit serial digital outputs at 1.485Gb/s - SMPTE 292-1997, audio embedding per SMPTE 299m or 270Mb/s - Rec 601 and audio embedding per SMPTE 272m

Vertical Interval Time Code (VITC)

• Supports vertical interval timecode (VITC) delay to automatically match the video processing delay

Control

• OSD On Screen Display
• Ethernet RJ-45 Connector (for web server control and software updates)

Miscellaneous

• Power 12VDC, 15W (via supplied 120/240VAC-to-12VDC converter)
• Temperature 0  - 50 degrees C
• Dimensions 1.52” H x 5” W x 8.5” D (39mm H x 127mm W x 216mm D)
• Weight 1.8lbs (0.8kg)