Avenue 9425 Layering Engine

Use Ensemble’s Avenue Layering Engine for broadcast, live venues and presentation. With two, independent linear keyers, program/preset background transitions, and audio mixing and breakaway, it’s an agile and flexible solution to combining audio and video content. Inputs can be driven by SDI signals from cameras, remote feeds, character generators, graphic and stillstore systems and video servers. The full range of SDI signals from SD to HD and 3G formats are supported. Realtime processing and low latency make it easy to integrate – even in complex signal chains.

Powerful, Flexible Keying and Layering

The Avenue Layering Engine has two independent overlay keyers. The keyers support linear, luminance and additive keying from a variety of video sources. In linear and additive modes, external key signals are faithfully passed to the overlay combiners with the option of user adjustments to fine-tune the effect with hi/lo clip. When operating as a luminance keyer, the key signal processor provides precise control over the clip and gain functions used to extract a self-key from the fill video.

Overlay content from both live and still sources can be re-positioned and masked. A drop shadow effect, with variable position and density, can be added to any type of overlay – either from live video or the LogoStore. Each keyer has a color matte generator which can provide the fill video.

The extensive features of the Avenue Layering Engine span a wide range of applications. This broad repertoire is matched by an intuitive interface that puts comprehensive control of every element at your fingertips. Keyer presets will recall the entire configuration of a layer with a single touch or keystroke.

The visual interface displays thumbnail views of connected sources and the content stored in the LogoStore. Input signals and control parameters are clearly presented and easily adjusted.

Hard Surface Operator Control Panel

The Avenue 5825 Layering Engine Control Panel is a real panel with real buttons to control keying and vision mixing functions positively and instantly.

The panel features a front panel LCD display that shows thumbnails of sources allowing instant verification of switching selections. When used alongside the award winning web browser interface that can be accessed with any web browser enabled device such as an iPad or laptop computer, all of the functionality of the powerful switching and keying system can be harnessed in a compact, easy-to-use control position. The control panel is connected via IP allowing access from anywhere on the network, and can be powered via POE for easy, single wire hook up. Source selection, cuts, dissolves, and three levels of keying can be independently controlled via the panel.

The Avenue 5825 panel works with other interfaces making it the perfect solution for use with automation. The operator can quickly and positively override automation functions in the event of a service disruption or equipment failure.

EAS and Downstream Keyer Option

Add the 9425-XK option for additional keying capability. The downstream keyer provides a third layer of keying, drawing from stills and animations in the Layering Engine’s LogoStore. A basic character generator is included for producing a lower-third crawl.

The 9425-XK also provides CAP compliant EAS insertion. Three signals are from the external EAS receiver: a GPI command to put the announcement on air is fed from a 3rd party device, an RS-232 ASCII data that feeds the character generator is also fed from the 3rd party device, and a live audio signal that is to be played out with the scrolling CGEN. This signal is brought in through an input on the Layering Engine and it can be either embedded on an SDI signal or delivered as an AES stream.

LogoStore

Logos and Graphics created with paint and animation applications can be loaded into the Avenue Layering Engine’s LogoStore through a web interface. These elements can then be keyed and combined with live video inputs. The user interface makes it easy to choose from multiple graphics in each keyer, even in a live environment.
The Positioning and Masking features can be applied to LogoStore content.

Combined with Keyer Presets, these features allow a single logo to be used in a variety of ways. The LogoStore’s non-volatile memory is a great solution to sourcing lower third supers, branding logos, watermarks, and even full screen titles.

Basic Configuration

The base hardware configuration has 8 inputs and 2 outputs. Any of the inputs can be used as background video, key fill or source, or audio breakaway and voiceover. The two outputs can be assigned as program and look-ahead preview for live switching applications.

Flexible Configuration

Alternate configurations are available for every application, from remote trucks to news bureaus to presentation. The Layering Engine can be expanded to 30 configurable I/O ports where any port can be used as an input or an output. This additional flexibility allows you to have video effects, audio mixing and routing functionality in one convenient package. Here’s a cost effective way to have keying and routing all in one, integrated system.

Timing and Synchronization

The Avenue Layering Engine genlocks to a house reference signal, allowing you to time the effects output to match system requirements in your facility. Even asynchronous (wild) sources can be used as inputs to the layering engine. Each input incorporates a frame synchronizer, automatically correcting each source to match system timing. When no external reference is available, as in a flypack system, a stable internal reference signal is used.

Complete Audio

Comprehensive audio support is built-in to the Avenue Layering Engine. The primary audio output can be taken automatically from the embedded content in the currently selected background video source. This AFV (Audio Follow Video) mode will produce smooth, pop-free audio transitions that duplicate the background video – whether cutting or mixing. Alternately, the audio can be selected independently (Audio Breakaway) of the background video so that it comes from the embedded content of any connected source.

16 channels of embedded audio are supported throughout the entire processing chain. The channel swapping feature of the SDI port configuration tool allows full customization on an input by input basis.

You’re In Control

Through a web interface you have complete control over the configuration and operation of this powerful layering engine. The intuitive iPad control interface gives you full control over the mix/effect with program and preview thumbnails and comprehensive view of all graphic layers. Use an iPad or web browser to quickly and easily create keyed presets that can be recalled on-air by automation systems. Automation commands can be overridden and live switching can take place using the operation control panel.

Plus, there’s an equally complete automation protocol, via TCP/IP or RS-232 interfaces, allowing integration into every type of application, including channel branding, master control, fly-pack, DSK and centralcasting.