Digital Master Control Switcher - The Future of Media Systems

QMC
The
Digital Master Control Switcher
Summary of key features
■ Built-in protection for your signal
path. Emergency and Relay Bypass
inputs are standard. Redundant power
supply is optional and even a
redundant signal channel can be
fitted.
■ Designed for on-air maintainability
with easily removable boards and
power supplies that can be hotplugged.
■ High return on investment due to cost
effective design, small footprint and
reduced operator training needs.
■ Powerful audio capabilities with
multi-format I/O, channel shuffling,
two voice-overs and sample rate
conversion.
■ User configurable control panels
support scalable configurations to
meet all operational needs.
■ 4 key layers including internal Logo-
Store for channel branding.
■ Optional DVE for squeeze-backs,
aspect ratio conversion and transition
effects.
■ Automation control supported by all
leading station automation systems.
■ Intuitive PC software to configure and
update the system.
■ Flexible range of audio and video
transitions.
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Introducing the Quartz QMC - the comprehensive Digital
Master Control Switcher designed to satisfy the demands
of automated and manual presentation.
■ Open connectivity to third party
routers. Multiple serial channels for
external device I/O operations.
■ Scalable multi-channel design, allows
mix-and-match of panels and channel
hardware to suit all budgets and
requirements.
■ Programmable logic design opens
future upgrade path for enhanced
feature set.
QMC Auxiliary Control Panel
QMC Control Panel
QMC Frame
QMC Rear Panel
PGM
PST

QMC
The
Automation & Manual Control
With many master control systems being
driven primarily from automation control,
the ability to operate manually should be
seamless and user friendly. The QMC panel
is presented in a simple and logical layout
to allow the operator fast access to all the
important features. The active LCD
displays in each button allow
customization of the panel to suit the
station’s operation and style.
Connection to the QMC is via industry
standard protocol and programmable
input/output GPIs. With each channel of
QMC being controlled by a separate
automation connection, redundancy is
further enhanced in a multiple channel
system.
Upstream router control is by Quartz
Q-Link or one of the many serial protocols
for use with third party routers and can
be automation or QMC driven.
One of the many new features introduced
on the QMC is the ability to keep the
panel live during automation control.
Alternatively, any combination of panel
buttons can be deactivated to suit
operational preferences.
In larger systems a master control panel
can be set to ‘master / slave’ mode,
whereby the master panel can control
from one to all of the QMC channels.
Applications include controlling multiple
channels when many of the channels take
a single feed under single operator
control.
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The QMC offers powerful and effective control
facilities. With flexible redundancy and manual override
configurations the QMC provides a dependable system.
To simplify system integration, the QMC
provides an ‘as run log’ as standard. This
can be set to time/date stamp any user
panel operation on an external PC.
STATION
ROUTER
QMC
QMC
QMC
QMC
SERVER 1
SERVER 2
VTR 1
VTR 2
CAMERA 1
CAMERA 2
SATELLITE 1
SATELLITE 2
STILL STORE 1
STILL STORE 2
QMC Set-up Software
Extensive configurable features including
multi-channel systems, panel button functions,
keyers, logo store and transaction logging.
QMC
CHANNEL 1
CHANNEL 2
CHANNEL 3 PROGRAM
CHANNEL 4 AND PREVIEW
OUTPUTS
PST
AUTOMATION
QMC AND
AUXILIARY
CONTROL
PANELS

QMC
The
The Logo store and keying options
The versatile logo store typically stores 20 images
in non-volatile RAM. These images can be user
positioned on the preview output before taking to
air. Extra images can be stored in a suitable PC and
downloaded to the QMC.
The QMC offers up to 4 layers of keying, including
logo store. Each key layer is user configurable and
can be operated independently. Under automation
control, the keys are fully accessible along with
manual overrides. External key feeds present fill and
key signals to each keyer input. The wide range of
keying modes is designed to suit most keying
applications. Key layering like many features is
user assignable from the control panel.
QTV CENTRE
09.12
QTV
DIGITAL
NEWS
SOUTHAMPTON
5
RAILLINE DEADLINE
Railline's been told to keep its
deadline to return normal service
FTSE
5606.5
54.9
The QMC satisfies the increasing demand for channel
identification with flexible logo and key options.
Ideal for news and live transitions, squeeze-back effects and
aspect ratio conversion.
SOUTHAMPTON LIVE
09.14
QTV
DIGITAL
NEWS
DVE
RAILLINE DEADLINE
Railline's been told to keep its
deadline to return normal service
The frame-based DVE option provides a
dynamic range of picture size and movement
options. These include aspect ratio resizing,
4:3-16:9, picture resizing, picture positioning
and flying keys.
The use of the DVE channel allows full
preview capability over a live background
channel. Squeeze-backs are fully configurable
and follow user created flight-paths, these
can be stored and later recalled from the
main panel.
Reduced sized pictures can overlay a main
program feed with user configurable cropping
and borders with hard or soft edges.
Important to all DVEs is the user interface.
The QMC makes full use of its intuitive PC
interface to generate DVE moves off-line
ready to use in live broadcasts. Control is
from the panel or external GPI inputs.
FTSE
5606.5
54.9

Features
VIDEO
Flexibility is vital when implementing master
control; the QMC’s video section has been
designed to offer a versatile range of I/O to meet
the growing demands of multi-channel playout.
Scalable inputs are presented from an upstream
router with two outputs connected to the QMC
program and preset inputs. The router can also be
configured to switch inputs to the three external
key layer inputs for more versatility.
Emergency and Bypass inputs from strategic
feeds protect the program output against
equipment failure.
The ‘lookahead’ preview output shows the effect
of the next transition prior to the ‘Take’ in both
SDI and composite outputs.
AUDIO
The QMC covers all the main audio formats,
embedded, digital (AES) and analogue for all the
main inputs and outputs. No external embedders
or de-embedders are required, simplifying system
build and timing issues.
Internal sampling is at 48kHz. With sample rate
converters on all digital inputs, sources ranging
from broadcast to unlocked 44.1kHz CD players
can be used.
The two voice-over inputs can be presented in
digital or analogue formats with user selectable
transitions set from the control panel. Preview
output allows ‘pre-hear’ monitoring before taking
to air.
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EMERGENCY
VOICE
OVER
1
VOICE
OVER
2
PGM
PST
BYPASS
REF
EMERGENCY
FILL
KEY 3
KEY
FILL
KEY 2
KEY
FILL
KEY 1
KEY
PGM
PST
AES
ANALOGUE
AES
ANALOGUE
AES
ANALOGUE
AES
BYPASS
A/D
AES
A/D
EXTRACTED FROM VIDEO
BYPASS
ANALOGUE
EXTRACTED FROM VIDEO
AES
ANALOGUE
LOGO
STORE
EXTRACT
AUDIO
AUDIO
EXTRACT
AUDIO
AUDIO
AES
A/D
AES
AES
A/D
AES
A/D
REF
EMERGENCY
FILL
KEY
FILL
KEY
FILL
KEY
FILL
KEY
PGM
PST
EMERGENCY
VOICE
OVER
1
VOICE
OVER
2
PGM
PST
VIDEO
SECTION
AUDIO
SECTION
PGM
PV
AUX
PGM
PV
AUX
EMBED
AUDIO
AUDIO
AUDIO
EMBED
AUDIO
EMBEDDER SELECTABLE
TO EITHER OUTPUT
EMBED
AUDIO
AUDIO
AES
D/A
AES
D/A
ENCODER
BYPASS
RELAY
BYPASS
BYPASS
RELAY
BYPASS
RELAY
BYPASS
PGM 1
MAIN
PGM 2
RESERVE
PV 1
PV 2
PV
PAL/NTSC
PV
PAL/NTSC
AUX 1
AUX 2
TO VIDEO
PGM
MAIN
AES
PGM
RESERVE
AES
PGM
MAIN
ANALOGUE
PGM
RESERVE
ANALOGUE
PV
AES
PV
ANALOGUE
TO VIDEO

Controls
The flexible architecture of the QMC
removes many barriers associated with
traditional master control systems.
Large panel solutions are not suited to
multi-channel playout where space is often
at a premium. The QMC design is optimized
for size and ease of use. This produces a
cost effective solution that permits
multiple panels to be located in the same
area and dedicated to specific channels.
For those who prefer a delegated approach,
not only does the QMC support this mode,
it also has the flexibility to change modes
as the program requires during the
broadcast day. Today’s broadcasters need
master control playout systems that can be
tailored in this way to their content and
house styles. The QMC’s ‘soft’ control panel
can be fully customized to meet these and
future demands.
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PGM
PST
The pre-set buttons are usually configured
on the bottom row with the program
buttons on the top row; all transition,
voice-overs and automation related keys
are located on the right.
To provide even more controllability, the
optional 1U auxiliary control panel can be
used. Typical features allocated to this
panel include audio gains, audio shuffling
and menus.
Since all panel buttons are user
configurable from the wide range of
available options, the optimum keyboard
layout can be configured to suit most
playout applications. In larger systems
there may be a number of strategically
placed master panels with full capability to
minimise the potential of accidental button
presses. Operator panels can be configured
with a reduced set of functions to suit the
operation.
Auxiliary Control Panel
Main Control Panel

Technical
VIDEO
■ Transitions include:
V-fade, Mix/dissolve and Cut, all with
user programmable transition profiles.
■ Key Layers:
Three layers of keys from external live
sources, range of key types include
additive or multiplicative and invert.
■ Optional Logo Store:
Logo store provides the fourth layer of
keying, logos generated and
downloaded from configuration PC, up
to 20 logos stored in non-volatile RAM.
■ Program and Preview Outputs:
Two program outputs, one protected by
relay bypass, can be manually operated.
Preview output shows result of next
event in SDI and composite formats.
■ Auxiliary Output:
Clean feed output, can be user set to
any input and can bypass key layers.
LOGO STORE
■ Logo Types:
Program and station logos, static or
animated.
■ Positioning:
Logos can appear on any of the key
layers at any screen position, with fully
co-ordinated read out.
■ Logo Communications:
Logos downloaded from set up PC with
supplied QMC software.
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AUDIO
■ Formats:
For channel embedded, AES/EBU digital
audio, optional analogue or a mixture.
■ Voice-overs:
Two independent stereo voice-over
channels in digital or analogue formats
with manual or automation control.
■ Digital Inputs:
Internal processing at 48kHz with
sample rate converters on all digital
inputs. Support for 44.1 and 48kHz
sources.
■ Program Outputs:
Two program outputs, one relay
protected. Digital AES and analogue
outputs, embedding and de-embedding
internal to the unit simplifying
planning and installation.
■ Audio Lead and Lag:
User selectable lead or lag from the
control panel, for AES and analogue
inputs.
■ Processing:
Sampling 48kHz at 20bit resolution
synchronized to the video signal.
Conforms to AES-3 specification.
PGM
PST

EMERGENCY
■ Service:
Front panel access, hot pluggable modules
and PSUs, manual control of relay bypass
relays to take unit out of circuit.
■ Emergency:
User selectable emergency input protects
against loss of upstream equipment.
■ Relay Bypass:
Protection against total power failure to the
QMC or unit failure.
PROCESSING
■ Video:
10 bit serial SDI inputs and outputs.
■ Reference:
All inputs synchronised to digital reference
input +/- 1/2 line timing window.
■ EDH:
EDH on all outputs.
■ SMPTE Specifications:
Conforms to SMPTE 259M, RP-168.
PHYSICAL
■ Dimensions: (HxWxD)
Mainframe 3U(133mm) x 485mm x 485mm
Control panel 1U (44mm) x 485mm x 130mm
1U control panel 2U (88mm) x 485mm x 130mm
■ Weights:
Mainframe 13kg 28.66lbs
Main control panel 3.7kg 8.16lbs
Auxiliary control panel 1.85kg 4.08lbs
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CONTROL
■ Multiple Channel Configurations:
Support of multi-channel configurations. Systems can be
configured as multi-panel, multi-channel or both.
■ Q-Link Interfacing:
Quartz proven Q-Link interfacing using standard 75 ohm
video cable between panels and QMC channels. Two Q-
Link ports permit more complex system topologies.
■ Router Control:
Dedicated serial lines or Q-Link control of upstream
routers, interfacing to many router types.
■ GPI and Tallies:
8 user programmable I/O GPIs
and 8 tallies outputs.
ORDERING INFORMATION
QMC Master Control Switcher
The frame can be equipped with one or two switcher/mixer
channels. Each channel is equipped with PGM & PST plus one
key level, two voice-over inputs, embedded or AES audio and
single power supply. Options available include control panel,
two additional external key layers, logo store and key,
analogue audio and redundant power supply. A complete
second channel can be added.
Part number Description
QMC-MCS Master Control Switcher
QMC-CH2 Additional Switcher/Mixer Channel
QMC-KEY Additional Key Layer
QMC-AA Analogue Audio Option
QMC-Logo Logo Option
QMC-PS Power Supply - QMC Master
Control Switcher
QMC-CP Control Panel