Eyeheight chosen for BBC children's programme

The BBC has chosen Eyeheight's SQ-500 Aspect Ratio Converter as part of a major refurbishment to Studio D, Elstree, to be used for the production of a new children's magazine programme.
The SQ-500 is bi-directional and allows 4:3 pictures to be converted quickly and inexpensively to and from 16:9, 15:9 and 14:9 letterbox, 4:3 full frame and 2.35 or 1.85 anamorphic formats. A flexible zoom mode allows source video to be compressed and expanded horizontally and vertically to cater for unusual applications.
Incorporating 525/625 auto-sensing, the SQ-500 uses field-based processing with horizontal/vertical filters of 33 pixels/lines. It is transparent to all horizontal and vertical auxiliary information, including vertical interval with embedded audio and auxiliary data. Pictures can be variably blanked on the left and right hand edges. Operational horizontal and vertical movement of the converted picture is possible from the front panel or remotely along with horizontal and vertical aperture correction (sharpness). PAL/NTSC video and analogue audio outputs are included as standard, with digital to analogue conversion of AES input plus RGB/YUV and Y/C outputs available. Digital noise reduction is included, allowing the SQ-500 to feed direct to MPEG encoders.
Four user memories and two assignable GPI inputs are provided for retention of custom settings. The SQ-500 passes ancillary data such as embedded audio and timecode. An AES/EBU delay synchronises audio to the processed SDI video, eliminating the need for external audio delay devices. Other features include redundant power supplies and battery supported control settings. Up to two SQ-500 modules can be accommodated in a single 1 U UNI-Box under local or remote control.
Refurbishment of the 12-year-old Studio D was undertaken by Letchworth-based systems installation specialist ATG Broadcast.
(GB)