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PRODUCT SHOWCASE
Neutrik A2 has digital
audio measurement
Amber Technology has announc
ed a digital measurement option
for the Neutrik AZ audio test and
measurement system.
The digital option is available
with new instruments or as a retrofit
to all existing AZ systems. When
so fitted, an AZ instrument will
automatic
ally detect analog and
digital sig
nals, switching to the
appropriate mode.
Able to read and write AES/EBU
and IEC958 (SPDIF) formats, it provides electrical analysis of the digital
bit stream and displays all important
status information like sample frequency, user bits, channel status and
digital format.
Features provided include audio
level metering calibrated in dBF (dB
full-scale); high performance D/A con
version providing an analog signal to
the analyser section for level, noise,
distortion and phase measurements;
monitoring of the converted signal on
the internal loudspeaker and headphone output; selectable sampling
rates; and user-definable status information for the digital generator.
Neutrik has also announced enhanced specifications and increased
processing speed for the AZ Audio
Measurement System. These enhancements include generator and analyser
section flatness of ±.05dB (20Hz to
40kHz) and residual THD + Noise
<-90dB (0.003%); and an additional
IMD signal with 1:1 level ratio for the
generator section. In addition, the
analyser now handles IMD signals
with a 1:1 ratio.
Also announced is a free software
upgrade for all AZ instruments to
V2.0 which includes a revised user's
manual at no extra charge.
V2.0 includes numerous system improvements. These improvements are
as follows: frequency, amplitude, time
and table sweeps; load imped
ance
measurement; new remote con
trol
commands for settled measurements;
and a wide variety of printer drivers
Fluke TV/video signal
generators
Fluke Corporation has announc
ed the introduction of three new
models in its PM 5410 TV signal
generator line. The new units in
corporate BTSC signals for testing
MTS Stereo/SAP equipped TV/
video products.
Other new features recently
added to the line include test
pat
terns for 16 x 9 wide screen
television, Y/C video outputs for
S-VHS and Hi-8 recorders, VPS/
PDC for automated video recorder
operations and Teletext functions
for information delivery systems
in use worldwide.
The new test functions provide
main channel (L+ R), pilot, stereo
(L-R) and SAP sound test signals
in accordance with BTSC stand
ards. Available in NTSC M, N and
PAL modes, these signals are suit
88 Silicon Chip
able for testing frequency response,
alignment, total harmonic distor
tion (THD), channel separation and
SAP level adjustment, as well as
other aspects of the TV set or video
product's stereo/SAP decoder sec
tion. Where appropriate, signals are
compressed in accordance with the
BTSC standard to match the condition actually existing in broadcast
systems.
For further information on the PM
5410 TV signal generator, contact
Philips Scientific and Indus
trial,
34 Waterloo Rd, North Ryde, NSW
2113. Phone (02) 888 8222.
including HP-DeskJet and
LaserJet printers.
For futher information on
the Neutrik A2 audio test and
measurement system, contact
Amber Technology, Unit B, 5
Skyline Place, Frenchs Forest,
NSW 2086. Phone (02) 975
1211.
Siren driver IC
from Zetex
Zetex has released a new
siren driver IC, the ZSD100.
A replacement for dual 555
and more elaborate circuits,
the chip needs just two timing
capacitors, a Darlington tran
sistor, a piezo transducer and
a coupling transformer in or
der to produce an ear-piercing
alarm.
The ZSD100 is able to
generate a frequency at up to
10kHz and a low frequency
sweep signal at up to 10Hz.
It also contains divide by two
and output driver stages – all
that is required for a low cost
siren driver for burglar and
automotive alarms.
Available in 8-pin DIL or
surface mount packaging, the
ZSD100 will operate at sup
ply voltages from 4-18V at a
current of 10mA, dropping
down to 1µA in sleep mode.
Maximum power dissipation
is 625mW and temperature
range is -40 to +125 degrees
Celsius.
For further information,
contact GEC Electronics Division, Unit 1/38 South Street,
Rydalmere, NSW 2116. Phone
(02) 638 1888.
Mailbag – from page 3
to the surround channel is calculated
to suit the size of the auditorium.
Most cinemas these days use a delay
of between 60 and 80ms.
The "big" sound of cinemas you
refer to is more a result of big auditoriums and good subwoofers, not
a result of the delayed surround
channel. The digital sound systems
now in use in many cinemas have no
delay to the surround channel, yet
we still hear that "big" sound.
Dolby digital had absolutely nothing to do with the success of "Jurassic
Park". This film was released using
the DTS (Digital Theatre Systems)
format, not Dolby digital. DTS uses
a digital sound on a CD-ROM, locked
to the film by a timecode track on the
edge of the film. There have been
many more releases in DTS than in
SRD. DTS has been installed in many
cin emas across Australia, both independents and the big chains, whereas
Dolby digital has been installed in
only a handful of cinemas.
G. Warren,
Wagga Wagga, NSW.
You are right about Jurassic Park
and its release in DTS although it
was also recorded using Dolby and
has now been released on video in
Dolby form.
February 1995 89
Tiny CCD
video cameras
Allthing3 Sales & Service has released a new expanded range of CCD
video camera modules which includes
a tiny "Matchbox" sized camera measuring just 32 x 32 x 23mm, including
lens, and weighing only 20 grams.
These modules require a 12V DC
supply and can be connected to any
standard video input on a TV, video
monitor, VCR, etc.
Features include auto-iris-exposure with 1/50 to 10 microsecond
exposure, high resolution 320,000
pixel CCD, vertical reset capability
for roll free images when switching
between cameras, 8-14V DC supply
range, 100mA consumption, better
than 50dB signal-to-noise ratio, low
light and infrared sensitivity, shock &
vibration resistance and CCIR PAL 1V
composite 75W video output.
Complete modules are available
with wide angle lenses from 2.94.3mm with a diagonal coverage of
78-110°. Focus is adjustable from a few
millimetres to infinity. Also available
are modules complete with infrared
light emitting diodes for illumination
in total darkness. For servicing existing cameras, modules are avail
able
with standard C & CS lens mounts, to
economically upgrade old cameras.
Uses for these modules include concealed surveillance, front door monitoring, robotics, digitising, rear vision
systems for trucks and buses, alarm
systems, CCTV and video intercoms.
They are priced from $199.
For further information, contact
Allthings Sales & Services, PO Box 25,
Northlands, WA 6021. Phone (09) 349
9413 or fax (09) 349 9413.
Microchine PC board
excavation system
Those involved in the repair of multilayer PC boards
will be interested in this new miniature drilling and
milling machine. Called the Pace Microchine, it is
intended for the controlled· removal of board conformal coatings and copper tracks on outside and
intermediate layers.
The unit has a handpiece with quiet, low vibration
operation and smooth start to selected speeds between
2500 and 10,000rpm.
Closed loop tachometric feedback maintains drilling
and milling speeds under varying loads while torque
limiting circuitry helps prevent overload damage. Dynamic braking stops the shaft immediately the finger
switch is released.
For safe multilayer repair, the convenient "probe
brake" feature allows controlled machining to selected
layer depths without
damage.
For further infor
mation on the Pace
Microchine, contact
Solder Static Pty
Ltd, Unit 14/262
Miller Rd, Villawood
2163. Phone (02) 725
6211.
90 Silicon Chip
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