Video Test Equipment

Video Test Equipment

Waveform Monitors, Rasterizers, and Video Signal Generators are used in the broadcast industry for troubleshooting, testing, and synchronization of television and video systems

Waveform Monitors

Waveform Monitors are specialized oscilloscopes for video and TV production applications. Like an oscilloscope, it can display voltage over time, but plus additional features.

Selection Considerations and Unique features of Waveform Monitors over Oscilloscopes

• Display the video picture along with signal level
• Audio option and Audio Only models
• Usually 2 inputs are standard. Some models monitor 1 input at a time. Better models handle both simultaneously
• Models include standard inputs such as HD/SD-SDI. Better models will also include Dual Link and 3G
• Standard format is 2K resolution. Better models will handle the next generation 4K format
• Eye pattern and Jitter displays
• Monitors R,G,B Levels and Composite Gamut
• Screen Size
• Style: Bench/Rack/Portable

Rasterizers

Rasterization (or rasterisation) is the task of taking an image described in a vector graphics format (shapes) and converting it into a raster image (pixels or dots) for output on a video display or printer, or for storage in a bitmap file format.

In normal usage, the term refers to the popular rendering algorithm for displaying three-dimensional shapes on a computer. Rasterisation is currently the most popular technique for producing real-time 3D computer graphics. Real-time applications need to respond immediately to user input, and generally need to produce frame rates of at least 24 frames per second to achieve smooth animation.

Compared with other rendering techniques such as ray tracing, rasterization is extremely fast. However, rasterization is simply the process of computing the mapping from scene geometry to pixels and does not prescribe a particular way to compute the color of those pixels. Shading, including programmable shading, may be based on physical light transport, or artistic intent.
 

Video Signal Generator

A video signal generator, as the name implies, is a specialized signal generator that outputs video signals for troubleshooting, testing, and synchronization of television and video systems. 

Basic Selection Criteria for Video Signal Generators

• Function of the Video Signal Generator
  • est Signals or Patterns are generated  for troubleshooting and analyzing television systems
  • Sync Pulse Generators output master synchronization signals for production, post production, component and systems maintenance and the engineering lab. Analog signals would contain horizontal and vertical sync pulses and colorburst sync signals for NTSC and PAL composite video signals
• Video Formats and Interface Standards supported by the Video Signal Generator
• Expandable/Configurable Video Signal Generators
• Some models have a rack mount mainframe with various plug-in modules to enable the output of signals (i.e. HDTV, SDTV, DV-I), sync signals, and analog signals. With these signals and genlock functions, timing is settable in increments of frames, lines, pixels or clock intervals. Generate monoscope, color bar, ramp, crosshatch, multiburst, character, and other test patterns. Users can customize the signal generator as desired
• Lower cost pocket /handheld size video generators