XDCAM

Sony's Enhanced Solution for Closed Captioning
PDBZ-UPG02 Software Option for the PDW-HD1500/F1600 Recording Decks

Since it is required by FCC regulation to provide closed caption programming, all US broadcasters are managing closed captioning in their facilities using a variety of methods and equipment. The industry is in the transition period from SD to HD, and all broadcasters still need to be able to broadcast the SD material which was originally created for the NTSC transmission standards while still meeting the closed caption standards. In most cases, CEA-608 Line-21 captions are utilized and converted to CEA-708 captions. So far this conversion has been achieved by an external closed caption encoder/translator while the video is up-converted.

Sony is proud to introduce a more efficient and enhanced solution for this workflow; the PDBZ-UPG02 software option for the PDW-HD1500 and PDW-F1600 XDCAM HD422 decks. By installing this option, the decks can handle the CEA-608-to-CEA-708 closed caption conversion while the video signal is up-converted from SD to HD. This option can provide the broadcaster a very inexpensive solution for closed caption conversion while also eliminating the need to have a dedicated external caption translator. The PDBZ-UPG02 is planned to be available in March 2010 and the suggested list price is T.B.D.

What is CEA-608 to CEA-708 Conversion?

When we say "CEA-608 Line-21 is converted to CEA-708", the meaning is a bit vague and there are two different ways:

• The first way is a real translation from CEA-608 to CEA-708 caption data, which is exactly what is required by the FCC.
• The other way is just to put the CEA-608 data within a CEA-708 wrapper (VANC), which is sometimes called "608 compatibility bytes".

The PDBZ-UPG02 software option supports both ways.

The CEA-708 standard allows containing this "608 compatibility bytes" which would be used to re-create the line-21 caption at a later time. The PDBZ-UPG02 software option also utilizes it, which means, if an HD recorded video file has CEA-708 VANC with "608 compatibility bytes" and is played back, the down-converted output from a SD-SDI or composite interface can have the CEA-608 Line-21 caption.

PDW-HD1500/F1600 Closed Captioning Features;
(Yellow highlighted enhancements are available by installing the PDBZ-UPG02 option.)

• CEA-608 Line-21 caption can be preserved while SD recording and playback.*
• CEA-708 VANC caption can be preserved while HD recording and playback
• When an SD-SDI input signal has a CEA-608 Line-21 caption, the up-conversion HD recording can have CEA-708 VANC. This VANC includes both translated CEA-708 data and CEA-608 legacy data.
• When playing back an SD file with a CEA-608 caption, the up-converted HD-SDI output signal has CEA-708 VANC. This VANC includes both translated CEA-708 data and CEA-608 legacy data.*
• When an SD-SDI input signal has a CEA-608 Line-21 caption, the up-converted E-E HD-SDI output signal has CEA-708 VANC. This VANC includes both translated CEA-708 data and CEA-608 legacy data.
• CEA-708 VANC caption can be preserved while cross-conversion playback between 1080i and 720P.
• When playing back an HD file with a CEA-708 VANC including CEA-608 legacy data, the down-converted SD output signal (SD-SDI/Composite) can have CEA-608 Line-21 caption.

*PDBK-S1500 option installation is necessary for SD recording and playback in the PDW-HD1500.

Closed Caption conversion by PDBZ-UPG02