Disguise purchased a new LeaderPhabrix LPX500 and other PHABRIX T&M solutions to validate the video outputs of Disguise’s hardware, and support operation of R&D automated test suites.
SxE portable devices for 3G/HD/SD generation, analysis and monitoring
Disguise develops integrated software, hardware and cloud technology, supplied with creative and technical services and used to produce visual experiences ranging from concert tours for pop singers, to immersive installations, live broadcasts, virtual production and brand activations.
The need to test and ensure the compliance of a variety of Disguise hardware products against the SMPTE SDI and ST 2110 IP standards has recently led to the purchase of a new LeaderPhabrix LPX500 waveform monitor, from Leader Electronics of Europe. With tools to address 100G-IP and 12G-SDI signals, the LPX500 is the first in a new lineup of video analysis and generation instruments under the new ‘LeaderPhabrix’ brand.
Supporting four fully independent analyzers, the LPX500 enables the simultaneous display and monitoring of four IP/SDI, HD/UHD and/or SDR/HDR video source inputs. Disguise’s LPX500 also supports UHD and 4K HFR (High Frame Rate) extended video formats in ST 2110.
Within its R&D department, alongside the LPX500 waveform monitor, the Disguise team now uses various PHABRIX units, including a QxP portable waveform monitor and QxL rasterizers for 25G IP ST 2110 analysis, Qx rasterizers for hybrid IP/SDI analysis. Several SxE portable devices are used for 3G/HD/SD generation, analysis and monitoring. Disguise also has a manufacturing division that uses several Qx devices in service centres and on production lines.
LeaderPhabrix LPX500 waveform monitor
The company’s Senior Embedded Software Engineer Jack Cripps commented on the instruments’ their ease of use across their R&D and manufacturing teams, and the ability to operate them remotely. “A major element in our network rack, the QxL is used to benchmark and test our IP Video Format Conversion (IP-VFC) 12G-SDI and ST2110 cards throughout the development process,” Jack said.
“Our QA team also performs hardware-in-the-loop testing on some of our VFC and capture cards using the Qx range analysis and generator tools. The API is used to verify that our inputs and outputs conform to industry standards across a huge range of formats and scenarios.”
The PHABRIX units have made it possible to develop and run automated test suites as well. Disguise Principal FPGA Engineer Peter Brown noted, “We use these to establish where our products are not compliant with the SMPTE standards before we release them. This way, we can rectify any discrepancies before they cause our customers a problem.”
Martin Mulligan, COO, Leader Electronics of Europe, said, “Since many of our customers are working with both SDI and IP video, the need for T&M solutions that can ensure compliance against multiple industry standards remains high. Supporting a variety of standards and operational modes has always been a priority for Leader Electronics of Europe. We are pleased to know that Disguise, a pioneer in technology for live video and entertainment, relies widely on our T&M products across its R&D and manufacturing departments.” leaderphabrix.com
