Product Description
TV Cursor Generator for HD and SD operation
Precision Graticules for HD-SDI: 1920~1280/SD720: 24/25/30/48/50/60 I/P/S
Fixed Cursors automatically track the TV Standard Detected
Aspect
Ratio
Conversion
and
Standards
Conversion
between
TV
formats
is
an
every
day
occurrence,
and
the
functionality
and
intuitive
ease
of
operation
which
has
been
a
hall
mark
of
the
Murraypro
CAGEs
since
first
inception,
and
release,
in
the
mid
'70s, is retained along with the intuitive "look and feel" of our earlier CAGE-2K.
CAGE
HD/SD
superimposes
accurately
computed
cursors
that
mark
the
specified
zones
within
which
it
is
deemed
"safe"
to
include either important "Action", or critical "Graphics" material.
Designed to be added to the SDI video feed ‘upstream’ of the TV monitor, it appears effectively "in series" with the Monitoring
line. Our 5th generation CAGE-HD/SD automatically configures itself to the TV Standard detected, loading cursors selected
from the internal Library via the front panel page selector.
This is a far cry from the original ‘Graphics Safe’ concept when our original CAGE provided Broadcast Professionals with an
80% graticule showing the very conservative 80% zone that was then considered ‘safe’ for captions with the often poorly set up
TVs at home; it also eliminated Post-Production doubt regarding caption ‘centering’ whilst compensating for linearity errors and
twisted scans on dubious CRT monitors.
Double press action ON/ON of an individual Page key will toggle the CAGE-HD/SD between two (usually) closely related
cursors, such as "16:9 StP 14:9 Action" or "16:9 StP 14:9 Graphics" (= ‘Shoot to Protect’), for example. When using 625/50Hz
Standard with a digital line length of 720 pixels, cursors are always calculated with respect to an effective picture width of 702
pixels, conforming with EBU R95: 2000.
The CAGE-HD/SD Library is future proof, as Cursor Maps are held in tabular form, the fields of which may be updated to
provide Users with Cursors computed to conform with the latest requirements. If the input signal's Standard changes, the CAGE
will identify, and declare, the newly found TV standard with a brief on-screen text banner.
HD Support
In the HD environment, current operational practice is to generate cursors based on an effective line length of
({702/720}x1920)=1872 pixel, so that a direct scaled conversion to SD will result in identical cursor placment to that generated
by EBU R95:2000 applied directly. Murraypro also provide the same Cursors, but computed with the "FULL Active HD" line
length as 1920; this difference between 1872 and 1920 pixels represents a maximum positional difference of only1.5% but is
provided for strict 1920 applications.
These alternative ‘1872’ and ‘1920’ HD versions are simultaneously available, and selected by either the CAGE's upper
selection selector row, or the lower selector row.
Although Murraypro have built and supplied CAGEs for nearly 40 years, for the past 3 decades our CAGEs have provided a
vital on-screen legend that always, and uniquely, identifies each Library page selected; an important function when many of the
Cursor pages appear subjectively rather similar.
We can't, of course, actually advise you which Cursor to use in a given Production situation, but we do always advise you which
you are using!
Movable Cursors
Naturally, CAGE offers movable cursors too. These are User set to specify an area of interest which may be the position of a
"lower frame super", or an on-screen "Ident" for example, and sometimes it may be necessary to set a Caption or some Graphic
Artefact to a specific X / Y ratio, or to measure the width and height of an image (perhaps from an ARC or Telecine Machine) to
check that the picture Aspect Ratio has indeed been correctly set.
The precise location of these Zones of interest are defined by means of a "box" with steerable edges.
The pixel addresses of the box's H & V limits are shown numerically on the monitor screen, making it easy to record defined
positions.
These movable cursors may be be used directly, or several sets may be stored within the CAGE HD/SD in the multi-page non-
volatile memory, to be available for future recovery and use later.
Two Versions
CAGE-HD/SD is available in two versions, a cost effective entry level ‘SD only’ version, and the fully fledged ‘HD/SD version’.
The ‘SD only’ version of the CAGE, which has identical appearance, is designed to be upgradable to the full HD specification as
your requirements develop and grow to encompass future requirements; so, no Capital Investment is wasted with our CAGE
HD/SD!
Without adjustment, the entry level SD version of the CAGE operates on 50 & 60Hz SDI standards, whilst the HD version also
includes operation on 24/25/30:P&S and 48/50/60:I Hz Systems.
By means of internal configuration links, it is possible to swap the HD/SD SDI output to be either a straight equalised &
reclocked "clean" copy of the input, or to have the CAGE cursors added; the decision is entirely yours. By default, Murraypro will
ship the CAGE with cursors enabled on to the SDI OP BNC.
Internal VIDEO SCALER.
A major feature of the CAGEHD/SD is the provision of an internal VIDEO SCALER. This generates a very useful baseband
utility video OP of the SDI input which, in HD mode, is a scaled copy of the HD output signal, enabling the display of the CAGE's
HD Cursors on a low cost monitor. This Utility DAC'd OP with the CAGE cursors inserted, may be DIP switch configured for
approximately 5% "ZOOM", ensuring the Active Picture limits are always visible. DIP switches set the Scaler OP to be either
YUV, RGsB, Y+C or CVBS video modes; and again, the choice is yours.
Remote Contol Panel
CAGE HD/SD is so compact that a Remote Control Panel is simply not required, nor is one offered!
Your monitoring HD/SD SDI feed is fed to the IP on CAGE’s rear panel, and the equalised and fully buffered output (with the
CAGE Cursors added) is then simply ‘looped’ onwards to your Picture Monitor; “Remote Panel eliminated” ~ and that’s it.
Physical Attributes
Power is supplied to the Unit via a 3 pin IEC320 connector to the internal universal SMPSU, covering operation off 100 ~ 240V
ac supplies and neatly eliminating our pet hate, those "wall-wart" and in-line "dangly" PSUs. Operation off an external +7V to
+18V power supply, for field use with nominal "+12V" battery derived supplies (when the Scaled SD video output is often used
with low cost LCD displays too), is available to special order too.
CAGE-HD/SD is completely self-contained and is controlled from it’s own front panel. So, no additional cost for an expensive
‘Remote Control’. Simplicity itself!
The CAGE may be used either as a free standing Unit, or mounted 1 or 2 up in a 1U rack slot, using the complimentary rack
mounting kit.
Cost of ownership is ruthlessly controlled by housing the Unit in a single compact case only 157w x 44h x 187mm deep
(precisely matching our ultra-compact PICO miniature PPM!), and eliminating the requirement for an expensive and noisy rack-
mount frame to house the electronics. The latest low power silicon has been selected, enhancing HD performance and also,
vitally, reducing the power consumption to a miserly 4 Watts, with consequent heat generation reduced to an absolute minimum;
totally eliminating the requirement for, and noise of, fans. Wonderful; Peace at last!
Consider the saving in your installation costs too; with our complimentary IEC~IEC mains cable included, there are just two
BNC connectors for the Wireman to terminate. Altogether a speedy, and pleasingly cost effective installation.
C
A
G
E
aption
rea
enerating
lectronics
One day, all TV Monitors will be this good!
(Heritage image and Cursors)
Welcome to Murraypro electronics. With over 45 years experience developing broadcast
television test, monitoring and generation equipment, our products are designed for you.
CAGE HD/SD - Safe Area Generator
From the Company that
produced the world's first
commercially available TV
Cursor Generator nearly 4
Decades ago (yes, in 1975!)
whilst coining the acronym
"CAGE", our line continues to
this day with CAGE-HD/SD.
Standards supported
SDI Operation @
625i 50Hz SD-SDI
525i 59.94Hz SD-SDI
720p 50Hz 59.94Hz 60Hz
1080p25/30 23.97Hz 24Hz 25Hz 30Hz
1080i50/60 50Hz 59.94Hz 60Hz
1080ps 23.97Hz 24Hz 25Hz 30Hz
UK's ITV
a “Happy Customer”
“Safe Area generators are an
essential tool in our studio and
graphics areas. We need to ensure all
our material is compliant with the Safe
Area specification.
We evaluated various models and
the Murraypro Cage HD/SD was our
first choice. It is very easy to use and
the on screen legend is a good
feature.
We also liked the SDI input and
output capability, which made it very
easy to install in our existing SDI
infrastructure”
Duncan Wheelhouse,
ITV Project Co-ordinator
CAGE-HD/SD was launched at a
London Exhibition, with substantial
pre-launch Orders already having
been delivered to some of the UK's
major TV Contractors.
ITN and 17 regional news studios
were re-equipping for increased
capability with equipment that
included Murraypro's new Cage
HD/SD when the ITV regions
upgraded.
On screen Banner declares ‘16x9 Graphics-Safe’ @ 625i 50Hz 702/720 pixel
Test Chest IS the
world’s fastest A+V Tester