IBC2008: Hamlet, the leader in high precision but very affordable test and measurement tools, will be unveiling a host of new functionality at IBC2008, meeting the real needs of today’s facilities. Also to be launched is a new test signal generator which is 3Gb/s ready.

Broadcasters are increasingly aware of the risk that some colours and flashing sequences can trigger epileptic episodes in a small number of people. The ITU has set out a standard of content likely to cause photosensitivity problems, BT 1972, and Hamlet has now implemented this in High Definition as part of the suite of quality control tests carried out by Reel-Check, its QC software tool for file-based environments. Uniquely Reel-Check, users can run a comprehensive SD, HD, 2K QC checks on files on servers or new material on ingest, without the need for operator intervention, in some cases, faster than real time. The addition of HD photosensitive epilepsy testing to international standards makes this an even more compelling proposition as it is the only mechanism in existence to do it with.

Engineers checking digital paths need a means of checking the robustness of the signal. The preferred solution is the so-called “eye display”, which shows a clear eye when the leading and trailing edges of the digital pulse are good. Hamlet has now implemented the eye pattern test on its modular digital platform, which means it is now available on the highly popular palm-top FlexiScope and its smaller brother the Microflex. The same modular architecture is also used in Hamlet’s fixed instruments the MonitorScope and DigiScope, which too now have the capability of eye pattern testing.

These Hamlet modular products are built around a bespoke digital signal processing platform developed by Hamlet with an eye to the future. In particular, the platform was designed with more than enough power to analyse 3Gb/s streams for 1080p HD. Engineers and systems integrators can specify Hamlet test and measurement tools today, confident in the knowledge that they are 3Gb/s ready. Ensure a better return on their investment than other products on the market.

IBC2008 will see the launch of the next generation Hamlet Protean Axiom 3G, a touch screen portable test signal generator. Covering all standards from SD to 3Gb/s 1080p HD, it has nearly 40 test patterns including an array of zone plates and pathological tests, plus the usual comprehensive video and audio signals. Battery life is more than eight hours, and it has been designed to be as simple to use as it is convenient to carry.

Hamlet can be found at stand 9.E13.

Notes to editors:

Currently celebrating its 22nd anniversary in 2008, Hamlet Video International Limited is an English company dedicated to the design, manufacture and supply of innovative, high quality and cost-effective test and measurement equipment to the video and broadcast industries worldwide.

Hamlet has completely eliminated CRTs from its instruments, thereby removing the need for routine display recalibration and thus reducing significantly the cost of ownership of a precision instrument. With its latest devices using an all-digital internal platform, Hamlet has moved towards a calibrated-for-life test measurement, monitoring and quality control system.

Hamlet’s vectorscopes and waveform monitors either use an internal precision LCD display or provide an output to either a video or a computer monitor, which can be routed to the operator’s convenience. In either case the graticules are generated digitally within the device, so provides a continually reliable and accurate reference.

The company also develops test measurement, monitoring and quality control software to be used in conjunction with broadcast systems running on standard computers for the analysis of base band or file based signals. Finally, Hamlet manufactures digitally-stable signal generators as a companion to its measurement devices.

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