Colar bar generator

[MustangNazMedia]

Is there a product that will allow us to put a color bar image in our feed, or another logo when a video input is dropped or not connected?

We have several inputs that we don't always use but it would be nice to have something on the screen when nothing is being sent through the matix/switcher?

Ideally then it would go away once there is a signal coming through.

If it is a kit that is okay, I have no problem putting it together with instructions.

Thanks
Paul Wood

[daver2]

There appear to be a number of "kit build" colour bar generators available from the web pages of TV enthusiasts - a google search should identify most of them. I live in the UK and found a couple of PAL colour bar generator kits available which used either a PIC or Atmel processor to provide the 'intelligence'. See http://www.batc.org.uk/shop/kits.html#bar for an example. This website contains the actual article from CQ-TV-234 which can be downloaded - although I am unable to find the microcontroller software download. The CQ magazine also contains test card generators etc. Have a look around - or see if you can find the NTSC equivalent in the States.

An alternative would be to look for an electronics broker selling professional colour bar generators. These would have either come from businesses closing down - or where businesses have stopped repairing video equipment and are 'off-loading' their test equipment at knock down prices through a broker.

I have also seen them for sale on a well-known internet auction site - where one went for less than 12 GBP.

Dave

[tdangelo]

Originally Posted by MustangNazMedia

Is there a product that will allow us to put a color bar image in our feed, or another logo when a video input is dropped or not connected?

Paul, It depends a lot on what the feed is. For example, most professional VTRs have "E to E" modes which will pass an input signal when not playing back a tape. If your feed was normally VT playback then this would work possibly with no equipment added.

Also, many video delay boxes like a Prime Image Pipeline have a similar function (although I am not sure the Pipeline will switch on loss of signal).

What is your normal feed signal?

[MustangNazMedia]

The signal is composite, from the spare input goes into a multiplexer for preview purposes then loops out to the 8x4 matrix switcher then into the v-4 mixer.

We are using a v-4 roland/edirol.

Normally just used as a spare camera input with a canon 3 chip camera. GL1. My other thought would be to hook up just a basic switch so you could select a different input.

Thanks
Paul Wood