Stereo-to-surround upmixer from Orban

Orban has released the Optimod-TV 8685 and 6585 automatic loudness controllers for surround and stereo channels in digital television. The stereo-to-surround upmixers are available to existing 8685 and 6585 users at no additional charge via a free software download.

The upmixer automatically detects whether programming is in stereo or surround and upmixes or bypasses appropriately. Meanwhile, a new algorithm eliminates the effects of phase and azimuth skew in the derived centre channel, reportedly ensuring crisp, intelligible dialogue even from older material that has been stored on an analogue tape.

Beginning with the Optimod-TV 8685, this is Orban's second-generation surround/2.0 processor, offering 3G HD-SDI I/O, CBS loudness controllers and metres, a BS.1770 safety limiter and BS.1770-3 loudness metres. The 8685 can process one surround and four stereo programs simultaneously.

Meanwhile, the ‘value-priced’ Optimod-TV 6585 surround/stereo television loudness controller provides audibly transparent automatic loudness control and dialogue intelligibility control for one surround program (up to 7.1) or four stereo programs. When operated correctly, the 6585, like the 8685, will ensure and document that loudness meets the requirements of the Calm Act and EBU.

Meanwhile, the manufacturer has also introduced the Optimod-FM 8600S, which offers Orban’s flagship 8600 ‘MX’ audio processing technology in a compact, 1U package.

The 8600S is available in two models: the 8600S-FM (processing for analogue FM transmitters) and the 8600S-HD (processing for both analogue FM and digital distribution channels). Via an upgrade kit, an 8600SFM can be upgraded to an 8600S-HD at any time without removing the unit from the rack.

Key to its appeal is a new ‘ratings-encoder loopthrough’ function that allows a ratings encoder to be driven from one of the 8600S’s AES3 digital outputs, while its sync input can be repurposed to receive the ratings encoder output prior to the 8600S’s built-in stereo encoder.

The 8600S can accept a 10MHz GPS or rubidium reference input to lock the 19kHz pilot tone frequency to the reference, whilst its cool-running switching power supply saves energy.

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Web: www.orban.com