Forecasting HDR/WCG content production as being the future, Tektronix has expanded support for 4K/Ultra High Definition (UHD), High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Wide Color Gamut (WCG) across its content monitoring platforms including the small form factor WFM/WVR5200 series waveform monitor, WFM/WVR8000 series waveform monitor, and the PRISM IP/SDI monitoring and analysis platform. According to the company, the video industry is aggressively making the move to 4K HDR/WCG content creation.
Successful production of HDR/WCG content requires the right tools and new measurement techniques. Camera setup, for example, is more crucial than in the past given the risk of creating issues (e.g. noise in dark areas) that can't be fixed in post-production. New techniques are also required to monitor the various camera log formats and conversion to PQ (perceptual quantizer) or HLG (hybrid-log gamma).
WFM/WVR5200
With the purchase of the PROD option, HDR is now available on this smaller, lower-cost unit that with its shorter 5.5-in. depth is ideal for use in smaller OB vans and trucks. Enhancements include new camera log graticules, HDR graticules for PQ & HLG and the ability to support 4K for a single link of a 2-SI (Sample Interleaved) signal.
WFM/WVR8300, WFM/WVR8200, WFM/WVR7200
These instruments now feature extended support for HDR with the inclusion of the HLG1000 graticules for use in live production as well as support for active picture area and Dolby E Guardband measurements against a black burst reference. Other enhancements include luma and gamut bright ups and user selectable HDR limits. Tektronix waveform monitors and rasterizers provide options and field installable upgrades to monitor a variety of video and audio formats. Support for video formats includes 4K/UHDTV1 (4096×2160 and 3840×2160), 3G-SDI, Dual Link, HD-SDI and composite analog. Support for audio formats includes Dolby E, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital, AES/EBU, embedded audio and analog audio.
PRISM
This platform delivers connectivity capabilities for both IP and SDI systems and provides solutions for luminance setup and measurement of HDR signals coupled with automated conversion between a broad range of transfer functions and color spaces. The new STOP display simplifies HDR camera exposure setup for operators by helping them avoid unexpected clipping in highlights or excess noise in the shadows. The new software now adds support for conversion from ITU BT.2020 to ITU BT.709 as well as from S-Log, LogC, PQ and HLG to ITU BT.709 that can be applied to picture, waveform, vector, and diamond displays. This allows users to leverage their familiar displays in ITU BT.709 color space for HDR/WCG content creation. PRISM allows camera shading engineers and operators, who are shooting live sports broadcasting or episodic dramas, to quickly calibrate and balance multiple cameras with a variety of output signal characteristics. PRISM is also well-suited for camera acquisition applications in OB vans and production studios.
Availability
The latest HDR/WCG capabilities can easily be added to PRISM and existing Tektronix waveform monitors and are now available with the purchase of Option PROD (a field upgradeable software-only option). Customers with a valid existing software option key license for PROD can upgrade their instruments free-of-charge with new firmware that can be downloaded from tek.com. To learn more, visit Tektronix 4K HDR video test & monitoring solutions.