360 Systems’ Model 2470 Broadcast Time Delay is a high quality video and audio program delay for use in television broadcast. Designed to compensate for time-zone differences, it is equally useful for delivering content to broadcasters, and by affiliates for delaying transmission. The 2470 Time Delay delivers better image quality than video tape, and is more economical than using a server for program delay.

The 2470 Broadcast Time Delay can be programmed to create any delay time from 20 seconds to 36 hours. The delay is set in day/hours/minutes/seconds/frames through a graphic user interface. Unlike many servers, 360 Systems’ 2470 Time Delay will maintain single-frame accuracy over an indefinite period of time when connected to a genlock source. It operates as a set-and-forget box, and requires no user intervention. All settings are non volatile, and are automatically recalled each time power is applied.

To achieve the highest image quality without motion artifacts, video is MPEG-2 encoded in 4:2:2 Profile, Main Level, at a fixed rate of 30 Mb/sec (I-frame). Inputs and outputs are provided for both SDI and Composite video.

The Time Delay accepts four audio channels (two stereo pairs) in AES/EBU format, or as embedded audio within an SDI stream. Alternatively, it accepts two channels of +4 dBu balanced analog audio. XLR-3 connectors are provided for audio I/O. 360 Systems’ Bit-for-Bit® data handling ensures correct playback of data for Dolby-E and Dolby AC-3 data streams.

The Time Delay also captures most commonly used VBI lines including VITC, closed captions, and AMOL (Nielson) data. Time delays can be set to single-frame precision, and because a genlocked reference is used, timing remains frame-accurate over an indefinite period of time. When several units are fed identical input signals, they remain in sync.

Because broadcast delays transport high-value program material, 360 Systems’ design includes a RAID-5 disk array to enhance reliability in the event of drive failure. Power consumption is low, and forced-air cooling extends component life and enhances reliability.