lzx industries video sync generator price : $279.00

an integral component of video signals is synchronization. sync signals are embedded in all video signals and are necessary to instruct the display or recording device on how to display the information it is receiving. this is why mixing two video sources is more complicated than mixing two audio sources - the video sources must have their frame and line rates precisely aligned with one another in order to fade smoothly from one image to the next.

the video sync generator (vsg) module is a core component to the lzx visionary system and every system must contain one (and one is all you ever need.) this module generates master timing signals for various modules throughout the system such as the color video encoder, which needs these signals to generate a video output. in addition, it also offers other features such as access to the sync distribution buses, color bar reference signals, an external video input for external sync-locking and a dc clamped output for the luma (y) component of the external video signal.

the vsg can be reconfigured for pal or ntsc operation by changing 3 jumpers on the circuit board.

sync outputs:
the four sync outputs on the front panel are 1v logic signals for field rate, line rate, odd field rate, and even field rate. these outputs can be used to sync video waveform generator and other signal generator modules in order to create stable video patterns.

sync bus inputs:
the bus 1 & 2 input jacks allow patch access to two signal buses which allow distribution of sync signals to video waveform generator modules and other modules that implement bus selection. by default, these buses are connected to the field & line outputs. by plugging into the bus 1 & bus 2 jacks, this connection is broken and a different signal can be inserted into the bus. the buses use the cv & gate pins on the standard doepfer power header, therefore it is important that the vsg’s power cable is connected on the same power distribution bus as the system’s video waveform generator modules. it’s also important that these bus lines are not shared with other eurorack modules that make active use of the cv & gate buses. for more information on the doepfer cv & gate bus standard, please visit the doepfer a-100 technical details page.

color bar outputs:
the color bar outputs are multiplications of the line rate, and when patched directly to the color video encoder can be used as a signal reference for calibration. alternatively, they can be used as logic signals to sync signal generators such as video waveform generators. unlike the other outputs, which are 1v signals, these are precisely adjusted to 0.75v to represent standard 75% saturation color bars.

external video sync lock input & luma output:
the vsg can be slaved to the timing of an external video signal inserted at the video input rca jack. this allows the video from this external signal (which is output at the y jack) to be processed through the visionary system and mixed with other signals without the picture scrolling or out of sync. the external signal is buffered and clamped, then adjusted to match the standard 0 to 1v signal levels inside the visionary system. since the visionary runs on a triple colorspace system, only the black & white (luminance) information from the external signal is passed to the y jack.

to use the external sync feature, just insert a video signal to the video in jack and flip the toggle switch to a downward position. the led will turn on solid if a valid video signal is detected, or flash if no video signal is detected.

for full red, green & blue color decoding and time base correction, which will enable you to process more than one external video signal at once, a different module will be released soon.

specifications
width: 6hp
maximum current draw: 60ma