2nd May, 2006 -- Mentor XL is designed around a new, powerful processing engine that generates all the synchronisation and test signal needs of the new generation of studios, mobiles and playout centres.
Previewed last year, the product has been developed in conjunction with a focus group of beta customers and features have been further refined and improved in response to customer feedback. Mentor XL is now shipping to customers who expect the very best in terms of functionality and reliability for HD, SD, analogue and mixed format environments.
As Mike Knight, CEO, explained, "Sync and test generators normally feature well down the "must see" list for exhibition visitors and yet station designers and engineering managers know that an unreliable or wrongly specified SPG can have serious consequences for program output."
Trilogy's Mentor XL is designed to offer a powerful base platform of full genlock and master SPG with multiple timing planes, each of which is fully and separately adjustable from the front panel. For HD requirements, a four output Tri level sync option is available, with each output being settable to a different HD standard as required. The unit can operate in 525, 625 and HD modes simultaneously, allowing post production facilities to meet the full range of client needs. Audio requirements are not overlooked with options for analogue, AES and AES/SD embedded tones and silence all available from the same unit. In addition, two LTC timecode outputs are available which may be offset to cater for automation systems that may be running schedules on different time zones. VITC is also included with the timecode option.
Mentor XL contains a highly stable, oven-controlled master frequency standard for master SPG operation. When required, the unit may also be locked to external signals using the standard genlock features or to GPS using an option module with suitable antenna.
Trilogy Communications has been manufacturing SPGs for almost twenty years and has an excellent reputation for reliability. This is enhanced still further in Mentor XL which is designed to operate with lower power consumption than its predecessor and with the option for a second, built-in redundant power supply.
Mentor XL is now in service in the new Broadcasting House complex being built by the BBC in the UK and units are scheduled for rapid shipment in the coming months. Although compatible with Trilogy's existing Mastermind changeover unit, a new changeover unit with full HD switching capabilities will also be available later this year.
