Optimod 8585 ~ Features

User-Friendly Interface

Color LCD and large rotary knob
A large (quarter-VGA) color liquid crystal display (LCD) makes setup, adjustment and programming of the 8500 easy. Navigation is by a miniature joystick, two dedicated buttons, and a large rotary knob. The LCD shows all metering functions of the processing structure in use.
Navigation Joystick
Use the Locate joystick to navigate through a menu that lets you recall a preset, modify processing (at three levels of expertise), or to access the system's setup controls.

Absolute Control of Peak Modulation

Precise control of peak levels
The 8585 precisely controls peak levels to prevent digital clipping. The maximum level of the digital samples is controlled to better than 2%.
Pre-emphasis limiting for the two standard pre-emphasis curves
of 50 μs & 75 μs
While primarily oriented toward "flat" media, the 8585's 2.0 channel processor can also provide pre-emphasis limiting for the two standard pre-emphasis curves of 50 μs and 75 μs. This allows it to protect pre-emphasized microwave links, satellite uplinks and similar channels where protection limiting or light processing is required.

Flexible Configuration

Two processors in one
A gain-coupled multichannel processor for up to 7.1 channels, plus an additional, independent 2.0 channel processor (whose performance is equivalent to an OPTIMOD 6300) that can be used for many tasks such as processing the audio for a second language or up to two ATSC subchannels. Because its output can be mixed into the LF and RF outputs of the multichannel processing, the 2.0 channel processor can also be used to process an independent feed (like the output of a sports truck, news truck, or newsroom) before it is mixed with the station's main multichannel audio path.
Separate audio processing parameters for surround and 2.0 processors
The multichannel and 2.0 processors can operate with separate audio processing parameters like release times. For example, the 2.0 processing could be set up for relatively heavy processing to make a newsroom feed more consistent, while the main processing was set up more conservatively to correct network material and commercials unobtrusively.
AES3id Inputs & Outputs
The 8585 includes five AES3id digital inputs and six AES3id outputs, all transformer-coupled. These inputs and outputs appear on BNC connectors and have 75 ? impedance. The digital inputs and digital outputs have sample-rate converters and can operate at 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48, 88.2 and 96 kHz sample rates. We chose AES3id because it is uses the 75 ? coaxial cable and BNC connectors that are ubiquitous in television facilities and because it is universally compatible with any non-AES distribution system (like SDI) via readily available converters and de-embedder/embedder hardware.
Configurations via remote-controllable internal routing switchers
OPTIMOD 8585's AES3id inputs and outputs are highly configurable via remote-controllable internal routing switchers. Additionally, the outputs of the multichannel and 2.0 processing chains can be independently configured to emit the output of the AGC or the output of the multiband compressor/limiter, all configurable to use or bypass look-ahead limiting.
Use 8585 as an AES splitter
Via the internal output routing switcher, a given output signal can be applied to more than one hardware output. This allows using the 8585 as an AES splitter.
Stereo headphone jack
A stereo headphone jack is available on the front panel. It can be configured to emit any 8585 output signal and is independent of the stereo analog monitor output.
RS485 ports for Dolby Digital Metadata I/O
Two RS485 serial ports allow the 8585 to accept and emit Dolby Digital metadata.
Dual-mono mode
The 8585's 2.0 processing offers a dual-mono mode that allows two entirely separate mono programs to be processed, facilitating multiple-language operation.
In this mode, both processing channels operate using the same processing parameters (like release time); you cannot adjust the two channels to provide different processing textures.
Sync Input
A sync input is configurable to accept AES11id or wordclock sync. You can synchronize the output sample rate of all AES3id outputs to this input. You can also synchronize the outputs to any AES3 digital input or to the 8585's internal clock. The sync source of each AES3 output is independently selectable.
Analog Outputs
The analog outputs are transformerless, balanced, and floating (with 50 ? impedance) to ensure highest transparency and accurate pulse response. They can be used to drive a transmitter, although their normal function is monitoring.
All connections are rigorously RFI-suppressed
All input, output and power connections are rigorously RFI-suppressed to Orban's traditional exacting standards, ensuring trouble-free installation.
Certified
The 8585 is designed and certified to meet all applicable international safety and emissions standards.

Adaptability through Multiple Audio Processing Structures

Complete audio processing system
A processing structure is a program that operates as a complete audio processing system. Only one processing structure can be on-air at a time. OPTIMOD 8585 realizes its processing structures as a series of high-speed mathematical computations made by Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chips.
Two processing structures
The 8585 features two processing structures: Five-Band for a spectrally consistent sound and Two-Band for a more transparent sound that preserves the frequency balance of the original program material.
"Protect" function
A special Two-Band preset creates a no-compromise "Protect" function that is functionally similar to the "Protect" structures in earlier Orban digital processors.
Switching between processing structures
The Five-Band and the Two-Band structures can be switched via a mute-free crossfade.
Rides gain over an adjustable range of up to 25 dB
The 8585's AGC rides gain over an adjustable range of up to 25 dB, compressing dynamic range and compensating for both operator gain-riding errors and gain inconsistencies in automated systems.
The AGC output is available to drive STLs, so the 8585 can be used as a studio AGC.
Phase-linear processing structures
The 8585's processing structures are all phase-linear to maximize audible transparency.
Mastering-quality noise and distortion performance
The 8585's equalizers and crossovers use 48-bit arithmetic to ensure mastering-quality noise and distortion performance.
CBS Loudness Controllers^™
The 8585 includes third-generation CBS Loudness Controllers^™ for DTV applications. Separate loudness controllers are available in the multichannel and 2.0 processing chains and work with the both Two-Band and Five-Band structures. The third-generation improvements reduce annoyance more than simple loudness control alone, doing so without audible gain pumping. Attack time is fast enough to prevent audible loudness overshoots, so the control is smooth and unobtrusive.
Orban's PreCode^™ technology
Orban's PreCode^™ technology manipulates several aspects of the audio to minimize artifacts caused by low bit rate codecs, ensuring consistent loudness and texture from one source to the next. It is particularly useful when processing for netcasts or mastering for any low bit rate channel. PreCode includes special audio band detection algorithms that are energy and spectrum aware. This can improve codec performance on some codecs by reducing audio processing induced codec artifacts, even with program material that has been preprocessed or mastered by other processing than OPTIMOD. There are several factory presets tuned specifically for low bit rate codecs. These presets have "LBR" in their names.

Controllable

Eight programmable, optically isolated GPI ports
The 8585 can be remote-controlled by 5-12 V pulses applied to eight programmable, optically isolated "general-purpose interface" (GPI) ports.
8585 PC Remote software
8585 PC Remote software is a smooth, responsive graphical application that runs under Windows^® XP and Vista. It communicates with a given 8585 via TCP/IP over modem, direct serial and Ethernet connections. You can configure PC Remote to switch between many 8585s via a convenient organizer that supports giving any 8585 an alias and supports grouping multiple 8585s into folders. Clicking an 8585's icon causes PC Remote to connect to that 8585 through an Ethernet network or initiates a Windows Dial-Up or Direct Cable Connection if appropriate. The PC Remote software allows the user to access all 8585 features and allows the user to archive and restore presets, automation lists, and system setups (containing I/O levels, digital word lengths, GPI functional assignments, etc.).
Remote administration over TCP/IP
An API provides remote administration over TCP/IP via the RS232 serial or Ethernet ports. The 8585 hosts a TCP/IP terminal server to allow external control of the 8585 from either a Telnet/SSH client or a custom third party application. All commands are simple text strings. You can recall presets, operate the input and output routing switchers and more. Password security is provided.
Versatile real-time clock
The 8585 contains a versatile real-time clock, which allows automation of various events (including recalling presets) at pre-programmed times. To ensure accuracy, the clock can be synchronized to an Internet timeserver.
Silence alarm & Tally Outputs
Silence alarm and digital audio fault tally outputs are available.
Bypass Test Mode
A Bypass Test Mode can be invoked locally, by remote control (from either the 8585's GPI port or the 8585 PC Remote application), or by automation to permit broadcast system test and alignment or "proof of performance" tests.
Built-in line-up tone generator
The 8585 contains a built-in line-up tone generator, facilitating quick and accurate level setting in any system.
Software Upgrade
The 8585's software can be upgraded by running Orban-supplied downloadable upgrade software on a PC. The upgrade can occur remotely through the 8585's Ethernet port or serial port (connected to an external modem) or locally (by connecting a Windows^® computer to the 8585's serial port through the supplied null modem cable).

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