QG
Terry Harvey
WSIU/ Southern Illinois University,
Carbondale Illinois
NETA QG Workshop January 13, 2011
1

 AFD is Active Format Description: defines aspect ratio.
 AFD is used to define how the video originating in one aspect ratio may be “optimally” displayed on a display of a different aspect ratio.
 AFD metadata is carried in baseband video and in an MPEG2 transport stream.
QG
NETA QG Workshop January 13, 2011
2

 All HD programs and interstitials have AFD added.
 AFD no benefit to consumer DTV receivers:
 Older DTV receivers do not use AFD
 Newer DTV receivers are 16:9 and HD AFD not required!
 Cable and DTH Satellite benefit from AFD: head end IRD correctly formats for 4:3.
QG
NETA QG Workshop January 13, 2011
3

Complete list of AFD codes
Values from ETSI TS 101 154 V1.7.1 Annex B, ATSC A/53 Part 4 and SMPTE 2016-1-2007
0 ESTI: reserved; ATSC: undefined
1 reserved
2 ETSI: 16:9 active picture (top aligned); ATSC: "not recommended"
3 ETSI: 14:9 active picture (top aligned); ATSC: "not recommended"
4
ETSI: box > 16:9 (center): wider than 16:9 active picture. The aspect ratio of the source area is not given, and the size of the top/bottom bars is not indicated.
ATSC: bar data (indicating the extent of top, bottom, left, and right bars) should be transmitted when using this code.
5
–
7 reserved
8 Full Frame image, same as the frame (4:3 or 16:9).
9 4:3 Image: Full Frame in 4:3 frame, Pillarbox in 16:9 frame.
10 16:9 Image: Letterbox in 4:3 frame, Full Frame in 16:9 frame.
11 14:9 Pillarbox/Letterbox image.
12 unused
13
14
4:3 with shoot and protect 14:9 centre. The term "shoot and protect" is not explained in the standard, but means that the areas above and below the central 14:9 region of the 4:3 active picture can be trimmed without losing important detail.
16:9 with shoot and protect 14:9 centre. Here, the areas to the right and left of the central 14:9 region of the 16:9 active picture can be trimmed without losing important detail.
15 QG
16:9 with shoot and protect 4:3 centre. Here, the areas to the right and left of the central 4:3 region of the 16:9 active picture can be trimmed without losing important detail.
NETA QG Workshop January 13, 2011
4

List of AFD codes that benefits us
Values from ETSI TS 101 154 V1.7.1 Annex B, ATSC A/53 Part 4 and SMPTE 2016-1-2007
8 - Full Frame image, same as the frame (4:3 or 16:9).
9 - 4:3 Image: Full Frame in 4:3 frame, Pillarbox in 16:9 frame.
10 -16:9 Image: Letterbox in 4:3 frame, Full Frame in 16:9 frame.
15 -16:9 with shoot and protect 4:3 centre. Here, the areas to the right and left of the central 4:3 region of the 16:9 active picture can be trimmed without losing important detail.
QG
NETA QG Workshop January 13, 2011
5

List of AFD codes that we need only use.
Values from ETSI TS 101 154 V1.7.1 Annex B, ATSC A/53 Part 4 and SMPTE 2016-1-2007
8 (1000)
Full Frame image, same as the frame (4:3 or 16:9).
9 (1001)
4:3 Image: Full Frame in 4:3 frame, Pillarbox in 16:9 frame.
QG
NETA QG Workshop January 13, 2011
6

QG
HD Broadcast
Cable TV
Forced
Letterbox
AFD absent
Forced
Center Cut
AFD absent
NETA QG Workshop January 13, 2011
7

QG
HD Broadcast
Cable TV
AFD Controlled
Center Cut
AFD 1001
AFD Controlled
Letterbox
AFD 1000
NETA QG Workshop January 13, 2011
8

 AFD will be carried in HD and SD baseband Serial
Digital Video Interface in the VANC as per
SMPTE-334M. (HD-SDI VANC line 11).
QG
NETA QG Workshop January 13, 2011
9

 In ATSC over-the-air transmission, the AFD is carried in the picture user data bits in MPEG2
Transport Stream.
Transport Stream Packet Transport Stream Packet Transport Stream Packet Transport Stream Packet Transport Stream Packet
Header Video Payload
Adaptation Field
QG
Picture User Data Bits
NETA QG Workshop January 13, 2011
10

 Must ensure a correct AFD code is applied to all program elements in HD broadcast: eg. HD and upconverted SD content.
 HD and SD AFD is supported but PBS does not yet forward SD-AFD.
 Member station must therefore generate AFD for
SD and all local content.
QG
NETA QG Workshop January 13, 2011
11

 IRDs (Satellite Receivers): Older IRDs (BitLinks) do not employ AFD decoding (eg extraction of
AFD from transport stream and placement in
HD-SDI VANC).
 Sencore MRD3187 IRDs do employ AFD (Note earlier MRD3187B’s need upgrading).
 ASI interface on Bitlink will convey AFD.
QG
NETA QG Workshop January 13, 2011
12

 Most servers now record and playback HD and
SD AFD.
 AFD extracted from baseband input VANC stored with caption data in auxiliary referenced file.
 AFD extracted from transport stream when recorded via ASI must be stored and made available for baseband VANC playback.
QG
NETA QG Workshop January 13, 2011
13

 AFD carried in HD-SDI VANC must pass through the master control switcher and applied to the
MPEG2 Emission Encoder.
 Encoder must be capable of extracting AFD from
HD-SDI VANC and placing AFD in MPEG2 transport picture user data bits.
QG
NETA QG Workshop January 13, 2011
14

IRD - HD
IRD - SD
HD Source
SD Source
AFD on HD-SDI
Upconverter
Includes AFD
AFD on HD-SDI
Automation GPI Control of Preset AFD codes and aspect ratio
Universal
Converter
Includes AFD
Video
Server
HD-SDI
Master
Control
Switcher
HD
Emission
Encoder
QG
NETA QG Workshop January 13, 2011
15

IRD - HD
No AFD on HD-SDI
Video
Server
HD-SDI
Master
Control
Switcher
Automation GPI Control of Preset AFD codes and aspect ratio
AFD
Insertion Card
HD-SDI with AFD
HD Source
SD Source
Universal
Converter
Includes AFD
HD
Emission
Encoder
QG
NETA QG Workshop January 13, 2011
16

 Minimize unnecessary codec cycles.
 Minimize unnecessary video rescaling eg. 480i to
1080i then to 720p for emission.
 Record Full Frame 16:9 and 4:3, no local pillarbox or letterbox.
 All locally produced programming in HD and SD is now 16:9 format.
 SD to HD Upconvertor controlled by automation to correct format and add AFD.
QG
NETA QG Workshop January 13, 2011
17

 Satellite receiver provides HD AFD from PBS.
 Server records and playbacks HD AFD.
 File based HD local production has HD AFD added at
Transcode/ Transwrap when transferred to Omneon server.
 Three HD AFD format codes:



16:9 FF AFD codes 1000
16:9 FF center cut safe AFD code 1111 (from PBS)
16:9, 4:3 Pillarbox AFD code 1001
QG
NETA QG Workshop January 13, 2011
18

 All SD recorded and archived as native SD.
 Local SD file base production has no AFD.
 SD playback upconvert to air where AFD is added.
 SD four formats:
 16:9 Full Frame AFD code 1000
 16:9, 4:3 Pillarbox AFD code 1001
 4:3, Full Frame AFD code 1001
 4:3, 16:9 Letterbox AFD code 1000
QG
NETA QG Workshop January 13, 2011
19

FCP files from Post Production
AMC21 IRDs
Ku22
HD01 HD02
Sencore
IRD
Ku23a
HD04
Sencore
IRD
Ku23b
SD05
Sencore
IRD
Ku23c
SD06
Sencore
IRD
Ku23d
SD07
Sencore
IRD
Ku24
HD03 SD01
Sencore
IRD
Transcode
Adds AFD
To HD
Omneon
MIP-4010
Omneon
MIP-4010
Omneon
MIP-4010
Omneon
MIP-4010
Omneon
MIP-4010
Omneon
MIP-4010
ASI Record Ports for SD and HD
Omneon
Spectrum
Video
Server
Omneon
MIP-5321
720p
VDCP
Omneon
MIP-5321
1080i
VDCP
Omneon
MIP-5321
VDCP
Evertz
7812 CC
720p
480i
Evertz
7812 UDX
720p
GPI for Aspect Ratio and AFD
NVerzion
Automation
ProTrack QG
NETA QG Workshop January 13, 2011
720p
20

QG
NETA QG Workshop January 13, 2011
ProTrack Database
Record for SD 16:9
21

QG
NETA QG Workshop January 13, 2011
ProTrack Database
Record for SD 16:9
ProTrack facilitates identification of aspect ratio.
22

QG
NETA QG Workshop January 13, 2011
ProTrack Database
Record for SD 16:9
ProTrack also differentiates between video formats
1080i , 720p and 480i:
Each can be 16:9.
23

WSIU Playlist
SVR1A – HD Playback
SVR1B – SD Playback
Formats for SVR1B (SD)
NS = 4:3 Full Frame
LB = 4:3,16:9 Letterbox
WS=16:9 Full Frame
PB =16:9,4:3 Pillarbox
AFD for SVR1A (HD)
-from HD File
AFD for SVR1B (SD)
NS = 9 (1001)
LB = 8 (1000)
WS = 8 (1000)
PB = 9 (1001)
QG
NETA QG Workshop January 13, 2011
24

 PBS began applying AFD to HD programs April 2009.
 WSIU began broadcasting AFD in July 2009.
 All WSIU programming and individual WSIU interstitials have AFD applied.
 Broadcast SD Distributors using WSIU AFD:
 DirecTV and Dish Network July 2009
 Charter Communications September 2009
 MediaCom July 2010
QG
NETA QG Workshop January 13, 2011
25