Link Electronics Link ELectronics PTC-892 Closed Caption Encoder/Decoder

The PTC-892 is captioning encoder, decoder data recover capable of inserting, decoding recovering data of captions text for NTSC/PAL for the following signals: composite, Y/C, S-video, RGB, YUV I. Captioning text may be inserted (encoded) in either field of the Vertical Blanking Interval (VBI). That inserted data may be displayed as open captions through the decoder output(s). In addition, caption data on the incoming or outgoing video may be recovered from either field of the VBI. This data can be sent to another encoder, to a language translation machine or program then recoded or to be captured by a program to be manipulated. Each of these important functions (encoding, decoding data recovery) may be done simultaneously. Each of these functions can be controlled by the front panel menus or by serial communications. Inputs outputs are provided for both I analog, including composite, Y/C, S-video, YUV RGB. The power loss feature bypasses the composite analog I when AC power to the PTC-892 fails. In response to the FCC mated Requirements, captions shall not interfere with emergency crawls. The PTC-892 incorporates a weather-lift feature that moves the caption up to 4 lines, whenever a contact-closure is detected on its GPI input. The number of lines can be controlled by the front panel or by software comms. The serial communication port(s) allow for remote captioning. The dual ports allow multiple encoders to be controlled at once, a back up communication port or to do data recovery out of its ports. Port 1 is either a "B" type USB port or RS-232 port. Port 2 is either a RS-232 port or an optional modem. Both ports can be set to have different baud rates (1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400) independently through the front panel menus. RS-232 port 2 will not go down to a baud rate of 1200, because new modems will not allow this. When the optional modem goes off-hook, it takes priority over the RS-232 port 2. The RS-232 port 2 control is restored when the modem hangs up. Front panel LEDs show the unit status with NTSC/PAL detection, modem status, encode on/off, video presence detection, negative pedestal on/off, serial data detection LTC detection. Front panel push buttons allow the user to select input, select output, perform an encoder test bypass the encoder. The PTC-892 is V-chip technology compliant TSID ready. Link ELectronics is incorporating this technology in the firmware of the PTC-892. The PTC-892 hles automatic repetition of the "VChip" data can interweave it with existing line 21 closed captioning data. The PTC-892 has a Longitudinal Time Code (LTC) input for precise caption timing with the video. A front panel Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) shows various functions menus. A rotary optical encoder, front panel knob, provides easy selection of the various operating set-up functions.