ABSTRACT
In most cases, both VTRs and DDRs have video inputs (SDI in a digital facility), video outputs (SDI), audio inputs (AES, two pairs), audio outputs (AES, two pairs), sync input and loopthrough, LTC input, LTC output, RS-422 port for serial control, and a parallel port for GPI control. Digital disc recorders may also have an Ethernet interface. For a single video stream to play out of a VTR or a DDR, there could be as many as six cables connected to each device. As the number of VTRs and/ or DDRs increase in a facility, the number of video, audio, timecode, sync and control cables (serial/parallel) become very large and hard to manage. This is certainly not news to anyone familiar with a typical broadcast facility.
