MCG-1018

Overview

The MCG-1018 implements IP gateway and up/down conversion plus multi-LUT switching, suited to IP/SDI cross-conversion in OB vans, studios, master control, and broadcasting. It converts on dynamic metadata, static metadata, parameter settings, or LUT tables; it reproduces the conversion behaviour of other up/down converters; and it loads multiple LUTs at once, matching metadata in real time to switch between them automatically. Each 2RU chassis holds up to 5 processing units.

Challenge

In a 4K HDR production feeding HD SDR outputs, colour is where the chain leaks. Every converter renders it slightly differently, hand-tuning per source does not scale, and what post approved is not necessarily what goes to air.

Solution

Key Features

• Conversion methods — SDI/IP conversion, up-conversion, down-conversion, cross-conversion, and NAT redirection, driven by dynamic metadata, static metadata, parameter settings, or LUT tables — including SDR/HDR and HDR/HDR adaptation with simultaneous 4K and HD SDI output.
• Multi-LUT auto-switching — Multiple LUTs load at once; the unit matches scene metadata in real time and switches transform automatically, so intelligent analysis of the material drives the look.
• Colour restoration — From the pre-configured CCU output, a proprietary algorithm recovers the conversion between the CCU's 4K HDR and HD SDR outputs and generates a LUT — importable into DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, and Sobey non-linear editing, or exportable back to the cross converter for switcher post-processing.
• Restored HD output — Down-conversion outputs a restored HD signal whether or not the up-conversion was done on this equipment series, and can follow dynamic metadata from post so the HD result matches the approved content.
• Parameter depth — SR/DR, gain control, RGB gamma correction, black level, white clipping, black compression, SDR highlight compression and inflection-point control, HDR inflection point, and global saturation — plus BT.709 to BT.2020 recognition and conversion, and AES audio embedding.
• I/O and density — 6 × 12G-SDI ports (4 in/out, 2 out) and 2 × 25G SFP28 per unit, with LTC input — up to 5 processing units per 2RU chassis.

Scenarios

• Rich conversion in one slot — OB vans, studios, and master control rooms that need SDI/IP, up/down, and cross-conversion with NAT redirection from a single card.
• Restored HD alongside 4K production — In a 4K live production, input HD signals up-convert to 4K, and processed PGM feeds downscale back to an original, restored HD for post and broadcast systems.
• Metadata-driven auto LUT switching — Scene metadata embedded in media files selects and loads the matching LUT automatically, delivering customized colour conversion during production.

Result

Colour survives the whole chain — one converter that matches the CCU, matches the other converters in the rack, and matches what post approved, switching LUTs by itself as the content changes.