Video Waveform Generator

What your ear may hear as a subtle difference, your eye may see as a huge one. Since the end results in video synthesis are visual: texture, pattern, and shape instead of audio, there are a number of features and controls in this VCO design that take into consideration this unique application.

Features

• Wide range VCO with 6 selectable frequency ranges from LFO to 750KHz, coarse and fine tuning controls.
• Expanded hard sync circuit designed for accurate synchronization to video sync signals. Selection switch allows normalization to sync bus signals distributed through the power header from the LZX Visionary Video Sync Generator module.
• Precision video op-amps used in all circuitry for accurate high speed frequency and waveshape modulation.
• Five simultaneous waveform outputs: Triangle, Sawtooth, Square, Pulse (Rectangle) & Shaped Sine.
• Two independent waveshapers with CV inputs, CV attenuverters and bias controls: Pulsewidth Modulator & Sine Shaper. Control pulsewidth and sine shape from 0% to 100%.
• Two exponential frequency CV inputs with CV attenuverters.
• Attenuversion controls on all signal inputs allow attenuation and inversion of any input signal.
• Frequency notification LED.

Specifications

• Format: EuroRack
• Width: 16HP
• Depth: 30mm
• Power: +/-12V
• Power Header: 16-pin Dual Row IDC Connector (Doepfer standard)
• Frequency Range: LFO to 750KHz
• Waveform Output Level: 1Vpp DC Coupled
• CV Input Range: 1Vpp expected, 10Vpp tolerant

Color Video Encoder

Features

• Three color channels with signal inputs, signal attenuverters and bias controls: Red, Green & Blue.
• Three video outputs: two Composite Video (separately buffered) and one S-Video.
• Green and Blue inputs normalled to Red input, allowing flexible colorization of a single input signal.
• Precision video op-amps used in all circuitry for crisp, accurate output image.
• Precision clipping and blanking circuitry for each color channel ensures final output video is within valid signal range.
• Attenuversion controls on all signal inputs allow attenuation and inversion of any input signal.
• User configurable jumper allows selection between PAL or NTSC video standard.
• No external +5V power rail necessary, user configurable jumper allows selection between onboard +5V regulator or +5V rail on standard power header.

Specifications

• Format: EuroRack
• Width: 10HP
• Depth: 30mm
• Power: +/-12V, +5V
• Power Header: 16-pin Dual Row IDC Connector (Doepfer standard)
• Sync Header: 14-pin Dual Row IDC Connector, for connection to LZX Visionary Video Sync Generator module or distribution bus. (Module will not function without this connection.)
• Video Output Level: Composite & S-Video standard, AC coupled, 75R terminated
• Signal Input Range: 1Vpp expected, 10Vpp tolerant
• Black Clipping Level: 0V
• White Clipping Level: 1V

Video Sync Generator

Features

• Master video sync generator creates standard timing signals to drive modules throughout an LZX Visionary system.
• User configurable jumpers allow selection between PAL or NTSC video standard.
• Sync outputs for Field Rate, Line Rate, Odd Frame Rate and Even Frame Rate.
• Two reassignable sync bus inputs (normalled to Field Rate and Line Rate) allow easy distribution of sync signals to modules which commonly use them (i.e., Video Waveform Generator.)
• Switchable external sync lock allows slaving sync generator timing to match an incoming video signal.
• Triple external video inputs allow a variety of signal formats: RGsB, YPbPr (Component) or three independent Composite Video inputs (if using composite video from mutliple sources simultaneously, devices must be externally synchronized.)
• Triple video outputs offer DC restored, sync stripped, and chroma filtered signals for each video input (in the case of composite video, only luma information will be passed.)
• Switchable YPbPr (Component) video to RGB converter.
• Precision video op-amps used in all circuitry for crisp, accurate output image.
• No external +5V power rail necessary, user configurable jumper allows selection between onboard +5V regulator or +5V rail on standard power header.

Specifications

• Format: EuroRack
• Width: 6HP
• Depth: 30mm
• Power: +/-12V, +5V
• Power Header: 16-pin Dual Row IDC Connector (Doepfer standard)
• Sync Header: 14-pin Dual Row IDC Connector, for direct connection to LZX Visionary modules which require it, or to sync distribution bus.
• Video Signal Inputs: RGsB, YPrPb (Component), Composite Video, Black & White Video
• Video Signal Output: 1Vpp DC Coupled
• Sync Signal Output: 5V

Triple Video Fader/Keyer

Features

• Three independent voltage controlled video crossfaders with A channel, B channel, Key and CV inputs, CV attenuverters, bias controls, and outputs.
• For all A inputs, B inputs, and CV inputs, faders 2 & 3 are normalled to fader 1, allowing complex control and signal patching.
• Precision video op-amps used in all circuitry for crisp, accurate output image.
• Attenuversion controls on CV inputs allow attenuation and inversion of any input signal.
• For each fader, three switchable blending modes: fading, keying, and inverse keying. In keying modes, CV inputs/bias controls apply to the key threshold.
• Key inputs are normalled to A channel inputs for deriving key source from that input channel, or for use with an independent key source.
• For each fader, three switchable control modes: independent operation, fader 1 as master, and global AND (for channels in key mode -- a boolean AND of all channel's keys) or global SUM (for channels in fade mode -- a mix of all three CV inputs.)
• When used with triple colorspaces such as RGB or HSB signals, Complex voltage-controlled luma and chroma keying is achievable.
• Short lever toggle switches allow space efficient panel layout without restricting finger clearance around control knobs.

Specifications

• Format: EuroRack
• Width: 16HP
• Depth: 30mm
• Power: +/-12V
• Power Header: 16-pin Dual Row IDC Connector (Doepfer standard)
• Signal & CV Input Range: 1Vpp expected, 10Vpp tolerant

Triple Video Mixer/Matrix

Features

• Three independent signal summing mixers, each with 5 signal inputs, 4 attenuverters, and outputs.
• For all A, B, C & D inputs, mixers 2 & 3 are normalled to mixer 1, allowing complex control and signal patching in both independent mixer and matrix mixing applications.
• Precision video op-amps used in all circuitry for crisp, accurate output image.
• Attenuversion controls on all signal inputs allow attenuation and inversion of any input signal.
• Inversion mode switches for each attenuverter offer two modes: inverted signal, or inverted signal subtracted from 1V. This allows you to accurately subtract one image from the mix, or add an inverted image to the mix.
• For each mixer, two switchable output modes: sum of all inputs, or absolute value of all inputs (signals are inverted through zero.)
• High bandwidth output clippers allow protection for feedback patches.
• Short lever toggle switches allow space efficient panel layout without restricting finger clearance around control knobs.
• Unattenuated direct signal inputs allow chaining of multiple Triple Video Mixer/Matrix modules together.

Specifications

• Format: EuroRack
• Width: 22HP
• Depth: 30mm
• Power: +/-12V
• Power Header: 16-pin Dual Row IDC Connector (Doepfer standard)
• Signal & CV Input Range: 1Vpp expected, 10Vpp tolerant

Voltage Bridge

Features

• 8 channel universal voltage bridge module for conditioning incoming and outgoing signals and control voltages between LZX Visionary modules and other devices.
• Default configuration: 4 channels for incoming voltage attenuation from 10Vpp (EuroRack standard) to 1Vpp (Visionary standard) and 4 channels for outgoing voltage amplification from 1Vpp (Visionary standard) to 10Vpp (EuroRack standard).
• Full configuration available via jumper selection and trimmer adjustment on PCB for matching requirements of most external devices.

Specifications

• Format: EuroRack
• Width: 6HP
• Depth: 30mm
• Power: +/-12V
• Power Header: 16-pin Dual Row IDC Connector (Doepfer standard)

These modules are in various stages of development and are subject to change. Panel artwork and module features may not reflect final designs.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will LZX Visionary modules be available for purchase?

Our goal is March 2010.

Will you be accepting preorders?

No. Modules will only be available for purchase after they are in stock. If you would like to be placed on a waiting list, please contact us at the e-mail address provided below.

Will the LZX Visionary modules be available in kit form?

No. Due to the number of surface mount components used in the design of these modules, they are unsuitable for DIY assembly. Also, the cost of preparing a kit would be equal to the cost of assembling a module. However, if there is a demand for DIY projects/kits for video synthesis, we would love to provide something in the future. Stay in touch with us about your needs and requests.

How many modules will be part of the LZX Visionary line?

The system will be released with 6 initial modules. Many additional modules are in various stages of development and will be released 1-2 at a time after the initial system launch, but we don't plan to stop there. Stay in touch with us about your needs and requests.

Are LZX Visionary modules compatible with my other EuroRack modules?

Yes, but our modules expect 1Vpp CV and signal levels. This means control ranges will be limited when fed 10Vpp sources without some sort of attenuation. Our Voltage Bridge module can be used to fine tune external voltage source signal levels. Why do it this way? Analogue video signals demand up to 50 times as much bandwidth as audio to maintain fidelity. With circuitry designed for such high frequency signals, 10Vpp signal levels would have excessive power requirements, making the system less compatible and far more expensive.