Demo & Test Equipment

Don't just learn about it - see it working!
Broadcast Systems and Workflow

Wherever possible we like to make use of real broadcast systems and technology to allow us to demonstrate the concepts being introduced/explained in our training courses.

Below are some of the systems we use regularly in courses. The systems are subject to change at any time. If there is a piece of equipment you really need on a course please let us know in advance.

We also have a wide range of other equipment which our trainers have built up over the years (sometimes the only way to really learn about something in detail is to fiddle with real equipment & software).

In addition to the kits listed bellow, we can provide additional equipment to facilitate hands-on session and/or to assist with technology investigations. Please get in touch to discuss your requirements.

The Big Pink Demo Kit(s)

Small equipment rack on a trolley containing lots of broadcast equipmnent with a video monitor on the top showing a TAG multiviewer display of SMPTE 2110 signals
Closeup of the top of the IP demo rack showing the Matrox, Riedel and Phabrix 2110 devices
Closeup of the top of the IP demo rack
Closeup of the Mikrotik Switches in the IP demo rack
Closeup of the bottom half of the IP demo rack
Rear view of the IP Demo rack showing lots of wires and other smaller devices mounted to shelves

IP & UHD Demo Kit

This kit was created in 2022 to support the growing popularity of our TR1001 IP Media Networks course. Thanks to generous support from some of our partners (and a not insignificant investment in equipment) we now have the ability to demonstrate a wide range of IP media formats and control protocols.

The kit has been built to support demonstration of UHD concepts and contains many UHD capable devices as well as a 12G-SDI router at its heart. For most IP training though the ‘house format’ is 1080i/25 as this allows more efficient operation over 10G Ethernet.

The kit consists of (roughly top-down – skipping less important devices):

  • TV Logic LUM-240G (24″ UHD 12G-SDI/HDMI Broadcast Video Monitor)
    The H/V scan-offset feature is great for seeing the full video raster and reminding trainees about embedded audio and VANC data.
  • Matrox ConvertIP DSS & DSH
    Bidirectional units configured for SDI>2110 TX and 2110 RX > HDMI (+conversion back to SDI)
    Both devices have 2022-7 Redundant Media Networks AND a separate control network connection (i.e. out-of-band NMOS Control). 
  • Reidel Fusion 3 (2ch SDI<>2110 Converter)
    This device implements NMOS In-Band as it has no control network connection.
  • Phabrix QxL (SMPTE 2110 and SDI signal analysis and test signal generation)
  • Matrox ConductIP (NMOS IS-05/08 Controller and optional IS-04/09 Registry)
  • This unit is amazing! When Matrox sent us this to play with we were performing SDI-style routing in 2110 literally within minutes. 
  • Sonifex AVN-GMC (Alternative PTP Grandmaster)
    This unit slaves off the Tek unit until it’s time to shine when demoing the BMCA – it hasn’t been the most reliable unit and only has 100Mb Ethernet so will soon be removed). 
  • Tektronix SPG8000A (PTP Grandmaster & Video SPG with external GPS Antenna when used remotely)
  • COMING SOON: Meinbeg microSync-XS (PTP Grandmaster with external GPS Antenna when used remotely)
  • Insync MCC-HD (SDI/2110 Standards Conversion)
    A full-blow motion compensated standards converter that can operate with SDI or 2110 I/O –  It’s proven to be a great unit for demonstrating the behaviour differences of receivers when the upstream signal format is changed!
  • TAG VS MCM-9000 IP Monitoring & Multiviewer
    Running Supermicro Intel Xeon Server with Mellanox ConnectX5 Dual 100G
     – Boot 1: Single head Multiview output in 2110, MPEG-TS and NDI formats. Displaying inputs via SMPTE 2110-20/2022-7, MPEG-TS.
    – Boot 2: MS Windows – Demonstration of Wireshark capture of high-bandwidth video streams.
  • Raspberry Pi 5 (REAR MOUNT) Running:
  • HD-SDI Camera
    Basic live video source useful for assessing processing latency.
  • Blackmagic Frame Synchroniser (mini-brick)
    Primarily used to genlock the video camera source.
  • Sony PMW-PZ1 (UHD Media Player)
    Loaded with a variety of test signals and clips used for demonstration.
  • Blackmagic Multiview 4 HD
    Quad-split allowing simultaneous monitoring of Riedel Fusion, Matrox-DSH, Phabrix (UI) and InSync MCC-HD 
  • HP EliteDesk 800 G5 Mini PC
     – Remote access & various config/test tools
     – USB capture of Quad-Split (or any routable 3G/HD-SDI source)
    – Riedel MNSet for configuration of Fusion 2110 device.
     – NDI tools.
  • Blackmagic Design VideoAssist 5″ (HD Media Player)
    Loaded with a variety of 1080i/25 test signals and clips used for demonstration.
    Useful to demonstrate a non-synchronous source.
  • Blackmagic Smart Videohub 12G 40×40 SDI Video Router
    Like most IP facilities you still need lots of SDI!
    Controlled via front panel of BMD control software on HP PC.
  • MikroTik CRS309 & CRS305
    10G Ethernet for Media A (“Good Switch” & Media B
    2022-7 Network set-up (with unicast routing through to control network)
  • MikroTik CCR2004 25G/10G Network Switch (“The BAD Switch”)
    Part of the Media A network – this switch doesn’t have a hardware switching chip and as such introduces lots of packet delay and jitter – it even sometimes delivers RTP packets out of order – Not a switch to recommend but good for demonstration (and for test-labs!).
  • Mikrotik CRS326 Network Switch
    Primarily providing Gigabit connectivity for the control network. The unit also provide routing to the Media networks and WAN
  • H264/H265 Encoder/Decoder with NDI HX Support (REAR MOUNT)
    Fed from HDMI output of HD Media Player – permanent feed into TAG multiviewer and demo of NDI HX. 
  • SAM KudosPro UHD (Quad-3G) Standards Converter
    Linear standards converter with support for UHD – this hasn’t had much use as it doesn’t support IP connectivity so will soon be removed to make way for more exciting 2110 equipment!) 
  • TSL PD14PMiD-CO (Intelligent Mains Distribution)
    Allow quick control of output state via front panel LCD or web-UI to help minimise unnecessary nose when equipment not required. Can also be used to demo monitoring/control via SNMP.

Old equipment no longer featured in the rack but available to support training when appropriate:

  • Blackmagic 3×3 HD 2110 Converter
    This was BMD first 2110 device and was pretty much unusable for it’s first year in the rack (only discovered NMOS registry via mDNS and PTP was hard coded to domain 127), even after updates it continues to be unreliable and sometimes crashes when 2110 signals from other vendors are routed into it – as such it was finally removed from the main IP rack in 2025 to make way for more reliable kit. It does sometimes appear in practical hands-on session connecting to an SD-SDI video source onto a gigabit networking allowing course attendees to attempt live 2110 capture & analysis on their laptops!
  • Blackmagic Bidirectional 12G-SDI/2110 UHD Converter
    Sometimes used in practical/hands-on sessions with 10G networking. 
  • Axon Synapse Frames
    • NIO 550 cards for 3G-SDI<>SMPTE 2022-6 conversion and frame synchronisation
    • Various Audio Embedding / De-Embedding with Dolby-E Support
  • Quad 3G-SDI > 12G-SDI Converter (Blackmagic Design Terranex)
    with video monitoring via smartpanel.
  • Leitch 40×40 3G-SDI Router
    Old but functional – controlled with Magellan Control on HP Mini PC

Fundamentals and SDI Demo Kit

This is the original #BigPinkDemoKit and was built to support our Broadcast Engineering Essentials course. It often gets used for shorter courses such as Broadcast Industry & Technology and Broadcast Technology for Developers.

The kit consists of:

  • Sync Pulse Generator (Trilogy Mentor Plus – SD/HD Syncs & SDI TSG)
    Including reference distribution across both racks and to ENG camera providing ability to demonstrate H/V offset and impact of loss of genlock.
  • HD-SDI Test Signal Generator (Astro SG-7802A)
  • LTC Time Generator & BITC Inserter (Evertz HD9010)
  • CRT Broadcast Monitor (Sony PVM-14L3 with 120D Option for SDI Input)
    Old but great for demonstrating many of the features/concepts still found on monitors/TV and for telling the story of interlace.
    Connected of media player & TSG via CVBS & SDI, WFM Monitor out via Component.
  • 2x 24″ 3G-SDI Broadcast Video Monitors (JVC DT-V24G1, BON BXN-242L3G)
    Monitors have a variety of input and differ in handling of Interlace (JVC doesn’t show field dominance correctly). BON monitor includes many features common on Broadcast viewfinders (focus peaking and over/under-level highlighting). Analogue connections looped out from CRT have been connected to JVC monitor but are rarely used.
  • Traditional Audio Meter with PPMs (Inputs via analogue, AES3 and Dante)
  • Modern Audio Monitoring Unit (TSL PAM1-Mk2)
    Analogue, AES and SDI Inputs
  • Tektronix WFM 601M (with Eye & Digital WFM functions)
    Old and only SD but great for demonstrating the basics of SDI
  • Tektronix WVR5000 – Simple HD waveform monitor
  • Tektronix WVR7120 – Complex HD-SDI waveform monitor
  • Phabrix RX-500 with EYE Option – 3G-SDI waveform
    HDMI Output (OBS PGM) as a source to Ateme mixer.
    Great for demonstrating the concepts of Exposure and RGB>YUV with the ENG camera thanks to it’s ability to colour the parade waveforms  
  • SD HDMI Media Player
    HDMI converted to SDI for SD non-sync source with embedded audio & VBI data
  • HD Media Player (BlackmagicDesigns VideoAssist 5″)
    Loaded with a variety of test signals and clips used for demonstration. HDMI Output also used for live compression demonstration 
  • PC1:
     – OBS (software mixer) – media playback and SDI Input via BMD Decklink card
     – Multiple NDI Outputs (OBS PGM, SDI Input)
     – Dante DVS/VIA audio over IP & Dante Controller
     – HDMI Output (OBS PGM) as a source to Ateme mixer 
  • PC 2:
     – Sarnoff Test Pattern Generator via AJA Kona 3 with support for UHD signals via quad-3GSDI. 1st 3G-SDI output converted to HDMI via Decimator Designs for fixed input to Ateme mixer
     – remote control of BMD Ateme mixer
     – Playout demo software
     – NDI conversion for remote viewing of Tek WVR7120 
     – ASI/TS generation and analysis via DekTec DTA card 
    – Dante DVS/VIA audio over IP & Dante Controller
     – HDMI Output (OBS PGM) as a source to Ateme mixer
  • Vision Mixer (Blackmagic Design Ateme)
    8 Inputs (4 fixed, 4 routable SDI), PGM Out, Multiviewer Out, Aux Out 
  • Basic & Linear Standards Convertors (Snell Kudos Plus CVR800 and Lumantek ez-shv+ )
    used for demonstrating 50Hz>59.94Hz conversion side-by-side on monitors to show visible artefacts when using ‘cheap’ conversion 
  • 12×12 3G-SDI Router (Blackmagic Design Smart VideoHub)
  • Kaleido Solo – SDI>HDMI Convertor
    Powerful single input Multiviewer with audio level overlays and real-time loudness graphing for EBU R128 and A85 (simultaneously)
  • Intelligent Mains Distribution (TSL)
    Allow remote control of outputs and demonstration of SNMP Monitoring  
  • Audio Tester (CTP Systems dBox2)
    Generation of Tone/GLITS in Analogue/AES3
  • H264/H265 Encoder/Decoder with NDI HX Support
    Allows side-by-side demonstration of original vs. compressed video 
  • Broadcast ENG Camera (Sony HDW750P on Manfrototo tripod with remote focus/zoom controls)
    Essential for demonstrating key concepts for capturing light and colours when combined with test charts and camera light

 

2 portable 19 inch equipment racks full of broadcast demonstration hardware with 2 broadcast SDI monitors on top and an ENG camera on a tripod beside them.
HD Demo Rack on a trolley pictured alongside a desk where a PC monitor showing the ATEM vision mixer control software can be seen
read view of the fundamentals and HD demo racks - lots of wiring and equipment connections can be seen. The rear of each rack is illuminated with LED light strips mounted around all sides
Closeup showing the equipment in use during the embeeded audio practical utilising Phabrix SxE
Closeup of 2 peoples hands performing a continutiy test on a faulty 3.5mm audio cable
Tek waveform monitor and portable JVC monitor showing siemens star with camera on tripod visible behind
Tek waveform monitor and portable JVC monitor showing video from camera as someone's hand can be seen adjusting exposure on a remote control panel
View across table where a vision mixer control panl and control software on a laptop can be seen with a large multiviewer display in the background.

Hands-on Practicals

We have a variety of kit that we use on some Broadcast Engineering Essentials courses (practicals are only typically included on longer courses – please discuss requirements when booking).

SDI Audio (Embed / De-Embed) & Phabrix SX

 

 

Audio Connections, Levels & Fault-Finding using GLITS

  • Signal generator (CTP Systems dBox v2 or v3)
  • TSL Dual PPM & AMU in Fundamentals Rack (Murraypro PicoPPM when rack not available)
  • Faulty 3.5mm & XLR cables
  • Mustimeters for investigating/confirming wiring faults

 

 

Broadcast Camera Alignment (Back Focus, Colour Balancing, Racking/Shading, Painting) & Genlock

 

 

Vision Mixer Operation 

  • Blackmagic ATEM
    • ATEM Television Studio HD (4xHDMI+4xSDI) – in SDI Demo Rack
    • ATEM 1M/E (4xHDMI+4xSDI) – Standalone
  • Vision Mixer Control Panel (TY-K1700HD)
  • Touchscreen Laptop (MS Windows – running ATEM Control)

 

 

Cinema Camera Rig & Config

 

 

Cinema camera rig on tripod partially setup - missing the lens and connection wiring<br />
Cinema camera fully rigged and operational viewed from behind - video can be seen on the on-body viewfinder and top-mounted HDMI monitor

Practical Networking Kit

The original kit was curated over the years by Mike Dhonau and is used on our Practical Introduction to IP Networking course. In 2024 we were luck to be gifted a stack of 48-port Cisco 3850 network gigabit switches, which we later upgraded to add 10G (SFP+) connectivity.

As this is a very practical and hands-on course it takes a lot of effort to prepare the systems, accompanying practical guide books and to ensure it all works on the day!

We typically maintain 8 sets of the following (+ hardware for trainer/demonstration and some spares):

  • Managed Network Switch (We have a sets of both Cisco and Juniper)
  • Windows Laptop with Ethernet
  • USB > Serial Interface adaptor (for configuration of network switch via console)
  • MikroTik Router (routing and NAT to connect tot the internet – typically done on-site via WiFi)
A meeting room table (no people) covered with network switches, each switch has a laptop on top of it.
View across the desks showing laptops and network switch hardware provided for training use.
A stack of Cisco switches on a trolley pictured outside
The Big Pink Snackbox (pink flightcase with a briefcase opening style) containing biscuits, haribo, raisins, cake bars and sweets

Big Pink Snack Box!

Often the most appreciated bit of kit we bring along!

Training days can be long and we pack a lot in (Especially if Ed’s presenting!). We like to help people stay attentive with some sweet goodies! We can’t guarantee every course will get what’s shown here but it is becoming pretty common!

Want to support us?

If you have equipment that isn’t too large/heavy/noisy that you’re willing to provide on long-term loan, please get in touch. If we have it, we like to use it – helping get your product in front of potential customers.

Note, our integrity is important to us so while we like to be educated about systems & equipment provided by partners, we will always share our real un-biased views about any system we use. We will always communicate any issues we have with partners and help where possible to help issues be resolved. Please see our partners page for details of who has been supportive to us.

Get In Touch

Want to see our kits in person?

View Our Courses Page for more details and get in touch to make a booking!