Updating Big Ben’s firmware requires a hardware EPROM swap. If you feel you need to update the firmware or are experiencing any issues with your Big Ben, please contact Apogee Technical Support.
Big Ben
Do I need the X-Video Big Ben option to lock to Video?
No you do not.
The standard Big Ben can lock to analog video. NTSC or PAL and all the usual sample rates and pull up/downs.
The X-Video option gives the following extra functionality.
- Ability to act as a video clock generator.
- Ability to act as video slave (like a standard Big Ben) but whereby the video outputs are genlocked (cleaned up/regenerated) versions. The X-Video card will maintain the color-phase and field information through “Genlocking”, while simultaneously stripping the original signal from its pixel information.
Does Big Ben support tri-level HD sync formats when using the X-Video card?
No, tri-level HD sync formats are not supported.
Can Big Ben send word clock signals via its digital audio outputs?
The primary function of all the digital outputs on the Big Ben is to transmit clock. There are a total of ten clock outputs on the Big Ben: six BNC, one optical, one S/PDIF and two AES.
What is the purpose of the WC OUT/TERMINATION LEDs on the front panel of Big Ben?
When connecting word clock cables, it is essential that the receiving device be terminated at the word clock input. If word clock connections are chained (not recommended but possible with un-terminated inputs), a termination plug should be connected to the word clock input of the last device in the chain. The WCOUT/TERMINATION LEDs indicate whether each word clock output is under-terminated, over-terminated or properly terminated. For more information on the subject of word clock termination, please see the document Big Ben Termination: How and Why
How much can I slow down or speed up from the original sample rate?
Using the VSO function, Big Ben can be set to 44% slower and 78% faster than the set sample rate.