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3GDA204R digital video distribution amplifier







What is it?
Dual channel 3G/HD/SD reclocking distribution amplifier with signal reporting.
Reason to choose it...
You need a device that allows you to double the outputs on a couple of video feeds. You'll get excellent jitter performance, save yourself rack space (with an impressive 24 channels fitting in 2U) and your control system will know whether every DA has got an input thanks to the remote monitoring.
Ideal for...
Distributing signals in multi-standard big systems with lots of channels, where you want status information about your signal. See who's using it.
Control it...
Try out the 3GDA204R VisionWeb GUI (opens in new window) – you'll see how easy it is to operate 3GDA204R from your web browser, while exploring the full functionality of the product.
Got a question?
We would be very happy to answer any questions you've got about the 3GDA204R. Either send us an e-mail or get an immediate response by speaking to us now on our Live Chat...
- Main features
- Details
- Specs
- What outputs do I get?
- What do I order?
- Who's using it?
Main features
- 3G/HD/SD dual channel reclocking distribution amplifier
- Gives you multiple copies of a signal, with two outputs of each channel
- Equally suited to distributing 3Gb/s, HD or SD signals - and no need to rush out to replace it when you upgrade
- All outputs are DVB-ASI compatible
- Distribute two different standards at the same time
- High performance distribution with signal reclocking and excellent jitter performance
- Avoid data errors with high quality cable equalisation
- Ideal for big systems: remote monitoring of input present and signal type
- LED indication of input and board power supplies present
- Auto detection of input – recognises whether the standard is HD or SD and switches the output slew rate automatically
- Inputs and outputs accessed by using an appropriate rear module (either RM75 or RM76)
- Dual relay bypass protection option available on RM76 rear module
- Housed in Indigo rack frames
- Space-saving: 100mm x 266mm module allows 12 3GDA204R in 2U (six in 1U and two in desk top box)
- Flexible control and monitoring: board edge, GPI, frame integrated control panel, VisionPanel remote control panel, SNMP, ASCII and JSON protocols, Statesman Lite PC software or the web browser-based VisionWeb Control
- Five year warranty (with product registration)
- This product is available to either purchase or hire, with hire pricing typically 6% of list price per week (with one week minimum hire period and £200 minimum charge)
Details
Dual channel distribution in multi-standard environments
The 3GDA204R is a dual channel reclocking distribution amplifier providing high quality distribution of 3Gb/s, HD or SD sources, with two outputs per channel.
It is the perfect product for those who need to double the outputs on a couple of video feeds.
The two channels are independent allowing you to put different standards through each - perfect, for example, if you have HD and SD copies of the programme you want to distribute.
It can be configured instead to be single input to meet a change in requirement, with input 1 then driving the outputs of both channels.
All outputs are DVB-ASI compatible - a useful feature given the wide use of ASI within the broadcast environment - with all outputs non-inverted.
It is suited to providing high performance distribution for any multi-standard environments, for broadcasters who need to distribute 3Gb/s now or in the near future, and for engineers who want to 'future proof' their SD or HD installations.
Excellent performance
The 3GDA204R gives excellent jitter performance on long cable runs.
With auto detection of input, it will recognise whether the standard is HD or SD and switch the output slew rate automatically, in addition to illuminating the appropriate LED.
The 3GDA204R will always choose an appropriate cable equaliser for the signal type, ensuring an SD cable length in excess of 250m with Belden 8281 or equivalent, and up to 140m for HD and 80m for 3Gb/s with Belden 1694A - with no data errors.
Local monitoring is available, with LED indication of inputs and power supplies present.
Monitor your signals
The 3GDA204R is ideal for those seeking information about their signal, especially in big systems.
Your broadcast control system will know whether every DA in the system has got an input. It provides remote monitoring of input present and 3G/HD or SD signal, using either the integrated control panel on the AE frame, a remote control panel, GPIs, SNMP, our ASCII and JSON protocols, the Statesman Lite PC software or the VisionWeb Control web browser software. Try the 3GDA204R VisionWeb demo...
SNMP additionally allows alarms to be set on loss of input and change in signal type.
- Find out more about the board edge switches
- Find out more about the frame integrated control panel
- Find out more about VisionPanel
- Find out more about VisionWeb Control
- Find out more about Statesman Lite
- Find out more about SNMP
- Find out more about the ASCII and JSON protocols
- Find out more about GPIs
Save rack space - and protect your output
Fitting in the Crystal Vision Indigo frames (available in 2U, 1U and desk top box sizes), this space-saving single height 100mm x 266mm module sits in one frame slot allowing up to 12 DAs (24 channels) in 2U.
It uses either the RM75 frame rear module or the RM76 rear module to access the two 3Gb/s, HD or SD inputs and two outputs per channel.
The RM76 includes dual relay bypass protection on power failure or board removal, protecting both inputs to give that extra layer of security and prevent signal loss.
Specs
MECHANICAL
Standard Crystal Vision module 266mm x 100mm
Weight: 140g
Power consumption: 3.5 Watts
VIDEO INPUT
Two independent 3Gb/s or HD or SD inputs. Channels can be of different video standards
270Mb/s or 1.5Gb/s or 3Gb/s serial compliant to SMPTE 259 or ASI data, SMPTE 292-1 and SMPTE 424/425-A
3Gb/s cable equalisation up to 80m with Belden 1694A or equivalent
HD cable equalisation up to 140m with Belden 1694A or equivalent (approx. 100m with Belden 8281)
SD cable equalisation >250m Belden 8281 or equivalent
Input return loss: -15dB for 50MHz to 1.5GHz
Auto detection of input – recognises whether the standard is 3G/HD or SD and switches the output slew rate automatically
VIDEO OUTPUTS
Two reclocked 3Gb/s, HD or SD outputs per channel using RM75 or RM76 frame rear modules
The RM76 frame rear module provides dual relay bypass protection. An electromechanical relay switch needs power to hold the switch in one state and will revert to the other state (board bypass) on loss of power. It prevents signal loss by mechanically connecting each input of the 3GDA204R to its first output on complete frame power failure or board removal
270Mb/s or 1.5Gb/s or 3Gb/s serial compliant to SMPTE 259 or ASI data, SMPTE 292-1 and SMPTE 424/425-A. Output follows the input format
All outputs are DVB-ASI compatible, with four non-inverted outputs
DELAY THROUGH BOARD
50ns max
LED INDICATION OF:
Board edge LEDs showing:
Input 1 3G or HD
Input 1 SD
Input 2 3G or HD
Input 2 SD
LED pair unlit for no input or unrecognised input
Power supplies okay
GPI OUTPUT LEVELS
Electrically: Open collector transistors 30V, 270 ohm current limit resistors. Pulled up to +5V through 6800 ohm
GPI OUTPUTS
Six GPI outputs asserted when:
Input 1 preset
Input 1 SD
Input 1 3G or HD
Input 2 present
Input 2 SD
Input 2 3G or HD
REMOTE MONITORING
Monitoring of inputs present and 3G/HD or SD signal
Software:
VisionWeb Control is available via the web server on the frame and allows monitoring using a standard web browser on a computer, tablet or phone
Statesman Lite allows monitoring from any PC on a network
SNMP monitoring available as a frame option
Monitor using ASCII and JSON protocols
Hardware:
Monitor from integrated control panel on Indigo 1AE-DP frame
Monitor from VisionPanel 3U remote panel
What outputs do I get?
Signal inputs and outputs are accessed by using an appropriate rear module.
The Indigo rear modules slot on to the back of the frame and typically feature BNC, D-Type, RJ45 and optical connectors. The single and double slot rear modules can be used with all three frame sizes, while the quad slot rear modules just fit the 2U frames.
The 3GDA204R is DVB-ASI compatible: all outputs are non-inverted.
There are two rear modules available for the 3GDA204R...
RM75 rear module label and connections
More about the RM75
Connectors: 6 BNCs
Frame slots used: 1
Boards in 2U: 12
Boards in 1U: 6
Boards in desk top box: 2
Why use it: It's the default rear module for the 3GDA204R - use it when you don't need relay bypass protection
Also used for: No other boards
RM76 rear module label and connections
More about the RM76
Connectors: 6 BNCs
Frame slots used: 1
Boards in 2U: 12
Boards in 1U: 6
Boards in desk top box: 2
Why use it: You want relay bypass protection
Also used for: No other boards
For more visual technical information, download the 3GDA204R block diagram.
What do I order?
First you need the 100mm x 266mm module...
- 3GDA204R
- 3G/HD/SD dual channel reclocking distribution amplifier with two outputs per channel and signal reporting
Next choose your frame size and power supplies - from 2U to desk top box...
- Indigo 2SE
- CoolFlow 2U frame with power supply redundancy and active front panel featuring smart CPU for up to 12 Crystal Vision modules. Allows Ethernet connection to a PC
- Indigo 1AE-DP
- 1U frame with power supply redundancy and active front panel featuring smart CPU and integrated control panel for up to six Crystal Vision modules. Includes two fixed PS-80i power supplies. Allows Ethernet connection to a PC
- Indigo 1SE-DP
- 1U frame with power supply redundancy and active front panel featuring smart CPU for up to six Crystal Vision modules. Includes two fixed PS-80i power supplies. Allows Ethernet connection to a PC
- Indigo DT
- Desk top box with passive front panel for up to two Crystal Vision modules. Includes fixed power supply
- Indigo DTSE
- Desk top box with active front panel featuring smart CPU for up to two Crystal Vision modules. Includes fixed power supply. Allows Ethernet connection to a PC
- PSU-160i
- 160 Watts power supply for Indigo 2SE frame. Requires either one PSU-160i (no redundancy) or two PSU-160i if power supply redundancy is required
You need a rear module to access your inputs and outputs...
- RM75
- Single slot frame rear module. Allows maximum number of 3GDA204R in frame (12 in 2U, six in 1U, two in desk top box). Gives access to two 3Gb/s, HD or SD outputs and two 3Gb/s, HD or SD outputs per channel
- RM76
- Single slot frame rear module. Allows maximum number of 3GDA204R in frame (12 in 2U, six in 1U, two in desk top box). Provides relay bypass protection of the two inputs. Gives access to two 3Gb/s, HD or SD outputs and two 3Gb/s, HD or SD outputs per channel
Finally - control. Complimentary options include board edge switches, the integrated control panel if you've selected the 1AE-DP frame, the VisionWeb web browser control and our ASCII and JSON protocols. Alternatively order one of the items below...
- VisionPanel
- 3U Ethernet remote control panel with touch screen
- Statesman Lite
- Free-of-charge PC Control System - download the latest version
- SNMP
- SNMP monitoring and control available as a frame option
Who's using it?
Users of the 3GDA digital video distribution amplifiers include...
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Do more...
- What does it cost? Request a quote for 3GDA204R...
- Want to hire instead? Request a hire quote...
- What controls has it got? Try out the VisionWeb demo for 3GDA204R...
- Want more information? Get the 3GDA204R user manual (and SNMP MIB) by signing up for the Registered Area now
- The 3GDA204R module needs to be housed in a rack frame - look at the frame options
- Bought Crystal Vision products in the last 60 days? Register these products now to upgrade your standard three year warranty to five years
Explore more...

From the Indigo frame system...
- 3GDA105R 3G/HD/SD reclocking DA with signal reporting (5 outputs)
- 3GDA105C 3G/HD/SD reclocking DA (5 outputs)
- 3GDA111R 3G/HD/SD reclocking DA with signal reporting (11 outputs)
- 3GDA111C 3G/HD/SD reclocking DA (11 outputs)
- 3GDA210R dual channel 3G/HD/SD reclocking DA with signal reporting (5 outputs per channel)
- VDA110M HD single channel HD/SD analogue video distribution amplifier with manual control
- VDA110R HD single channel HD/SD analogue video distribution amplifier with remote control
- VDA210M HD dual channel HD/SD analogue video distribution amplifier with manual control
From the Vision frame system...
- 3GDA-VF 3G/HD/SD video distribution amplifier with remote control (12 outputs)
- VDA-VF HD/SD analogue video distribution amplifier with remote control (12 outputs)
Not sure which DA is best for your application? Have a look at our Indigo and Vision video distribution amplifiers comparison chart to help you make a decision...
Crystal Vision Ltd. is registered in England number 03139895. Registered office: Lion Technology Park, Station Road East, Whittlesford, Cambridge, CB22 4WL, England.
Tel: +44 (0)1223 497049 E-mail: sales@crystalvision.tv