8 Channel Intelligent Loudness Meter iLM8 User Manual
Welcome Thanks for purchasing the DaySequerra iLM8. Differences in audio levels between TV programs, or between programs and commercials, are a constant annoyance to viewers. iLM8 permits broadcasters to verify compliance of their desired loudness level across all audio programming and minimize viewer complaints.
Table of Contents Important Safety Information 4 Menu Functions and Descriptions 19 Service Information 4 Faults 26 Technical Specifications 5 Firmware Update 27 Introduction 6 iLM8 Remote Dashboard 28 Measuring Loudness 7 Remote Dashboard Configuration 29 Using iLM8 to Control Loudness 10 Using Remote Dashboard 31 Installation 12 Log Files 32 Front Panel 13 Maintaining an Accurate Clock 33 Rear Panel 14 Remote Dashboard Troubleshooting 33 Meter Display 16 Warranty 35
Important Safety Information • • • • • • • • • • Indoor use only. Not for use in wet or damp environments Maximum Relative Humidity: <80% Class I Equipment (grounded type) Electrical rating: 100-260V~50-60Hz 25W max Internal circuit breaker for continuous short circuit protection AC Mains supply voltage fluctuations are not to exceed +10% of the nominal voltage Operations temperature range -40°C to 70°C Maximum altitude: 3000m (9843ft) Equipment suitable for continuous operation Weight: 3.
Technical Specifications Power Consumption: Dimensions: Sample Rate: Loudness Algorithms: Headphone Monitor: GPIO: Regulatory: 25W Maximum Rack Mount; 1 RU (1.75” x 19” x 10.75”) 32kHz-96kHz, 24-bit ITU-R BS.1770/1 (LKFS), DTS Neural Loudness Measure (NLM), Leq(A), Leq(B), Leq(C), Leq(M) 3.
Introduction Broadcasters need a solution to effectively measure, and ultimately control the abrupt changes in loudness that sends viewers diving for their remote controls during commercial breaks and action scenes. DaySequerra’s iLM8 Intelligent Loudness Meter measures perceived loudness of up to eight channels of program audio using the industry-standard ITU-R BS.
Measuring Loudness Human perception of the sensation of an audio signal is properly called “loudness”. As early as 1933, research by Fletcher and Munson showed that human hearing sensitivity is largely based upon the frequency of the sound, as well as the sound pressure level (SPL). As humans do not hear sound using standard measures of intensity, measuring loudness based upon SPL or the root mean square (RMS) voltage of the electrical signal will not agree with human perception.
Weighting Curves To achieve a more accurate loudness measurement, the method should include critical bands in the measurement. Critical bands describe auditory filters within the human cochlea. (J. Allen, 2010). To illustrate this, a subject is presented with a single tone of a certain energy level, and more tones are added with equal energy in the critical bands – the total signal energy is kept constant regardless of the number of tones.
Bronwyn Jones and Emil Torick created a revised CBS loudness meter in the early 1980s that consisted of eight filters, each covering three critical bands. This approach did prove to deliver better subjective modeling than traditional SPL or RMS measurements (Jones & Torick, 1982). In 2004, Nielsen and Skovenborg published an AES paper that expanded upon the ideas of critical band loudness measures.
Each Leq(x) revision results in a different level of correlation between the objective measure and the human listener’s assessment of loudness. The lowest mean error score was achieved by the Neural Loudness Measure Works Cited: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Fletcher, H. & Munson, W. A. (1933). Loudness, its Definition, Measurement, and Calculation. Allen, J (2010 May 20). Nonlinear Cochlear Signal Processing. Johnston, J. (2006). Loudness Tutorial. Jones, B. L. & Torick, E. L. (1982).
A long term loudness measurement of an entire clip is referred to as an infinite average. To achieve the desired loudness level, this value can be used to update the Dial Norm metadata, thus affecting the audio’s perceived loudness when processed at the point of consumption by way of the set top box or, more recently, digital television receiver.
Installation Immediately upon receiving your iLM8, please make a careful inspection for any shipping damage. If damage is found or suspected, please notify the carrier at once and then contact your dealer. iLM8 is shipped in one carton, which contains: the iLM8 unit and an AC power cable. We strongly encourage you to save the shipping carton and shipping materials supplied with your iLM8.
Front Panel Bargraph Meters INPUT LEVELS - Eight 10-segment multi-colored LED meters display the true-peak audio level for each channel of the inbound audio stream. Status Indicators / Mix Monitor OVER TARGET - Red LED indicator illuminates when the short term combined average for the active input displayed on the home screen is over the user-specified target.
Rear Panel AES INPUTS - Four 75Ω BNC connectors will accept the AES3 digital audio stream. For iLM8 to work properly, the following channel inputs must be maintained: • 1/2 - Left and Right Channel (Front) • 3/4 - Center and LFE • 5/6 – Left and Right Surround • AUX – Left and right Auxiliary AES OUTPUTS – Four passive 75Ω BNC connectors output the AES3 digital audio stream.
GPIO – A Female DB-9 connection that allows iLM8 to be monitored or controlled externally. Optoisolated inputs will be triggered by a voltage of 5VDC. Pin Signal 1 2 3 4 Output Relay 1 N.O. Relay 1 Common Optical Input 1 Optical Input 2 Optical Input Common Output Relay 2 N.O. Relay 2 Common Optical Input 3 Optical Input 4 5 DB-9 Female Port on iLM8 Rear Panel 6 7 8 9 Output 1: Relay 1 is Normally Open. Upon an AES lock loss failure, this relay will close.
HD/SDI iLM8 can use an optional factory-installed HD/SDI I/O module to measure audio directly embedded into an SDI stream without any additional required equipment. The HD/SDI module contains 3 Gb/s SDI technology and will auto-detect the signal, whether SD, HD or HD 3Gb/s format. Audio will be automatically extracted from popular video standards such as: NTSC 525/29.97, PAL 625/25, 1080i/59.94, 1080i/50, 1080PsF/23.98, 1080PsF24, 720p/59.94 and 720p/50.
Home Screen Home Screen on iLM8 iLM8 has been designed with ease of use in mind. Most of the common settings are available for modification right on the home screen. While the unit is at this screen, press the HOME key to invoke the home screen selection mode; a selection box will appear. Turn the rotary encoder to move the box to the desired field to be changed and press the ENTER key to modify the value. Rotating the encoder again will cycle through the available options.
Programming Menu If AC line power is lost or momentarily interrupted, iLM8 will revert to its previous state. To enter the programming menu, turn the selection knob in any direction while at the HOME screen. The ENTER key will enter the selected sub menu or enter the value selection mode for the selected option. A press of the BACK key will navigate to the previous menu level or will revert the current value to its last stored state.
Menu Functions and Descriptions Main Menu Screen Display The main menu display shown on iLM8 when first entering the menu is demonstrated above. To enter the main menu, press the ENTER key from the home screen while the unit is unlocked. From the main menu screen you may navigate to the desired sub-menu by pressing ENTER.
I/O Menu I/O Menu Screen Display The I/O Menu will allow you to tailor iLM8 to suit your specific application. Audio Input: Navigates to the audio input configuration sub-menu. Clock Source: Defines where iLM8 gets the timing signal to sync its internal clock. a. Internal: iLM8’s internal clock. Define using Sync Source. b. 1/2: iLM8 will get timing from the 1/2 BNC Input. (Default) c. 3/4: iLM8 will get timing from the 3/4 BNC Input. d. 5/6: iLM8 will get timing from the 5/6 BNC Input. e.
• • HD/SDI Inputs 9-16: Audio input is from the HD/SDI input jack, embedded audio channels 9-16. Balanced Digital: Audio input is from the Balanced Digital DB-25 I/O port. HD/SDI Mapping: Enters the HD/SDI mapping sub-menu to assign a custom channel configuration. Will only be present if the HD/SDI I/O module is installed. HD/SDI Mapping Menu HD/SDI Mapping Menu Screen Display For iLM8 to make precise loudness measurements, the audio channel assignments need to be properly maintained.
the rotary encoder again will start to scroll through the choices for the next letter, or pressing ENTER accepts the name. DHCP: Configures iLM8 to look for a DHCP server for IP configuration. (Enabled or Disabled) IP Address: If DHCP is set to disabled, allows you to enter the desired IP address manually. Press ENTER while the cursor is over this field to go into data entry mode. Scroll through the available numbers (0-255) and press ENTER to move to the next octet.
Alarms Menu Alarms Menu Screen Display iLM8 may be configured alert you to an AES lock loss condition. AES Lock: Allows the AES Lock alarm to be suppressed or enabled. (Default: Off) About Menu Model Number: Displays the model number of the unit. Serial Number: Displays the serial number of this unit. Hardware Rev: Displays the hardware revision level of this unit. Firmware Rev: Displays the firmware revision level that is running on this unit. DTS Algorithm: Displays the specific DTS algorithm running.
Algorithm Settings Menu Algorithm Settings Menu Screen Display The Algorithm Settings menu contains all the values required to tailor the loudness measurement functions to your specific purpose. 5.1 Measure: Sub-menu with additional settings applicable to how iLM8 handles loudness measurements the 5.1 surround inputs. AUX Measure: Sub-menu with additional settings applicable to how iLM8 handles loudness measurements the AUX stereo inputs.
Algorithm Meters Menu The Algorithm Meters menu contains all the real-time loudness readings that iLM8 generates for the audio input. Each measurement is rounded up to two decimal places of precision. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 5.1 Short Average 5.1 Inf. Average 5.1 True/Standard Peak L Short Average R Short Average C Short Average LFE Short Average Ls Short Average Rs Short Average AUX Short Average AUX Inf.
Faults Although your iLM8 will provide you with years of trouble free service, occasionally problems may occur. Below is a listing of the most common fault conditions. No Sync: AES sync has been lost. Please check the source equipment and all cable connections. Ensure that iLM8 is operating in the proper input mode for your application and is looking for the source audio on the correct port. CRC Error: iLM8 has encountered a CRC error in the audio stream.
Firmware Update Provided that you have completed warranty registration for your iLM8 on our website, we will notify you as new firmware updates become available. The notification will contain the announcement of new firmware, issues corrected, and instructions on how to retrieve the update files. Update packages will be available as a single .ZIP file for download. Compatible archive programs include Winzip (www.winzip.com) or WinRAR (www.rarlabs.com) and may be downloaded from their respective websites.
iLM8 Remote Dashboard The DaySequerra Remote Dashboard software will allow remote monitoring and logging of audio loudness as it is measured by iLM8. Double click the installation icon to install the program. A shortcut will be created on your desktop. If you wish the software to start automatically with the PC at login, place a copy of the shortcut into your Startup Windows program folder. When the program first starts, an icon will appear in the system tray.
Remote Dashboard Configuration Un-configured Settings Tab Network Settings: Enter the IP address of the iLM8 unit to be monitored. The IP address can be found on the unit by navigating to the SYSTEM MENU, then NETWORK. For more details, see the networking section of this manual. The UDP port should remain set at 44600. Data Collection: Configures how often, in milliseconds, the application will poll iLM8 for its readings. Data Logging: Specifies the location for storing log files.
5.1 Unit 5.1 Target 5.1 MM 5.1 Short (Avg.) 5.1 Inf. Avg. 5.1 Peak 5.1 L Short Avg. 5.1 R Short Avg. 5.1 C Short Avg. 5.1 LFE Short (Avg). 5.1 Ls Short Avg. 5.1 Rs Short Avg. AUX Unit AUX Target AUX MM AUX Short Avg. AUX Inf. Avg. AUX Peak Aux-L Short Avg. Aux-R Short Avg. Device Faults Loudness measure that is used for the 5.1 (surround) inputs. Target value set for the 5.1 inputs. Mix Monitor status for the 5.1 inputs. Short combined average for the 5.1 inputs. Combined infinite average of the 5.
Using Remote Dashboard Main Viewer Window The Main Viewer Window will appear as pictured above when the options have been set correctly and the program is communicating with a device. 1. Title Bar: Shows program name, along with short term and infinite average measurements for both the Surround and AUX inputs of the iLM8. Pressing the minimize button will minimize the application to the Windows task bar, where as clicking the close button will minimize the application to the system tray.
recorded log file. The radio button’s setting is global across all tabs. To play back a log file, select the FILE PLAYBACK radio button, then the more button next to the file name box. Browse to the log file desired and press OK. Playback controls (Rewind, Pause, Play, etc.) will then control the file playback. Once the playback has been started and paused, clicking on the time display will allow entry of a time value and cause the playback to instantly move to that position in the file.
Maintaining an Accurate Clock To have the data in log files correctly represent the program material measured during a particular time of day, the PC clock will need to be synchronized to a reliable clock or house source. Windows contains a NTP server client that will automatically set the PC clock to be the same as a remote clock. 1. 2. 3. 4. Double click on the clock in the system tray. Click on the ‘Internet Time’ tab. Enter the time server address to be used, or use the public pool time.nist.gov.
DaySequerra – Three Year Limited Warranty DaySequerra warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship to its original owner for three (3) years from the date of purchase. DaySequerra will repair or replace such product or part thereof that upon inspection by DaySequerra, is found to be defective in materials or workmanship subject to conditions contained herein. DaySequerra products are sold worldwide, through a network of authorized DaySequerra dealers and distributors.
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