Protection switching is a core function in any broadcast environment, essential for ensuring the continuity of feeds. The 7800R4x8-ACS is a protection switching product with a host of advanced features for the ultimate in protection of important content. Where downtime is costly, the 7800R4x8-ACS ensures maximum uptime and uninterrupted delivery of revenue generating content.

The 7800R4x8-ACS-3G starts out as a 4x2 configuration. The two outputs are individually configurable and eight DA'd copies of each are provided. The +6OP option unlocks the ability to individually select which input, or whether the automatic protection switch feeds each of eight individual outputs. Two copies of each signal are provided in this case. With a total of four inputs, the product can be operated as a single protection switch with quad inputs operating as primary, secondary and tertiary, or as dual 2 x 1 protection switches.

The 7800R4x8-ACS provides a comprehensive set of user configurable monitoring parameters on which to base transfer decision criteria. Video monitoring capabilities include essential parameters, such as presence of carrier, lock, CRC mismatch and TRS integrity. A signal may appear to be "good" by meeting all of these basic signal integrity criteria, therefore more sophisticated video monitoring parameters are required to discern content related issues. Advanced monitoring including detection for video freeze, black and picture level error ensure that content issues are also included in the transfer decision process. Audio is monitored for silence, over-level and underlevel. User-adjustable thresholds for levels and duration allow audio transfer decision criteria to be tailored to suit the characteristics of any user's expected conditions. With increasing compliance enforcement on closed caption delivery, the presence of captions is also an important component of a complete video signal. The 7800R4x8-ACS is capable of detecting the presence of CEA608 and CEA708 caption data and switching on its absence.

In the event that a transfer from the main video source to the backup is required, the 7800R4x8-ACS ensures a visually hitless switch by synchronizing all incoming feeds upstream of the crosspoint selection. Evertz SoftSwitch technology additionally ensures "popless" switching of embedded audio. Optional features are available to mitigate skew issues when signals are arriving over transport media with varying latencies.