Page 3of 7 4/16/2002
Audio Decoder Card
This card has the ability to receive 1 data pipe (128kb, 192kb, etc.). Depending on how the
headend MUSICAM encoder is set (Joint Stereo, Dual Mono or Mono) you will get 2 audio channels on
the DB-9 (AUDIO) connector on the card. The audio channels (called services) are divided into one of
three categories, known as a "PROVIDER", for ease in navigation.
ABC RADIO: Music Formats including Tom Joyner and Doug Banks
ABC NEWS: ABC Radio News, ESPN East and ESPN West, ABC Talk
ABC NY: All other, mainly client services and ABC Talk
Once a port with an audio card is selected, PROVIDER is the first part of the Menu Tree. If the port is set
to the wrong provider, you will not see the SERVICE, or channel, you are looking for. Once the
PROVIDER is set, you then go to the SERVICE menu to select the channel.
Starguide is a closed system, so permissioning is required. If a receiver is not authorized for a service, the
last 2 characters in the services window will say 'NA'. The ABC RADIO and ABC NEWS Providers are
set-up to only permission if you are an affiliate. Most services in the ABC NY Provider are permissioned
to everyone (client services). A client needs to buy a full data pipe in order to do permissioning and
WOR is currently the only client that is using that function. All others are open. Basically if you are not
an affiliate and buy a receiver from us you will only be able to get services under the ABC NY Provider.
There is also a DB-15 connector (DIGITAL IF). MPEG Layer 2 protocol is designed to include overhead
data, which allows for Starguide relay closures (similar to our ABR-200 Ku feeds from ESPN and KGO
for closures). The Protocol can accept up to 16 closures. However, only the first 4 are available on the
audio card via the DB-15 connector. THIS IS NOT NETCUE.The Starguide relay closure information
is embedded in the MPEG L2 frames. This requires a box on the Headed called a PBE (push button
encoder) for each audio pipe (128kb or 192kb). This box has 16 inputs (one for each relay) and a single
serial data output that is wired to the associated encoder (both PRI & SEC). This PBE generates the
proper data steam for closures that gets muxed with the digital audio to provided the proper MPEG Layer
2 data protocol.
Audio Card Condition Cause/Resolution
NO AUDIO OUTPUT Receiver port not properly configured.
Start at top level menu.
Press <Enter> on the Starguide keypad:
Press ?until you get to PORT MENU, press <Enter>
Press ?until you get to the desired PORT with audio card, press <Enter>
Press ?until you get to CARD TYPE, press <Enter>
Press ?until you get to AUDIO, press <Enter>
Press ?until you get to PROVIDER, press <Enter>
Press ?until you get to desired PROVIDER , press <Enter>
Press ?until you get to SERVICE, press <Enter>
Press ?until your desired service displayed, press <Enter>.
TWO AUDIO FEEDS
MONITORED Equipment wired to MONO SUM output from decoder card.
Rewire decoder output to separate LEFT/RIGHT connections.
