BD500 Broadcast Profanity Delay
Chapter 1 Introduction
Page 1
©Eventide Inc. 1995-1999
doc release 10
Chapter 1 Introducing the BD500
The Eventide BD500 is designed to enable a broadcast licensee to prevent obscene and/or libelous material
from being transmitted over the air. It does this by automatically delaying program material by up to 8 sec-
onds, allowing time for the monitoring operator to make the decision as to whether the material being delayed
fits into either category.
If objectionable material is heard, patented electronic circuitry allows all or a portion of the delayed audio
to be "dumped" and the program resumed without interruption. The delay time is increased automatically and
gradually after the "dump" occurs. A remote control option allows an external relay to be attached which would
prevent uncontrolled sources, such as telephone callers, from being aired until the delay time is again long
enough to provide protection.
The BD500 has some special functions to make it convenient to use: the WAIT AND EXIT function can be
used to synchronize to a network or live signal feed, and the RAMP TO ZERO function can be used to decrease
the delay time to 0.00 gradually after it is no longer needed for a safety margin.
This manual discusses the use and operation of the BD500. All of the functions are presented explicitly,
which may make the manual seem somewhat forbidding. However, the unit is very simple to use and the ap-
parent complexity portrayed in this manual is due to our desire to offer complete and accurate information.
BD500 Features:
• 8 seconds of stereo audio delay, configurable
• Allows multiple DUMP operations without
exhausting the delay buffer. The DUMP function
is adjustable and may be configured to delete an
amount between 1.00 seconds and 8.00 seconds,
programmable in half-second increments
• SNEEZE function replaces microphone mute
switch and allows short interruptions to be
unnoticeable
• Patented Eventide Rebuild (catch-up) provides
fast recovery from a DUMP or SNEEZE while
show is in progress
• 18-bit Analog to Digital and Digital to Analog
converters
• 32000 samples per second sample rate
• Precision Fixed Delay mode which allows a front
panel selectable delay between 2.25mS and 8
seconds in steps of 125uS.
• WAIT AND EXIT drops from full delay to 0.00
delay in 8 seconds
• RAMP TO ZERO reduces the delay slowly using
the same patented Eventide process as Rebuild
• WAIT FOR SAFE function allows starting a show
with a safe amount of delay
• Numeric display shows amount of delay
• Front panel configuration and display of audio
input and output attenuation
• Remote control inputs to trigger SNEEZE and
DUMP
• Relay contacts to signal safe condition and DUMP
button actuation
Optional Features:
• AES/EBU digital audio input and output
• 48000 samples per second input and output sample rate
• RS-232 remote control
• Remote Control features including:
• 7 programmable remote button inputs on rear panel connector including
mute, station break insert and all front panel controls complete with permu-
tations of those controls.
• 4 programmable outputs to trigger relays, configurable to indicate different
timing conditions including status of all processes, bypass mode, and error
conditions.
• 8 delayed control signal lines used to delay external controls by the amount of
the audio delay
