INDEX ƒ TEXT ƒ BUSTER ƒ BUSTER1 1ƒ PARTS K ƒ DESCRIBEXƒ INTRO rƒ FINAL vƒ CONC yƒ  TEXT TEXT WORK FILE BYPP BUSTER SYNC-BUSTER MIKE BUSTER1 SYNC BUSTER BYPP PARTS PARTS LIST BYPP DESCRIBEDESCRIPTION BYPP INTRO INTRO BYPP FINAL FINAL BYPP CONC CONCLUSION BYPP @  @ During the last year, most of the electronic magazines @have run articles on the theory and techniques of scram- @bling and descrambling various video signals. We decided @enough is enough and let's put it all together. All @scrambled signals have something in common. At least one, @if not more, of the standards for the NTSC video signal @developed in the 1950's was missing or upset in some way. @But most hobbyists don't have the necessary equipment to @see which portion of their video signal, whether from a @local cable company or satellite dish, has been changed. @ Thanks, in part, to a chip that was developed for the @broadcasting industry, National Semiconductor created the @MM5321 TV Camera Sync Generator. This chip provides all @the basic sync functions for a color, 525 line/60 Hz, video @signal. Coupled with the RCA CA3126 PLL chroma chip, we @found a powerful team to decode scrambled video signals @including Video Cipher II, Sony, and OAK-Orion from sat- @ellite dishes and SAAVI, sine-waved horizontal, and tri- @mode on cable, and Copy Guard on video tape. @ The Sync-Buster's video source can be from a satellite @receiver, remote tuner, Telecaption decoder, or VCR. Its @output can be used to drive an RF modulator, another VCR, @color processor, video enhancer, or television with direct @video input. Most scrambling techniques upset the video @signal only, and pass the audio. The notable exception is @Video-Cipher II, but under our hookup section, we will @describe ways to get around this problem. @ @CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION: @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @CONSTRUCTION DETAILS: @It is strongly suggested that special care be taken during @the assembly to ensure that the proper components are in- @stalled in their correct positions. Read all instruc-e @tions first and check parts against the parts list. Also @be sure that diodes, transistors, electrolytics, and chipse @are installed with the proper polarity. A few extra min- @utes taken during assembly will save hours of trouble @.ENDting trying to find an incorrectly installed part. @1. Check the board carefully for crossed traces or,J5,J6, @incomplete traces. Clean the board thoroughly with a @product like "G_Soft Scrub" (not "Brillo") for smoothllo") for.M@.ENDheck board carefully for crossed traces or incomplete @traces. Clean the board thoroughly with a product like @"Soft Scrub" (not "Brillo") for smooth solder flow. @2. Instead of buying expensive test point pins, we make use @of resistor and capacitor tailings for through-board conn- @ections. Install C1,C2,C3, and C4 (.1uf monolythic caps) @and save tailings. @3. Using the tailings, install jumpers J1,J2,J3,J4,J5,J6, @J7, and J8. @4. Insert and solder IC sockets for ICs 1 to 12. ICs 1,2,3, @5, and 11 are 16 pin sockets; ICs 4,6,7,8,9,10, and 12 are @14 pin sockets. Be sure J5 at IC4 is out of the way. @5. Install and solder C5,C6,C7,C8,C9, and C35; observe @polarity. @6. Install and solder the resistors that lay flat, R1-R15. @Save the tailings. @7. Using the tailings from step 6, use them to form small @loops about 1/8 " high for test points at TP1 to TP18. In- @sert the small loop through the double holes, bend over on @the foil side of the board @and solder. Watch out for solder bridges between traces. @8. Complete jumpers at J9 to J21 using tailings. @9. Install and solder Monolythic (.01uf) caps at C10,C11, @C12,C13,C14,C15,C16,C17,C18,C19,C20, and C21. @10. Install and solder mylar caps at C18,C19,C20,C21,C22, @C23, and C24 (see parts list for values); install 300 pf @mica cap at C25. Install disc caps at C26,C27,C28,C29, and @C30 (see parts list for values). Install 22 uf 16V elect- @rolytic caps at C31,C32, and C33. Observe polarity. @11. Install and solder upright resistors at R16 to R44. @12. Install and solder diodes at D1,D2,D3,D4,D5, and D6. @Install BR1. Install transistors Q1,Q2,Q3, and Q4. Observe @polarity when installing the diodes, bridge rectifier, and @transistors. Install and solder trim cap C34 and crystal. @13. Carefully install IC13 (79L12), IC14 (78L12) and IC15 @(7805), install IC15 so that it is flush with the edge of @the PC board-it uses the case as a heat sink. @14. Install 2200 uf 16V electrolytic caps (C35,C36) obser- @ving polarity. @l5. There are several jumpers made with insulated wire. Two @are above the PC board, the rest on the foil side. Install @and solder a 2 1/2" jumper from TP2 to TP15; install and @solder a 4 3/4" jumper from TP1 to TP14. On the foil side @of the PC board, carefully solder jumpers from IC8-6 to @IC9-8; IC8-13 to IC9-4; IC7-5 to 220 pf disc at IC6-5 then @on to IC5-14; IC7-12 to IC6-13; IC7-13 to IC6-10; IC5-11 to @220 pf disc at IC6-2; IC5-12 to IC9-5. @16. Carefully go over completed PC board looking for @solder bridges, cold joints, or wrong connections on the @jumpers. @ @FINAL HOOKUP AND TESTING: @ @ Completion of your project will depend upon the selection @of a suitable enclosure and which hookup options best suit @your needs. Since is Sync-Buster is capable of such a @variety of applications and uses. The photos and diagrams @should help. Once you have mounted the PC board in the @enclosure, hooked up the switches and jacks, and installed @the transformer, tune-up becomes a simple matter. The @only tuned circuit is in the PLL (IC 1); using any video @signal as an input, and viewing the output video via the @several options (direct to VCR, TV, RF modulator, etc.), @adjust C34 to move (or lock) the vertical bar from left to @right. If this adjustment isn't quite right, pushing the @horizontal reset push button won't lock the bar from left @to right. Most of the time the vertical locks itself to @the incoming video, but a vertical reset is provided, which @will reset the vertical. This is important if you choose @to use a Telecaption decoder later--you must count down 10 @frames for this device to operate, or include this option @when you build the project. The same goes with the option @to include an RF modulator--Determine your needs, and pick @the options you need now, and in the future...  @ During the last year, most of the electronics magazines @have run articles on the theory and techniques of scram- @bling and descrambling various video signals. We decided @enough is enough and let's put it all together. All @scrambled signals have something in common. At least one, @if not more, of the standards for the NTSC video signal @developed in the 1950's was missing or upset in some way. @But most hobbyists don't have the necessary equipment to @see which portion of their video signal, whether from a @local cable company or satellite dish, has been changed. @ Thanks, in part, to a chip that was developed for the @broadcasting industry, National Semiconductor created the @MM5321 TV Camera Sync Generator. This chip provides all @the basic sync functions for a color, 525 line/60 Hz, video @signal. Coupled with the RCA CA3126 PLL chroma chip, we @found a powerful team to decode scrambled video signals @including Video CipherII, Sony, and OAK-Orion from satell- @ite dishes and SAAVI, sine-waved horizontal, and trimode @on cable, and Copy Guard on video tape. @ The Sync-Buster's video source can be from a satellite @receiver, remote tuner, Telecaption decoder, or VCR. Its @output can be used to drive an RF modulator, another VCR, @color processor, video enhancer, or television with direct @video input. Most scrambling techniques upset the video @signal only, and pass the audio. The notable exception is @Video-CipherII. Until audio descrambling chips can be made @and used legally in the U.S., we have found people paying @for basic cable services, which usually passes descrambled @audio on its premium stations with otherwise scrambled @video, or using a Telecaption decoder which prints the @"audio" at the bottom of the screen. This last option has @the added advantage of helping youngsters learn to read ! @ @ @CONSTRUCTION DETAILS: @ @ It is strongly suggested that special care be taken @during the assembly to ensure that the proper components @are installed in their correct positions. Read all @instructions first and check parts against the parts list. @Also be sure that diodes, transistors, electrolytics, and @chips are installed with the proper polarity. A few @minutes taken during assembly will save hours of trouble @shooting later. @1. Check board carefully for crossed traces or incomplete @traces. Clean the board thoroughly with a product like @"Soft Scrub" (not "Brillo") for smooth solder flow. @2. Instead of buying expensive test point pins, we make use @of resistor and capacitor tailings for through the board @connections. Install C1,C2,C3,C4 (.1 uf monolythic caps) @and save tailings. @3. Using the tailings, install jumpers J1,J2,J3,J4,J5,J6, @J7,J8. @4. Install IC sockets for ICs 1 to 12. ICs 1,2,3,5, and 11 @are 16 pin sockets; ICs 4,6,7,8,9,10, and 12 are 14 pin @sockets. Be sure J5 at IC4 is out of the way. @5. Install C5,C6,C7,C8,C9, and C37 (Observe polarity). @6. Install the resistors that lay flat against the board , @R1 to R16. Save the tailings. @7. Using the tailings from step 6, use them to form small @loops, which when inserted in the board, are about 1/8 " @high. These create test points at TP1 to TP23. Insert the @small loop through the double holes, bend over on the foil @side of the board, cut short, and solder in place. Watch @out for solder bridges between traces. @8. Complete jumpers at J9 to J21 using tailings. J15 and @J16 may require longer jumper wire than tailings. Keep J16 @away from the holes provided for C29, C30, and C23. @9. Install monolythic caps (.01 uf) at C10,C11,C12,C13,C14, @C15,C16,C17. Discard tailings. @10. Install Mylar caps at C18,C19,C20,C21,C22,C23, and C24 @(see parts list for values); install 300 pf silver mica cap @at C25, install disc caps at C26,C27,C28,C29, and C30 (see @parts list for values); install 22 uf 16V electrolytics at @C31,C32, and C33. Observe polarity. @11. Install resistors R17 to R44 by bending into an upright @position (see parts list for values). @12. Install diodes at D1,D2,D3,D4,D5, and D6. D3 is 1N34A, @the rest 1N914; install BR1; install transistors at Q1,Q2, @Q3, and Q4. Observe polarity when installing diodes, @bridge, and transistors. Install trim cap C34 and 3.58 MHz @crystal. @13. Carefully install IC13 (79L12), IC14 (78L12), and IC15 @(7805). Install IC15 so that it barely hangs over the edge @of the board in an upright position. When the board is @installed in the enclosure, it should rest against the back @wall to help dissipate heat from it. @14. Install 2200 uf 16V electrolytic caps at C35 and C36, @observing polarity. The holes in the board may have to be @modified due to different sized caps. @15. There are several jumpers made with insulated wire. @Three are above the PC board, the rest on the foil side. A @two sided board could have been designed eliminating all of @the jumpers, but cost and reader participation came to @mind for those making their own boards. Install a 2 1/2 " @jumper from TP2 to TP15; install a 4 3/4 " jumper from TP1 @to TP14; install a 2 " jumper from TP20 to TP21; if you @choose the Telecaption option, install a 6 1/2 " jumper @from TP9 to TP10. Otherwise insert a tailing from pin 2 to @pin 12 (IC12) instead of the 74LS90. On the foil side of @the board, carefully solder jumpers from IC8-6 to IC9-8; @IC8-13 to IC9-4; IC7-5 to 220 pf disc cap at IC6-5 then on @to IC5-14; IC7-12 to IC6-13; IC7-13 to IC6-10; IC5-11 to @220 pf disc cap at IC6-2; IC5-12 to IC9-5. @16. Carefully go over the completed PC board looking for @solder bridges, cold joints, or wrong connections on the @jumpers. @ @FINAL HOOKUP AND TESTING: @ @ Completion of your project will depend upon the selection @of a suitable enclosure and the hookup options that best @suit your needs, since the Sync-Buster is capable of such @a variety of applications and uses. The photos and dia- @grams should help. Once you have mounted the PC board in @the enclosure, hooked up the switches and jacks, and in- @stalled the transformer and fuse assembly, plug in the unit @and check that there is -12 volts at TP1, +12 volts at TP2, @and +5 volts at TP17. Unplug the unit, and carefully @insert the ICs. All of them have pin 1 facing the power @supply end of the board; ie, toward the back of the en- @closure. It is normal for IC5 to feel quite warm to the @touch. @ Tune-up is a simple matter since the only "tuned" circuit @is the PLL (IC 1). Using any video signal as an input, and @viewing the output video via one of the options (direct to @VCR, TV, RF modulator, etc.), adjust C34 to move (or lock) @the vertical bar slowly from left to right. If this ad- @justment isn't quite right, pushing the horizontal reset @briefly won't lock the bar from left to right. Most of the @time the vertical locks itself to the incoming video, but @a vertical reset is provided. This is important if you @choose to use a Telecaption decoder later; you must count @down 10 frames for the decoder to operate, or include the @option when you build the project. The same goes with the @option to include an RF modulator. Be sure to use shielded @wire to hook up the RCA and F61 jacks on the back panel to @S5 (and RF modulator). TP 18 is provided to ground the @shield on the video output; TP19 is provided for S1; TP16 @is provided for S3 and S4; TP17 provides +5 volts for the @RF modulator option and the LED. Determine your needs, and @pick the options you need now and in the future. @ Obviously, the best signal is obtained by direct com- @posite video hookups, rather than RF modulators. Some @satellite receivers have only an RF output. In this case, @a VCR or remote tuner would have to be used to give the @necessary video signal to the Sync-Buster. @ @CONCLUSION: @ @ Several prototype Sync-Busters are happily in the field @doing their job. All comments have been favorable; not @only are satellite signals descrambled, but the picture @from unscrambled stations is greatly enhanced due to the @digital nature of Sync-Buster. We have started out by @presenting only the basic version of the unit. Hopefully, @in the future we can add some new ideas to the basic unit, @via an output port or an add-on board. They include making @the OAK-orion video and chroma inversions automatic and @including the elusive audio from VideoCipherII. But let's @get started on the Sync-Buster now; prudent shopping can @make it yours for less than $70. Happy Viewing !  @ PARTS LIST FOR SYNC-BUSTER @ @100 ohms R22,R35,R37 @22 K R3,R9,R12,R20 @6.8 K R6,R21,R25,R36,R38 @1.0 K R1,R11,R31,R34,R42,R43 @4.7 K R5,R14,R33 @10 K R16,R39,R40 @3.9 K R18 @33 K R17 @2.2 K R2,R4,R15,R27,R29,R30 @3.3 K R13,R23,R32 @560 ohms R24,R26 @270 ohms R10 @470 ohms R7,R28,R45 @12 K R8 @330 ohms R19,R46 @100 K R44 @15 K R41 @ @22 uf 16V electrolytic C31,C32,C33 @1 uf 25V tantalum C5,C6,C7,C8,C9,C37 @.0022 uf 100V Mylar C20 @.0047 uf 100V Mylar C19 @.1 uf 50V monolythic C1,C2,C3,C4 @.01 uf 50V monolythic C10,C11,C12,C13,C14,C15, @ C16,C17 @.001 uf 100V Mylar C18,C21,C23 @.01 uf 100V Mylar C22,C24 @5-50 miniature trim cap C34 @47 pf 50V disc C26 @68 pf 50V disc C28 @100 pf 50V disc C27 @220 pf 50V disc C29,C30 @300 pf 200V silver mica C25 @2200 uf 16 V electrolytic C35,C36 @ @1N914 or 1N4148 diode D1,D2,D4,D5,D6 @1N34A or 1N270 diode D3 @red LED LED1 @2N3904 Q1,Q2,Q3,Q4 @1 amp 50V bridge rectifier BR1 @3.58 MHz crystal (HC18/U) Xtal @ @CA3126 (SK3158/ECG797) IC1 @74LS169 IC2 @NE564 IC3 @74LS73 IC4 @MM5321 IC5 @74LS02 IC6 @CD4066 IC7,IC8 @74LS04 IC9 @LM339 IC10 @74LS123 IC11 @74LS90 (optional) IC12 @79L12AC IC13 @78L12AC IC14 @7805T (LM340T-5) IC15 @ @1 amp 3AG fuse and holder F1 @SPST pushbutton switch S1,S2 @SPST miniature switch S3,S4 @DPDT miniature switch S5 @SPDT miniature switch (optional) S6 @ @Miscellaneous: @7 14 pin soldertail dip sockets @5 16 pin soldertail dip sockets @1 suitable enclosure (Radio Shack 270-272A or similar) @1 24VAC,center tapped,450 ma transformer (Radio Shack @ 270-1366 or similar) @4 RCA chassis mount jacks @1 F61 chassis mount jack (optional) @1 line cord @assorted 4-40 hardware and spacers @#22 insulated, stranded wire (or Kynar wire on foil side) @for jumpers  @CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION: @ @Video Section @ @Baseband video is input through Q1, a buffer/inverter. @Normal video is passed through IC8 pins 3-4 and inverted @video passes through IC8 pins 1-2. Which video is to be @passed is determined by the setting of S3 (Norm/Invert @Video). When the switch is open, the input to IC9-1 is @high. The output of this section, IC9-2, is therefore low, @and output, IC8-3 is off. IC9-2 is also input to IC9-3. @When IC9-4 is high, then IC8 section 1-2 is on, passing @inverted video. C33, the 22 uf cap blocks the DC component @from Q1 and the inverted video is present at pins 1 and 4 @of IC7. D3, a 1N34A germanium diode is used to clamp the @incoming video at the desired level for output, regardless @of the DC level at Q1. Section 4-3 of IC7 is used to pass @video to the output buffer Q2. The signal at IC7-5 turns @the 4-3 section on at all the necessary times except during @lines 10 through 21 of the vertical interval. IC7 section @1-2 passes video during lines 10 through 21. These lines @are important in decoding Close Captioned and other verti- @cal data. IC7 section 11-10 is used to establish horiz- @ontal and vertical sync levels. The input of this section, @pin 11, has the voltage drop (about 700 millivolts) across @D6, a 1N914 diode. This level was selected to compensate @for the voltage drop across Q2's base/emitter junction. @IC7 section 8-9 is used to pass the color burst, and to @position it on the backporch of the reconstructed horizon- @tal sync pulse. @ Q3 is used similarly to Q1 except that it is a buffer/ @inverter for the 3.79545 MHz color reference signal. The @ability of this circuit to invert the color reference @electronically permits its use with video signals having @inverted color (Reds are Blue and Blues are Red, etc.). @SPDT switch S4 is used to manually invert the color refer- @ence. Resistor R32 is used to pass the correct DC level @of the horizontal backporch to IC7-8. The color burst will @"ride" this level. @ IC10, LM339, is a quad comparator, two sections of which @are used with an RC filter network to extract the vertical @sync pulses. These pulses are used to reset the vertical @portion of IC5, the MM5321 Sync Generator, whenever S2 is @depressed. @ IC11 is a dual retriggerable, monostable multivibrator @(74LS123). It has two functions. The first section gen- @erates a pulse nearly as wide as one vertical frame. The @function of this section will be to ignore extraneous @pulses from IC10 until it is approximately time for another @vertical pulse. This is of particular importance when @generating vertical sync from a VideoCypherII signal. The @second section of IC11 generates a narrow pulse coincid @ental with the first section. However, section two cannot @pulse again until section 1 has timed out. Thus, a pure @train of vertical pulses are generated which can be used @to reset IC5 on demand. @ @Sync Section @ @ The heart of this section is the MM5321 TV Camera Sync @Generator. It provides the basic sync functions required @to support 525 line/60 Hz, color or monochrome video. In @our application, it will provide composite sync, blanking, @color burst gating, as well as horizontal and vertical @drive for external devices. All of these signals are de- @rived from a 2.04545 MHz signal which is phase locked to @the incoming video color burst. IC1 is an RCA CA3126 @chroma processor normally used in a color TV receiver. In @our application it functions almost normally with only two @exceptions. First, the loop filter has a much faster re- @sponse than in a TV set application. This is necessary for @the chip to lock onto the first color burst it encounters @as the chroma chip drifts in phase with respect to the @broadcast station's signal. The other exception is the @source of the burst gate. Normally, the chroma chip is @gated by an extract of a TV set's horizontal circuitry. In @our application, the gate is the color burst gate from the @MM5321 sync chip. The chroma output from the CA3126 is @converted from a sine wave to a square wave by transistor @Q4 and then passed into IC2 (74LS169) where it is divided @by seven. The output of IC2 is a 511363 Hz signal which is @one of two inputs to IC3 (NE564), a phase lock loop oper- @ating at 2.04545 MHz. IC4 provides the other input to IC3 @(also at 511363 Hz) after dividing IC3's output by four. @The combination of IC3 and IC4 make up a frequency multi- @plier operating at four times the input frequency. @ @HOW IT WORKS: @ @Video Section @ @ The video section is straightforward. The input video @is buffered and/or inverted by Q1. A CD4066 analog gate @is used to select normal or inverted video. The video @signal is passed through a 22 uf cap to remove its DC com- @ponent. Another CD4066 analog gate is used to mix the in- @coming video and to insert a synthesized color burst at the @correct locations with respect to the video signal. The @synthesized color burst is buffered and/or inverted by Q2. @Two sections of a CD4066 are used to select normal or in- @verted color burst. This allows the Sync Buster to adapt @to various video schemes currently in use. @ @Sync Section @ @ The 525 line, 60 Hz standard sync is genereated from @signals derived from the broadcast station's color burst. @A standard chroma processor IC is used to extract the color @burst from a scrambled or from a normal TV signal. A con- @tinuous 3.579545 MHz signal locked in phase to the broad- @cast signal is divided by seven (7) then multiplied by four @(4) to produce a 2.045454 MHz signal which is input into @the TV sync generator. The sync generator in turn outputs @various sync signals including the burst gate which is used @by the chroma processor to sample the incoming broadcast @signal. When the broadcast color burst and the generated @burst gate coincide, the system "locks on" and is then con- @synchronous. @ The sync information from the TV sync generator is mixed @with the video information through the two remaining gates @of the CD4066 and buffered by Q2. The resultant output is @totally reconstructed video with the various levels of the @NTSC standard signal in their proper location and order.  @ During the last year a number of articles have appeared @on the theory and techniques of scrambling and descrambling @various video signals. We decided enough is enough and to @put it all together. All scrambled signals have something @in common. At least one, if not more, of the standards @for the NTSC video signal developed in the 1950's was @missing or upset in some way. But most hobbyists don't @have the necessary equipment to see which portion of their @video signal, whether from a local cable company or sat- @ellite dish has been changed. @ Thanks, in part, to a chip that was developed for the @broadcasting industry, National Semiconductor created the @MM5321 TV Camera Sync Generator. This chip provides all @the basic sync functions for a color, 525 line/60 Hz, video @signal. Coupled with the RCA CA3126 PLL Chroma chip, we @found a powerful team to decode scrambled video signals @including VideoCipher II tm from satellite dishes and @SAAVI, sine-waved horizontal, and tri-mode on cable.  @ Tune-up is a simple matter since the only "tuned" circuit @is the PLL (IC 1). Using any video signal as an input, and @viewing the output video via one of the options (direct to @VCR, TV, RF modulator, etc.), adjust C34 to move (or lock) @the vertical bar slowly from left to right. If this ad- @justment isn't quite right, pushing the horizontal reset @briefly won't lock the bar from left to right. The horiz- @ontal bar is reset to the top using the vertical reset. If @the picture "tears" and you are using a satellite receiver, @Q1 is probably saturating from too much video. A 150-220 @ohm resistor from the video input jack to TP3 will solve @this problem. If you choose to use a TeleCaption decoder @with a VideoCipherII signal you must count down 10 frames @using horizontal reset or include the IC12 (74LS90) option @when you build the project. This is because the vertical @sync is offset by 10 lines from a standard video signal. @Be sure to use shielded wire to hook up the RCA and F61 @jacks on the back panel to S5 (and RF modulator). TP18 is @provided to ground the  @CONCLUSION: @ @ Several prototype Sync-Busters are happily doing their @job around the country. All comments have been favorable; @not only are satellite signals descrambled, but the pic- @ture from unscrambled stations is greatly enhanced due to @the digital nature of Sync-Buster. We have started out by @presenting only the basic version of the unit. Future @articles will present some additons to the basic unit, via @an output port or an add-on board. They include making the @OAK-Orion video and chroma inversions automatic and in- @cluding the elusive audio from VideoCipherII tm. But let's @get started on the Sync-Buster now; prudent shopping can @make it yours for less than $70. Happy Viewing !