Phabrix

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 Phabrix


I've used and learned the functionalities of a phabrix. A phabrix is one of the most important devices in broadcast for several reasons. The Phabrix is a signal generator, analyzer, and monitor. This means that you can generate signal. In cases where we are unsure as to what type of resolution a device needs, we use the phabrix. The phabrix can generate many resolutions like 1080 p, 720p, 1080 i etc..... Additionally, the phabrix can also analyze signals. This is crucial for trouble shooting. When we have multiple barrels, converters, or just breaking points and no signal is being received, we use the phabrix. That way we can track down where the signal cuts off. If a device is not working, but the phabrix shows a signal coming out of the cable, then we know it's just the device not receiving the signal, so we know what to focus and trouble shoot. When troubleshooting, the phabrix is useful in eliminating variables that would indicate why a device is not working. Something else that is neat about the phabrix is that, it does not only display numbers and values regarding the signal, but it also displays the TV broadcast coming out of the signal. For example, we should be receiving signal from certain channels, if signal is coming out, the phabrix displays the TV channel. It could be anything like a news broadcast, TV show, or commercials that way we can see how good or bad the signal actually looks to the human eye.
The pictures above show me using the phabrix to test signals out of the Truck dock (area where the majority of the signals come out of) that should be going to the SNP devices in the server room. I was expecting colored bars and a loud ringing to appear as shown in the first picture. Obviously, we were not going to get an actual channel since we were not running an event at the time we just wanted to test which sent out signal for a yet to come event. The 2nd picture shows what it would look like if no signal came out. This is something that needed to be trouble shot soon. Also, although not important, I thought it would be worth pointing out how multiple phabrix models exist. There is the SXa, SXe, SXd, and Tag phabrix. As of right now, the only differences I know are that the SXe has visual representations of signals like through a vector scope. The SXe is the most expensive phabrix with the most features. The SXe is the one in the pictures. The TAG phabrix is a cost effective phabrix with the least amount of features designed for it to be affordable to the average consumer. Overall, despite the differences (at least the differences that I an aware of), the different phabrix models and different applications are not as important to us as we mainly use it as a signal generator, analyzer, and monitor. 


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