Gemini Series of MPEG-2  High Def Decoder Circuit Boards

Gemini-1 and Gemini-2

The Gemini series of decoder cards from Visual Circuits enables playback of Standard Definition (SD) or High Defiinition (HD) video in MPEG-2 format, on one circuit board.  It also enables the integration of 32-bit graphic overlays and on-screen graphics regions, for a total multi-media display solution.

Gemini combines independent and scalable video or graphics regions on-screen with adjustable transparency and blending effects, allowing project managers the flexibility to mix and match digital media content in a way that will most effectively communicate with the desired audience. Content development professionals can meet and exceed their customers’ complex needs by integrating multiple digital media file types in one visual display.

Gemini can up-convert Standard Definition MPEG to High Definition, or down-convert High Definition to Standard Definition, allowing users to deliver either format to whichever type of display they choose.

Gemini-1 and Gemini-2 decoder cards are also multi-card enabled, and are compatible with each other within the same computer system, so they can be mix-and-matched for exactly the number of channels required.  Gemini cards also feature cross-channel synchronization across multiple cards, allowing for elaborate High Def multi-channel synchronized presentations. 

System drivers for Windows NT /  2000 /  XP / Server 2003 or Linux are available.  A full software development kit (SDK) library  is included with the installation package.  Gemini's SDK API is backwards compatible with earlier Visual Circuits decoder cards, making it easy to upgrade to Gemini cards from other models without having to re-develop an entire custom OEM playback application.

SPECIFICATIONS PDF Technical Paper- Gemini-1 & Gemini-2
Video Output Formats: Video Output Types: Video Input:	- Standard Definition:  NTSC or PAL - High Definition:    various outputs up to 1920   x 1080i  59.94 or 60 fields or frames per second    (NTSC)  or 50 fields or  frames per second (PAL.)   Variable aspect ratios. - component RGBHV - composite x 2 - S-video - DVI-D (Gemini-1 only) with HDCP encryption   optional  - 15-pin HD-sub (Gemini-1) or 25-pin HD-Sub    (Gemini-2) - one composite video input (Gemini-2 only)
Audio Output:	- 2 independent SPDIF digital audio outputs per   channel - 2 stereo analog (L/R) outputs per channel
Form Factor:	half size to 3/4 PCI card (depending on model)
Decompression:	MPEG-1, MPEG-2,, unencrypted DVD (.vob) files, program, transport and elementary streams Decodes main profile @ main level and main profile @ high level MPEG-2 streams (ISO/IEC 13818-1) Decodes all 18 ATSC formats up to 1920x1080p 16:9, 4:3 and 5:4 aspect ratios 4:2:2 and 4:2:0 decoding
Maximum Bit Rate:	45 Mbps
On Screen Display (OSD)	32 bit OSD with 256 level transparency