General Purpose Interface

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General Purpose Interface [ˈdʒenərəl ˈpɜːpəs ˌɪntəˈfeɪs] ( GPI for short ) refers to a cross-platform switching connection between devices from different manufacturers, mostly television equipment.

GPI is independent of data protocols. It is about the connection by means of a simple switch contact on a two-wire cable. The GPI receiving device applies a low DC voltage to the cable. If the sending device triggers an impulse by short-circuiting the contact between the two wires by a relay , the receiving device reacts with the independently programmed function. Alternatively, the connection and thus the small circuit on the cable can be permanently closed and briefly opened on the sending device to trigger the function.

For example, in television studios, GPI is often found between an image mixer and effects devices ( digital video effects device ). Here the image mixer sends a GPI signal to the effects device and thus triggers a video effect. Due to the simple technical implementation of GPI, however, other devices of various types, for example from image, sound and lighting technology, are often connected to one another in an uncomplicated manner.

literature

  • Ulrich Schmidt: Professional video technology: film technology, television technology, HDTV, cameras, displays, video recorders, production, studio technology, HDTV, DI, 3D . Springer, Berlin Heidelberg 2005, ISBN 3-540-24206-6 .
  • Edwin Paul J. Tozer: Broadcast engineer's reference book . Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford 2004, ISBN 0-240-51908-6 (English).