SMPTE 425M-2006 
Page 1 of 15 pages 
for Television —  
3 Gb/s Signal/Data 
Serial Interface — 
Source Image Format Mapping 
SMPTE STANDARD  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of contents 
 
Forward 
Introduction 
1  Scope 
2  Normative references 
3  Direct mapping of source image formats 
4  Mapping of 2 x SMPTE 292M HD SDI interface 
5  Levels of operation — Informative 
Annex A   Bibliography 
 
Foreword 
 
SMPTE (the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) is an internationally recognized standards 
developing  organization.    Headquartered  and  incorporated  in  the  United  States  of  America,  SMPTE  has 
members  in  over  80  countries  on  six  continents.    SMPTE’s  Engineering  Documents,  including  Standards, 
Recommended  Practices  and  Engineering  Guidelines,  are  prepared  by  SMPTE’s  Technology  Committees.  
Participation in these Committees is open to all with a bona fide interest in their work.  SMPTE cooperates 
closely with other standards-developing organizations, including ISO, IEC and ITU. 
 
SMPTE  Engineering  Documents  are  drafted  in  accordance  with  the  rules  given  in  Part  XIII  of  its 
Administrative practices. 
 
SMPTE Standard 425M was prepared by Technology Committee N26.  
 
Introduction  
 
SMPTE  292M  was  originally  developed  to  provide  a  serial  digital  connection  between  HDTV  equipment 
operating largely with 10-bit Y’/C’B/C’R 4:2:2 signals to a maximum frame rate of 30 frames per second. Over 
time, SMPTE 292M applications were expanded to include larger picture formats, higher refresh rates and to 
provide support for R’G’B’ and 12-bit source signal formats and the carriage of packetized data.  
 
The total data rate required to support these additional applications is 2.970 Gb/s or 2.970/1.001Gb/s and the 
digital  interface  used  to  carry  these  payloads  is  currently  realized  using  a  dual-link  structure  as  defined  in 
SMPTE 372M. 
 
This standard defines the mapping of various source image formats onto a single link serial digital interface 
operating at a nominal rate of 3Gb/s, offering an alternate method to SMPTE 372M for the transport of signals 
with a total payload of 2.970 Gb/s or 2.970/1.001 Gb/s. 
 
 
 
Copyright © 2006 by THE SOCIETY OF 
MOTION PICTURE  AND TELEVISION ENGINEERS 
3 Barker Avenue,  White Plains, NY 10601 
(914) 761-1100 
Approved
April 5, 2006
SMPTE 425M-2006 
 
1  Scope 
 
This standard specifies the direct mapping of various source image formats as defined in table 1; the carriage 
of embedded audio; the carriage of ancillary data and the stream ID, in a serial digital interface operating at a 
nominal rate of 3Gb/s.  
 
This standard also specifies the mapping of 2 x SMPTE 292M HD SDI interfaces including SMPTE 372M, 
Dual Link 292M Interface for 1920 x 1080 Picture Raster, into a serial digital interface operating at a nominal 
rate of 3Gb/s. 
 
2  Normative references 
 
The following standards contain provisions, which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this 
standard. At the time of publication, the editions indicated were valid. All standards are subject to revision, 
and parties to agreements based on this standard are encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the 
most recent edition of the standards indicated below. 
SMPTE  274M-2005,  Television  —  1920  x  1080  Image  Sample  Structure,  Digital  Representation  and  Digital 
Timing Reference Sequences for Multiple Picture Rates 
 
SMPTE 291M-1998, Television — Ancillary Data Packet and Space Formatting 
 
SMPTE 292M-1998, Television — Bit-Serial Digital Interface For High-Definition Television Systems 
 
SMPTE  296M-2001,  Television  —  1280  x  720  Progressive  Image  Sample  Structure  —  Analog  and  Digital 
Representation and Analog Interface 
 
SMPTE 299M-2004, Television — 24-Bit Digital Audio Format for SMPTE 292M Bit-Serial Interface 
 
SMPTE 352M-2002, Television (Dynamic) — Video Payload Identification for Digital Interfaces 
 
SMPTE 372M-2002, Television — Dual Link 292M Interface for 1920 x 1080 Picture Raster. 
 
SMPTE RP 188-1999, Transmission of Time Code and Control Code in the Ancillary Data Space of a Digital 
Television Data Stream 
 
3  Direct mapping of source image formats 
 
For this interface, the source data shall be an uncompressed 10-bit or 12-bit video signal corresponding 
to the source image formats identified in table 1, or packetized data. 
 
An auxiliary component signal designated A or Alpha, may optionally accompany the R’G’B’ or Y’C’BC’R 
video  signal.  Interfaces  containing  the  auxiliary  component  are  denoted  as  R’G’B’+A  and  Y’C’BC’R+A. 
The auxiliary component is referred to as either the A channel or Alpha channel in this document. The A 
or Alpha channel component if present shall have the same characteristics as the Y’ or G’ channel as 
defined in the source image formatting document. 
Page 2 of 15 pages 
Mapping 
structure 
1 
2 
3 
4 
296M 
1280 x 720 
274M 
1920 x 1080 
274M 
1920 x 1080 
4:4:4 (R’G’B’),  
4:4:4:4 (R’G’B’ +A)/10-bit 
4:4:4 (Y’C’BC’R),  
4:4:4:4 (Y’C’BC’R+A)/10-bit 
4:4:4 (R’G’B’),  
4:4:4:4 (R’G’B’ +A)/10-bit 
4:4:4 (Y’C’BC’R),  
4:4:4:4 (Y’C’BC’R+A)/10-bit 
4:4:4 (R’G’B’)/12-bit 
4:4:4 (Y’C’BC’R)/12-bit 
274M 
1920 x 1080 
4:2:2 (Y’C’BC’R)/12-bit 
60, 60/1.001 and 50 Frames Progressive 
30, 30/1.001, 25, 24 and 24/1.001 
Frames Progressive 
60, 60/1.001 and 50 Fields Interlaced 
30, 30/1.001, 25, 24 and 24/1.001 
Frames Progressive 
 
60, 60/1.001 and 50 Fields Interlaced 
30, 30/1.001, 25, 24 and 24/1.001 
Frames Progressive 
30, 30/1.001, 25, 24 and 24/1.001 
Frames Progressive 
 
60, 60/1.001 and 50 Fields Interlaced 
SMPTE 425M-2006 
Table 1 –Source image formats 
 
Image format 
Signal format sampling 
structure/pixel depth 
Frame/field rates 
1920 × 1080 
4:2:2 (Y’C’BC’R)/10-bit 
60, 60/1.001 and 50 Frames Progressive 
Reference 
SMPTE 
standard 
274M 
 
3.1  20-bit Virtual interface 
 
R’,  G’,  B’,  Y’,  C’B,  C’R,  and  A  components  shall  be  mapped  into  a  virtual  interface  consisting  of  two 
parallel 10-bit data streams — data stream one and data stream two, as shown in figures 1 through 4.  
 
Each data stream shall have an interface frequency of 148.5 MHz or 148.5/1.001 MHz.  
 
Mapping  of  the  data  created  by  the  signal  format,  sampling  structure  and  pixel  depth  shall  be  in 
accordance with 3.2.1 through 3.2.6 of this standard. 
 
3.1.1  Timing reference signals 
 
EAV (end of active video) and SAV (start of active video), timing references shall be inserted into data stream 
one and data stream two of the virtual interface on a line-by-line basis as shown in figures 1 through 4. 
 
The EAV and SAV sequence, F (field/ frame), V (vertical), H (horizontal) and parity bits P3 through P1 
shall be as defined in the source image formatting document. 
 
Mapping  of  the  timing  reference  signals  into  the  virtual  interface  shall  be  in  accordance  with  3.2.1 
through 3.2.6 of this standard. 
 
3.1.2  Line numbers  
 
Line numbers shall be inserted into data stream one and data stream two of the virtual interface starting 
at the first data word (of the virtual interface) following the EAV XYZ word, as shown in figures 1 through 4. 
 
Page 3 of 15 pages 
SMPTE 425M-2006 
The virtual interface line numbers shall be in accordance with the picture source line numbers as defined 
in the source image formatting document. 
 
Line number data are composed of two words, LN0 and LN1 and shall be as shown in table 2. 
 
Table 2 – Line number data 
 
9 (msb) 
LN0 
LN1 
— 
B8 
— 
B8 
8 
L6 
7 
L5 
6 
L4 
5 
L3 
Res 
Res 
Res 
L10 
4 
L2 
L9 
3 
L1 
L8 
2 
L0 
L7 
1 
0 (lsb) 
Res 
Res 
Res 
Res 
NOTES 
1  L10 : L0 = line number in binary code. 
2  Res = reserved, set to "0" and shall be ignored by receivers. 
 
 
3.1.3  Line CRC codes 
 
CRC  (Cyclic  Redundancy  Codes)  shall  be  inserted  into  data  stream  one  and  data  stream  two  of  the 
virtual interface starting at the first data word (of the virtual interface) following the final word of the line 
number – LN1, as shown in figures 1 through 4. 
 
The CRC code words are used to detect errors in the active digital line, the EAV timing reference signal 
and line number words which follows it. The error detection code consists of two words determined by the 
polynomial generator equation: 
 
CRC(X) = X18 + X5 + X4 + 1 
 
The initial value of the CRC is set to zero. The calculation starts at the first active line word of the virtual 
interface and ends at the final word of the line number – LN1.  
 
Independent CRC codes shall be produced for data stream one and data stream two of the virtual interface. 
 
The two words of the CRC code shall be as shown in table 3. 
 
Table 3 – CRC data 
9 (msb) 
8 
7 
6 
5 
4 
3 
2 
1 
0 (lsb) 
 
CR0 
CR1 
— 
B8 
— 
B8 
CRC8 
CRC7 
CRC6 
CRC5 
CRC4 
CRC3 
CRC2 
CRC1 
CRC0 
CRC17  CRC16  CRC15  CRC14 
CRC13 
CRC12  CRC11 
CRC10  CRC9 
 
 
NOTE – Users should be aware that data stream one and data stream two of the virtual interface may carry any type 
of data as defined by the application. 
Page 4 of 15 pages 
SMPTE 425M-2006 
3.1.4  Ancillary data  
 
Ancillary data if present shall be mapped into the blanking area of both data stream one and data stream 
two of the virtual interface and shall be in conformance with SMPTE 291M. 
 
The ancillary data shall be mapped into data stream one first, with any remaining data being mapped into 
data stream two. 
 
3.1.5  Audio data 
 
When  present,  audio  data  shall  be mapped  into  the  ancillary  data  space  of  data stream  one  and  data 
stream two of the virtual interface. 
 
Audio control packets shall be mapped into the horizontal ancillary data space of data stream one of the 
virtual interface. 
 
The formatting and location of the audio control packets shall be in conformance with SMPTE 299M. 
 
Audio data packets shall be mapped into the horizontal ancillary data space of data stream two of the 
virtual interface. 
 
The formatting and location of the audio data packets shall be in conformance with SMPTE 299M. 
 
The audio clock phase data defined in 5.2.1 of SMPTE 299M shall be calculated at the original interface 
clock frequency as defined by the source image format document. 
 
NOTE – Designers should be aware that the virtual interface of this standard may operate at twice the clock rate of 
the source image format interface. 
 
3.1.6  Time code 
 
When present, the time code data shall be mapped into the ancillary data space of data stream one of 
the virtual interface and shall be in conformance with SMPTE RP 188. 
 
3.1.7  Payload identifier 
 
The payload identifier shall be mapped into the ancillary data space of data stream one and data stream 
two of the virtual interface and shall be in conformance with SMPTE 352M. 
 
The horizontal placement of the packet shall be immediately following the last CRC code word (CR1), of 
the line(s) specified in SMPTE 352M for 750 line and 1125 line systems. 
 
NOTE – The line numbers defined in SMPTE 352M for the placement of the payload identifier packet in 750-line and 
1125-line  interfaces  avoids  those  lines  used  by  SMPTE  299M  for  the  carriage  of  digital  audio  control  and  data 
packets. 
 
3.1.7.1  Byte 1:  Video payload and digital interface identification 
 
The first byte of the payload identifier is used to identify the combination of video payload format and digital 
interface transport. 
 
For 750 line video digital transport interfaces on the 3Gb/s video payload, Byte 1 of the payload identifier shall 
be set to 88h. 
 
For 1125 line digital transport interfaces on the 3Gb/s video payload, Byte 1 of the payload identifier shall be 
set to 89h. 
Page 5 of 15 pages 
SMPTE 425M-2006 
Bytes 2 through 4 of the payload identifier shall be set in accordance with the picture rate, sampling structure, 
dynamic range and bit-depth etc of the image format being carried on the interface as shown in tables 4 and 5. 
 
Table 4 – Payload identifier definitions for SMPTE 274M on the 3Gb/s digital interface 
Bits  Byte 1 
Bit 7 
1 
0 
0 
0 
1 
0 
0 
1 
Bit 6 
Bit 5 
Bit 4 
Bit 3 
Bit 2 
Bit 1 
Bit 0 
 
Byte 2 
Interlaced (0) or  
Progressive (1) transport 
Interlaced (0) or  
Progressive (1) picture 
Reserved 
Reserved 
Byte 3 
Reserved 
Horizontal Y’ sampling 
1920 (0)  
Reserved 
Reserved 
Picture Rate  
(see SMPTE 352M table 2) 
Sampling structure  
(see SMPTE 352M table 3) 
Byte 4 
Reserved 
Reserved 
Reserved 
Dynamic range 100% (0h), 200% (1h), 
400% (2h), Reserved (3h) 
Reserved 
Bit depth 
8-bit (0h), 10-bit (1h), 12-bit (2h), 
Reserved (3h) 
Table 5 – Payload identifier definitions for SMPTE 296M on the 3Gb/s digital interface 
Bits  Byte 1 
Bit 7 
1 
Byte 3 
Byte 4 
Reserved 
Byte 2 
Interlaced (0) or  
Progressive (1) transport 
Interlaced (0) or  
Progressive (1) picture 
Reserved 
Reserved 
Picture Rate  
(See SMPTE 352M table 2) 
Reserved 
Horizontal Y’/Y sampling 
1280 
Reserved 
Reserved 
0 
0 
0 
1 
0 
0 
0 
8-bit (0h), 10-bit (1h), 12-bit (2h), 
Reserved (3h) 
Reserved 
Reserved 
Dynamic range 100% (0h), 200% (1h), 
400% (2h), Reserved (3h) 
Reserved 
Sampling structure  
(See SMPTE 352M table 3)  Bit depth 
Bit 6 
Bit 5 
Bit 4 
Bit 3 
Bit 2 
Bit 1 
Bit 0 
 
 
3.2  Virtual interface — Data stream mappings 
 
3.2.1  Mapping structure 1 — SMPTE 274M — 4:2:2 (Y’C’BC’R)/10-bit signals at 60, 60/1.001 and 50 
progressive frames / sec 
 
Mapping of the data created by the 4:2:2 picture sampling structure into the virtual interface is shown in figure 1.  
 
Data stream one shall contain all of the Y’ sample data and data stream two shall contain a multiplex of 
the C’B and C’R sample data conveyed in the following order:  
 
Data stream one = Y’0,     Y’1,    Y’2,    Y’3……….. 
Data stream two = C’B0,   C’R0,   C’B1,  C’R1……..  
 
3.2.1.1  Timing reference signals 
 
The EAV timing reference signal shall be inserted into the virtual interface starting at the first data word 
(of  the  virtual  interface),  following  the  last  active  Y’  sample  (data  stream  one)  and  C’R  sample  (data 
stream two), in accordance with 3.1.1. 
 
The SAV timing reference signal shall be inserted into the virtual interface starting 4 data words (of the 
virtual interface) prior to the first active Y’ sample (data stream one) and C’B sample (data stream two), in 
accordance with 3.1.1. 
Page 6 of 15 pages 
SMPTE 425M-2006 
The location of the last sample number ‘n’ of the total line and the fist and last active sample numbers of 
the  original  digital  interface  as  defined  in  the  image  formatting  document  are  repeated  here  for 
convenience. 
 
Table 6 – Location of the first and last active samples for 4:2:2 (Y’C’BC’R)/10-bit signals 
at 60, 60/1.001 and 50 progressive frames / sec 
Reference 
SMPTE standard 
274M 
system 1 and 2 
274M 
system 3 
Frame rate 
60 or 60/1.001 
50 
First active 
sample number 
Last active 
sample number 
Last sample number ‘n’ 
(total line) 
0 
0 
1919 
1919 
2199 
2639 
Last sample of digital
active line
First sample of digital
active line
 
 
 
 
 
Y’ Data
8
1
9
1
 
’
Y
9
1
9
1
 
’
Y
0
2
9
1
 
’
Y
1
2
9
1
 
’
Y
2
2
9
1
 
’
Y
3
2
9
1
 
’
Y
4
2
9
1
 
’
Y
5
2
9
1
 
’
Y
6
2
9
1
 
’
Y
7
2
9
1
 
’
Y
C’B Data
9
5
9
 
B
C
’
0
6
9
 
B
C
’
1
6
9
 
B
C
’
2
6
9
 
B
C
’
3
6
9
 
B
C
’
9
5
9
 
R
C
’
0
6
9
 
R
C
’
1
6
9
 
R
C
’
2
6
9
 
R
C
’
3
6
9
 
R
C
’
)
3
-
n
(
 
’
Y
)
2
-
n
(
 
’
Y
)
1
-
n
(
 
’
Y
l
e
p
m
a
s
 
t
s
a
l
 
n
 
’
Y
0
 
’
Y
1
 
’
Y
2
 
’
Y
3
 
’
Y
Interface sampling frequency =
148.5 Mhz or 148.5 / 1.001 Mhz
as defined in SMPTE 274M
)
1
-
n
(
 
B
C
’
)
1
-
n
(
 
R
C
’
n
 
B
C
’
l
e
p
m
a
s
 
t
s
a
l
n
 
R
C
’
l
e
p
m
a
s
 
t
s
a
0
 
B
C
’
1
 
B
C
’
Interface sampling frequency =
74.25 Mhz or 74.25 / 1.001 Mhz
as defined in SMPTE 274M
0
 
R
C
’
1
 
R
C
’
Interface sampling frequency =
74.25 Mhz or 74.25 / 1.001 Mhz
as defined in SMPTE 274M
C’R Data
Data stream one
of the virtual interface
8
1
9
1
 
’
Y
9
1
9
1
 
’
Y
)
h
F
F
3
(
V
A
E
)
h
0
0
0
(
V
A
E
)
h
0
0
0
(
V
A
E
Data stream two
of the virtual interface
9
5
9
 
B
C
’
9
5
9
 
R
C
’
)
h
F
F
3
(
V
A
E
)
h
0
0
0
(
V
A
E
)
h
0
0
0
(
V
A
E
Replaced by timing reference signal
Replaced by line number
Replaced by line CRC
)
h
Z
Y
X
V
A
E
(
)
h
Z
Y
X
V
A
E
(
0
N
L
1
N
L
0
R
C
1
R
C
Replaced by Optional Ancillary data
0
N
L
1
N
L
0
R
C
1
R
C
Replaced by Optional Ancillary data
l
)
h
Z
Y
X
V
A
S
(
)
h
Z
Y
X
V
A
S
(
)
h
F
F
3
(
V
A
S
)
h
0
0
0
(
V
A
S
)
h
0
0
0
(
V
A
S
)
h
F
F
3
(
V
A
S
)
h
0
0
0
(
V
A
S
)
h
0
0
0
(
V
A
S
0
 
’
Y
1
 
’
Y
2
 
’
Y
3
 
’
Y
Interface clock frequency =
148.5 Mhz or 148.5 / 1.001 Mhz
0
 
’
B
C
’
0
 
R
C
’
1
 
’
B
C
’
1
 
R
C
’
Interface clock frequency =
148.5 Mhz or 148.5 / 1.001 Mhz
Replaced by timing reference signal
 
Figure 1 – Mapping Structure 1 – SMPTE 274M 4:2:2 (Y’C’BC’R)/10-bit signals 
at 60, 60/1.001 and 50 progressive frames /sec 
 
 
3.2.2  Mapping structure 2 — 4:4:4 (R’G’B’)/ (Y’C’B’C’R) and 4:4:4:4 (R’G’B’+A)/(Y’C’B’C’R+A)/10-bit 
signals  
 
Mapping  of  the  data  created  by  the  4:4:4  (R’G’B’)/10-bit  and  4:4:4:4  (R’G’B’+A)/10-bit  picture  sampling  
structure into the virtual interface is shown in figure 2. 
 
Data stream one shall contain all of the R’ and G’ sample data and data stream two shall contain all of the A 
(where present), and B’ sample data conveyed in the following order: 
 
Data stream one = G’0,   R’0,    G’1,   R’1……..  
Data stream two = A0,  
B’0,     A1,    B’1…….. 
Page 7 of 15 pages 
SMPTE 425M-2006 
Mapping  of  the  data  created  by  the  4:4:4  (Y’C’B’C’R)  and  4:4:4:4  (Y’C’B’C’R+A)/10-bit  image  sampling 
structure on to the virtual interface shall be as shown in figure 2 except that: 
 
the R’ samples shall be replaced with C’R samples;  
the G’ samples shall be replaced with Y’ samples; 
the B’ samples shall be replaced with C’B samples. 
 
3.2.2.1  Timing reference signals 
 
The EAV timing reference signal shall be inserted into the virtual interface starting at the first data word 
(of  the  virtual  interface),  following  the  last  active  G’  sample  (data  stream  one)  and  R’  sample  (data 
stream two), in accordance with 3.1.1. 
 
The SAV timing reference signal shall be inserted into the virtual interface starting 4 data words (of the 
virtual interface) prior to the first active B’ sample (data stream one) and A sample (data stream two), in 
accordance with 3.1.1. 
 
The location of the last sample number ‘n’ of the total line and the fist and last active sample numbers of the 
original digital interface as defined in the image formatting document are repeated here for convenience. 
 
Table 7 – Location of the first and last active samples for 4:4:4 (R’G’B’)/10-bit 
and 4:4:4:4 (R’G’B’+A)/10-bit Signals 
 
 
Reference 
SMPTE standard 
system 4 and 5, 7 and 8 
296M  
system 1 and 2 
296M  
system 3 
274 M  
296 M  
system 4 and 5 
274M  
system 6 and 9 
296M 
system 6 
274M  
system 10 and 11 
296M  
system 7 and 8 
Frame rate 
60 or 60/1.001 
50 
30 or 30/1.001 
30 or 30/1.001 
25 
25 
24 or 24/1.001 
24 or 24/1.001 
First active 
sample number 
Last active 
sample number ‘a’ 
Last sample number ‘n’  
(total line) 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
1279 
1279 
1919 
1279 
1919 
1279 
1919 
1279 
1649 
1979 
2199 
3299 
2639 
3959 
2749 
4124 
 
 
3.2.2.2  Alpha channel 
 
If the alpha channel is not used, the values of the alpha channel samples shall be set to 040h. Use of the 
alpha channel is application dependant. 
 
3.2.2.2.1  If the alpha channel is used for conveying picture information, the raster format and frame rate 
shall be the same as the R’G’B’ or Y’C’BC’R signals carried on the virtual interface. 
 
3.2.2.2.2    If  the  alpha  channel  is  used  to  carry  data,  the  data  words  shall  be  8-bit  maximum.  As  the 
virtual interface is a 10-bit interface, bit B8 shall be the even parity of bits B7 through B0 and bit B9 shall 
be the complement of bit B8. 
Page 8 of 15 pages