The Gadget Bag
the technical side of event video production
Edirol V-4 video
switcher
While at
the WEVA Expo (2003), a display caught my eye (well, many did, but)
with an array of LCD monitors and this silver box with a "T" bar. A
video switcher? Looks interesting. It turned out to be the V-4 by
Edirol, a Roland company ( www.edirol.com ). I had read about the
V-4 some time ago, but had never seen one due to the fact that
published information was released far before the actual product
release. But, I am happy to say; it is here and is a product worth
looking at.
First look says rugged. The full metal case makes this box road-worthy and provides an effective shield to prevent electrical interference. Its small size (9"w X 11 1/2"d X 3"h) and light weight (just under 5 pounds) makes it ideal for live switching or for use in the studio. All effects are created completely in the digital domain with professional level picture quality (13.5MHz, 8-bit, 4:2:2, DV quality). Featuring four channels of video input (4 composite (RCA) and 2 S-Video), two independent frame synchronizers (to sync any type of video input) and 2 composite (RCA) and one S-video outputs, making this video mixer similar to units from Panasonic and Videonics, but here is what separates the Edirol mixer from the others.
The V-4 is a world-wide device. You can easily switch from NTSC to Pal operation upon startup. It is also programmable, buy selecting commonly used effects from a menu and assigning them to switches. It is also MIDI programmable, for those who are familiar with the electronic music programming language. And, being designed and built by Roland (a company well established in electronic music), it recognizes the proprietary V-LINK protocol to interconnect most Roland and Edirol devices. I was surprised to find out that a number of V-4s can be interconnected and controlled from a single device. Most videographers wouldn't need this type of system, but for a venue that uses multiple video inputs and outputs for a multimedia show, this system is a blessing.
Another cool feature is the "T" bar for controlling the transition from bus-to-bus. It can be easily changed from the traditional up-down movement to side-to-side, similar to the cross-fader that DJs use on their audio mixers.
First look says rugged. The full metal case makes this box road-worthy and provides an effective shield to prevent electrical interference. Its small size (9"w X 11 1/2"d X 3"h) and light weight (just under 5 pounds) makes it ideal for live switching or for use in the studio. All effects are created completely in the digital domain with professional level picture quality (13.5MHz, 8-bit, 4:2:2, DV quality). Featuring four channels of video input (4 composite (RCA) and 2 S-Video), two independent frame synchronizers (to sync any type of video input) and 2 composite (RCA) and one S-video outputs, making this video mixer similar to units from Panasonic and Videonics, but here is what separates the Edirol mixer from the others.
The V-4 is a world-wide device. You can easily switch from NTSC to Pal operation upon startup. It is also programmable, buy selecting commonly used effects from a menu and assigning them to switches. It is also MIDI programmable, for those who are familiar with the electronic music programming language. And, being designed and built by Roland (a company well established in electronic music), it recognizes the proprietary V-LINK protocol to interconnect most Roland and Edirol devices. I was surprised to find out that a number of V-4s can be interconnected and controlled from a single device. Most videographers wouldn't need this type of system, but for a venue that uses multiple video inputs and outputs for a multimedia show, this system is a blessing.
Another cool feature is the "T" bar for controlling the transition from bus-to-bus. It can be easily changed from the traditional up-down movement to side-to-side, similar to the cross-fader that DJs use on their audio mixers.
Effects: The V-4 has the capacity to create
hundreds (about 200) of digitally produced effects, all selected
from a menu. There are digital effects and there are transitions,
each are controlled and selected separately. Most of the
transitions and effects can be modified via menus or front-panel
switches. My suggestion is to read the manual and supplied
information and take the time to play with the unit to determine
your favorite and most-used effects and transitions. Waiting until
you are at your shoot to set the transitions is not recommended as
there literally thousands of combinations and could take some time
to create. There is a separate control for fade-to-black or
fade-to-white, which also be programmed as a channel so you can
wipe to black or white.
Effects include (but not limited to) strobe, negative, colorize, multi-image, mirror, chroma-key, luma-key and PnP (Picture-in-a-picture). And remember, each of these are fully modify-able through menus and front panel switches as well as combining them.
On of the most interesting functions of the V-4 is what is call the 'presentation mode'. This is either selected at startup (by pressing a combination of buttons along with the power switch) or through the menu. What this mode does is assigns both synchronizers to one bus and allows you to switch between all four inputs with a single wipe (or dissolve) by pressing the input channel button. This allows for direct switching, with either no effect or auto-take, with adjustable transition time. This is perfect for most multi-camera live switched events and is glitch free when using direct switching. Trying this on Panasonics or Videonics switchers will result in either a slight frame-freeze or digital glitch, when the synchronizers try to sync the signals. With the V-4, the synchronizers are assigned to the same bus and are already pre-sync'd, resulting in glitch free switches.
Menus: There are many pages of menus, but ....... You can adjust or modify just about anything within the V-4. You can even adjust the picture characteristics, change the aspect of the PnP, set the output levels of the black and white (fader). All menu functions are displayed on the preview output, superimposed on the outputted video.
Personal observations: Investigating the ins and outs of the V-4, I've come up with a list of pros and cons with the unit, which, hopefully will bring some simplicity to a complex device.
Effects include (but not limited to) strobe, negative, colorize, multi-image, mirror, chroma-key, luma-key and PnP (Picture-in-a-picture). And remember, each of these are fully modify-able through menus and front panel switches as well as combining them.
On of the most interesting functions of the V-4 is what is call the 'presentation mode'. This is either selected at startup (by pressing a combination of buttons along with the power switch) or through the menu. What this mode does is assigns both synchronizers to one bus and allows you to switch between all four inputs with a single wipe (or dissolve) by pressing the input channel button. This allows for direct switching, with either no effect or auto-take, with adjustable transition time. This is perfect for most multi-camera live switched events and is glitch free when using direct switching. Trying this on Panasonics or Videonics switchers will result in either a slight frame-freeze or digital glitch, when the synchronizers try to sync the signals. With the V-4, the synchronizers are assigned to the same bus and are already pre-sync'd, resulting in glitch free switches.
Menus: There are many pages of menus, but ....... You can adjust or modify just about anything within the V-4. You can even adjust the picture characteristics, change the aspect of the PnP, set the output levels of the black and white (fader). All menu functions are displayed on the preview output, superimposed on the outputted video.
Personal observations: Investigating the ins and outs of the V-4, I've come up with a list of pros and cons with the unit, which, hopefully will bring some simplicity to a complex device.
|
PROS |
CONS |
| Compact size | Confusing labeling (terminology) |
| Priced right (less than $1000 street) | RCA video connectors (vs. BNC) |
| Glitch-less direct switching | Only 2 S-Video inputs (for some) |
| Changeable T-bar | No effect indication (requires chart) |
| All metal case | |
| Presentation Mode |
In my opinion, the Pros greatly outweigh the Cons. Most of the Cons are personal comments and may not necessarily be perceived as negatives by all. The only other possible negative is that all of the inputs are terminated and requires monitors with feed-throughs to be able to have individual input monitors (the same with all other video mixers) and the preview output will only show either each of the inputs or the output, but not a preview of the effect or transition (before it actually outputted).
Once you do your homework, read the manual and experiment, this is one killer video mixer. Suggested retail price is $1195 with the street price in and around $900 and is available through Edirol Dealers worldwide.
© copyright 2004 - Ed Wardyga - All Rights Reserved >>HOME