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Switcher/scaler type thing


jonathanhill

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I am looking for a presentation switcher/scaler for use at RBC and for a couple of freelance jobs. I have used a Barco PDS902, which, apart from the really small buttons, was rock-solid and well featured. I have also used a Roland V1 which I think is not a proper switcher/scaler as it accepts limited formats on the inputs. I have also used a Kramer VP-438 which was not really useable because of the terrible transitions with no ability to change times.

 

I must stress that I am not really a video technician. It is just something that has evolved, both as a full-timer and a freelance. The switcher would generally either be used to switch 2 or 3 cameras live when relaying a graduation ceremony to a remote location, or 2 or 3 computers and maybe a camera or two in a tent.

 

Must-haves for the kit would be:

 

Changeable transitions times/types

The ability to receive different formats/input types - predominantly HDMI and (mainly) 3G-SDI

 

Nice things to have:

 

SDI output

 

I have looked in some detail at the Blackmagic ATEM Television Studio HD, but have no experience with it. I really like the Barco, but not the price, and now it feels like it is slightly old fashioned due to only one SDI input. I didn't really like the Roland, and the Kramer just didn't work for me. Any other suggestions?

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The atem range of units are not scalers, you have to make all the input formats match how the unit is set or you just get a black screen.

 

They're great units for the price but if you need to quickly get unknown sources working, you end up needing external scaler boxes.

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There is now one Atem in the range which does have scalers on every input - but in common with the rest of the range it only accepts video resolutions, not the compete range of options you can get from a computer, and on that one all 8 inputs are SDI with no HDMI's.
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Unless you want a fixed transition time throughout your event you'd be better off with a proper video mixer, a quick google pulls up Roland's V60HD which has 2 HDMI and 4 SDI inputs - outputs to HDMI and SDI, also gives you mutli-window output for previewing your sources which is a must for multi camera setups.

 

Switcher / Scalers normally allow the fade times to be altered, but the method of doing so isn't easy. Extron kit uses their PCS software or on screen menus, same for Kramer etc. If you want a fixed fade time throughout your show then that's fine, but to change fade times on the fly I'd be looking for a piece of hardware like the Roland.

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