Kramer VP724XL

[Tarqs]

Has anyone any experience with the Kramer VP724XL. I was just about to order a Smartcut from Analogueway and someone mentioned the Kramer product.

 

Having spoken to the technician guys at Kramer it seem this will do everything I want for the application, but I have no first hand experience of their products.

 

What are the pro’s & cons on this versus a Smartcut – baring in mind it’s ½ the cost.

 

Comments welcome

[BlueShift]

we have a 720xl - essentially the same model, minus a couple of little features

 

I love it, its good, hasnt failed us at all yet - works exactly as it says on the tin

 

no complaints. Analog way stuff does seem a little overpriced.

Have a look at the extron equivalent box aswell - they make excellent products and I have heard good things about them.

 

Have a talk to Pete Mcrea ('LittleDJ' on the BR) he is somewhat of an expert on these boxes - he can also supply the kramer or extron units.

 

Cheers

[Pete McCrea]

We sold a VP-720 to a client, which basically has slightly less inputs.The VP-724 will also output at HD-TV and Data resolutions. Otherwise the machines are meant to be solid and well engineered. The xl denotes audio switching. But as you say, I can't see much of a difference in the two units. I guess the difference in the pricing is down to then name on the box and the cost of labour.

 

Kramer have faith in the kit they make as it carries a 7 year warranty, and I'm not too sure what the Analog Way one is. Plus the Kramer Uk team are great to deal with- very helpful and willing to make sure things are sort quickly and painlessly. The Kramer products are well built from good material, and we've had no issues with any of their kit over the time weve been using it in our hire stock. I know of several other large AV hire companies who are investing in the Kramer Seamless switchers, so they obviously compare well.

 

PM Me if you'd like further details on the Kramer products. The current Kramer list price is £899 ex VAT on the VP-724xl

 

Edit: The client I refered to was BlueShift.... he beat me to it! As he mentions, there are alternatives from Extron, but these are a bit more expensive than the Kramer options.

[SeanT]

Kramer all the way, it's literally bulletproof - general rule is if CPC don't sell a cheaper version of the product you need you buy Kramer.

That said, you don't say exactly what you are trying to do with it???

 

We have two off the similar product to the Kramer s/s/s (god knows what model number) and they get used regularly - we also don't actually have them mounted in a rack or put in a flight case yet - they are strong enough to throw into the road trunk like any other Kramer kit!!!!

[Pete McCrea]

Kramer all the way, it's literally bulletproof - general rule is if CPC don't sell a cheaper version of the product you need you buy Kramer.

I like that one!

[ampcats]

I've not been too chuffed with Analog way stuff - have suffered from several inopportune smart fade freezes, and indicator LEDs coming off PCB - and the manual is not available for download.. - sending it back to France for repair is time consuming too... and know of one that broke off one of it's rack-ears and got totally trashed coming back from repair despite being in quite a solidly foamed-out flightcase

[Tarqs]

Thanks to all how have made comments - really useful

 

Tarqs

[Ben...]

Has anyone any experience with the Kramer VP724XL. I was just about to order a Smartcut from Analogueway and someone mentioned the Kramer product.

 

I've never used Smartcut, but I've seen very few problems with Kramer kit, bar a couple of burnt out PSUs (and nothing seems to be immune to that these days.)