If you’ve ever directed a live event on a broadcast-quality switcher, such as a Grass Valley, Ross Video or Sony production-level switcher, you know the joys of being able to cut, dissolve, wipe, add DSK’s (down stream keys) and layer effects with ease. And if you’ve ever tried to do the same with a high-resolution scaler, you know that while the picture is much, much sharper through a scaler, the ease of use has a large gap that has yet to be crossed.
I’ve been begging manufacturers for a product having all of the functionality of a broadcast-level video switcher with the image quality of a high-end image up-converter (scaler). That ease of use and functionality gap is closing, and the Analog Way EventiX is making an effort to do so.
A Switcher & Matrix Scaler
An interesting design feature of the EventiX is the ability to use it as a true seamless switcher or high-resolution scaler matrix. Now when I say “true seamless switcher”, I’m pointing a finger at all of the scalers that have the word “seamless” in the brochure – Analog Way’s products included in this indictment. You see, the word seamless, according to Dictionary.com, means the following:
seam·less (adj.) 1. Having no seams. 2. Perfectly consistent.
To the eyes of the average person in our culture, seamless video would look like what they see on TV – great looking video without glitches between scene changes or even commercials. In fact, I often comment that today’s TV’s even offer perfectly seamless channel changing and that a fade to black to the viewer means that a commercial is coming – so get up and use the restroom!
So when I see “seamless” in advertising, I really expect it to be truly seamless – not with a fade to black or a frozen image during a transition. The EventiX really is a true seamless switcher, with two scaling processors to ensure perfect transitions are possible from literally any two computer and/or video sources, including HDTV.
With transitions such as cut, dissolve and wipe, and the addition of Picture- In-Picture (P-i-P) modes or logo insertion (text/image over video), the emulation of a broadcast video switcher is closely resembled. I was impressed that a picture resized down to even 25% was still crisp and clear – not an easy thing to do. Furthermore, the EventiX surprised me with edge-adjustable changes for the size and even ‘soft-focus’ effect around the P-i-P.
Another unique feature is the built-in frame store. Any image can be captured and saved into non-volatile memory, and up to two frame stores can be allocated per input and positioned anywhere on the screen (or full screen). This includes the ability to capture a graphic with keyed (overlaid) text and hold it in the frame store buffer, which can be used as a “go to” graphic (such as a sermon title, church logo or welcome screen). Users can even choose to use a frame store as a transition element while switching between two sources.
Also similar to a broadcast switcher, the EventiX has a true preview and program output, allowing the user to select sources on the preview monitor (computer resolution and/or composite video) before they are sent out “live” to the program output.
Additionally, the EventiX will also double as a high-resolution matrix. A matrix is a device that allows inputs to be routed independently to various outputs. The EventiX accomplishes this by converting the preview and program outputs into two discreet program outputs, effectively making it an 8x2 high-res matrix.
Inputs & Outputs
With eight universal inputs – four of them on five BNC connecters each and four inputs via HD 15-pin inputs, the ability to process composite video, S-video, RGB video, Y, Pb, Pr video, RGBS and RGBHV is accomplished. BNC and HD-15 connectors are chosen because, unlike RCA or four-pin S-Video connectors, an accidental pull on a cable won’t disconnect the source from the EventiX.
The preview and program outputs include dual HD-15 connectors with buffered outputs, which effectively combine a 2x1 distribution amplifier into each output of the EventiX. This is a nice touch, as it saves the user time, space and money for external DA’s (digital-to-analog converters) that would be needed in many situations.
While the EventiX can handle up to UXGA (2048 x 1536) resolution on the inputs, the outputs are limited to 1365x1280 or less. This does mean that while HDTV resolutions up to 1365x768 or lower are provided, the ultimate HDTV resolution, 1920x1280, is not possible with this unit. Given that that vast majority of churches won’t be facing this issue for at least the next decade, it probably won’t factor into the decisions of most buyers.
Finally, optional inputs and outputs for DVI, SDI and audio are available.
Remote Control Keypad and Software Control
The RK8022-T is an optional remote control with a T-bar, similar to a broadcast switcher, though much smaller. Functionally, this small remote makes using the EventiX a lot easier. In fact, having the T-bar for manual control over dissolves is something no video director would ever want to do without.
With the ability to assign user-presets and recall instant wipes, P-i-P setting or dissolve rates, the RK8022-T is very useful as an addition. The buttons are too small for my tastes, and unfortunately Analog Way failed to continue to close the game between production video switchers and seamless scalers by making the whole unit so small. I’ll jump up and down in glee when somebody – anybody – makes a scaler/switcher interface that looks, behaves and feels like a production video switcher.
Still, this is an option I’d definitely want so that I don’t have to use the flat-faced buttons on the EventiX. Then again, I’m not a big fan of reaching over to a rack of equipment to use something as integral as my switcher.
With a built in LAN connection, you can communicate with the EventiX via your PC with the included software. A small annoyance, the software comes on 3.5- inch floppy disc. I had to actually go and use my wife’s old PC just to have access to a 3.5-inch drive, as USB and CD-ROM are the main formats I deal with.
The software is robust and provides for a lot of drop-down menus and well-labeled radio buttons to show you exactly what the EventiX is doing. The software is handy for those situations when you need to control it from a remote PC.
Conclusions
This is a high-end unit with some neat features and excellent – and I do mean stellar – processing for video and computer sources. There’s no arguing that the EventiX is a high-quality, truly seamless scaler that will find a home in more than a few churches that can afford the $12,400 price point to install it into their systems.
