Edirol V-44SW Multi-Format Video Switcher
There’s little doubt anymore that high-definition video has arrived, nor about whether it will be around for many years to come. Consumers are increasingly watching HD content on HD-capable flat screens, and HD production equipment is essentially now the norm when purchasing new equipment. But what does that mean for all of the standard definition production equipment you already have?
Do you throw it away and start over? The answer is “no,” of course. Not even major network affiliate television stations are well enough funded to do that, let alone mid-sized houses of worship. But how can one production staff leverage both existing SD equipment and newly purchased HD gear? Edirol’s HD and SD capable V-44SW multi-format video switcher is a good place to start.
Following in the dual-format footsteps of Edirol’s V-440HD, the new V-44SW has inputs for both SD and HD feeds and up-converts any SD sources to match and mix with HD sources for a seamless output. However, where the V-440HD starts as a traditional tabletop video production switcher, complete with fader bar and joystick controls, the V-44SW is an easy-to-use multi-format presentation switcher; rack-mountable with a straightforward front plate that should feel familiar to those coming from a pro A/V background rather than live video switching.
The Same, but Different
Like many presentation switchers, the V-44SW has eight input channel buttons across the front for switching between up to eight inputs. The difference is that the V-44SW’s eight buttons are in two groups of four, labeled “SD Video” and “HD Video.” And that’s just how the back panel is set up. There are four composite/S-Video inputs for the four SD video channels (awkwardly, no analog component inputs) and four 15-pin D-Sub inputs for the HD Video channels. Naturally, those 15-pin ports can accept either RGB feeds from presentation computers or, with a splitter cable (readily available, but not included), high-definition analog components. Smartly, inputs are auto-sensing so you don’t need to spend a lot of time configuring.
There are two program outputs (to feed, for example, identical displays on opposite sides of a sanctuary or a local monitor and a projector) and one preview output, all of which are also 15-pin D-Subs. Three buttons on the unit front allow you to switch between 1080i, 720p, and RGB output, clearly aiming at today’s high resolution projectors and flat panels, although you can re-program those buttons in the menus to output to 480i or 480p, as well.
Interestingly, as opposed to displaying those menu settings on the preview monitor, Edirol has added a fourth, composite video, dedicated “menu” output. If you have an old spare monitor hanging around, you’ll be able to have the menus always on and that could be a big advantage if you need to reprogram features like Picture-in-Picture (P-in-P) settings, keys, or other presets during a production. The alternative is to use a preview monitor that can toggle between multiple inputs.
On the other hand, if you’re used to traditional pro A/V presentation switchers, you might not use the preview monitor at all. The V-44SW actually has two different modes of operation to satisfy both the direct-take mode of switching common to presentation switchers and the preview-take mode more common in video production. In “Direct Mode,” as soon as you select a new input channel from one of the eight buttons on the unit’s front, that channel goes live to your program out. In what Edirol calls “Preset Mode,” selecting a channel button only places that source on the preview monitor, allowing you to, for example, make sure a particular camera operator has a good angle and shot, before pressing the “Take” button to send that channel live. There are advantages to both switching methods, mostly dependent upon usage, and it’s smart of Edirol to include both options. In either mode you can take advantage of Edirol’s half-dozen dedicated transitions buttons on the front panel that include the obvious cross fade and a series of different wipes, as well as dedicated P-in-P and Key buttons. An accompanying control knob allows you to quickly set transition duration. P-in-P and key control is extensive, but requires drilling way down into the menus and, thus, should really be pre-set before you begin a live production. And, to facilitate a variety of pre-planned effects, the front panel also includes 15 different presets (on eight buttons, plus Shift key) into which you can program specific P-in-P sizes, crops, borders, or key settings.
It would be nice if the V-44SW offered a still store for commonly used graphics or other images, as many (particularly video production) switchers do. However, that’s a minor issue if you have a computer attached to one of the inputs. The front panel does have a very useful “Output Fade,” which is for both gracefully fading up from black at the beginning of a production and fading to black at the end.
Nothing Lost
With the older V-440HD side-by-side SD/HD switcher, Edirol really had two separate switchers in one chassis, expecting some of its users’ production would be all SD and would therefore need dedicated SD output. Perhaps that is true, but the implementation in the V-440HD was a little awkward. In the case of the newer V-44SW, you can essentially take anything in and put anything out. That’s because the four SD channels are themselves actually a fifth input to the HD/RGB processing, which can be set to output anything from 480i up to 1080i. With the V- 44SW, you effectively get the benefits of an 8x8 matrix switcher without the price. Plus, there is no need for multiple outputs to handle everything to which you might be outputting.
Indeed, the money you’d spend on the V-44SW is going into image quality more than switching extras. Edirol’s upconversion and scaling quality was very good in my tests using a variety of test footage, text-based computer sources, and various resolution test patterns from an Extron VTG-400 going to all three output formats. Surprisingly, image sharpness was even good with text documents scaled down inside small P-in-P windows.
With the V-44SW, Edirol is offering houses of worship a very accessible way to make the otherwise costly transition from standard definition production to HD, and is doing so in a comfortable form factor. By supporting and mixing both SD and HD inputs, the V-44SW allows you to continue to use all of the SD equipment that is likely already in place, while at the same time opening the door to incremental purchases of new HD cameras or other input sources. And, Edirol does HD at an affordable price.
Quick Links
EDIROL BY ROLAND
V-44SW & V-440HD video switchers
(360) 594-4282 • www.edirol.com
