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May 2012

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Video Review: Edirol LVS-800 Video Switcher

Specializes in putting close-up live video on the projection screens in SD (standard definition) format.

by Jim Kumorek

Roland has developed a good reputation in the church A/V industry, particularly with their V-Drums and other musical instruments, and of late the success of their V-Mixer audio mixers that have seen strong acceptance in the church market. There is probably less awareness, however, of their video product lineup. Roland was kind enough to send to CPM one of their LVS-800 video mix/live switchers, and we're going to take a peek at it here.

According to Roland, the LVS-800, with a list price of $3,795, is designed for live event video production and IMAG (Image Magnification-putting close-up live video of what's taking place on the platform on the projection screens in the same room) for SD (standard definition) video. It's worth noting that if you want HD inputs and outputs, Roland offers V-440HD and V-1600HD switchers. It features eight video inputs; one through four accept only composite video signals; five and six accept composite or S-Video; seven and eight take either S-Video or computer (VGA) connections.

The switcher features a loop-through video out for each input channel to enable monitors to be connected to show each input signal; there's a preview monitor output connection, and a program out connection.

The LVS-800 also features DSK (down-stream keying) capability, which enables you to take the graphics output of a computer and superimpose it over the main output of the switcher to accomplish a lower-thirds type graphic overlay, or a logo "bug." More details on this later.

The unit enables you to seamlessly switch between inputs with either a cut, dissolve (called Mix on the mixer panel), or a variety of pre-programmed wipes.

To test the system, I connected a system utilizing a video camera, DVD player, and a laptop computer.

Setup was simple, and fairly intuitive. The only setup change I needed to make was to put the unit into preview/program operation mode instead of A/B bus mode. This makes your lower row of buttons what you use to select your next video input, and the upper bank of buttons to select or indicate what's currently live.

The switcher operated flawlessly and smoothly, cutting, dissolving or wiping between any of the inputs without a hitch. You can set a time for the transition and push a button to have the switcher automatically switch; or, there's a standard T-handle if you want to control the rate of the transition yourself, or pause part-way through a dissolve and let both inputs come through for artistic effect. The LVS-800 includes three frame synchronizers, which ensure that each potentially active video input (A bus, B bus, and DSK input) will be in sync with the others. This is important, because in consumer and most prosumer grade equipment, there is no option for ensuring that when camera No. 1 starts outputting a frame, that each other camera (or other video source) is starting its new frame as well. Camera No. 3 would be 2/3 of the way through putting out a frame, and thus if you switched to it, the frame would be out of sync, and the video display device would likely roll or do some other undesirable thing while it tries to re-sync to the new input. The synchronizers delay the output of each frame until it would naturally be in sync with the output of the switcher, ensuring clean, accurate results without the substantial cost of equipment that syncs itself to a master clock signal (which is what high-end broadcast equipment would do).

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Jim Kumorek is the owner of Spreading Flames Media, providing video/media production and writing services to the A/V/L, technology, architectural and hospitality industries. He has led audio, video and lighting teams in churches as both staff and a volunteer for over 10 years. He can be contacted at james@spreadingflamesmedia.com.