What would you like to do ? -------------------------- Help us find the most requested user's guides Upload your
user manual Search for a user manual Register Login and access your manuals Reset your password

	Browse all user guides
	The DATAVIDEO SE-500 product forum
	Upload your user manual
	Sign-up Log in
	Help us find the most requested user's guides
	Include the add-on to download manuals from your site, forum or blog
	Frequently Asked Questions
	Contact Diplodocs team
ALL GUIDES BY CATEGORY Domestic Appliance TV & Audio Car & Motorcycle Phone Computer Camera & Video Music Sport Gardening & Housekeeping Video Game & Software Jewelry & Watch Baby & Toys Hygiene & Health Other

Ü·¹·¬¿´ Ê·¼»± Í©·¬½¸»® ÍÛóëðð Û®®±®ÿ ×ÒÍÌÎËÝÌ×ÑÒ ÓßÒËßÔ Ø¬¬°æññ©©©ò¼¿¬¿ª·¼»±ó¬»µò½±³ Rev 300606 Table of Contents Warnings and Precautions Warnings and Precautions Radio and Television Interference Warranty Disposal Introduction Introduction Product overview Features Packing List Installation, Connections, Set Up Some General Notes on Installation Power Up State Connecting Video sources Connecting Audio sources Outputs and Monitoring Audio Mixer RS-232 control Tally Light output MIDI control Quick Start Front panel Rear panel Selecting video input formats and adjusting audio levels Selecting video output format Using Video and Audio Monitors Cutting between sources Dissolving between sources Other Transitions between sources Effects Controls and Operations Video Source Color Processor Menu Audio Inputs, Levels, and Meters Using Transitions Selecting a Transition: Fade, Wipe Playing a Transition Manually Playing a Transition Automatically List of Transitions Using Effects Effects: Quad Effects: Split Effects: Picture in Picture Freeze Border Background 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 9 9 13 16 16 16 16 17 17 17 19 19 20 20 22 23 23 23 23 24 26 27 27 27 27 28 28 1 Sample applications Four Camera Shoot: Live Stage Performance/Sporting Event Live Conference Live Event Mixing: Club VJ/Concert Using SE-500 with CG-100 for Titles/Graphics/Logos overlay Troubleshooting / FAQ No power No image at output / S-Video output is black and white Audio clipping Frozen image at output Image distortions etc How does RS 232 work in practice Appendix Glossary of terms Tech notes (Video Standards, Formats, and Quality; Monitor Calibration) Specifications Useful Accessories RS-232 Remote Control Commands MIDI Control Commands Tally Pinouts cross reference between the TLM-404 & the SE-500 Service and Support 29 30 31 32 33 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 35 35 37 40 42 45 50 52 54 2 Warnings and Precautions 1. Read all of these warnings and save them for later reference. 2. Follow all warnings and instructions marked on this unit. 3. Unplug this unit from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning. 4. Do not use this unit in or near water. 5. Do not place this unit on an unstable cart, stand, or table. The unit may fall, causing serious damage. 6. Slots and openings on the cabinet top, back, and bottom are provided for ventilation. To ensure safe and reliable operation of this unit, and to protect it from overheating, do not block or cover these openings. Do not place this unit on a bed, sofa, rug, or similar surface, as the ventilation openings on the bottom of the cabinet will be blocked. This unit should never be placed near or over a heat register or radiator. This unit should not be placed in a built-in installation unless proper ventilation is provided. 7. This product should only be operated from the type of power source indicated on the marking label of the AC adapter. If you are not sure of the type of power available, consult your Datavideo dealer or your local power company. 8. Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord. Do not locate this unit where the power cord will be walked on, rolled over, or otherwise stressed. 9. If an extension cord must be used with this unit, make sure that the total of the ampere ratings on the products plugged into the extension cord do not exceed the extension cords rating. 10. Make sure that the total amperes of all the units that are plugged into a single wall outlet do not exceed 15 amperes. 11. Never push objects of any kind into this unit through the cabinet ventilation slots, as they may touch dangerous voltage points or short out parts that could result in risk of fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any kind onto or into this unit. 12. Except as specifically explained elsewhere in this manual, do not attempt to service this product yourself. Opening or removing covers that are marked Do Not Remove may expose you to dangerous voltage points or other risks, and will void your warranty. Refer all service issues to qualified service personnel. 13. Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer to qualified service personnel under the following conditions: a. When the power cord is damaged or frayed; b. When liquid has spilled into the unit; c. When the product has been exposed to rain or water; d. When the product does not operate normally under normal operating conditions. Adjust only those controls that are covered by the operating instructions in this manual; improper adjustment of other controls may result in damage to the unit and may often require extensive work by a qualified technician to restore the unit to normal operation; e. When the product has been dropped or the cabinet has been damaged; f. When the product exhibits a distinct change in performance, indicating a need for service. Radio and Television Interference UNITED STATES: The equipment described in this manual generates and uses radio frequency energy. If it is not installed and used in accordance with the instructions in this manual, it may cause interference with radio and television reception. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy, and if not installed and used in accordance with these instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: 1. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna; 2. Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver; 3 3. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. If necessary, consult your dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help and/or additional suggestions. N.B.: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the users right to operate this equipment. Peripherals used in conjunction with this equipment must be connected via shielded interface cables. Use of unshielded interface cables may result in interference to radio and TV reception, and may void the users right to operate this equipment. Warranty Datavideo warrants that the equipment it manufactures shall be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of 12 months from the date of product purchased. If equipment fails due to such defects, Datavideo will, at its option, repair or provide a replacement for the defective part or product. Equipment that fails after the warranty period, has been operated or installed in a manner other than that specified by Datavideo, or has been subjected to abuse or modification, will be repaired for time and material charges at the Buyers expense. This warranty does not affect your statutory rights within the Country of purchase. For EU Customers only - WEEE Marking. This symbol on the product indicates that it will not be treated as household waste. It must be handed over to the applicable take-back scheme for the recycling of electrical and electronic equipment. For more detailed information about the recycling of this product, please contact your local Datavideo office. Introduction Thank you for purchasing Datavideos SE-500 Digital Video Switcher. We hope you will be pleased with your purchase, and with what you can achieve with this advanced piece of technology. In order to get the most out of your new switcher, we recommend that you spend some time getting familiar with this manual, as it will describe in detail all the functions of this unit. In addition, youll find some useful background information on video and audio, and some detailed examples of ways to use your new switcher. If you are experienced in video production, you may want to immediately take a look at the Quick Start section on °¿¹» ç 4 Product Overview The Datavideo SE-500 is an analog input, digital processing video switcher. The SE-500 includes 4 groups of video input (4 x composite & 4 x S-Video), a 3 channel audio mixer, 2 microphone inputs, color correction, digital video transition effects, MIDI control interface, Tally out, RS-232 remote control interfaceand many more professional features. A built in TBC in each channel with YUV 4:2:2 frame synchronizer for Composite, and S (Y/C) inputs and outputs assures stable and high quality video from virtually any source. A built in R.G.B. Color Processor and a Color Corrector for each video input, with settings that are saved, allow you to fine tune your video. The SE-500 has 15 different digital effects, which include Quad, Split, PIP, Wipes, and Fade. Additionally, the SE-500 includes a truly unique feature Quad Preview. This preview output displays both tally light signals, and next video effects indicator. The operator can use one single monitor to observe four video input sources, camera activities, and video transition effects. The SE-500 has all the popular features of many more expensive mixers and it is extremely compact in size. Now you can shoot, mix, and edit, all within this compact size digital switcher. With the Datavideo DAC-6 (DV to Composite, Y/C, and Component converter), VP-314 (DV Repeater), and 10, 20, 40meter DV cables, you may use DV cameras to feed video from up to 200 meters away. Features Digital Processor, high image quality Four inputs of S-Video (Y/C) and Composite video Quad video preview monitor output with tally & transition indicators on screen Optional YUV output via supplied breakout cable Quad, Split, PIP, Wipe, and Fade digital video effects T-Bar control of digital video effect transitions Color processor for video correction RS232 remote control MIDI control interface Tally output Audio mixer with two microphone channels and one auxiliary input Packing List 1. SE-500 switcher x 1 2. BNC to RCA 1.2m cable x 2 3. S-Video 1.2m Cable x 1 4. YUV Breakout cable (BNC x 3 to S(Y/C)+BNC cable) 1.2m x 1 5. RCA to RCA stereo cable 1.5m x 1 6. AC/DC Switching adapter x 1 7. BNC to RCA connector x 2 8. Instruction Manual x 1 5 Installation, Connections, Set up Some General Notes on Installation There are a few other things to be aware of when you are installing and integrating the SE-500. Please make sure you have read the Warnings and Precautions section on °¿¹» íò The SE-500 sends and receives analog signals except the RS-232, MIDI, and Tally. You need to be aware that cable lengths, impedance, crossing power cords, and adaptors might interfere with video transmission. The cautions below, with the exception of physical damage, will give you the general idea about cabling for analog video or audio. We strongly recommend you use analog video and audio cables that are roughly the right length to connect between components. The longer the cable, the more noise and deterioration of the video signal can be introduced. We strongly recommend that you check the integrity of each analog cable before installation by using a continuity tester (available from most electronic and video supply stores). Cables can go bad over time, with use, by someone walking on them, carts rolling over them, or even for no apparently good reason. It will happen eventually. Have a continuity tester handy and save yourself some troubleshooting headaches. Make sure you dont run video/audio cables and power lines together, on top of each other, or across each other. This is another good way to introduce noise and signal degradation. Cable connectors will eventually become dirty or oxidation will start. The dirt can cause a bad connection or introduce noise in the signal. It is advisable to buy some electrical contact cleaning products. Use adaptors if you must, but keep in mind that each connector is one more accident waiting to happen, one more place the signal can be degraded or broken. Finally, for examples of how to connect and integrate the SE-500 into a variety of set ups, take a look at the brief Quick Start on °¿¹» ç and the more in depth explanations in Sample Applications on °¿¹» îç. Power up State When you first power up the SE-500, you will need to check each channel s connection and set the audio levels. All the setting will be retained except color bar output, see MENU on °¿¹» îð. At power up, channel 1 will be the selected Main Video Source and channel 2 will be the selected Sub Video Source. Settings that are retained are: color correction settings; remote control setting; transition setting; video effect setting, video output settings and background color. 6 Connecting Video Sources There are two types of plugs used for video signals on the SE-500: BNC, and S-video. BNC connectors look like this on the cable end. The connector slides over the connector on the SE-500 and is locked in place with a push in and clockwise turn. The big virtue of these connectors, which are the standard for almost all professional video applications, is that they lock in place and cannot be accidentally dislodged. S-video plugs (also known as Y/C) have 4 tiny pins in them, which carry a separated Y (luminance) and C (chroma) video signal and provide a much better quality video signal than composite. These plugs have a tiny bar in them to assure correct alignment in the socket. They need to be pressed firmly in place, but very carefully, as the little pins can bend easily. Align plug and socket and push straight in, firmly. S-Video BNC Connecting Audio Sources The SE-500 uses 2 kinds of plugs for audio connections: RCA and 1/4 inch jack plugs. There are lots of different names for these plugs. Fortunately for us all, they are not easily confused in the size and shape departments, so well show you some pictures. RCA plugs (also sometimes known as phono plugs, cinch, or tulips) are used for line level audio, such as the connections between a CD player and amp. The SE-500 uses these in stereo pairs, white for left and red for right, at the audio input and output sections. 1/4 inch jack plugs got their name, some say, because they used to be used to manually patch together phone lines in the old central switchboard days. They come in mono and stereo configurations: the mono has one dark band around the plug, the stereo has two. The SE-500 uses a mono plug on MIC CH1 and mono plugs for MIC CH2. RCA ¼ Mono Jack If you need to use balanced audio inputs or outputs, for low impedance microphones or connections with other professional audio gear, you need to use an impedance matching device to convert low to high impedance (and/or vice versa). For example Datavideo BAC-03 ø±² °¿¹» ìì ÷ ¼ Stereo Jack Outputs and Monitoring Your particular set up and application for the SE-500 will determine what video and audio devices you connect to the outputs. Take a look at the Sample Applications, °¿¹» îç for some examples. While all the outputs of the SE-500 are very high quality, keep in mind that the video quality of the various formats, in descending order, goes like this: Y.U.V. (analog component), Y/C (S-video), and Composite. Audio outputs are all line level, suitable for connecting to an amp, VCR, or video projector (for example). 7 We cant stress enough the importance of good monitoring systems. If something doesnt look or sound right at the last stage of the signal path, the Main output, it can only be easily corrected if you can pinpoint where in the signal path the problem is being introduced. Certain set ups will benefit greatly by being able to monitor the video of each input channel, as well as the Main output. High quality headphones allow you to hear the audio with far fewer intermediate steps and far more accuracy, thanks to the Headphone control on the front panel, than going through an amp and speakers. We suggest both methods of monitoring, and listening to the sound through a video monitors speakers is also a good idea. Needless to say, if you are outputting to a record deck, you should be able to easily monitor the output of that device as well. Connecting a Datavideo TLM-70D 7 TFT LCD for preview video monitoring, page 43. Audio Mixer An Audio Mixer with two mono microphone inputs and stereo Aux input allows you to adjust and balance the volume from various audio sources. RS-232 control The RS-232 Control Port enables control of the SE 500 from a PC or other device thru the RS-232 port. Connects to PC RS-232 serial interface for remote controlled by PC application software. Refer to the Appendix detail of RS-232 Remote Control Protocol, °¿¹» ìë. Tally control The tally output allows you to send out tally light signals. Refer to the Appendix detail of tally pinouts cross reference, °¿¹» ëî. MIDI control Connects to other MIDI devices, such as MIDI keyboard, and electronic piano. Refer to the Appendix detail of MIDI Control Protocol, °¿¹» ëð. 8 Quick Start SE-500 Front Panel 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2 11 1 15 1. Audio faders 2. Headphone Socket 3. Audio meters 4. Headphone Volume Control 5. Video Effect: Quad 6. Video Effect: Split 7. Video Effect: PIP 8. Video Effect: Freeze 14 13 12 9. Background color selection/Menu 10. Border On/Off 11. T-Bar 12. Transition Effect preview 13. Main Video Source selectors 14. Sub Video Source selectors 15. Transition mode selectors 9 1. Faders: sliders to control audio levels for the Main audio output mix. These Audio Level pots are the first stage in the audio signal path. Analog audio comes in through the 1/4 inch phono jack and RCA connectors on the rear panel see Rear Panel, °¿¹» ïí. 2. Headphones jack: accepts a stereo mini jack plug for stereo headphones. The headphone volume is controlled by the Headphone volume control (4.). 3. Audio Meters: LED style meters, which show the signal strength at the Audio Output. The signal measured is determined by the levels set with the Faders (1.). The LEDs turn red at +10 dB to indicate clipping distortion. For more information, see Audio Inputs, Levels, and Meters, °¿¹» îîò 4. Headphone volume control: controls Headphone level and signal(s) present at the Headphone jack (2.). Level is controlled by the rotary knob. For more information, see Using Video and Audio Monitors, °¿¹» ïê and Audio Inputs, Levels, and Meters, °¿¹» îî. 5. Quad Video Effect: combines four different input sources into one single output on program monitor. 6. Split Video Effect: split the selected Sub Video Source and the Main Video Source into left and right half size video screen. Use left and right function key to swap sides. For more information, see Using Effects: Split, °¿¹» îéò 7. Picture in Picture: puts the selected Sub Video Source in a window on the Main Video Source, with control over window size and placement. Used in conjunction with the Border keys (10.) For more information, see Using Effects: Picture in Picture, °¿¹» îéò 8. Freeze Video Effect: will grab the last field from the Main video output and hold it as a still image. For more information, see Using Effects: Freeze, °¿¹» îé. 10 9. Background: When Background is selected in either the Main or Sub Video Source (13, 14.), and the button is pressed (and the LED is lit except with black color background), repeated presses of the color button cycle through the 8 possible solid backgrounds. For more information, see Background, °¿¹» îè. 10. Menu: Press and hold the button BACKGROUND COLOR for 2 seconds or more, a menu will pop up. You are able to change the camera settings, which include Brightness, Contrast, color, Tint (NTSC only). For more information, see Color Processor, °¿¹» îðò Press it again, and you can change output format between YUV or S-video out, select RS232C or MIDI control, and color bar output. 11. Border: controls the border style and color for the Picture in Picture effect, and the color edge for the Wipe effect. This control is accessible when the Picture in Picture controls and Wipe transitions (15.) are engaged. For more information, see Using Effects: Picture in Picture, °¿¹» îé and Using Transitions: Wipe °¿¹» îíò 12. T-Bar: used to manually perform a transition. For more information, see Playing a Transition, °¿¹» îíò 13. Preview: preview the selected transition effect, and background color by pressing the Preview button. 14. Main Video Source Selector: Used to select which of the four video input channels or background is sent to the Main video output. For more information, see Video Source, °¿¹» ïçò 15. Sub Video Source Selector Used to select which of the four video input channels or background will be transitioned to or used as a sub source in an effect. 11 16. Transition selectors: These twelve selection buttons determine the transition type and allow for the selection of certain effects that are performed on the selected Main Video Input channel. For more information, see Using Transitions, °¿¹» îí and Using Effects, °¿¹» îêò Tech note: Transcoding is the act of changing video from one format to another, for example, from composite video to S-video. The SE-500 has been designed to perform transcoding, as part of its standard operating procedure. Select a video source on the Main Source Input bus, and it will be available at the Main Output in all formats, S-Video and Composite, simultaneously. N.B. The output format can be S-Video and Composite or Component Video (YUV) and Composite. It is not possible to output S-Video (Y/C) and Component Video (YUV) at the same time. 12 SE-500 Rear Panel 1a 2a 3 1b 2c 2b 2d 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 1. Video inputs, Channels 1, 2, 3, 4. 1a. S-Video (Y/C) input 1b. Composite video input (BNC) 2. Video outputs 2a. Composite video out (BNC) 2b. S-video (Y/C) out 2c. Component (Combine Composite & Y/C with supplied breakout cable)* 2d. Quad preview output (BNC) 3. RS-232 Control 4. Tally Signal out 5. MIDI Control* 6. Microphone input Ch2 (1/4 jack) 7. Microphone input Ch1 (1/4 jack) 8. Audio inputs (Stereo, RCA connector) 9. Two Stereo Audio outputs (RCA) 10. Power On / Off switch 11. DC Power input 12V 1.5A 13 1. Video In (Channels 1, 2, 3, and 4 are all set up the same way) a. Composite video input: takes a BNC connector from the composite output of a VCR, camera, DVD player, etc. b. S-Video (Y/C) input: takes a standard 4 pin S-video cable from the output of a VCR, camera, DVD player, etc. N.B If S-Video (Y/C) is connected it will be automatically selected in priority over Composite. 2. Video Output. These ports carry the Main video output of the SE-500. a. Composite video out: BNC connector typically connected to a program monitor. b. S-video out: standard 4 pin S-video (Y/C) connector, typically connected to a VCR, projector, or monitor. c. Y.U.V. video out: Combine Composite & Y/C with the supplied breakout cable. These BNC connectors carry the analog component Main video signal, and would typically be connected to a master recorder (Betacam, DVCPro, or DVCam, for example), component video monitor, or a satellite uplink. (See °¿¹» ïê for more information on connecting these ports to a device.) d. Quad preview out: BNC connector carrying a quad video signal with effect, Tally light, background, and speed indicators. 3. RS-232 control: for PC or other devices to remote control via RS-232 protocol. Please read the Appendix of RS-232 Protocol on °¿¹» ìë for more information. 4. Tally Out: send out Red, Amber, and Green color tally signals to each channel. Red means On-Air, Amber means next camera source, Green means free to move. 5. MIDI Control interface: for connecting to other MIDI devices, such as MIDI keyboard, and electronic piano. Please read the Appendix of MIDI Control Protocol, °¿¹» ëð 6. MIC CH2: A ¼ jack connector for a high impedance analog audio source, such as a microphone. MIC inputs 1 and 2: accept ¼ Inch mono plugs, carrying high impedance signals from one or two mono microphones. With high impedance MIC, the longer the cable from microphone to the SE-500, the more noise is introduced into the signal. 7. MIC CH1: When a stereo ¼ jack is connected to CH1 only, the CH1 and CH2 Faders (page 12) will have equal volume on each channel. When both CH1 and CH2 have a MIC connected, each fader channel will adjust the respective input from the rear panel. 14 8. Audio Inputs: A RCA stereo for a line level auxiliary analog audio source, such as a CD player or tape deck. If you are using more than two sources via an external audio mixer, connect the audio mixers line level output to this unbalanced Audio input. 9. Audio Output: A RCA stereo line level analog audio output, carrying the signal present at the output of the audio mixer section (see Controls and Operations, °¿¹» ïç÷. 10. Power: Switches the unit On / Off. 11. DC Input: connect the power supply that came with the SE-500, and only the power supply that came with the SE-500, here, and plug the other end into an electrical outlet, preferably on a surge suppressor for added protection. 15 Selecting video input formats and adjusting audio levels (Numbers refer to the Front Panel illustration above)*. Verify that there is a valid source at each input youve connected by using the Main Source Select buttons (13.) to select a channel and view the output on the main monitor. For each input channel (1, 2, 3, 4): connect either a Composite or S-Video source to each channel. For more information please see below. Adjust any audio input levels you will be using, for example microphones, Aux in from a mixer, etc. Set the level of the LEDs in the Audio Meters (3.) to occasionally peak at +8 or +10 and there is no audible distortion. Tech Note: The SE-500 will automatically detect which connector is plugged in. Therefore, there is no need to change the setting when you switch the video source from S-Video to Composite, and vice versa. However, if you connect both S-Video and Composite inputs on the same Channel, the SE-500 will automatically select the S-Video as main input source. Selecting video output format In addition to the Composite Video Output the SE-500 can output either S-Video (Y/C) or Component Video (YUV). To output Component Video there is a special breakout cable that connects to the (Y/C) out and one of the Composite Outputs. To switch the SE-500 Video Output to S-Video (Y/C) or Component Video (YUV): Press and hold the Background Button for 5 Seconds until the On-Screen Menu appears. Press the Background Button again and the second page of the menu will appear. Use the UP and Down Buttons to navigate the menu and highlight Video Output. Video Output can be set to Y/C C C or Y.U.V. C. If you want to output S-Video use the Left or Right Arrow Buttons to select Y/C, C, C. If you want to use Y.U.V. Component Output via the supplied Breakout Cable then select Y.U.V, C. Using Video and Audio Monitors Without reliable video and audio monitors, you wont be able to tell whats what in your mix. The SE-500 provides the ability to easily and reliably monitor video and audio at the output stages. All video input channels can be monitored on one monitor, via the Quad Preview Monitor Output. You should have a video monitor displaying the Main Output. This could be a composite monitor, for example, connected to the one of two CV plug (Composite) in the Video Output section, or to the composite output of a VCR connected to the Video Output. For output audio monitoring with headphones, set the rotary headphone volume control knob to the center. (4.); to monitor through an amplifier and speakers, push the MASTER fader to -12 in the Audio Faders (1.) section. For more information, see Controls and Operations, °¿¹» ïç. Cutting between sources The simplest way to cut (switch) between source video inputs: use the Video Main Source buttons (13.) to select which input goes to the program monitor (output). Look at the results on your program or record monitor. 16 Dissolving between sources Select the Main Video Source (13.) by pressing the appropriate channel button. The LED for the channel you have selected should be lit and you should see that source on the program monitor. Select the Sub Video Source (14.) you want to dissolve to. The default transition is fade (The LED should be lit when you turn on the switcher. If a different transition is selected at power up, press it to deselect.) Move the T-Bar (11.) to the opposite position and watch the fade happen on the program monitor. You can stop the fade part way through and watch the Main source fade away. Other transitions between sources Select Main and Sub sources as above. Select the wipe you wish to use. There are total 11 different Wipe styles and the corresponding icon will be displayed on the preview monitor when you press it. At this point you can hit Preview (12.), to see the transition on the preview monitor. Then, use the T-Bar to perform the transition manually. For more information, see Using Transitions, °¿¹» îí. Effects There are two places on the SE-500 where you can add effects: in the Transition Effects section (15.) and in the Video Effects section (5-8.). Some of these work on a single source, and some need two or four sources to work. Select a Main Video source and try the following: In the Transition Effects section, select the WIPE effect you wish to use. You could also add a border to the edge by turning on the BORDER effect (10.). For more information, see Using Transitions, °¿¹» îí In the Video Effects section, try the Quad effect (5.). Press the button to engage the effect; the LED will light. You can see 4 input sources showing on the program monitor at the same time. For Split effect (6.), select a sub source for right hand side window. Then, press the SPLIT button. You will see Main source on left hand side, and Sub source on right hand side. 17 PIP effect (7.), which stands for Picture in Picture. As you might guess, this effect requires a Main and Sub Video Source. Assuming you have valid inputs on Channel 1 and 2, select Channel 1 as the Main Source and Channel 2 as the Sub Source. When you engage the effect by pressing the PIP button (and verifying that the LED on the button is lit), on the program monitor you will have Channel 1 as the Main Source and Channel 2 as a smaller window inset. There are two choices for window size. Change these by pressing the and buttons, see below. You can position this window using the other five different position buttons on (15.), with the button set to Position Control (LED is lit). You could also add a border by turning on the Border control (10.). Next, try the Freeze effect (8.) to grab a still frame of the Main Source video. Move the T-Bar to manually dissolve to the Sub Video Source. For more information, see Using Effects, °¿¹» îê 18 Controls and Operations Video Source The first thing to do when using the SE-500 is to select the Main and Sub Video Sources. The source you select (by pressing one of the buttons; a bright red LED on the selected button lights for confirmation) on the Main Source bus is what is sent to the Video output. This means that you can perform cuts between sources by simply pressing different buttons. The Sub Source selection determines which input will be transitioned to when using any of the transition controls (Wipe and Fade) and provides the video for Picture in Picture and Split functions. (See Using Transitions, °¿¹» îí, and Using Effects, °¿¹» îê for more details.) In addition to selecting which video input channel will be present in the Main and Sub Source busses, you must check the appropriate input for each channel in use. (See Selecting video input formats and adjusting audio levels, page 18.) The SE 500 has automatic input select; if there is an S-Video cable connected to the S-Video input, the channel will automatically switch to S-Video input. However this means that, if both composite and S-Video inputs are connected and there is no valid video signal present thru SVideo, you will see a black video when that channel is selected for output. For example, if you have a camcorder connected to channel 1 through the composite input, and you also have channel 1s S(Y/C) connected to another non-working device, you will see a black video, even if the camcorder is supplying a signal. You will also see a black video if the camcorder is not supplying a video signal, such as when it is powered off, or in playback mode with no tape loaded. Tech note: The frozen image is a function of how the time base corrector (TBC, a.k.a. frame synchronizer) works. The SE-500 has a TBC at the Main Video Source and the Sub Video Source input on each channel. Their purpose is to stabilize the video signals as they come into the switcher, and to synchronize their timing so that they can be switched and otherwise combined with no disruption to the video signal. 19 Color Processor The Color Processor controls work when you press and hold the Background (9.) button for 2 seconds or more, which is temporarily displayed at the Preview Output. For more information, please see the MENU section. These controls are like picture controls on a video monitor or the proc amp (processing amplifier) controls on a time base corrector. In fact, they are the proc amp controls of one of the SE-500s 4 internal TBCs. On the top of screen you can see 4 different numbers, each represent the input channel from the SE-500 rear panel. On the left side of this section are the 4 controls (Brightness, Contrast, Color, and Tint (NTSC only)). 0 stands for Unity, or perhaps Unchanged. In either case, it shows that the signal passing through that particular control is being neither boosted nor cut. To move to another control, press the up or down arrow button. To move to another channel, press the left or right arrow button. To change the settings, press the or buttons. Brightness Contrast Color Tint* 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 You can see the extent of color processing available in this section by experimenting with the controls. Brightness adjusts how light or dark the colors in the image will appear at the Video Output. The Y-Gain controls affect the range between the lightest and the darkest parts of the image, including how much shadow and highlight detail can be seen. Color controls the saturation or intensity of the color image, from fully saturated or extremely intense at the top of the scale to completely de-saturated or monochrome (black and white) at the bottom. The Tint buttons (NTSC only) control the actual hue or specific colors in the image, in effect rotating all the colors equally around an imaginary color wheel. Reset works on the selected input source, and when pressed and held for 2 seconds, resets the Color Processor controls for just that input to 0 or unity. (Press and hold the Reset button until you see the image shake a bit and return to its unprocessed state.) So how do you know for certain how effective any of these adjustments are? You can see the changes by looking at the Main Output on a video monitor, but how do you know if that reference is accurate? The first part of the answer is: by having an accurately calibrated monitor that shows exactly, with reference to a standard, what the video looks like. That standard has been described and agreed to by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) and the European Broadcasters Union (EBU), and is most commonly shown as color bars. Color bars are an image consisting of columns and blocks of specific colors and gray tones. Because of differences in television standards, SMPTE bars and EBU bars do not look the same. They are used in much the same ways: when these are displayed on a monitor, the monitor can then be adjusted to meet the standard. 20 The most serious, accurate color correction is done with the aid of a waveform monitor/vector scope, a signal analysis instrument (actually a pair of instruments) common in video editing suites, which shows precisely the details of the video signal. With one of these instruments, you can see at a glance (once you know what you are looking for) the most intimate electronic details and irregularities of the video signal. Many users may not have access to a waveform monitor or vector scope, but this does not necessarily condemn them to produce less than high quality video. It means that more care must be taken and some different procedures must be followed. Nothing will take the place of a calibrated, properly adjusted monitor, so that must always be your first step. For more information on monitor calibration procedure, see Appendix: Monitor Calibration, °¿¹» íèò If you dont have any video test equipment, follow the suggested procedure to adjust all the video sources, which is described at the end of Appendix: Monitor Calibration, °¿¹» íèò Settings made in this section are remembered by the SE-500 after you power down the unit. In other words, these settings remain in effect until they are changed or the Reset button is pressed. MENU The MENU works when you press and hold the BACKGROUND (9.) button for 2 seconds or more, which is temporarily displayed at the Preview Output. The first adjustment is the Color Processor as described above. Press the button again, and you can select IRE, video output format, remote control protocol, and color bar output. Use the up or down arrow keys to move to different categories, and then use change the setting. You may select between Y/C, C, C or YUV, C (Composite) for video output formats. If you want to output SVideo select Y/C, C, C. If you want to run a Component (YUV) output, select YUV, C and use the supplied breakout cable to get a Component output signal. If you use a MIDI keyboard in live concerts, you can control the SE-500. Go to Remote Control, use to change the setting from RS-232C to MIDI. Press BACKGROUND again, select the desired MIDI channel you wish to use. While you are setting the channel on the SE-500, please also set up the channel on your MIDI device. After you finish setting, press the button again. Turn off the unit, and then turn it back on. Now you can start to use the MIDI device to control the SE-500. For more detailed information on MIDI control protocol, please refer to °¿¹» ëî. or or to Tech Note: All the settings will be memorized except color bar output. 21 Audio Inputs, Levels, and Meters (Faders, bus selectors,) Audio Input Level Calibration Procedure The first step in setting up the audio for a session with your SE-500 consists of adjusting the levels on which channel you will be using. Slide the Master fader to Max, and set the other faders to 0. Then, listening to the audio and watching the Audio Level Meters (see below), set the level with the fader so that the sound is consistently at between +0 dB (green LED) and +8 dB (yellow LED) and just barely peaks occasionally to +10 dB (red LED). The idea is to avoid any audible distortion (clipping), caused by making the signal level too high at this stage. Three faders on the left represent the input volumes (CH-1, CH-2, AUX), which determine what signals are present at the Main Output. If any of the faders are all the way down, there will be no audio from that input channel heard at the output. These faders correspond with each input and control the relative volume of each input in the master output as well as the master output level. When the faders are set to 0, they pass the audio signal through at the same level it was at when it entered this bus. You can increase or decrease the volume of each channel by moving the fader up or down. These meters show the audio signal level at the Main output. The strength of any audio signal that is routed to the output will be displayed here. As mentioned above, these meters play a vital part in correctly setting the audio levels to avoid clipping or other distortion. Youll notice that the LEDs are green up through the +0 dB level, turn yellow at +4 dB, and turn red at +10 dB. As you set the audio level for each input, make sure that the signal peaks to +8 dB or very occasionally to +10 dB. Every time the signal goes to +12 dB, it will be distorted. Use the Headphone section to accurately monitor with the Master volume output. In many cases, headphones may be a more useful and accurate choice than speakers for audio monitoring. For example, in a noisy club or at a concert, you wont be able to hear any additional sound coming through speakers. Headphones will also more accurately reproduce the sound you wish to monitor at a lower cost than speakers. 22 Using Transitions The SE-500 can do 3 kinds of transitions: cut, fade, and wipe. The cut is a simple switch from one input source to another, and can be accomplished by selecting a source on the Main Source Bus, and then selecting a second one. One source is replaced by the next at the video output. Not flashy, not fancy, nothing to customize, but gets the job done. In fact, if you watch a film or video, paying attention to transitions, youll see that the cut is far and away the most often used transition. When you want a transition that is more stylish or fancy, see the next section. Selecting a transition: Fade, Wipe First, some definitions: A fade, also known as a dissolve, is a transition wherein all the pixels of one source are replaced by all the pixels of another, at a smooth rate, and at the same time. In a wipe transition, the change from one source to another happens along a predefined edge. It is like one source is being pulled back or pushed on to the other. But a picture is worth a thousand words, so... Select a main source and sub source, select Wipe, or Fade from the buttons above, press Preview button to see what it would like on program. Then, perform the actual transition manually by moving the T-bar up and down. See below for a list of transitions and variations. Playing a transition The T-Bar is the traditional switcher device for performing transitions; it can be either all the way up, all the way down, or anywhere in between. The up and down positions are relative, meaning one position is before and one position is after the transition. The T-Bar performs the selected transition between the selected sources as fast as you move the T-Bar. And it performs as much of the transition as you want. If no transition is selected, moving the T-Bar performs a fade between the selected sources. Playing a transition automatically The auto transition can be performed by RS-232 or MIDI control. In the auto-take, there are three different speeds you could select. For further detail see RS-232 Remote Control Command on °¿¹» ìë and MIDI Remote Control Command ±² °¿¹» ëðò 23 List of transitions and parameters (suitable for photocopying) Wipe (works in conjunction with Border controls): 1: Block wipe from center to full screen. 2: Right angle wipe on, upper right to lower left