What Is A Switcher; What Is A Frame Synchronizer; Possible Applications; What I A Switcher? - Datavideo se-500 Instruction Manual

1.3

What is a switcher?

A switcher is something or someone that allows or facilitates switching. In this case, the switching that
happens is among 4 video and 3 audio sources. And if just switching were the only requirement, then this
piece of equipment would be like a row of light switches. But no: to be truly useful in a production
environment, a video switcher has to provide for numerous ways to go from one video source to another
(transitions), ways to adjust the look of the video (color processor and special effects), to deal with audio,
and to keep the whole thing synchronized, looking good.
1.4

What is a frame synchronizer?

A frame synchronizer is a digital device that stores a frame of video in its memory and releases it at a very
precise moment. These little devices are essential if you want to make a seamless switch from one video
source to another. If the sources you are switching between are not synchronized with each other, the video
image falls apart at the transition moment, and the result is not pretty.
The SE-500 has a full frame synchronizer (also known as a time base corrector or TBC) at its Main and Sub
Source inputs in each channel (4 Total) to insure switches without distortion and smooth, well-regulated
video at its output. In addition to its digital memory, a TBC also has controls that affect the look of the video
that passes through it. These controls are known as processing amplifiers, or proc amps; they control
brightness, contrast, color, and tint, though these may have different names in different applications.
For more information on some of these technical aspects, see the
1.5

Possible applications

You may already have some uses in mind for the SE-500. There's a real good chance that by browsing
through this manual, you will find some applications you didn't think of or expect. Take a look at the
Applications section; we describe 3 sample uses for the SE-500: Four Camera Shoot (Live Stage
Performance/Sporting Event), Live Conference, and Live Event Mixing (Club VJ/Convert).
Appendix Tech
7
Notes.
Sample