Switcher Basics
Before using your switcher, it is important to become
familiar with how audio and video is handled by the
switcher. Some important concepts includes video
sources, video layering and re-entry, and preview. For
information on setting up video inputs, refer to the Setup
Manual that came with your switcher.
Audio and Video Processing
Video and audio signals are processed and passed through
the switcher in different ways, depending on how the
switcher is being used or is set up. A better understanding
of how the switcher is processing these signals help you
to achieve the production you want.
Video Processing and Flow
Video is processed in a number of blocks in the switcher.
After video comes into the switcher, the frame
synchronizers / format converters are applied (depending
on the frame you have). At this point any required color
correction is also applied. After input the video signal is
routed through the crosspoint. The crosspoint can route
any input to any output for straight switching, or to the
video processor and DVE and back for video
manipulation. Just before the video signal is sent to the
output, the processing of the ancillary data is performed.
Video
Processing
& DVE
Crosspoint
FSFC
Video
Inputs
ANC
Insert
Video
Outputs
Figure 6: Video Flow Through the Switcher
Audio Processing and Flow
Unlike video, the switcher does not handle audio signals
independently. An audio signal is embedded into the
ancillary data of a video signal before is comes into the
switcher. As the signal comes into the switcher and is
manipulated, you must ensure not to perform an operation
that will force the ancillary data to be stripped.
Specifically, this includes any format conversion on the
input video signal or stripping of the ancillary data.
No
Apply
FSFC?
Yes
No
ANC
set to
Strip?
Audio is stripped
from video signal
Audio cannot be
re-embedded in
video signal
Audio is
re-embedded in
video signal
Switcher
Figure 7: Audio Flow Through the Switcher
When you are performing a transition, or keying, the
embedded audio is carried in the ancillary data of the
background video signal. The ancillary data from the
background source is replaced with the ancillary data
from the preset source, and the ancillary data for keyed
sources is stripped.
In the case of the MultiViewer, you can select which
ancillary data stream is included in the MultiViewer
output.
Video Sources
The switcher has access to two basic types of video
sources, external and internal. All video sources can be
assigned to video source buttons. By pressing a video
source button on a bus, the video source assigned to that
button is selected on that bus.
•
External
— External video sources come from
cameras, video servers, character generators, or other
external devices into the switcher.
•
Internal
— Internal video sources come from
internally generated video, such as Media-Store
channels, matte color, and black.
To Select a Source on a Bus
To
select a video source on a bus, you must identify
the ME, MiniME
™
, Aux, or MultiScreen and bus you
want to assign a video source to, and then press the
source button you want to select on that bus.
The user buttons on the control panel can be assigned to
any ME, MiniME
™
, Aux Bus, or MultiScreen for quick
access, or any button can be held to allow you to select
the ME, MiniME
™
, Aux, or MultiScreen.
Tip:
Source selection can also be made from the Buses tab on
the Live Assist node in DashBoard. Key bus source selections
can also be made using the Key Source button on the Keyers
tab on the Live Assist node in DashBoard.
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• Switcher Basics — Carbonite Operation Manual (v13.0)