Datavideo Helps You Find the Right Switchers

 

Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned veteran, finding the right switcher can be like playing the lottery. But with Datavideo, you're bound to be a winner. With a wide range of switchers that are easy to use, yet packed with professional features, Datavideo switchers make your job simpler. This is especially important when you’re making crucial on-the-fly decisions during live events.

Datavideo offers a variety of switchers to meet your video and audio mixing needs. Whether you’re working with only a few SD sources in a small house of worship or education setting, or with several HD sources in a professional broadcast environment, Datavideo has a switcher for you. This article will examine the SE-600, SE-2000, SE-2200, and SE-2800 series of switchers, covering the solo switcher units as well as mobile, studio, and complete production-kit configurations available. Let’s take a look.

SE-600 Series

Designed for SD production environments, the SE-600 is an eight-input switcher with a built-in, dual-channel audio mixer. The SE-600 can mix and blend from six composite video, one DVI-I, and one DVI-D video sources. The composite video inputs let you use cameras or media players as sources, while the DVI inputs are useful for connecting a computer to introduce graphic elements, text, or even a PowerPoint presentation. The DVI inputs support a maximum resolution of 1024 x 768 at 60Hz. The system also comes with Luma key support, so the graphic elements from the DVI inputs can be displayed over the main footage―great for adding titles and logos over your footage.

For video output, there are two composite video ports and one YUV set. Using the YUV output will consume one of the composite ports, thus providing a total of one YUV and one composite video output. There are also four assignable composite video auxiliary outputs. Outputs on the SE-600 can be expanded by adding an optional DV Board, which adds two SD-SDI output ports and two 6-pin FireWire DV25 ports. The flexible outputs make it easy to connect to external devices such as screens, recorders, streaming boxes, and more.

The SE-600 gives you a great deal of control over your transitions, including 14 different wipes and an A/B dissolve or fade. Transitions can be performed manually using the T-Bar, or automatically with five selectable speeds for each transition. You can also store two logos that can be keyed into your footage with the touch of a button. Logos are transferred to the switcher on an SD card via the SD card slot on the front edge of the device.

For easy monitoring, two multi-view outputs let you display all of your input sources, as well as your program and preview out on one or two monitors. A dual Picture-in-Picture (PiP) function lets you display one source as the main screen footage with two other sources displayed as smaller insets over the first. Additional professional features include clock, audio peak-meter, and built-in audio delay.

When it comes to audio, the SE-600 has a built-in, 3-input mixer with master gain control. Audio inputs consist of two RCA mono inputs (stereo pair) and two XLR inputs (stereo pair) with matching audio output connectors. Other connectors include two D-SUB tally outputs for tally light communication with crew members, and an RS-422 port for control.

If you plan on traveling from venue to venue with the SE-600, then you might want to consider the Mobile Studio configuration, which houses the switcher in a convenient briefcase-style shell with an integrated 17" monitor and includes an ITC-100 Intercom and Tally system, complete with four belt packs, headsets, and tally lights.

For more permanent setups, the Studio Kit configuration is available and includes the stand-alone SE-600 switcher, RKM-2000 Desktop Holder, a tabletop 17" monitor, a DN-700 Hard Drive Recorder, and a DVI-D to HDMI cable. It also comes with the same intercom and tally system as the Mobile Studio.

SE-2000 Series

Designed for the HD production environment, the SE-2000 can mix from up to 5 video sources; either four HD-SDI and one DVI-D input, or three HD-SDI and two DVI-D inputs. It can output HD over two HD-SDI ports, one set of HD-YUV component outputs, and one DVI-D output for Multi-View. It shows Preview, program, and all the inputs.

The four HD-SDI sources can be used to bring in sources from professional HD cameras, decks, or media players. The DVI inputs can be used to connect the system to a computer for advanced titling, additional logos, and more complex keying. Like the SE-600, you can also bring in presentations from your computer for creating key-able titles on the fly.

The SE-2000 provides 13 transition effects, including 12 different wipes and a mix/fade option. In operation, it is the same as the SE-600, with a T-Bar for manual control of transition speed, with five auto-transition speed buttons available. The system also allows you to store up to 14 logos that can be keyed into your footage instantly.

The SE-2000 has four mono XLR audio inputs (two stereo pair), two mono XLR outputs (one stereo pair), and features a built-in audio mixer to control individual volume of the four audio inputs, as well as master volume.

Like the SE-600, the SE-2000 is also available in Mobile Studio versions. Mobile Studio versions come in a durable metal case or a thermoplastic case, compact enough to be an airline carry-on. Mobile Studio features a built-in, 5-channel intercom system, 17" monitor, and includes a set of four belt packs, headsets, and tally lights. As an added bonus, the Mobile Studio versions come with a bonus HDMI output port that lets you take the multi-view from the display built into the cover and also show it on a large monitor.

A Travel Kit is also available, which simply adds three 50' BNC cables and an HDR-60 Hard Drive Recorder to the basic metal case Mobile Studio.

SE-2200 Series

If your working environment involves HD footage or you plan to move to HD in the future, then the SE-2200 is a good investment. The 6-input switcher is made up of a separate control panel and rack-mountable processing unit. It supports HD signals over a combination of its six HD-SDI inputs and two HDMI inputs. The HDMI inputs work with DVI computer signals, while the SDI inputs are great for long cable runs and use with professional video equipment. All the inputs are re-assignable.

Additionally, a built-in TC-200 Character Generator lets one of the HDMI inputs be used to accept video from a computer with the CG-200 software installed for title creation. This means that all you need to do is attach your laptop during an event to add advanced titling, additional logos, or edit logos stored in the system memory. While not as powerful as the Title Creator, you do have the option to bring in graphics from presentation software, such as PowerPoint, and take advantage of the switcher’s Luma key feature.

The SE-2200 provides six assignable HD-SDI program outputs, with four of the outputs auxiliary assignable. In terms of audio, there are four XLR mono inputs (two stereo pairs) and two XLR mono outputs (one stereo pair). The switcher also supports audio embedding to the HD-SDI outputs.

The SE-2200 features two multi-view outputs―though they’re over HDMI rather the DVI like the SE-600 or SE-2000—and also provides dual Picture-in-Picture support. Additional professional features include wipe transitions with border options, on-screen clock and countdown display, tally support, and RS-232 or RS-422 control.

The SE-2200 is also available as a Mobile Studio version with the same accessories as previously mentioned Mobile Studio versions.

SE-2800 Series

For 10-bit, 4:2:2 broadcast-quality switching requiring anywhere from eight to twelve digital or analog inputs, look no further than the SE-2800. Designed for live events and productions that need to mix a variety of video and audio sources, the switcher accepts a variety of input combinations of HD/SD-SDI, HDMI, and composite video. The SE-2800’s 2RU 19" form factor is ideal for use in portable rack units in broadcast trucks, at live events, or in the studio.

The SE-2800’s inputs comprise various modules, with each module consisting of four BNC connectors and one HDMI connector, for a total of five input ports per module. Within each module, four of the five ports may be used; four BNC ports or three BNC ports and one HDMI port. The BNC ports accept SDI or composite video signals. The switcher is available as an 8-input version with two modules, or as a 12-input version with three modules. You can also purchase an upgrade card to turn the 8-input version into 12 inputs, in the future, as your productions grow.

Three HD/SD-SDI outputs are available and individually assignable to: Program, Program without logos, Program without Logos and Titles, Preview, or Auxiliary. There is also a built-in SD down-scaler on the CH-3 SDI output. Like the SE-2200, there are two HDMI outputs for single or dual multi-view setups with dual Picture-in-Picture support. Four XLR mono inputs (two stereo pairs) and two XLR mono outputs (one stereo pair) are provided, with 4-channel audio-level control and all-channel audio delay before audio embedding. Audio peak meters displayed on HDMI Multi-view ensure info at a glance of incoming and outgoing audio.

The SE-2800 provides 16 different wipes with six user-defined wipe buttons on the control surface. You can even add an optional color border to all wipe transitions. Transfer logos from a Windows PC using the Ethernet connection and store up to six static logos and one dynamic logo on the switcher’s internal memory. LOGO 1 and LOGO 2 buttons are available to display pre-selected logos on the Preview and Program outputs, while dual Down Stream Keyers (DSK’s) with Luma key allow placing of two different CG elements in front of the final video. Additionally, each input has its own Frame Store, letting you quickly toggle between pre-loaded images and your live sources.

Keeping in line with the other series of switcher, the SE-2800 is also available in Studio Kit and Mobile Studio options with the same accessories and features as the SE-2200 versions. However, the SE-2800 offers two additional kit configurations that are complete mobile studios ready for live production and event recording: the MS-2800A and MS-2800B.

The MS-2800A packs the 8-input SE-2800 switcher, TLM-170HM 17.3" monitor, HDR-70 HDD Recorder, ITC-100 Intercom System, PD-2 Power Distributor, and an AD-100 Audio Delay Box, all conveniently rack mounted in a durable aluminum case. Four belt packs, headsets, and tally lights are also included. The MS-2800B package adds the DAC-50 HD/SD-SDI to Component/Composite Video Converter, and the dual-screen VSM-100 Vectorscope / Waveform Monitor, for a truly complete package.

With plenty of options from SD to HD switching, available in studio, mobile, and complete production kits, Datavideo has a switcher to suit your needs. Whether in the classroom, a house of worship, or a studio broadcast, consider adding a Datavideo switcher to for seamless and straightforward video and audio mixing.

	SE-600 Switcher	SE-2000 Switcher	SE-2200 Switcher	SE-2800 Switcher
Channels	8	5	6	8 or 12
Video Inputs	6 x Composite Video 1 x DVI-D 1 x DVI-I	3 x HD-SDI 1 x DVI-D 1 x DVI-D or HD-SDI (selectable)	4 x HD/SD-SDI 2 x HD/SD-SDI or HDMI (selectable)	2 x Modules (8-input Ver.) 3 x Modules (12-input Ver.) * Each module allows 4x inputs max. Choose between 4x BNC (for HD/SD-SDI or CV) and 1x HDMI (Choose 4 of the 5)
Video Outputs	2 x Composite Video (or 1x Composite Video and  1x YUV) 4 x Compositve Video (Auxiliary) 2 x DVI-D (Multi-View PVW) *May be upgraded, adding 2x SD-SDI and 2x DV outputs	2 x HD-SDI 1 x HD-YUV 1 x DVI-D (Multi-Vew PVW) 1 x HDMI  (only on Mobile Studio versions)	6 x HD/SD-SDI (assignable) 2 x HDMI (Multi-View PVW)	2 x HD-SDI (assignable) 2 x HDMI (Multi-View PVW)
Supported Input Resolutions	576i 50 480i 59.94 *Aspect Ratio can be set to 16:9 or 4:3 depeding on your inputs	1080i 50/59.94/60 720p 50/59.94/60	1080i 50/59.94/60 720p 50/59.94/60 576i 50 480i 59.94	1080i 50/60 576i 50 480i 59.94
Audio Inputs	2 x XLR (1 stereo pair) 2 x RCA (axiliary stereo pair)	4 x XLR (2 stereo pair)	4 x XLR (2 stereo pair)	4 x XLR (2 stereo pair)
Audio Outputs	2 x XLR (1 stereo pair) 2 x RCA (1 stereo pair)	2 x XLR (1 stereo pair)	2 x XLR (1 stereo pair)	2 x XLR (1 stereo pair)
Embedded Audio	n/a	No	Supported	Supported
Tally	2 x D-SUB output	1 x D-SUB output	D-SUB Tally out	D-SUB Tally out
Control	RS-422	RS-232	RS-232, RS-422	RS-232, RS-422, RJ-45
Studio Kit Contents	1 x ITC-100 Wired Intercom System 4 x Belt Packs, Headsets, and Tally Lights 1 x TLM-170 17.3" Monitor 1 x DN-700 Hard Drive Recorder 1 x RKM-2000 Rackmount	n/a	n/a	1 x ITC-100 Wired Intercom System 4 x Belt Packs, Headsets, and Tally Lights 2 x TLM-170 17.3" Monitors 1 x HDR-70 Hard Drive Recorder 1 x RKM-2000 Rackmount
Mobile Studio Contents	1 x Built-in 17" Monitor 1 x Built-in 8-Channel Intercom System 4 x Belt Packs, Headsets, and Tally Lights	1 x Built-in 17" Monitor 1 x Built-in 5-Channel Intercom System 4 x Belt Packs, Headsets, and Tally Lights *Aluminum (HS-2000) and thermoplastic (HS-2000L) cases options available	1 x Built-in 17.3" Monitor 1 x Built-in 8-Channel Intercom System 4 x Belt Packs, Headsets, and Tally Lights	1 x Built-in 17.3" Monitor 1 x Built-in 8-Channel Intercom System 4 x Belt Packs, Headsets, and Tally Lights
Travel Kit Conents	n/a	HS-2000 1 x HDR-60 Hard Drive Recorder 3 x 50' BNC Cables	n/a	n/a
Complete Mobile Video Studio Contents	n/a	n/a	n/a	1 x PD-2 Power Distributor 1 x ITC-100 Wired Intercom System 4 x Belt Packs, Headsets, and Tally Lights 2 x TLM-170HM Monitor 1 x AD-100 Audio Delay 1 x DAC-50 Converter (MS-2800B only) 1 x VCM-100 (MS-2800B only)