Roland VR-5 AV Mixer & Recorder

Production Gadgets we love here @ Lnmovement.net. Today we are reviewing Roland VR-5 AV Mixer & Recorder

 There is a saying that goes “Content is king”. Well, in this case it has to do with video content. If your curiosity has always been like mine which wondered what it takes to produce top quality video content like the ones we see on the Teli. Well, your curious thoughts are about to be answered my friend. This week it’s all about video production hardware used to produce those shows you and me have always wanted to produce. Enjoy this week’s publication. Cheers.

Effortless live video production, recording and streaming with the VR-5.

The VR-5’s “all-in-one” solution greatly simplifies production, recording and streaming of any live event. The VR-5’s innovative design incorporates a video switcher, audio mixer, video playback, recorder, preview monitors and output for web streaming all in a single unit. As a USB Video/Audio class device, web streaming is effortless by simply connecting to a computer running a live streaming service such as Livestream, Ustream, worshipstream.com, Stickam, and others as well as any video call service such as Skype and iChat. The reduction in hardware equipment, setup time and connection complexity ensures a worry-free, easy to use solution for any event.

The VR-5 is ideal for school meetings, churches, council meetings, panels, corporate events, live web broadcasting - any live event.

• 5-Channel Video Switcher (3 video sources, PC input, video playback)
• 2 Mono and 5 Stereo Mixable Audio Channels
• Built-in scan converter for PC input
• Built-in dual LCD monitors with touch control for easy video source selection
• Three video layers for 2 video sources plus DSK (downstream keyer)
• MPEG-4 player/recorder
• USB video/audio class device for web streaming

Connect to a PC via USB

The world's first USB Video/Audio Class supported AV mixer. Simply connect like a Web camera to enable easy live streaming.

Intuitive operation with Dual Touch Monitors
The Program and Preview monitors are operated by touching the screen such as when selecting video sources and PinP position changes. The sound from the sources can be monitored using headphones.

Simple video compositing
In addition to Transition effects, Picture in Picture (PinP) and SPLIT are also available. Simply select an effect and the respective video sources.

Control transparency with a single knob
Advanced video composition such as placing a person or text over a background video source can be fine-tuned using a single knob.

Audio and video from a PC
Connect a PC to the RGB connector for various applications such as presentation, slide shows and movie playback.

Full digital audio mixing
Two mono and five stereo audio inputs (total of 12Ch) are mixed with full digital audio processing. This results in a high quality sound with effects such as "Noise Gate" for reducing background noise, and a "Mastering Tool" to ensure consistent output volume. The "Audio Follow" function enables the audio to fade from one source to another as the video source changes.

Record to SD memory card

The built-in recorder can record the final output of the VR-5 to SD memory card. Up to four hours of recording is possible when using a 4GB card.

The MPEG-4 capture format enables easy sharing of recorded video. The VR-5 can also playback video, still image, and audio files from SD card.

VR-5 Image Converter (Win/Mac)

Software for preparing data to be played back from the VR-5 will be available from the company’s website.

Supported Formats: AVI, MPG, MOV, WMV, MP4, DV

Output controls

VIDEO OUT and AUDIO OUT knobs enable independent video and audio fade-in/out levels. Press the "USER LOGO" button to display a stored image such as company logo, show name or conference title.

Video Format

[Video] NTSC or PAL (ITU601)

[PC-RGB] 640 x 480/120 Hz, 800 x 600/120 Hz, 832 x 624/75 Hz,

1024 x 768/80 Hz, 1152 x 864/80 Hz, 1152 x 870/75 Hz,

1280 x 1024/75 Hz, 1600 x 1200/60 Hz (RGB VH: positive/negative logic)

VESA DMT Version 1.0 Revision 10 conform.

The refresh rate is the maximum value of each resolution.

Video Sampling Rate

[Video] 4:2:2 (Y:B-Y:R-Y), 8 bits, 13.5 MHz

Frame Synchronizer

5 systems

Input Level and Impedance

[Video (composite)] 1.0 Vp-p, 75 ohms

[S-video] Luminance signal: 1.0 Vp-p, 75 ohms

Chrominance signal: 0.286 Vp-p, 75 ohms (NTSC) /0.3 Vp-p, 75 ohms (PAL)

[PC-RGB] 0.7 Vp-p, 75 ohms (H, V: 5 V TTL)

Output Level and Impedance

[Video (composite)] 1.0 Vp-p, 75 ohms

[S-video] Luminance signal: 1.0 Vp-p, 75 ohms

Chrominance signal: 0.286 Vp-p, 75 ohms (NTSC)/0.3 Vp-p,

75 ohms (PAL)

Connectors

[Input] Video (composite): BNC type x 3, S-video: 4-pin mini DIN type x 3, PC-RGB: D-Sub 15-pin Shrink type x 1 * Inputs 1 to 3; When S-video is simultaneously input to 1 to 3, S-video takes priority

[Output] Video (composite): BNC type x 2, S-video: 4-pin mini DIN type x 2

[Preview Output] Video (composite): BNC type x 1

Internal Processing

Sample Rate: 24-bit/48.0 kHz

Input Level

[AUX AUDIO INPUT] +4 dBu to –62 dBu (variable) Max: +22 dBu

[Channel 1/2/3] –10 dBu Max: +8 dBu [PC AUDIO] –15 dBu Max: +3 dBu

Input Impedance

[AUX AUDIO INPUT] XLR type: 4 k ohms, TRS phone type: 6 k ohms

[Channel 1/2/3 and PC AUDIO] 15 k ohms

Input Connectors

[AUX AUDIO INPUT] XLR-3-31 type (balanced, phantom power),

1/4 inch TRS phone type (balanced/unbalanced) * TRS type takes priority

[Channel 1/2/3] RCA phono type [PC AUDIO] Stereo miniature type

Output Level

[AUDIO OUTPUT] –10 dBu Max: +8 dBu [PHONES] 50 mW + 50 mW

Output Impedance

[AUDIO OUTPUT] XLR type: 600 ohms, TRS phone type: 1 k ohms,

[PHONES] 10 ohms

Output Connectors

[AUDIO OUTPUT] XLR-3-32 type (balanced), RCA phono type

[PHONES] Stereo 1/4 inch phone type

Recording Format

[Format] MP4 (.mp4)

Video Codec: MPEG-4 Visual

Audio Codec: MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3)

Bit Rate

2 Mbps, 4 Mbps, 6 Mbps

Media

SD Memory Card (1 to 2 GByte)

SDHC Memory Card (Max 32 GByte), Class 4 or greater

File System

FAT32 (Max file size 4 GByte)

Movie Size

[TV Size] NTSC (720 x 480)

PAL (720 x 576)

Max Recording Time

Recorded file is up to 4 GByte.

Bit Rate at 2 Mbps: approximately 4 hours/4 GByte

Bit Rate at 4 Mbps: approximately 2 hours/4 GByte

Bit Rate at 6 Mbps: approximately 80 minutes/4 GByte

Supported Playback Format

[Video File Format] .MP4, .AVI

Video Codec: MPEG-4 Visual,

Audio Codec: MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3)

[Audio File Format] .WAV, .MP3

[Picture File Format] .BMP, .JPG

HDMI Connector

[Resolution] Setup to NTSC: 480p

Setup to PAL: 576p

OUTPUT or PREVIEW OUTPUT

USB A Type Connector (USB 2.0 High-Speed)

1. For USB Storage device

2. For USB Video Stream output (Supports UVC/UAC)

Video: 720x480p, 29.97 fps, Motion JPEG, 6-9Mbps (variable bit rate)

Audio: 48kHz, 16-bit stereo Linear PCM

Remote Control Interfaces

MIDI IN: 5-pin DIN type x 1 jack

MIDI OUT/THRU: 5-pin DIN type x 1 jack

Transition Effects

Switcher: Cut, Mix, Hard edge wipe, Soft edge wipe

DSK: Cut, Mix

Video Effects

Luminance key, Chroma key, Picture-in-picture, Split

Power Supply

DC 12 V (AC Adaptor: PSB-7U)

Current Draw

3 A (AC Adaptor: PSB-7U)

Dimensions

14-13/16 (W) x 12-3/8 (D) x 5-1/4 (H) inches

Weight

9 lbs 8 oz (without AC Adaptor)