The Roland V-02HD Multi-Format Video Mixer was being shown at Interbee 2018 in Japan. If you are a solo shooter or small production team that often covers events or need to turn around material quickly, the V-02HD Multi-Format Video Mixer might be exactly what you have been looking for.
If you have ever covered events where you have been required to set up and use more than one camera by yourself you will know that it can be a daunting task. You may also have been in a position where you were required to switch a live output from two cameras to a large display at an event. Roland’s V-02HD multi-format video mixer was designed specifically to help shooters overcome these problems. It replaces several standalone units; a simple switcher, high-quality scaler, input expander, audio solution, and inline video effects/composition.
Recording or streaming with a live switcher onsite lets you present a client with an immediate deliverable. The V-02HD takes the HDMI output from two cameras and allows the operator to switch to a connected recorder or live streaming encoder.
The operator can then switch between cameras using the dedicated controls or even by using their feet, via a connected footswitch that lets them continue operating their camera. What I like about this foot pedal system is that you don’t need to take your hands off your camera when you are shooting and want to switch to another camera. ‘
Audio from both cameras and external sources can be mixed together within the V-02HD and monitored through dedicated headphone output. Finally, the resulting mix is embedded with the video switch and output over HDMI. The V-02HD transforms a two-camera shoot into a small one-person production studio, for reliable recording or live-streaming even with minimal resources. Speaking of audio, the V-02HD has three-band EQ and dynamics onboard, so you can optimize your audio without having to send to an external mixing desk. A built-in effects library is packed with presets for common production scenarios including interviews, ambient sound recording, and eliminating wind noise when filming outdoors. These tools even work with inline HDMI signals, so you can fix your audio issues without leaving the digital domain.
Switching sources in even a small presentation can be a pain. Whether it is a signal loss to the main display or the computer’s inability to handle unexpected input signals. The V-02HD allows you to switchover between computers and screens, maintaining hi-res ‘pixel-accurate’ display resolution with a 10-bit 4:4:4 color space. With a simple two-button operation, anyone can pull off professional switching of multiple sources, even if using the V-02HD for the first time.
In-built scaler
Having two HDMI-equipped devices doesn’t mean they’re compatible, especially when it comes to video signals in a variety of resolutions — for example, a tablet’s output may not display properly on the receiving display. With both input and output scalers, the V-02HD can take SD, HD, and computer resolutions, before resizing them to fit the display and then outputting in a new resolution that’s compatible with the receiving device.
Small and easy to travel with
The V-02HD is a ‘micro switcher’ that’s small enough to fit into equipment cases and camera bags. The V-02HD has a screw tap for standard video mounts and conveniently attaches onto a tripod or an arm to stay out of the way. Its lightweight design makes it ideal for mobile video applications too, especially when hooked up to third-party battery packs for longer location-based shoots.
Embed analog audio into an HDMI signal
The V-02HD not only lets you embed analog audio into an HDMI signal (for recording or live streaming0, but you can also extract the audio from an HDMI signal to send over to a larger dedicated audio mixer. Where many converters only support digital audio or offer either embedding or de-embedding (and not both), the V-02HD lets you do both.
Real-time effects
The V-02HD has 14 visual effects that can be applied in real-time, with adjustable parameters to fine-tune the results plus an additional 5 composition effects so you can add titles, use a green screen with the Key effect, or create a separate inset window with the PinP capability.
Disaster management
When an input source fails in a presentation or a new speaker arrives but isn’t ready to present, the last thing you want to display is a blank screen; or worse, content that wasn’t meant to be shared. To solve this common problem, Roland lets you be prepared by allowing users to have a still image loaded into the V-02HD. Simply switch over to the still image in case of emergency.
Price and availability
The Roland V-02HD Multi-Format Video Mixer will be available soon for $650 USD and that includes a single Momentary Latching Pedal. For $675 USD you can get the V-02HD with a Dual Momentary Latching Pedal.
