ECHOLAB SWITCHER 

FIGURE 1

This is the new switcher in the television control room.  There are three Mixed Effects (ME) busses.   Note that the switcher is color coded.  The top ME is called ME 1.  ME 1 includes the top three rows of buttons (in the picture they are the three rows of YELLOW buttons).  The top row of ME 1 is called FILL.  The second row of ME 1 is A.  The third row of ME 1 is B.  FILL is the source/foreground for the key.  Thus, the FILL bus is used with a key.   (Refer to Figure 1)   

The middle section (three rows of RED buttons)  is called ME 2.  The top row of ME 2 is called FILL.  The second row of ME 2 is A.  The third row of ME 2 is B.  FILL is the source/foreground for the key.  Thus, the FILL bus is used with a key.    

The bottom section (three rows of CLEAR/WHITE buttons) is called ME 0.  The top row of ME 0 is called FILL.  The second row of ME 0 is PROGRAM.   The third row of ME 0 is PREVIEW.  FILL is the source/foreground for the key.  Thus, the FILL bus is used with a key.    

The inputs and their placement on each row of the switcher are listed above. 

The buttons/inputs are the same on ME 1 FILL, ME 1 A and ME 1 B.  Notice that the last button/input on each row of ME 1 is RED.  This button/input on each row is ME 2.

The buttons/inputs are the same on ME 2 FILL, ME 2 A and ME 2 B.  Notice that the last button/input on each row of ME 2 is YELLOW.  This button/input on each row is ME 1.

The buttons/inputs are the same on ME 0 FILL, ME 0 PROGRAM and ME 0 PREVIEW.   Notice that the next to last button/input on each row of ME 0 is YELLOW.  This button/input is ME 1.  Notice that the last button/input on each row of ME 0 is RED.   This button/input is ME 2.

This set up allows for a maximum of five layers of five different video inputs/sources.   (This is not required or probably used for the newscasts or coach's shows.)   This set up also allows for you to preset boxes, chroma-key, partial wipes, etc. in either/both ME 1 and ME 2.  Then you can take ME 1 or ME 2 on the program bus of ME 0. 

An example:  Chromakey for the newscasts will always be preset in ME 1.  It will NEVER be in ME 2.  (Please remember this.)  When we begin airing newscasts, you can direct the TD to set up Chromakey in ME 1 during the break right before weather.   Then you can direct the TD to put ME 1 in PREVIEW on ME 0.  When the break is over, you can direct the TD to take ME 1.  Then weather chromakey will be in PROGRAM/ON AIR. 

FIGURE 2

Figure 2 is a closer view of the three ME busses.  Remember that ME 1 is color coded in YELLOW.  ME 2 is color coded in RED.  And ME 0 is color coded CLEAR/WHITE.

FIGURE 3

The right side of the switcher contains the keys for each of the busses, the downstream keyers and the switcher transitions.  Each buss has two keys and a mix/wipe section.  Key 1 for ME 1 is immediately right of ME 1's input buttons.   REMEMBER, Key 1/ME 1 is only used for chromakey during the newscast.  Key 1/ME 1 can be programmed to do other types of keys during other types of programs.  The middle section is the mix/wipe section for ME 1.  Another name for this section is the effects generator.  The effects generator controls the way the A and B effects busses and the Key 1 and Key 2 fill busses are combined on ME 1.  The three basic ways that the pictures can be combined are mix, wipe and key.  Note the fader bar.   What is selected or live in       ME 1 is opposite of the lighted red arrow.  The location of the fader bar is not necessarily the selected or live bus.  (The red arrow tells you where you are going or the direction you are going.)  The far right section is Key 2/ME 1.  During the newscast, Key 2/ME 1 will be used for the box (used over the shoulder of the anchor).  Again, note that the three sections--Key 1, Mix/Wipe and Key 2 on ME 1 are color coded YELLOW.  (Refer to Figure 3 or Figure 4)

Key 1 for ME 2 is immediately right of ME 2's input buttons.  Key 1/ME 2 is used for still store during the newscast.  Key 1/ME 2 can be programmed to do other types of keys during other types of programs.  REMEMBER, chromakey can NEVER be on ME 2 or ME 0.  The middle section is the mix/wipe section for  ME 2.   Another name for this section is the effects generator.   Note the fader bar.  What is selected or live in    ME 1 is opposite of the lighted red arrow.  The location of the fader bar is not necessarily the selected or live bus.  (The red arrow tells you where you are going or the direction you are going.)   The far right section is Key 2/ME 2.  During the newscast, Key 2/ME 2 will be used for the box (used over the shoulder of the anchor).  Again, note that the three sections--Key 1, Mix/Wipe and Key 2 on ME 2 are color coded RED.   (Refer to Figure 3 or Figure 4)

FIGURE 4

The first section to the right of ME 0 is the TAKE TRANSITION section of the switcher.  The TBAR or Fader Bar is used to manually transition between PROGRAM and PREVIEW on ME 0.  To transition, move the lever to the opposite stop.   Remember that the TBAR or Fader Bar is used to FADE FROM BLACK at the beginning of the newscast and to FADE TO BLACK at the end of the newscast.  Also, the TBAR can be used to dissolve between two video sources selected on the PROGRAM and PREVIEW busses of ME 0.  The TBAR is also used for wipes.  At the bottom of this section are two buttons.  The first is CUT and the second is AUTO.  The cut button is used to instantly take the source in PREVIEW.   Another name for this button is TAKE.   The director of the newscast may say CUT or TAKE.  The terms are interchangeable.  If the AUTO button is pressed, an automatic transition between PROGRAM and PREVIEW will occur at the rate displayed under the TBAR.  (Refer to Figure 3 or Figure 4)

In this section are the transition types.  There are two types of transitions--MIX and WIPE.  When the show calls for FADES, DISSOLVES and/or CUTS/TAKES, the transition type is MIX.  The WIPE transition is used in connection with a selected wipe pattern.  For the newscast, the usual transition type is MIX.   (Refer to Figure 3 or Figure 4) 

The section on the far right of ME 0 contains the Downstream Keyers.   This switcher has two downstream keyers--DSK 1 and DSK 2.  Usually DSK 1 will be character generator. 

Again, note that all the buttons in this section are color coded CLEAR/WHITE.   (Refer to Figure 3 or Figure 4)

FIGURE 5

FIGURE 6

FIGURE 7

The three images above illustrate CHROMAKEY. 

To activate Chromakey for the newscast:

1. Go to ME 1.  Hit the KEY SELECT button/KEY 1.  (Refer to Figure 5)

2. The message window will read 1:K 1 ECHO ck (Refer to Figure 6)        In English, this says ME 1/Key 1 Echolab Chromakey

3.  When you hit KEY SELECT, ME 1's FILL bus will go to CAMERA 3.  (Refer to Figure 7)

4.  Hit the KEY LAYER button/KEY 1.  This is next to KEY SELECT in ME 1/KEY 1.  (Refer to Figure 5)                                       

You will be given three choices:  A, B, Overall.  Hitting the KEY LAYER button rotates you through the options.  Stop on OVERALL.

5.  Check the position of your fader bar in ME 1.  Determine which bus (A or B) is selected or live.  On that bus select Weather.  This is the weather computer.  Remember to make this selection in ME 1.  (Refer to Figure 7)  To activate the CHROMAKEY or to combine the ME 1 FILL bus and either the A bus or B bus, hit auto under ME 1/ Key 1.

6.  Ask the weather anchor to stand in front of CAMERA 3 in the studio.   CAMERA 3 needs to be shooting the CHROMAKEY curtain and the CHROMAKEY lights must be on. 

7.  Now you want to adjust the CLIP, GAIN and HUE on KEY 1/ ME 1.  The GAIN needs to be set at 999.  Then slowly adjust CLIP and HUE until CHROMAKEY is set.   (Ask the weather anchor to stand about two feet in front of the CHROMAKEY curtain.)

8.  When it is time to take CHROMAKEY during the newscast, put ME 1 in preview on ME 0 bus.  (Bottom of the switcher.)  On ME 1/KEY 1, hit KEY SELECT and put Weather in the selected/live bus.  The CLIP, GAIN and HUE have been set before the newscast. 

To put a box over an Anchor's shoulder:

1.  The box is generated by the DVE--Digital Video Effects.  The content of the box is generated by the graphics computer.

2.  You will probably need to activate the box on ME 1 and ME 2.  Remember, we use Cameras 1 and 2 for the anchors. 

3.  On ME 1, hit KEY SELECT on Key 2.  In the message window will read 1: K2 DVE.                                           The switcher has been programmed to activate GRAPHICS on the FILL bus of ME 1.  (Refer to Figure 4)

4.  Hit the KEY LAYER button.  This is next to KEY SELECT in ME 1/KEY 2.   (Refer to Figure 4)                                       

You will be given three choices:  A, B, Overall.  Hitting the KEY LAYER button rotates you through the options.  Stop on OVERALL.

5.  Check the position of your fader bar in ME 1.  Determine which bus (A or B) is selected or live.  On that bus select a camera.  This will be either Camera 1 or 2.  It depends on which anchor you are setting up.  To activate the DVE/BOX or to combine the ME 1 FILL bus and either the A bus or B bus, hit auto under ME 1/Key 2.

6.  Now go to ME 2/KEY 2 and repeat the process.  The only difference will be the camera.

7.  When it is time to take a camera with a box during the newscast, put ME 1 or ME 2 in preview on ME 0 bus.  (Bottom of the switcher.)  On ME 1 or ME 2, hit KEY SELECT/KEY 2  and put the appropriate camera in the selected/live bus. 

There are four accessories to the switcher:

1.  Character Generator--Inscriber  (these names will be used interchangeably)

2.  Digital Video Effects--Pinnacle  (these names will be used interchangeably)

3.  Still Store--Video Carte  (these names will be used interchangeably)

4.  Video Clip Store--DPS  (these names will be used interchangeably)