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Operation
How to perform transitions, using keys and key modifiers, memories and custom controls, as well as Media-Store operation.
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.
Audio Processing and Flow

Operation
How to perform transitions, using keys and key modifiers, memories and custom controls, as well as Media-Store operation.
- 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
  - Audio Processing and Flow
- Video Sources
  The switcher has access to three basic types of video sources, external, internal, and follows.
- Video Layering
  How video is layered in the output of the switcher depends on how an ME is re-entered onto the other, and what keyers are on-air for the ME.
- Video Preview
  Video preview allows you to use an additional monitor to preview what the next shot is going to be.
- Matte Source
  Matte color backgrounds (BG) are color signals that can be applied to backgrounds and keys. Color selection is done either by picking a preset color, or by adjusted hue, saturation, and luminance to create a custom color.
- Copying
  You can copy the content of an ME or keyer to another ME or keyer.
- Transitions
  Transitions are used to change the background video and take keys on and off-air. A transition can include any combinations of background and keyers for an ME, MiniME™, or MultiScreen. The background and each keyer can be transitioned independently.
- Keying
  Keying is the term used to describe when you insert (or electronically cut) portions of one scene into another, or place titles over background images. Keys are made up of two basic components, an alpha, that cuts the hole in the background video, and a fill, that fills the hole with different video.
- Memory Functions
  A memory register is a snapshot of the current state of the switcher that can include one or multiple ME, MiniME™, MultiScreen, or chroma key outputs.
- Switcher Sets
  The switcher stores configuration and operation data in a number of registers that contain the individual entries for items such as memories or personality settings. These registers can be stored as a single archive file, or as a register set that contains all the individual register of that type; all memories for example. These files are stored into Sets on USB drive. Different Sets can be created for different shows or applications, allowing you to quickly locate and recall the switcher configurations.
- Media-Store
  The MediaManager interface to the Media-Store allows you to load stills, animations, or audio files from the USB drive and make them available across all MEs. Two channels of Media-Store with alpha, or four channels without alpha, are provided.
- Custom Controls
  Once programmed, a custom control (CC) can be played back by pressing a button. The custom control can be as simple as triggering an output GPI pulse, or as complex as recalling a specific memory register on an ME, performing a switcher transition, and selecting a group of keys.

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.

Figure 1. Embedded Audio Flow Through the Switcher

The following restrictions apply to ancillary data being included in the output:

All ME program buses pass ancillary data.
MultiViewer outputs do not include any ancillary data.
MiniME™ and MultiScreen outputs do not include any ancillary data unless an ME with ancillary data is re-entered onto the background bus.
ME Preview does not include ancillary data unless the background is not selected as part of the next transition.
A MiniME™ or MultiScreen can include ancillary data if an ME is re-entered onto the background.
Any format conversion on the input video signal.
Setting ancillary data to be stripped.

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.

Note: Audio that comes from the Media-Store, for a MediaWipe for example, is only available on the AES outputs on the frame, and is not embedded into the background video signal.