Magic DaVE

Magic DaVE occupies 2 units in the rack which houses all the image processing, and has the inputs and output BNC sockets. It also has four 'REF' (Black & Burst) BNC sockets, of which one is used for the 8x4 Video Switcher, and another is sent to Main Mux as a video input.

There is also a 'front end' on the director's desk which is used by the vision mixer during a show or OB. This is the interface and is used to control the 2 unit device previously mentioned.

As you'll see from the Vision Path page, the four inputs to Magic DaVE are from DaVE P169 (whence 'DaVE' P169 gets its name).

The 'Program' row of buttons dictates what is its output. The 'Preview' row is the input or picture which will be faded to next.

Fading is done by means of the T-bar. The 'Program' out can be switched instantaneously (IE cutting to, without fading between inputs) by pressing one of the four input buttons, or Matte, Pattern, or Black. Crucially there are a couple of buttons near the T-bar which dictate whether the T-bar fades, wipes, or cuts between 'Preview' and 'Program'.

Usually Matte or Pattern should never be broadcasted. Black will be used occasionally; EG at the end of a show, or during severe technical difficulties when a ticker bar should be overlaid from Graphics PC to explain the lack of transmission (grapics PC could alternatively give a slide to explain that there's a problem, this probably looks more professional.

Magic DaVE has a lot of options and features. It can do creative transitions between video inputs (some of which are a bit corny to say the least, but others such as 'wipe' which are good for variety). It can also apply visual effects to the output, such as solarise and probably a lot of others. Each of these features has a wealth of options to control the finer nuances, such as controlling the thickness and colour of the 'wipe' line between sources, or the threshold level of solarising.