Video Switcher  (150-1274)        Features             Faxback Doc. # 7290

The ARCHER-Video Special Effects Switcher is an exciting addition to
video production.  You now have at your fingertips editing capabilities
previously available only to major production studios...horizontal,
vertical, and corner wipes, variable speed auto wipe, and fade to black.

A sweep across the screen, a dramatic quick cut, or a subtle fade give you
mastery over the medium and over the mood.  The wipe buttons and the
diagonal horizontal/verticle selector provide a versatile array of visual
effects, making possible an amazing 30 different patterns.

Even the fades of music and dialogue can be synchronized with the video.
As the picture fades in and out, the music fades with it, giving you a
harmonious blend of video and audio.

Or if you wish to lay a separate sound track, of either music or
narration, you can do that too.

The quality control of your new productions will amaze and delight you.
Your tapes now will have a professional polish that you can proudly
display at seminars, schools, business conferences, and at home.

The special effects are accomplished by switching separate video and audio
signals used by virtually all video components, rather than the combined
video/audio broadcast-type signals.  The brief explanation below gives you
an idea why using the separate video and audio signals is preferable.  If
you want to know more, there are many good books available about video.

RF vs "Base-Band Video/Audio"

Radio Frequency (RF) signals are the type used by TV stations and cable
companies.  They pulsate at extremely high rates (50 million to 500
million times a second) and contain both video and audio information.

Base-Band signals (the separate video and audio signals) are used by VCRs,
video discs, TV monitors, video/audio processors, satellite receivers, and
computers.  These signals pulsate at much lower rates (20 times to 4
million times a second).

If you use the RF outputs (VHF/UHF) when you play back a video tape or
disc, the recorded base-band signals must be "modulated" onto an RF
signal - usually TV channel 3 or 4.  Then, when the signal reaches your TV
or another VCR, it must be "demodulated" into base-band signals before it
can be used.  Even standard TVs, without video/audio inputs, use base-band
signals internally to produce the picture and sound.

Every time a signal is modulated or demodulated, some distortion is
introduced.  Because your unit switches base-band signals, it eliminates
the need for repeated modulation/demodulation.

Note:  If you have a standard TV that does not have the separate
       video/audio inputs, you must connect an RF modulator (15-1273)
       between the Special Effects Switcher and the TV.


(br/all-8/10/94)