Frequently Asked Questions Datavideo SE-800
Q: What is the final image height in pixels if we mix an analog image 486px with a DV image 480px?
A: The final image resolution will be 480px in height.
Q: Can you mix between DV sources and Analog sources?
A: Yes, The SE-800 can actively switch between any of the four input sources.
Q: Is there a charge for firmware updates?
A: There is no charge for the firmware.
Q: Can the SE-800 be controlled remotely with anything other than
the RMC-90?
A: Yes, the RS232 protocol is available on this web site.
Q: How do you address DV audio delay?
A: DV Audio delay, like chroma, is set for each of the assigned inputs. If you change the assignment of the input from DV to S-Video, you may want to reset the audio delay.
There is a no charge firmware update for early SE-800DV purchasers.
Q: What Character Generator choices exist?
A: Because the SE-800 accepts a SDI based Character Generator, the quality will be excellent; and most products are expensive.
We have found that the DECKLINK-PRO SDI card from
www.blackmagic-design.com works very well. However, at this time ONLY the MAC software has been implemented by Black magic-design.
Q: Is the carrying case suitable for use as a shipping case?
A: The carrying case is not suitable as a shipping case.
Q: Is there a DV delay?
A: Yes there is a DV delay. This means that if you are doing I-MAG or projecting a video image of the speaker, their video actions will be about five frames or 1/6th of a second later than their real movements. There is less of a delay with S-Video cameras. One other technique is to use one camera to feed signal to the I-MAG projector or screen. That same camera can also be a source for the switcher. All you need is a DV Repeater - Datavideo p/n VP332 and optionally a format converter to convert the DV into whatever format your projector requires. Look at Datavideo p/n DAC-100 or DAC-10.
Q: I am using DV camera's for a video feed and I am using an external audio mixing board. How do I get the audio and video to synchronize?
A: To use sound from an external audio mixer, you must connect the mixer to one of the four source audio input channels on the SE-800. You will then need to disable the DV audio stream from the SE-800. Do not use the Aux input for audio that you want to synchronize to video.

Please see the diagram below:
 
Using on external mixer
Separate the DV audio from the DV video so you can use an external audio mixer.

Connect the mixer input to channel A, B, C or D but not to aux inputs

1. Press the INPUT FORMAT button. To select channel A, B, C or D

2. On the EFFECTS number pad, type "01" and then press the "ENT" key.

3. Press the "SPD" key to toggle "N" and "Y" ("Y" enables the DV audio on each DV input "N" disables the DV audio on the DV input and enables the analog line inputs.)

4. Press the INPUT FORMAT button to exit and save your current selection.

NOTE: Connect the output from your mixing board to channels A, B, C, D, only or your audio and video will not be in SYNC. (Do not connect it to the AUX input on the mixer.)
Q: What are the frame rates of the SE-800 dissolve speeds?
A:
Speed 1 = 84 Frames Speed 7 = 6 Frames
Speed 2 = 45 Frames Speed 8 = 5 Frames
Speed 3 = 32 Frames Speed 9 = 4 Frames
Speed 4 = 26 Frames    
Speed 5 = 18 Frames    
Speed 6 = 11 Frames    
Q: How do I set up the audio on the SE-800 so it does not change with the different video sources?
A:

This is what happens if the A/V button is not enabled. (If the A/V button is not enabled then the audio source does not change when video channels are
changed.)
If a single audio input from a sound board is used as a audio source, then a fade in/out of video would not affect the audio. In other words, the audio would stay active and not fade.
If you turn on the A/V button and fade from "A" (Audio is present) to a channel that does not have audio, you will get a slow fade in the audio. It does not matter if you fade to a colour or fade to video, the audio will fade out.
Q: Does the SE-800 pass time code?
A: No, the SE-800 does not support time code.
Q: What about the Hi Res and 16:9 cameras?
A: All of those cameras output normal format and frame rate DV too. The SE-800 will work with the normal frame rate DV.
Q: What about "Next Source Preview"?
A:

SE800 SE-800NXTAL Controller

Functionality

Next Source Preview - It has a switcher that allows you to connect the four
video inputs (that may be from the TLM-404 loop outputs) and get the "next
source" video on a monitor of your choice.

Tally lamp control - By connecting the SE-800NXTAL to the RS232 plug on the
back of the SE-800 Mixer it controls the tally lights on the TLM-404 display
and up to 4 additional sets of LED tally lights that may be mounted on
cameras.

Cameras without tally lights - The SE-800NXTAL has jacks for wires that
connect to recommended LEDs to use as tally lamps on the cameras. It also
has a unique preview tally control that will give a "next camera" indication
(yellow LED) and a (red LED) indicating "live camera".

Cameras with tally lights - You may add relays to control tally lights of your
own that you mount on cameras. Cameras with integrated tally lamps designed to be controlled by DV signaling cannot be controlled without extensive camera modification and as such are neither recommended nor supported.

Status Indicator - The SE-800NXTAL has a status LED that illuminates when data is received from the SE800.

How it works - The SE-800NXTAL controller reads continuous status indications
that the SE-800 sends for remote/PC control purposes. From this data, the
SE-800NXTAL decodes the state of the SE800 mixer and turns on the
appropriate active/next camera LEDs on the TLM-404 and can turn on
camera-mounted tally lamps as well. An integrated non-vertical interval
switcher selects the preview source from 4 inputs and provide the preview
video for display monitor. The video switch is solid-state for long life and
noiseless operation.
Q: I have a Canon XM-2/XL-2, a cyclic glitch occurs, the screen flashes and the video stream is lost for a few seconds. Can I correct it?
A: These new generation cameras require an update of the DV communication protocol. All other cameras are not affected.
Older SE-800's can be updated with new chipsets supporting this new protocol at a cost of €150 (+ VAT where applicable) per input.
Current SE-800's already contain these new chipsets and as such, support all cameras. If in doubt, check the version with your local Datavideo distributor.