Choosing a Mixer for 3D Events

Bob Pank#

Author: Bob Pank#

Published 1st January 2012


VIDEOFORCE is a company with modern ideas and a fresh outlook. After starting in Linkping in 1999, it added a new Stockholm base in 2010. The company specialises in video for events providing technical equipment such as cameras, flightpacks, LED displays, projectors, screens, vision mixers and converters as well as the operations and production personnel. Recently business has expanded to include 3D.
In most cases our output drives big screens, also supplied by VIDEOFORCE. We generally need the best, the most competent and affordable equipment that fits our requirements. We are always on the move so, when choosing a vision mixer, it must be reliable, powerful and, equally as important, able to fit into, and be operated in, a small flightpack. Of course it must have HD but SD inputs could also be required. The control panel should have an easy-to-use and conventional layout, so freelancers can quickly learn how to efficiently operate it.
We need equipment that is very capable and has plenty of possibilities for expansion – all at a reasonable price. We have found all this in our HVS-350HS 1.5 ME and HVS-300HS 1ME vision mixers supplied by Protel, the local dealer in Sweden for FOR-A. Both mixers have a stable platform with high reliability, even when working under tough conditions. The HVS-350HS includes the important 3D capability.
Set-up on event locations is always very busy so we are very glad that the mixer’s rack frame incorporates many built-in features beyond the traditional mixer package. The video inputs include switchable frame synchronisers and can accept SD and HD as well as computer signals (with optional cards). On the output, the 4, 10 or 16-split multiviewers reduce the need for video monitors and the control panel is connected by a single coax.
We can see that the demand for 3D for events and screenings continues to grow stronger. For example, on the 28 May at an event in Gothenburg, VIDEOFORCE, together with Viasat, set a Guinness World Record for achieving the world’s largest 3D LED display. The screen measured 7.11 m (23 ft 3.92 in) diagonally and the display area is 6.192 m (20 ft 3.78 in) x 3.483 m (11 ft 5.13 in). We used our FOR-A HVS-350 vision mixer during this job. It fits very well into our 3D workflow. It is a simple and robust mixer, with the best features... and we can use it in our flightpacks.
We have saved money in both purchasing and operations while being able to provide a better service. First we bought a vision mixer with all the capabilities we wanted, including 3D, at a reasonable price. On top of that the built-in video input processing that accepts asynchronous SD, HD and PC signals, along with the multiviewer outputs, means there is a lot less equipment on site, which is better for everyone – and, again, saves money.
www.videoforce.se

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