Sony linear edit controllers
Alexander Biryukov

Now Sony controllers' series is represented by the following three models in the Russian market: PVE-500, BVE-2000, and BVE-9100, well known to the specialists. One can hardly say anything new about them, still these edit "sloggers" must be given due.

PVE-500 is the simplest controller allowing controlling three VTRs (2 source players and 1 recorder) via RS-422A interface. The controller may be connected up with a video mixer (e.g. DFS-700P), which allows controlling its main functions: sources switching and effect duration changing. A special port with switching between serial and parallel interfaces is provided for sound mixer control, which allows commutation of sound mixer sources and mixing duration setting. PVE-500 is capable of controlling devices equipped with GPI port for which the controller is provided with one output.

Editing controller Sony PVE-500

The controller's control panel allows distance usage of main VTR's edit functions. Each VTR corresponds with individual display on the controller's panel. The display shows VTRs status, current code value, and messages about operator's errors (doubled with sound signal. Video material editing with still-frame, slow motion and reverse playback is supported. In the process of edit the controller may operate with various code types: CTL, TC, and RTC (Real Time Code). Type of time code may be set separately for each VTR. The controller allows performing the following main edit functions: assemble, insert, trim, audio split, last edit, auto multi, edit edit/end. In the insert mode separate or common video or audio signal insert into any of the two tracks is available.

On the whole, PVE-500, as a standard controller with set of basic edit functions, may be recommended for simple editing in cases when VTR's and one player's control panel is not enough.

For solving more complicated tasks Sony offers BVE-2000 edit controller, having enriched capabilities of controlling audio and video equipment.

Controller BVE-2000

In addition to four standard VTR's control ports BE-2000 is capable of commutating three external signal sources (AUX) at their corresponding connection with video mixer. It can be character generator, studio video camera or any other source whose signal is sent to video mixer. Control of various functions is available with the help of serial port: source setting, parameters and key signal setting, selection of transition type, etc. During editing BE-2000 is capable of initializing video mixer's memory and entering its settings into edit list.

BVE-2000 may control Sony BVS-V1201/A1201 commutators. Commutation of video and audio signals goes automatically after operations of the recorder, which allows editor to see sources' signal or program on the control monitor. The controller supports controlling audio mixer via 9-pin serial or 15-pin parallel interfaces.

For devices that do not have the benefit of the above-mentioned interfaces BVE-2000 provides 8 GPI ports. Each of them may be activated up to eight times during one edit scene.

Two RS-232 ports (standard configuration) provide data exchange with external devices, receiving and transmitting edit decision list in Sony BVE-5000 and CMX formats. Edit decision list may store up to 998 edit scenes. Besides standard methods of operating edit decision list BVE-2000 supports the functions of insert, cut, correction, and wave transition. For handy and quick operation the functions of edit decision list correction, cleaning and sorting are available. Edit decision list's data and inner parameters are stored in volatile memory. BVE-2000 is equipped with 3,5" floppy disk drive, which allows saving edit decision list's data and setting onto a diskette.

During editing, various time codes' (LTC, VITC, and Control Track) data may be read from VTR. BVE-2000 also supports discrete source's (VTR) code. Sources' synchronization may be performed with six accuracy levels: accurate, ±1 frame, rough, preroll & play only manual. Edit accuracy with the required color synchronization for various systems (NTSC, PAL, SECAM) is achieved after an additional board is installed.

Split function allows realizing most complex creative tasks. During insert mode, it is possible to set in- and out-points for video and audio, orienting on either video or audio. Multi-track separate edit by audio via all four channels is available.

While operating with players, equipped with Dynamic Tracking system, BVE-2000 supports controlling playing with variable speed modes. This allows using slow motion or fast motion playback, and also still-frame functions. The controller is also capable of controlling digital VTRs with pre-read function. This allows overlay of effects (credits) onto the edited material without rerecording.

As it is known, a coded tape, containing pre-recorded video signal (e.g. black ground) is required for video editing. Simplest editing in assemble mode requires a fragment of such recording as minimum. BVE-2000's employing first edit function allows edit using clean tape without pre-coding.

User may set the controller according to his needs thanks to comfortable presentation of operating data on the display (both in color and black-and-white variants) and possibility of control panel selection.

BVE-2000 is quite a successful model. Thanks to its universality it joins any configurations of almost all studios. Developed rather long time ago, the controller has not undergone any peculiar changes and is in stable requisition.

If editing requires complex multi-layer effects with big number of signal source (VTR, audio recorders, etc), Sony BVE-9100 model is the best recommendation. This is a powerful edit controller employing a range of additional functions as compared to BVE-2000. Thanks to module design, its productivity may be expanded gradually as real tasks become complicated.

BVE-9100 system

Edit decision list memory capacity is extended to 6000 edit scenes. Hard disk with system program software may also be installed in order to store edit decision list. There are two 3,5" floppy disk drives available for diskettes.

While operating with effects generators (such as DME-3000 and DME-7000) BVE 9100 allows controlling some parameters of these devices using jog/shuttle controller's wheel.

GPI ports number may be expanded from 4 standard ports to 32 output and 8 input ones. Operating data is shown on a color display. Various menu colors are available, which makes operating easier.

Exploitation of BVE-9100 is justified both from productivity point and economic expediency thanks to the flexible configuration capable of exact setting up to any task).

D&K Corporation.

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