Archive translation. Specifications, services and availability reflect the original publication date. Verify current compatibility before production use.
Oberursel, 30 January 2002. The ECHOlab division of e-StudioLive announced compact digital video mixers that provided 2.5 M/E operation in roughly the space normally required by a 1.5 M/E console. The company presented the systems as mobile mixers that retained functions associated with larger studio installations.
The ECHOlab 2700 and 5700 configurations offered up to six keyers, six DVEs and Ultimatte chroma keyers. ECHOlab also announced an Audio-Follow-Video option. According to the announcement, the new 2.5 M/E versions cost less than half as much as comparable systems from competitors.
Mobile mixer configuration
The mixers accepted as many as 33 inputs and 20 outputs, configurable for 601 digital video (SDI), DV, composite, component and Y/C formats. This reduced the need for external conversion racks in compact mobile production units.
The ECHOlab 5700 additionally incorporated a Windows workstation. Options included an Inscriber character generator, still store, DPS video server and Pinnacle DVE within four rack units. Operators could control those options, as well as tape machines, servers, routers and matrices, from the mixer. An e-Studio webcasting option supported live web streaming.
Operation and signal processing
A shift function switched the controls between M/E1 and M/E2 without crowding the panel. Freely assignable illuminated input buttons, a programme/preset stage and a memory subsystem were intended to simplify operation and rapid reconfiguration. Internal video processing used 10-bit ITU-R 601 digital-video quality, and the panel measured 53 by 34 centimetres. Existing ECHOlab 2700 and 5700 mixers could be upgraded with the additional mix/effects bank.
The Audio-Follow-Video option supported Graham-Patten audio mixers. Each of ten stereo pairs could be assigned to a video source, and audio and video fades could be synchronised. Further information was provided by DBS GmbH.
