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Edit Review — Edirol PR-80

Jul 1, 2005 12:00 PM, By Tom Patrick McAuliffe

All-in-one system for live presentation and dual-stream linear video editing.

There are two kinds of video creators: those who like computers and those who don't. Those of us who don't like computers — for whatever reason — still have video projects to complete. Enter the standalone video production system. Designed to be truly plug-and-play, these pre-built workstations have everything you need in one box and are easy to use.

Since 1994, Edirol has made a name for itself with its Direct Linear editing approach and with competitively priced standalone products for video and audio production. By using the MIDI and V-Link protocols, Edirol products can communicate and connect with each other to create a customizable toolset. Best of all, Edirol does this at an attractive cost when compared to computer-based solutions of similar levels of performance.

Edirol's new PR-80 Dual Stream Realtime DV Presenter and Editor offers unique live presentation features and also incorporates many of the features of the popular DV-7DL Pro video editing system. The PR-80 is more than just a software upgrade of the single-stream PR-50 or the DV-7DL Pro editing system; there's also new hardware in the PR-80. And while the Realtime Video Presenter software is only in version 1.0, it's easy to see that the company talked to those involved with live event production during development.

Edirol has married a solid video editing and postproduction system with a live video presentation system that allows instantaneous playback of hundreds of full-frame digital video clips, sending them to five separate outputs. Combine two outputs, keying one over another, or transition from one to another in realtime. Everything is processed completely in the digital domain, meaning 8-bit, 4:2:2, DV-quality video and 16-bit, CD-quality audio. The PR-80 is appropriate for all sorts of applications and end users, from churches and sports teams to live music and corporate event producers. It also can suit both accomplished editors and those with no prior video editing knowledge.

The install was a non-event as the system came pre-configured — no hassling with software drivers. As I set up I was disappointed to learn that I could not use two monitors. I like a lot of desktop space. However, with a 1024×768 maximum screen resolution and a single 17in. monitor, I could easily navigate the Presenter software interface and the editing timeline.

I did have an initial problem hooking the system up to different devices. The diagrams in the PDF manual were no help. But one trip to the Edirol website and I was off and running.

Realtime editing

One of the PR-80's main claims to fame is dual-stream playback of two video clips at the same time — with four types of realtime video effects as well as cross-dissolve, mixing, or keying one video over the other. Realtime effects such as vertical split and colorize are built in, and luma and chroma keying are also supported. A character generator is included as well. With the various transitions and effects, there are over 600 different ways to play back a clip.

Editing video with the PR-80's editing tools, based on the Edirol DV-7DL Pro, was immediately familiar. With a timeline like that of almost any other NLE you've used, Edirol's Direct Linear approach offers a Main track, an Insert track for cutaways or picture-in-picture video, two Title tracks, and four Audio tracks with audio effects like a four-band equalizer and compressor. Using parent company Roland's audio-processing technology, the sound is very clean.

The greatest benefit to your creativity in the edit suite is that with the PR-80, everything is done in realtime — and that's to be expected at this price point. Dissolve and wipe effects, titles, and even two-picture compositing (such as picture-in-picture and “double exposures”) are all accomplished without rendering. You can perform A/B-roll editing, switch live between dual video sources, and output to the PR-80's outs.

Edirol sells the DV-7DLC edit controller separately ($295). For A/B-roll editing, the T-bar controller adds the tactile feel of linear editing that some editors prefer, and the extra investment is well worth it. The T-bar and sliders on the DV-7DLC were smooth, as was the jog shuttle wheel. Almost all of the controller's buttons can be custom-configured, as can the keyboard hot keys controlling the PR-80.

I'm very finicky when it comes to character generators — I think video graphics is an often-overlooked art form. So is the Edirol's included Titler a broadcast-quality CG with 10-nanosecond resolution? No, but it gets the job done even with the jaggies on some fonts. A handy Anti-Flicker setting helps alleviate this and the “ringing” that sometimes occurs at letter's edge. Pick any color from a video frame via an eye-dropper tool, and make that the color of the font face in a title. Text effects include 256-level alpha channel transparency for font face and edge, texture mapping on text faces, drop shadows, and a 16:9 mode. Roll and Crawl are multiple-speed, and a realtime preview accompanies title creation so you are able to see any changes immediately with no rendering. It's a good start, and with some work you can create network-caliber titles. You can also add fonts via an optional font package.

Live presentation

It's the Presenter 1.0 software that really sets the PR-80 apart. With its simple Sequencer utility, I can play multiple clips in a specified order, loop a sequence, or have a specified clip play automatically upon startup (or some other event trigger). You can also have the PR-80 perform various functions automatically, like playing back or stopping video, synchronizing playback times over a local area network, or starting up at a predetermined time by using the Scheduler utility to access the automatic operations features. Hooking up the PR-80 to a touchscreen kiosk opens other possibilities.

To take full advantage of the PR-80's Presenter module, you really need to use it in a live setting. I used it at an all-night dance party in Honolulu, a benefit for the Big Brothers Big Sisters charity. The event was a great success, and the real hit of the show was the PR-80. I took some stock footage from Artbeats (some clips are included with every system), Eyewire, and Digital Juice and digitized them to the hard drive for playback. By mixing the clips with the PR-80's special effects, the result was moving “wall art” for the event. This imagery looked very impressive, especially when I would add a live element.

There are five live outputs, and that's great. But getting live video into the unit is a bit of a challenge. If you want to use a live camera feed, you'll need to invest in an Edirol V-4 Video Mixer, which inputs up to three live cameras simultaneously — the live signal is treated as if it were just another PR-80 clip. I didn't have a V-4, so as a work-around I used a Sony VX2000 DV camera to capture some footage of the night's dancing throngs. Then I captured that as DV clips for playback through the PR-80. The crowd loved seeing their faces on the large-screen monitors, and I filled up the internal storage in no time. (As an option there are removable, hot-swappable 80GB and 120GB hard drives that slide right into the PR-80's case.) I ran the video outputs to a large 50in. 16:9 plasma display and a Sony LCD projector. The PR-80's composite outputs are some of the cleanest I've seen, and measurement on an external waveform/vectorscope bore this out. My experience with the PR-80 has made me think about incorporating video into special events in new ways.

For those who plan to use the unit live, the PR-80's support for touchscreen monitors is second to none. Edirol offers through its dealers a 15in. and a 17in. Elo active-matrix LCD touchscreen, which supports the prevalent IntelliTouch standard. According to Edirol, touchscreen is the most popular way that users interface with the PR-80 — followed by MIDI triggering, using the mouse, and, lastly, traditional keyboards. I was not able to test a touchscreen, but it's easy to imagine how handy it would be to trigger clips and events from a touchscreen interface in a live setting.

The little things

I'd be remiss not to mention the little things that endear a product to a user. I loved having a 1/4in. headphone jack and an Audio In jack on the front of the unit, with volume control for both, as well as front I/O ports for both IEEE 1394 and USB. The DV Audio De-Popper gets rid of those annoying beeps that sometimes pollute long DV clips.

One of the nice things about this system is that Edirol can continue to can add new features and upgrades via software. The CG, while solid, is one area that will benefit from future tweaks.

There are a few things Edirol could do to make this product truly sing in future version. Dual-monitor support would be nice. As it is now, I would recommend the largest RGB screen you can afford. My eval unit ran a little hot, and there's a place on the back of the case for a small fan. I'd like to see a very quiet little fan included — or I would install one myself. I'd also like to see some more advanced audio support with perhaps S/PDIF and AES/EBU audio I/O options. When it comes to video I'd like to see non-BNC connections on the realtime Video Out ports 1 and 2 and, in addition to the two composite outs, two additional Y/C outs. I have two very long S-VHS cable runs, and it would be handy to be able to use them.

With its five realtime video outs, the PR-80 has more than just about any other solution out there, but it would be nice to be able to hook up a live video source without using an optional V-4. As more and more content is being delivered on DVD, I'd like to see an included internal DVD-recorder drive — or as an option to be installed where the CD-ROM drive is now.

If Edirol's NAB 2005 announcement of an HD/SD switcher (the V-440 HD) is any indication, a component/SDI/HD-ready version of the PR-80 might not be far behind. Until then, those needing higher-end video and audio outs and ins need to use converters and outboard mixers.

As it stands now, though, Edirol's PR-80 dual-stream editing system is a solid presentation and SD video editing system all in one package with a price that won't break your bank account. Its easy-to-use tools allow anyone to produce professional-looking video.

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BOTTOM LINE

Company: Edirol
Bellingham, Wash.; (866) 239-6269
www.edirol.com

Product: PR-80

Assets: Realtime editing performance, standalone device with software updates, drives presentation and kiosk stations.

Caveats: Proprietary system, not a computer, no real third-party software add-ons.

Demographic: Churches, schools, community cable stations, and any video creators who need a basic standalone video editing system.
Price: $6,495

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© 2008 Penton Media, Inc.