High-End A/V SwitcherFlexible, ""Smart"" Signal Router Integrates Latest High-Performance Video And Digital-Audio Formats Programming

Runco International has introduced a unique new audio-video switcher. The Runco OVSS-8 can accept as many as eight different A/V sources utilizing a nearly limitless mix of high-end consumer-video and digital-audio formats, automatically directing the active A/V source to a single output using its unique synchronizing circuit.""The need for something like the OVSS-8 seemed to us self evident,"" says Runcoís Marketing Director Kevin Miller. ""With todayís proliferation of high-performance consumer video formats and the use of multiple digital-audio systems, combined with the complexity of todayís sophisticated home-theatre systems, the use of a signal-router is becoming a necessity in series high-end systems. The OVSS-8ís self-synchronizing signal routing, takes care of even complicated systems transparently and effectively, with virtually no user or installer intervention.""The new Runco switcher accepts eight sources of consumer-video, encompassing all currently employed formats, including the RGB option fast increasing in importance in the DTV age. Each of these accompanied by digital-audio throughput that is fully 5.1-channel-compatible for all formats. The OVSS-8ís ultimate signal path automatically utilizes the highest-quality available video, maintaining full, undiminished quality.The OVSS-8ís eight input-sets, called ""banks"" by Runco, are arranged in an easy to understand format. All eight accept composite-video (RCA-jack) and S-Video (mini-DIN), and all eight also freely accept two-channel PCM, DTS or Dolby Digital digital-audio bitstreams via either coaxial-electrical or Toslink-optical S/PDIF jacks. Banks 1-4 are equipped for YUV (""component video""), each with a trio of additional CA jacks. Meanwhile, the inputs alternate digital-audio formats following a different scheme; banks 1 - 2 - 5 and 6 accept coax digital input while banks 3 - 4 - 7 and 8 supply optical (Toslink) ports. A little contemplation reveals the wisdom of this carefully worked-out arrangement: The OVSS-8 is ready to accommodate, in duplicate, any conceivable combination of digital-audio and high-performance video, in terms of both signal formats and physical connections.To enable the OVSS-8ís invaluable auto-synchronizing feature, each bank incorporates a pass-through composite-video output as well as sophisticated signal-sensing circuitry that instructs it automatically to route incoming video from the highest-quality format (YUV at banks 1-4; RGB at 5-8), falling back to S-Video, and then component-video if neither of the two higher performance formats is found to be active. Pass-through outputs can be looped to an outboard line-multiplier processor, and the OVSS-8 will automatically select its resulting signal at one of its RGB inputs, permitting line-multiplier/video-scaler components to work automatically and transparently.Digital audio is simultaneously routed to the corresponding-format jack at the main common output in parallel, with zero jitter contribution and full transparency to DolbyÆ Digital or DTSÆ Surround digital multichannel bitstreams. Additionally, regardless of the active main-video signal path the OVSS-8 automatically senses the presence of any on-screen display signal at its composite, S-Video, or component-video inputs, and seamlessly routes this to and superimposes it on the highest-available-quality output; if no valid video-program signal is detected for display, the Runco switcher switches off its current outputs but switches in the OSD signal. This ability further contributes the potential for fully flexible PIP, or multi-display in systems where it is desired to view the program and OSD displays independently.All of the above describes the OVSS-8ís default ""Slave Mode,"" designed to work in response to a master AV receiver, preamp/controller, or surround decoder. For systems in which an installer-programmed, custom controller such as those from Creston, Phast, or Lexicon forms the centerpiece, the OVSS-8 offers Program Mode B, in which it responds to commands at its two dB-9 serial ports. In this arrangement programming commands at the first dB-9 ports ""force"" the switcher to select inputs, while the RGB ports remain under independent control of the second 9-pin interface. This permits customizable line-multiplier loop-through, or other flexible arrangements.The Runco OVSS-8 incorporates full broadcast-quality switching and support circuitry throughout, and results in no measurable or perceptible change in video or audio signals. Built entirely by Runco in the U.S., the OVSS-8 is assembled using heavy-gauge, rackmount-dimensioned steel chassis and panels and using professional-grade components throughout.For more information on any of the products, please contact Kevin Miller, Marketing Director, Runco International, 516-656-0844, tubeman@li.net.