[quote="rami arafat"]1-can any one tell me the Advantages of MVS-8000 with comparison to Kayak or Kahuna. 2- what is the latest version on MVS-8000 and what includ 3- what u advise for MVS in OB VAN[/quote] Hi..... I haven't seen your name around.... welcome. The MVS-8000 is a GREAT switcher. In my opinion, the advantages are: 1. Sony itself. I know you might be tempted to laugh, but Sony's switcher support (both on an operational and tech support level) are second to none. Frankly, they have taken over as the standard where the old Grass Valley used to be before Thompson bought them and decimated their service and support. 2. The layout-free control panel. Sony pioneered this clear back in 2001. There are rumors floating around that one manufacturer will come out with a new panel that is also layout free. But make no mistake, Sony did it first and it is very popular. 3. The thing just works. You almost NEVER hear of an 8000 crashing or dying in the middle of a show. You certainly can't say that about other switchers. 4. In comparison to Kayak, I don't think Kayak as output format converters where the 8000G does. 5. The MVS has very good DVEs. You have a choice of models of DVEs. You also have a choice as to whether or not you want the DVEs to be "internal" or true external (with aux buses and primary inputs). With the 8000G, you get a 2D DVE on every keyer standard. Then you can add as many 3D DVEs as you want that are pooled. 6. I absolutely love the Color LCDs on the memory buttons on the Sony (others have tried to copy this, but Sony had it back in 2001 on the original 8000). Shotbox is also compeltely cool. 7. You can actually EDIT macros on a Sony (sorry, that was a direct knock on Kalypso). 8. Sony doesn't require a laptop connected with special software running just to do cool extra things. 9. Sony's SIDE FLAGS. This replaces video on the un-used portion of a 4:3 image that is living in a 16:9 world. You don't need to use Keyers. It's completely automatic and you can put any live (or still) video you want. the video selection is rememebered in snapshots and KF effects, too. Past that, there's a fundamental problem trying to compare one switcher to another, especially in a public forum. And that's the fact that software and features change. One day a manufacturer can stick their toungue out and say someone can't do this and low and behold, next week they can. So that being said, I will not continue to directly compare against Kayak and Kahuna becuase I am not 100% sure. That, frankly, is your job as a good consumer :-) I can only tell you what I think, and they'll tell you what they think. You then need to weed through the inevitible B.S. factor and vaporware factor (I won't give you either, though --- sorry!) and make an educated decision for yourself. Basically, the Kayak seems to be a re-dressed Philips DD30 with a Grass Valley sticker on the front. Sorry but many, many here will agree with me. I know the sticker sounds funny but I actually SAW a GV sticker covering up a PHILIPS logo on a router. It was the funniest thing I'd seen in a TV station in a long time. Kind of summed it all up for me.... anway, back to my story..... The Sony has Multi-PGM which is a true Split M/E architecture. The Sony also lets you duplicate the same keyer across both the MAIN and SUB M/E at the same time. To the best of my knowledge neither the Kayak or the Kahuna have true Split M/E architecture. Again, see disclaimer about software changes. The Sony doesn't fart around with license keys all over the place for things like Chromakey. Nothing pissed me off more when sitting down at a Kalypso only to find out that 1 or 2 chromakeyers were "purchased." With the Sony every single keyer has it as standard. The Sony's device control is great. They even now have a control panel module (brand new this last NAB) that has a REAL jog.shuttle knob that looks like they ripped it right off a VTR and put it in the panel. I love the fact that it uses the VDCP protocol and you get the DDRs clip names right on the switcher's touchscreen. I also love that different clips, timecodes, etc can be called up on a keyframe by keyframe basis. You don't have to have different registers to call up different clips. Honestly the only thing I wish they'd update is the amount of VTR registers for DDR clips. Right now it's at 99. Many shows have more than that, but there are ways around it. I buried P-Bus long ago and never looked back. Also, take a look throughout the forum..... you see lots of people (myself included) that love the Sony and aren't afraid to say so. You just don't see that with the Kahuna. No offense but people just aren't coming out to sing its praises or come to its defense. And, take a look at the thread about NMT buying Kayak and the protest that followed (yes, I know the protest resulted in them buying Kalypso :-) Outside of the truck market (which I know is heavily represented here), Sony has a very large market share with the 8000. Some people will sit there and poo poo that and say it was becuase of some "slimy deal" that Sony made with such-and-such corporation. First off, Thomson and Snell would just as happily make the same "slimy" deal. Second, major corporations (i.e. 3 out of the 4 broadcast networks -- hint hint) and some of the largest TV groups would not have committed to the 8000 if it did not meet, and in most cases exceed, their needs. They're just not that stupid. Bottom line is this forum is not the place to make a decision your company will have to live with for 5-10 years. You owe it to yourself to talk to each company and get them to bring the switcher to your location for a proper demonstration. When you do, don't let someone come in and do an "e-mem" demo. ABSOUTELY INSIST that they start from scratch to show you how they are building things. I have seen some very slimy demo people in the last few years (no I won't mention the company they work for). They will tell you anything and LIE about anything to get you to buy their product. Don't fall for it. Make them show you EVERYTHING -- warts and all. As for your last two questions..... I believe the latest release is 6.1x for the MVS-8000A. The MVS-8000G (with DVEs on every keyer and format conversion in and out) is due to be shipping here in the next 4 weeks. I'm told that will run V7, but that V7 will and its features will continue to work on MVS-8000A. Lastly, yes I would recommend on an OB Van. Again, you will get many people telling you why you shouldn't use an MVS. But, Friankly the MVS is on a lot of high-profile trucks. NBC Monday Night Football, CBS, etc. Frankly you can get others to tell you where they live better than I. Let's face it, none of these switchers is a piece of junk. They just would not sell if they were. Good luck RE