Hi Karen, yes there are Macros... If you know the 8000 you will be fine then. --- Dan

Thank you Dan. All of your information is extremely helpful. I started to get worried when I saw that people were reading my post but not responding. I do know the full size Sony switcher, but this is different. At least I understand the logic of the Sony. Are there macros on this switcher, or do you have to stick with the shotbox? thanks, Karen

Karen, 1st, it's a Sony 8000A... it's very simple, never do anything too much on those shows. I've seen other TD's from other areas come in and try to do the works, next thing you know they are behind the 8-ball and don't have a show set up 15 mins before air. You will get a clean feed from the home TD's ME3 & ME2 (the camera cuts & relplays), so worse comes to worse, take their feeds. All production crews I have seen come out & switch their own show, rarely if ever take the home show feed. Baseball is the exception, as soon as the ball is hit, take the home clean feed. There are plenty of set-ups on that truck, you could steal one that the home TD had built, that way he could help you through it. All the TD's in the market are very good, and very helpful. You are working for Cinci on 4/25 - 4/27, and the home TD works on the duals often. I can get you in touch with the home TD before you get in if you pass on your info. The home TD's usually have a set-up already on their show, so they have some time to walk over & help. You do also have communication with the home truck, the dual truck (yes your own truck, NMT SBS1) is tied to it and can't do a show with out it. Remember, simple... cut game in ME1, replay to downstream (2 EVS channels & 2 tapes), insert the branding downstream. If they ask for a telestrator, just say "NO." There are only 2 downstream keyers on the truck, and they are dummy keyers, no masks, no drop shadows, no DME, etc. (it looks like 4 DSK's, and it looks like you can turn on masks etc., but NO). Again, simple... on PBUS use trigger mode instead of Timeline mode (trigger doesn't require a timeline, when you hit run, the Lance hits play). Depending on the home TD, he may tell you timeline mode is better, but keep it simple. As we've been working on it for several years, we have started to do split screens, and 2-boxes, and squeeze backs, etc., but purely on a very limited basis, cause you can get tied up very quickly. Better to record those things before the game, or in a break, or... just say "NO." If you have never worked on the Sony, it can get very confusing very quickly. You have Snapshots, Effects, and Shot Boxes. The Shot Box talks to & recalls your Snapshots & Effects. A simple replay effect will be built selecting P/P, inserting your keyframes as you would on a Kalypso, turn on the keyer, dissolve, insert the branding, turn off the the FF keyer. Then in your Shot Box, you have it recall that P/P effect, and your Replay animation on PBUS (they don't have to be on the same register). Once you've done it once, it's easy to copy over to other effects. I usually have 3 total P/P effects (depending on the show). 1) Replay-In. 2) Replay-Out. 3) Other animated transition. The 3rd effect gets used 3, 5, or 10 times for all the other transitions. Remember, keep it simple. Any more questions, feel free to ask. --- Dan