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To add a lower third on the original Roland V-1HD, feed a black- or white-background graphic into an HDMI input, key out that background with the matching luminance-key effect, and check the composite on the preview output before taking it to program. The key is assigned to EFFECTS A or EFFECTS B through MEMORY; the bus with the effect enabled is the foreground.
What you need
- The original Roland V-1HD, not the V-1HD+; the models have separate manuals and instructions.
- A lower-third graphic displayed by a computer or other HDMI source, connected to one of the switcher’s HDMI inputs. This external source is a practical way to supply the graphic; the cited Roland material documents the HDMI inputs and keying workflow, not an internal editable title generator.
- A graphic with a solid black or white background. Use white artwork on black when choosing black key, or dark artwork on white when choosing white key, and avoid using the keyed color in elements you want to keep visible.
- A preview monitor connected to the V-1HD’s HDMI preview output, so you can check the key before airing it.
The original V-1HD has four HDMI inputs, Full HD capabilities and a preview output. Roland’s product information describes supported formats up through 1080p; check the official product page for current specifications and downloads: Roland V-1HD product page.
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Add a black- or white-background lower third
- Prepare and connect the graphic. Create a still graphic with the lower third placed where you want it and a fully black or white background. Display it on a computer or another HDMI source and connect that source to a V-1HD HDMI input.
- Choose a luminance-key effect. Press MEMORY. Use the TRANSFORMER up/down buttons to select EFFECTS A or EFFECTS B. Use the A/B fader to assign WHT-L-KEY for a white graphic background or BLK-L-KEY for a black one to the selected effect’s EFFECTS ON button.
- Enable the effect. Press the selected EFFECTS A ON or EFFECTS B ON button. Its light indicates the effect is active.
- Select the background and graphic inputs. Use the A-1–A-4 and B-1–B-4 buttons to select the camera or video and the graphic source. The bus on which the effect is enabled is the foreground. Check the preview: if the graphic and background are reversed or the overlay is missing, correct the A/B source assignments.
- Adjust the key while watching the preview. Turn EFFECTS A to adjust key amount and EFFECTS B to adjust edge blur. Inspect the edges of small text and any anti-aliased artwork; adjust until the background is removed while the visible lettering remains intact.
- Take the composite to program. Once the preview looks right, transition the program output as needed. To remove the lower third, press the same EFFECTS ON button again to disable the key.
Roland’s manual describes luminance keying as a way to place logos or text over a background picture. Its instructions establish the key selection and controls above; previewing and iterating are practical checks for your particular artwork and signal setup. Consult the V-1HD reference manual for the unit’s complete operating guidance.
The Tool Desk
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| Approach | Graphic background | What becomes transparent | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| White luminance key (WHT-L-KEY) | Solid white | White areas | White details in the text or artwork may disappear too. |
| Black luminance key (BLK-L-KEY) | Solid black | Black areas | Black details in the text or artwork may disappear too. |
| Green chroma key (GRN-C.KEY) | Solid green | Green background color | Color fringes or small edge artifacts can remain if lighting or effect parameters are not set well. |
| Blue chroma key (BLU-C.KEY) | Solid blue | Blue background color | Color fringes or small edge artifacts can remain if lighting or effect parameters are not set well. |
For ordinary text or logo graphics on black or white, luminance keying is the directly documented option. If your graphic is already designed on green or blue, the V-1HD also offers chroma-key effects. Roland’s chroma-key support guidance warns that imperfect lighting or parameter setup can leave color or small artifacts at extracted edges.
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Troubleshooting
- The whole graphic box is visible: Make sure the effect is on and that the key matches the actual background color. A black-key effect will not remove a white background, and vice versa.
- Text or artwork disappears with the background: The same black or white used for the key may appear in visible elements. Change those elements’ colors or use a different keying approach.
- The lower third is behind the wrong picture or does not appear: Check which bus has the effect enabled; that bus is the foreground. Reselect the A/B sources and verify the layers on the preview output.
- Edges look soft or uneven: Adjust the key amount with EFFECTS A and edge blur with EFFECTS B while viewing the preview. If using green or blue chroma key, check the source’s lighting and parameters; Roland notes that edge artifacts can remain.
Or let it run in the cloud
If the finished program is a pre-recorded video for a continuous YouTube live stream, StreamNeo can keep the uploaded video or playlist looping from the cloud. It does not create the lower third or go live from a camera; prepare and finish the video first, then upload it, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Your computer and home connection do not have to stay on, and StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. Every slot streams the uploaded file as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot. The first day is free with no card; after that, the Monthly price is $9.99 per month. Visit StreamNeo or start the free first day.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Support for SDI and HDMI cameras, smartphones, tablet computers and PCs etc.
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- PSB-7U, provided AC adaptor or Battery operation
- Supports up to Full HD 1080p
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Rank #3
- 4 HDMI Inputs: The V-1HD has 4 HDMI input connectors compatible with a variety of equipment. The V-1HD supports 1080p/1080i/720p video resolutions. Devices outputting the same resolution can be input regardless of what type of device they are. Both progressive and interlace signals can be input allowing for both 1080i and 1080p signals to be used at the same time.
- Professional Switching: The V-1HD has large back-lit buttons for intuitive video switching even in low light conditions. The V-1HD even lets you know which inputs have sources connected by illuminating the buttons of the inputs with connected sources. The V-1HD features broadcast style Preview/Program switching for professional results.
- Effects: Compositing two videos in one screen using Picture in Picture or the split function is ideal for seminars and presentations. The V-1HD also supports chroma key and luminance key which ideal for creating professional looking broadcasts using green screen backgrounds or for overlaying computer generated titles on top of video sources.
- Audio Mixing: Included is a 12 channel digital audio mixer. The V-1HD can mix 4 stereo audio inputs from the HDMI ports, the stereo line level input and a mic level input. Every channel is equipped with a delay function to synchronize the video and the audio. Audio follow function enables the audio to transition along with the video.
- Menu and Settings: The on-screen menu display appears on the preview screen and is easy to operate with hardware controls. Making adjustments to parameters and operating the audio mixer can be made by simple operation of the buttons and the T-Fader on the unit.
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