• Date
    georgeg
  • Date
  • Replies 3 replies
  • Subscribers 185 subscribers
  • Views 3608 views
  • Users 0 members are here

My review of your remote video interface unit

We've just opened the first show of the season and this will be our 2nd season using the EOS. This summer the theatre purchased the RVI unit. Previously to that I was using the EOS client software on my laptop with a 2nd monitor attached. After using the RVI on one show these are my observations:

1. it's TOO BIG. for gosh sakes it's the size of an early '08s betamax. It takes up a quarter of the directors table (and 2/3s of my allotment of it) leaving not much room for my script and laptap. My desktop is half the size of this thing. (TD promises to build a 'wing' for the table, but really...)

2. why aren't the buttons backlit? We work in a dim environment, it's just dumb that I have to use my flashlight to see which button is which.

3.  Here's the big one...What is it that this piece of iron does? Again, my laptop seems to do all that I (as LD) need with the client software as well allowing me to tab over to my instrument schedule, magic sheet, notes, email, and, (lets face it), solitaire when things are going slow.

Sorry, but I'm putting this thing on the shelf much to the consternation of our TD and going back to my laptop. I can't believe that this product is made by the same company that can come up with source4s and EOSs.

 

  • When I first used our RVI, I was pleasantly surprised to find it had full client capabilities.  Yes I hadn't done much research on it, and yes, there is the word "interface" in the name...  We have three desktop towers with client dongles intalled but I find myself using the RVI at the design table regularly since it lies flat, making it a convenient platform to place the second monitor.  Besides that and the macro buttons (which we haven't programmed), I honestly can't imagine why someone would spend the money (I have no idea how much they cost) when a desktop or laptop could do the same thing for cheaper.
  • in reply to BSmith

    If you leave a RVI and Laptop in a theater overnight,

    most likely the next morning you will find the RVI still sitting there and the laptop gone.  

     

    ;)

  • Hey, I am with you on that....

    The biggest problem I have is the RVI is its just too big. The only thing I like about the RVI on a directors table is the unlikelihood that someone will steal it versus a laptop. The fact you still need a standard keyboard attached to the RVI for control basically makes it a sole purpose desktop.

    The front buttons aside (of which the macros can be displayed any screen using a virtual control, direct select, Macros), the best place for the RVI is mounted to a wall in the wing off stage to act as handy remote when focusing and channel checking.

    If you are considering the RVI for purchase in your theatre.......DON'T. The RVI is a good idea, but ETC needs to go back to the drawing board (maybe take a look on the Bestbuy website and see what size laptops come in these days). For my money I would just pick-up a cheap laptop & external monitor and run the client software or buy an ION. You might as well, the ION is far more useful then the RVI and any additional space the ION takes up over the RVI is well worth it (no solitaire - I guess you'll just have to go manual with that task).

     

Related

www.etcconnect.com