New Beginner's Editing Controller Works without Wires
Wireless Wonder
Every video pro was once a beginner, and one of the first things beginners learn as their interest begins to grow is that there are few products available to support them at their level. Editing VCRs are at the top of the price range, as are camcorders with editing features. Even the simplest editing controllers cost several hundred dollars, and many will only control specific decks.
Perhaps that's why JVC is offering its new JX-ED11 editing controller. The JX-ED11 is capable of controlling almost all of the millions of camcorders and VCRs with infrared remotes in use today. It's very simple to use, and with no connections to make, the unit fits perfectly into the beginning videomaker market.
The first physical feature you notice about the JX-ED11 is its small size. It's about the size and weight of a thick pocketbook. The plastic case comes in the widely popular gunmetal gray. All of the controls are push-button types except for a jog/shuttle knob. These controls provide resistance when pushed, but offer little tactile feel. Power is by batteries only; four penlights (AAs) fit into a compartment on the bottom of the unit.
Setting Up
Since the JX-ED11 uses infrared control for both the source and record units, you'll need to set it up to send the proper infrared codes to control your decks. You can choose from a number of codes preset in the JX-ED11 that cover the infrared protocols of over a dozen VCR and camcorder manufacturers. Both the source and record control sections of the JX-ED11 must be set with their own control codes. You recall these presets for each side using the tape transport controls on the face of the editor.
If either your source or record machine doesn't respond to any of the presets in the JX-ED11, then you'll have to teach the unit the codes directly from your remote. You do this rather simple task by pushing a setup button for the side that you want (source or record), and then using your VCR or camcorder's remote control to feed the proper infrared signals to the editor's memory. As you feed the unit each code (pause, play, rewind, etc.), a flashing red light indicates acceptance. After completion, the codes will remain in memory as long as the batteries are live, and for about 30 minutes after batteries are removed. You can change the setup for either side at any time.
Next, you'll need to set up the unit's operation modes. You'll find the operation mode switches inside the battery compartment on the bottom of the unit. Three switches adjust the search mode of your source deck, the coarse record/pause setting and a fine-tuning record/pause setting for your record deck.
The JX-ED11's infrared emitters have a working range of about sixteen feet. If you place your decks close to the JX-ED11, be sure to keep them near the same height as the editor.
One other switch found in the battery compartment will put the JX-ED11 into JVC's RA (Random Assemble) Edit mode. With this mode, you can control certain JVC camcorders and VCRs with a cable that attaches to the camcorder or VCR's RA Edit jack. The other end plugs into the left side of the JX- ED11 at the connector labeled Remote. While it's not necessary to use the RA Edit function with the JX- ED11, using this jack can improve editing accuracy considerably.
Cold Cuts
The JX-ED11 is very easy to use. You just connect the audio and video of the source and record machines together, load a blank tape into your record machine and your recorded tapes into the source machine, hook up a monitor to your record VCR's output and you're ready to edit.
The JX-ED11 makes single cuts in an assembly style (one at a time), and that's it. Here's how it works: you put your record deck into play, find the spot where you want to add a scene and hit the Edit Standby button. This places the record deck into record/pause, and starts the source deck playing. Next, you use the jog/shuttle to locate the start of a scene on the source tape. Back it up a few seconds and then let it play. When you see the point where you want the edit to start, press the In button. This triggers the record deck to start recording and the edit takes place. Hitting the Out or Edit Stop button terminates the edit.
An Edit Check button puts the record VCR into reverse search as long as you hold it down. This allows you to back up your master tape to review any number of the edits already done.
The JX-ED11 will not control features like video insert or audio dub, even if you have a record machine that controls these features.
As stated, there are separate transport controls for each deck. These include stop, pause, rewind, fast forward and play. The record side also includes a record button.
