Digital video effects device

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A digital video effects device (also known as DVE for short ) is used to manipulate video images and has an image memory with a capacity of at least one full image.

DVEs are mainly used in the studio production of TV programs. An example of a very simple DVE trick is the division of images in news programs so that the moderator and an outside reporter can be seen in small "windows" at the same time. Complex DVE tricks alienate entire images or sections of them, animate text or create three-dimensional spaces. These complex tricks are often the result of long, demanding programming work. Simple tricks such as those in the news broadcasts mentioned above can usually be implemented in a few minutes.

The DVE experienced a heyday in the 1990s, when almost every director had several effects integrated into his broadcast. Performances by music groups in particular were alienated and given the impression of high-quality music videos. Nowadays, the DVE is a bit out of fashion, especially in Germany, which has meant that there are only a few good programmers left who can also create complex effects.

How a DVE works

After the image points have been read in, the image is output again in a manipulated form: The memory addresses are called up differently during the readout process. The manipulated video signal is also fed into another image with a key signal generated in the DVE on a video mixer with a luminance key (brightness key effect). A DVE device usually has a memory for the readout data, so that an effect can be repeated at any time. Comprehensive software packages enable a wide variety of effects.

Due to the reduced demand for DVE devices in studio broadcasts and numerous changes in post-production, where the DVE hardware is now often replaced by PC-based graphics software, there has also been a noticeable decrease in the availability of spare parts for such expensive devices. New devices are only produced by very few companies and in small numbers outside of Germany and the European Union.