Roland VR-1HD

Real engagement in real time

If you’re a content creator seeking maximum engagement, livestreaming outperforms uploaded video by a significant margin; audiences are larger, watch for longer and post more comments. Roland’s VR-1HD lets you broadcast dynamic multi-camera livestreams, complete with amazing picture and sound that easily outshines ‘standard’ livestreams from a mobile phone or static webcam. Whether you’re a creator, gamer, commentator or presenter, it’s the easy way to livestream with high production standards. And since you’re going to get more comments, ensure they’re good ones with the Roland VR-1HD.

Your ‘plug and play’ broadcast studio

The Roland VR-1HD has three “worry-free” HDMI inputs, and each one accepts a variety of HD and computer-based video resolutions. This lets you connect, switch and stream different sources including cameras, presentations, gameplay and even smartphones and tablets without having to think about it. The audio from these sources can be blended with the two studio-quality XLR microphone inputs and dedicated line input. Best of all, as the Roland VR-1HD is designed for live broadcasting, its dedicated controls and top-mounted mic input (with gooseneck mic) let you go hands-free and headset-free while livestreaming.

Switch to superior livestreams

When preparing a video for uploading, your editing software can add some impressive layering options, including professional transitions that make ‘live-switched’ videos look boring by comparison. The Roland VR-1HD has built-in Scene Switching to instantly jump between scenes that contain preset arrangements of layered sources, displayed within customizable inset windows.

Set-up the scenes in advance and recall them via the five scene preset buttons, to make your livestreaming way more interesting.

Video director inside

When you’re presenting a livestreamed vlog or nailing a live music performance, you’d normally need another person to help switch cameras. The Roland VR-1HD lets you go it alone with three Auto Switching modes that take the strain once the broadcast begins;

Video Follows Audio

The Roland VR-1HD switches cameras based on who’s speaking into their microphone. If both people talk at once, or if no one is speaking, the VR-1HD can switch to a wide shot showing both presenters.

Beat Sync Switching

Start playing music and the VR-1HD will switch to different camera inputs based on your playing tempo or the music in your DJ performance – letting you act as your own VJ.

Auto Scan

For extended live streams with no operator, set the VR-1HD to switch between sources in a pre-defined order, or randomly, at your chosen rate of time.

Audio engineer inside too

Put audio on auto-pilot and relax, thanks to the VR-1HD’s Auto Mixing function. Just like having a sound engineer, you can ensure that different audio inputs aren’t competing, while also checking that the sound remains balanced. You can even set certain inputs to take priority so when the host starts to speak, the other audio levels are automatically reduced. Audio from your input sources can automatically change when you switch video sources, by engaging the Audio Follows Video function – one less thing to worry about during your livestream.

Sound like your best self or not yourself

Nobody talks about good sound when watching a live stream but they sure notice when its bad. Pros use sound “equalizers” to balance the highs and lows of the audio, “gates” to keep open mics quiet unless someone is speaking and “compressors” to balance out changes in volume when speaking or singing. These are all in the VR-1HD to make sure everyone sounds their best on air along with reverb if someone is inspired to sing and needs a little ambience.

Radically transform your voice

Roland makes the legendary VT series of Voice Transformers, used by creators, gamers and singers to radically change their voice in real-time. This technology means that a male can sound like a female, a female can sound like a male, and anyone can sound like a robot, a monster or an alien. Derived from Roland’s VT series, the VR-1HD’s Voice Changer effect can be applied to the mic inputs, and each input even has its own Voice Changer settings, so people can sound like someone else — or something else — entirely.

Sounds and stingers on-demand

Some of the greatest radio and video personalities incorporate a signature soundtrack and sound effects, known as stingers, that become part of their brand and image. The VR-1HD lets you add your own custom sound effects via USB memory, including jingles or even a theme song, and trigger them instantly via the four Audio Effects buttons on the VR-1HD’s top panel.

Connect to your computer, connect to your audience

The VR-1HD uses the same connection technology as webcams, so just hook up to your computer via USB 3.0 and fire up the live casting or recording software. Then jump straight into a professionally produced, Full HD broadcast on your favorite platform, including Twitch, YouTube or Facebook Live.

RCS

The VR-1HD RCS software is designed to control the VR-1HD using a computer. By connecting the VR-1HD to your computer via USB, you will be able to copy settings (backup) or update the system software of the VR-1HD in addition to remote controlling the unit from your computer.

Technical specifications: 

VIDEO

• Video Processing
  • 4:4:4 (Y/Pb/Pr), 10-bit
• Input Connectors
  • VIDEO INPUT 1--3 connectors: HDMI type A x 3
  • * HDCP Supported.
  • * Multi-format Supported
• Output Connectors
  • MAIN connector: HDMI type A
  • * HDCP Supported
  • MONITOR connector: HDMI type A
  • * HDCP Supported
  • THRU connector: HDMI type A
  • * HDCP Supported
  • USB STREAM port: USB B type
• Input formats
  • 480/59.94i, 576/50i, 480/59.94p, 576/50p, 720/59.94p, 720/50p, 1080/59.94i, 1080/50i, 1080/59.94p, 1080/50p, VGA (640 x 480/60 Hz), SVGA (800 x 600/60 Hz), XGA (1024 x 768/60 Hz), HD (1280 x 720/60 Hz), WXGA (1280 x 800/60 Hz), SXGA (1280 x 1024/60 Hz), FWXGA (1366 x 768/ 60 Hz), SXGA+ (1400 x 1050/60 Hz), UXGA (1600 x 1200/60 Hz), FHD (1920 x 1080/60 Hz), WUXGA (1920 x 1200/60 Hz)
  • * The refresh rate is the maximum value of each resolution.
  • * Conforms to VESA DMT Version 1.0 Revision 11.
  • * 1920 x 1200, 60 Hz: Reduced blanking
  • * The video signal frame rate can be selected at the SYSTEM menu (59.94 Hz or 50 Hz).
• Output formats
  • MAIN, MONITOR connectors:
  • 720/59.94p, 720/50p, 1080/59.94i, 1080/50i, 1080/59.94p, 1080/50p, XGA (1024 x 768/60 Hz) (*1), WXGA (1280 x 800/60 Hz) (*1), SXGA (1280 x 1024/60 Hz) (*1), FWXGA (1366 x 768/60 Hz) (*1), SXGA+ (1400 x 1050/60 Hz) (*1), UXGA (1600 x 1200/60 Hz), FHD (1920 x 1080/60 Hz), WUXGA (1920 x 1200/60 Hz)
  • * The video signal frame rate can be selected at the SYSYTEM menu (59.94 or 50).
  • (*1) Output refresh rate is 75 Hz when frame rate is set to 50 Hz.
  • USB STREAM port:
  • 854 x 480/29.97p, 854 x 480/25p, 854 x 480/59.94p, 854 x 480/50p, 720/29.97p, 720/25p, 720/59.94p, 720/50p, 1080/29.97p, 1080/25p
  • * The video signal frame rate can be selected at the SYSTEM menu (59.94 Hz or 50 Hz).
• Still Image
  • Maximum Size: 1920 x 1200 pixels
  • Format: Windows Bitmap File (.bmp) 24 bit per pixel, uncompressed
  • * It can be loaded up to 2 files from USB memory at startup.
• Video Effects
  • Scene: PinP, Split
  • Transition: Black fade, Mix fade
  • Key Composition: Luminance key
  • Other: Still Image playback, Output fade (Audio, Video: WHITE or BLACK), Test pattern output

AUDIO

• Audio Processing
  • Sample rate: 48 kHz, 24 bits
• Audio formats
  • VIDEO INPUT 1--3 connectors: Linear PCM, 48 kHz, 24 bits, stereo
  • USB STREAM port: Linear PCM, 48 kHz, 16 bits, stereo
• Input Connectors
  • VIDEO INPUT 1--3 connectors: HDMI type A
  • MIC IN 1--2 jacks: Combo type (XLR, 1/4-inch TRS phone), phantom power (DC 48 V, 10 mA Max)
  • LINE IN jacks: RCA phono type
  • USB STREAM port: USB B type
• Output Connectors
  • MAIN connector: HDMI type A
  • MONITOR connector: HDMI type A
  • LINE OUT jacks: RCA phono type
  • USB STREAM port: USB B type
  • PHONES jack: Stereo miniature phone type
• Nominal Input Level
  • MIC IN 1--2 jacks: -60--+4 dBu (Maximum input level: +28 dBu)
  • LINE IN jacks: -10 dBu (Maximum input level: +8 dBu)
• Input Impedance
  • MIC IN 1--2 jacks: Minimum 10 k ohms (balanced, HEAD AMP GAIN: 0--+17 dBu), Minimum 5 k ohms (balanced, HEAD AMP GAIN: +17--+64 dBu)
  • LINE IN jacks: 15 k ohms
• Nominal Output Level
  • LINE OUT jacks: -10 dBu (Maximum input level: +8 dBu)
  • PHONES jack: 92 mW + 92 mW (32 ohms)
• Output Impedance
  • LINE OUT jacks: 1 k ohms
  • PHONES jack: 10 ohms
• Audio Effects
  • Auto mixing, Echo canceller, Howling canceller, EQ, Delay, Compressor, HPF, Gate, Reverb, Limiter, Voice changer
• Audio Player
  • Number of Players: 4
  • Data Format: WAV (Linear PCM, 48 kHz, 16 bits stereo/44.1 kHz, 16 bits, stereo)

COMMON SECTION

• Connectors
  • USB MEMORY port (HOST): USB A type (For USB flash drive, Still image, Audio player)
  • USB STREAM port (DEVICE): USB B type (For USB-VIDEO (USB 3.0), USB-AUDIO (USB2.0): stereo 1 IN/1 OUT, Remote control)
  • DC IN jack
• Functions
  • Scene memory : 5
  • Panel lock function
  • EDID emulator
  • Auto switching (Auto scan, Beat sync switching, Video follow audio)
• Power Supply
  • AC Adaptor
• Current Draw
  • 2 A
• Power Consumption
  • 24 W
• Operation Temperature
  • +0 to +40 degrees Celsius
  • +32 to +104 degrees Fahrenheit
• Dimensions
  • 314 (W) x 169 (D) x 66 (H) mm
  • 12-3/8 (W) x 6-11/16 (D) x 2-5/8 (H) inches
• Weight
  • 1.6 kg
  • 3 lbs 9 oz
• Accessories
  • Startup Guide
  • Leaflet “USING THE UNIT SAFELY”
  • AC adaptor
  • Power cord