Review: Analog Way Eikos

Author : Reviewed by Richard Goodaire, head of projects, R&B Group Projects Team

14 March 2011

Eikos is a multi-layer, high-resolution mixer matrix seamless switcher with four scalers. It is designed for high-end AV presentations and includes Quadravision mode and mosaic preview.

What do you use Eikos for?
We’re a live events company, mainly working in the corporate market, and use the Eikos to operate and control content for our shows.

During these shows we often use the multiple PIP facility and the dynamic PIP function which allows us to resize, change or reposition a PIP live. We also use the mosaic preview function, which allows you to see all 12 sources simultaneously on 1 TFT screen.

We are currently undergoing a major switch to high definition and one of the main reasons we bought the unit was because it is analogue and digital. Because it offers us both options we can still do shows where the client can’t yet afford the HD option. But we also use the unit in full HD capacity; using high definition graphics, HD-SDI and feeds directly from OB vans.

What do you like about the product?
The product is simple to use and very reliable. You don’t have to spend a long time setting up sources or carrying out production work. We have about 30 staff that take the unit out and we didn’t want to do a mass training session. We did a basic overview, put the manual up on our intranet and the staff all went out with it. There are no major differences between this and previous Analog Way products in terms of menus and operation.

It has multiple modes so you’ve got a matrix, a mixer and even the Quadravision mode, which has been released as an extra feature. It’s really useful because in matrix mode you can send high definition to some screens and standard definition to others. The quality on the matrix is good and, again, it’s simple to use. It’s really packed with features especially considering its cost. With one box we can meet a lot of our clients’ requirements so it saves them money on their rental.

The unit also has a scaled preview output so you can set your preview to match whatever monitor you're using with it. This means you don't have to buy an HD widescreen monitor.

What would you change?
It would be good to be able to rename the inputs because at the moment they just come up with a number. That’s a little frustrating at times because it means you’ve got to put a piece of tape on the unit or a piece of tape on the desk next to the unit.

Additional PIPs are always nice. The unit does already have four scalers and three PIPs which is good but we always want the screen to do more. It would also be good to have the facility to mix in a PIP once you’ve got more than one on the screen. Once you have more than one PIP on the screen this unit has to basically fade off the PIP for a second then put it back on with a new source.

In Use
I’ve just done a live show for the BBC in full HD and the broadcaster’s producers commented on the quality of outputs to the projectors. They noted that is was good and crisp and said there was very little processing degradation such as pixellation or smearing at the edges of the image.