As of this writing this new switcher from Roland was released to the world last month (Oct 2016) with very little fanfare or publicity. I stumbled across it here, on Amazon, while shopping for an inexpensive camera switcher. The older "sibling" of this switcher, the Roland V-1HD has been around for awhile and is (again, as of this writing) about $500.00 less. However, there are many good reasons that this new Roland V-1SDI switcher costs a wee bit more, and most focus on what I call user versatility and flexibility.While at first blush it looks like a simple, basic 4-input switcher, I personally can attest to it going far beyond switching, and rather than having me write a ton of detail (where I often get carried away in digression), I suggest you search out this model number on YouTube where, surprisingly, there are several decent videos by vendors of the product. Yes, probably biased videos, but at least you can get visual overviews of the switcher functions and features that are far more convincing than my words in print.For the record, I'm retired from a production career with a network TV station and have done everything from writing, field and studio production, editing, blah, blah, blah; including tech directing on switchers that make this Roland look like a cookie crumb on the floor. That said, I can say quite honestly that this Roland has moxie and does exactly what I was looking for: SDI inputs, SDI outputs (and HDMI multi-view preview), a DSK (down stream keyer including Green & Blue Chroma Key) that frees up the A/B bus (the older sibling does not have DSK), an adjustable HDMI scaling input on #4 (very, very nice) which I use to input HDMI output from a PC laptop where I use PowerPoint to create and display CG-type lower thirds, full screen graphics, and even play back video packages within the PowerPoint presentation (PP is a phenomenal companion to this switcher) because PowerPoint auto detects the HDMI output as a presentation "screen" and fills it full size with the PP show. Okay, see, I digressed. Anyhow, the scaling input #4 allows you to input, in example, HDMI out from a PC or Mac, and adjust the image so it fills the screen (crop, full, letterbox, H&V size/placement, etc.).Btw, worth mentioning that this is a hardware AND software switcher. It has a USB output to go to a computer that has Roland switching software installed (free download) where you can tweak menu features within the hardware switcher, or use the software screen to do all of your switching while having the hardware switcher tucked away in a rack (take that, Blackmagic). Personally, I prefer the hardware switcher. Hands-on the buttons & T-Bar provide (me, anyhow) more confidence in what's about to take place in a switch versus a mouse click that maybe misses the screen icon during a "live" event.You really should get your hands on the operation menus (displayed if you choose, on the multi-view monitor and not disturbing anything "live" at the same time) in the owner's manual. Another suggestion is to look at all the goodies on the Proav "dot" Roland "dot" Com site where this switcher is currently the home screen splash page. Dig around and you'll be able to d/l the owner's and reference manuals. My specific point about the operation menus is like I said at the beginning: This thing has versatility and flexibility far beyond my initial hopes. I like the audio settings that not only have EQ and compression/limiting on every input, but "follow" or not -- meaning that, in my use of PP and playing of pre-produced video packages rolled-in, the audio can either be "hot" all the time, or "hot" only while input #4 is "live" on the Program bus. Same is true for all the other inputs. Audio from camera sources is passed along the SDI and "hot" all the time thru the switcher, "hot" only when "live" on the PGM, or menu-driven volume adjusted from louder to softer to completely off at 0db).SDI - SDI - SDI... yeah, if you have cameras and other gear that have only HDMI and not SDI you probably think this switcher isn't for you, or will cost a ton to upgrade your gear to SDI or convert your HDMI camera outputs to SDI with a Blackmagic box. Guess again. And yes, some SDI diehards will pooh-pooh HDMI as the consumer version of video signal quality. Well, whatever. Here's a great, low cost solution that I'm using today on this switcher's SDI inputs: Excelvan 1080P MINI 3G HDMI to SDI Video Converter. It's a product here on Amazon Excelvan 1080P MINI 3G HDMI to SDI Video Converter for Home Theater Cinema PC Laptop HD DVD and costs (currently) under $40.00. I bought three for my three Panasonic AG-AC90 cameras, running 25' of HDMI cable from the camera to an Excelvan converter, then another 50' of SDI cable to the switcher (you can even run much longer SDI cable, but not advisable to go any longer on the HDMI cable). The video quality at the switcher is perfect. Besides new PGM and multi-view monitors (low cost) I have a Blackmagic video assist 1080p monitor that is on the switcher and it shows a flawless image from each camera with those Excelvan converters.Oh? You're concerned about the Excelvan converters needing an AC adapter (they do) and running an AC extension cord along your camera cables, adding to the clutter? Well, fellow inventors, try this because it works: Sony NP F550 batteries (7.5vdc) and a Battery Adapter Base Plate to hold one (the base plate even has the proper input jack to the Excelvan converter) found on Amazon here: Andoer® Battery Adapter Base Plate for Lilliput Monitors for FEELWORLD Monitors Compatible for Sony NP-F970 F550 F770 F970 F960 F750 Battery. The Excelvan converter operates on 5vdc to 12vdc and the F550 battery does the job! For hours and hours of solid "on" time.Good grief, I've rambled a lot. But, those seriously in need of testimony and endorsement (or daggers) usually, like me, want as much detail as possible, especially if you're going to fork out nearly $1,500 dollars (as of this writing) for something you want to work when you unbox it. This is the one. I can think of no wrongs in this purchase. I've yet to find any bugs or flaws. Oh wait, I did express to Roland that I'd like to see a way to trigger camera LED tally lights, even external 5vdc LED widgets sitting on top of my cameras. This switcher and others in this price-point do NOT have tally light capabilities, damn.Anyhow, that's my pitch for now. If you buy this V-1SDI I'm certain you'll enjoy it. Plus it beats the heck out of the "old days" of sync, timing and reference black to make NTSC inputs harmonize together (old timers will know what I'm talking about).