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Getting to Know the VR-50HD MK II
- Walks you through the VR-50HD MK II with a 20 minute overhead demo.
- Covers new features in the version 2.00 update.

VR-50HD MK II: Video Overview of New Features
- A detailed update on all the new features added with version 2.00.

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INSTRUCTION MANUALS

Inside the box is a copy of the Startup Guide.

Please download the Reference Manual as well, it contains detailed walkthroughs for every feature and external control information.

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FIRMWARE UPDATES

Please check that the firmware on your VR-50HD MK II is version 2.03:

Go to: MENU > SYSTEM / SETUP > VERSION (on the last page)

If it is an earlier version, use this update guide:

VR-50HD MK II: How to Update the System Program Firmware

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CHOOSING CAMERAS

These guides help you choose the best type of camera for your workflow, set it up to output a compatible video resolution, and also output video without menu overlays or screen information.

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VIDEO RESOLUTIONS

The VR-50HD MK II has multi-format input scalers on each input, which automatically resize the input sources to match the output resolution.

There is also an output scaler to further adjust the output resolution, as well as output size and position.

These are like worry-free inputs, allowing you to mix different source resolutions together across your inputs.

You can set the VR-50HD MK II's system output resolution by going to: Menu > Video / Output > Format

VR-50HD MK II: How to Set Up and Adjust the Video Input and Output Formats

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AUDIO SETUP

When you first turn on the VR-50HD MK II, it is set to mix all analog and digital embedded input audio at their current levels and output the mix via the SDI/HDMI and USB outputs. You can adjust the levels using a combination of the panel controls, the various audio Setup buttons, and the LCD menu.

If you do not hear audio when setting up streaming for the first time, check that the USB AUDIO knob is turned up to 12'o'clock, it's located along the top of the mixer.

Audio Signal Flow:

Mic, Line, and
HDMI/SDI Audio

Main fader

HDMI/SDI outputs

USB AUDIO knob

USB Streaming output

Note: This diagram does not cover the AUX audio buses, please see the Audio Mix Minus article below for more information

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AUTOMATION TOOLS

The VR-50HD MK II can switch cameras based on who’s speaking into their microphone. If both people talk at once, or if no one is speaking, the VR-4HD can switch to a wide shot showing both presenters.

VR-50HD MK II: How to Set Up Video Follows Audio Switching Automation

The VR-50HD MK II also supports auto-mixing of your audio levels.

VR-50HD MK II: How to Set Up and Use Auto Mixing in your Audio Mix

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CONNECTING LAPTOPS

On your PC or Mac, there are two ways to set up the computer's HDMI output to your VR-50HD MK II: Duplicate and Extend.

Duplicate creates a copy of your Desktop, including your Taskbar or Dock. Your mouse will appear on both screens.
Extend creates a clean desktop, and you can move your mouse between the two.

These guides walk you through general setup in Windows 10 and MacOS:

If you use software that generates visuals or plays media files, there may be additional screen output settings in the software:

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AEROCASTER SWITCHER

The VR-50HD MK II gives you free access to Roland’s AeroCaster Switcher for iPad. With this app, you can wirelessly connect and switch up to five sources (phone cameras, tablet cameras, laptop webcams, and laptop browser tabs), then output a combined program feed to an HDMI input on the VR-50HD MK II.

AeroCaster Switcher Product Page

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ADDING LIVE GRAPHICS

You can overlay graphics like lower thirds and logos using the PinP/KEY or STILL KEY functions, which use a keyer to remove a solid color from an overlay source.

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ADDING STILL IMAGES

You can import still images using the Capture Image function, which creates a still image from any video input or Program Output, or import them using a flash drive and the USB Memory port.

A 16 GB or smaller USB Flash Drive is recommended
- Larger drives may not format or function
- SD card adapters and hard drives are not compatible
The Format setting in the menu will format the USB Flash Drive as "FAT32"
- You can also format it using your computer, but using the menu is recommended

Here are the recommended settings to import a still image via USB:

Format

Bitmap (.bmp), 24-bit color, uncompressed

Resolution

Matches the System Format:

720P = 1280x720

1080i/1080P = 1920x1080

File Name

No more than 8 single-byte alphanumeric characters

* Add the extension ".bmp"

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STREAMING VIDEO

The USB Type B "USB Streaming" port on the back of the VR-50HD MK II can:

Output audio and video to a computer

The USB Type A "USB Memory" port on the top can:

Update the SYS firmware
Backup and restore settings
Import still images

The USB Type A "Remote" port on the back can:

Update the NPU firmware

Streaming Setup Guides

A USB cable is not included. The following cables are recommended:

Recommended USB Cables for Streaming and Recording

If you have any issues with your USB signal, this guide helps you troubleshoot the connection:

VR-50HD MK II: Troubleshooting USB Video and Audio Output

Streaming Software Guides

Windows

Roland Live Streamer: How to Set Up and Use this Free Software to Stream
- Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, etc.
- Compatible with Windows 10/11 and Roland streaming hardware
  - Requires Intel i5 or higher with Quick Sync, i3 and Celeron may not work
  - AMD processors are not compatible

Windows and Mac

Roland Switchers: How to Customize Live Streams With OBS
- Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, etc.
- Compatible with Windows, Mac, and all capture devices
Roland Switchers: How to Stream to Zoom Directly
- Compatible with Windows, Mac, and all capture devices

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RECORDING VIDEO

You can record the VR-50HD MK II's USB streaming output with software that can record UVC video.

A USB cable is not included. The following cables are recommended:

Recommended USB Cables for Streaming and Recording

If you have any issues with your USB signal, this guide helps you troubleshoot the connection:

VR-50HD MK II: Troubleshooting USB Video and Audio Output

Here are some software guides:

Windows

Roland Live Recorder: How to Set Up and Use this Free Software to Record Video
- Compatible with Windows 10/11 and Roland streaming hardware
  - Requires Intel i5 or higher with Quick Sync, i3 and Celeron may not work
  - AMD processors are not compatible

Windows and Mac

Roland Video Capture for VR
- Compatible with Windows, Mac (Intel & M1), and all capture devices
- Roland Switchers: M1 Mac Compatibility Information

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PTZ CAMERA CONTROL

You can control up to 6 PTZ cameras over a network using the VR-50HD MK II's LCD screen.

VR-50HD MK II: Set Up and Control PTZ Cameras

Compatible PTZ brands include: Avonic, JVC, Panasonic, PTZ Optics, and Sony.

Sony cameras use the "VISCA Over IP" protocol
Other cameras may work with the "VISCA Over IP" protocol, but are not officially supported
Supports PTZ control over IP, and not RS-232 or RS-422

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PROTECTING SETTINGS

There are multiple ways to protect your settings on the VR-50HD MK II:

Store settings as a Preset Memory
- (Reference Manual, page 35, 56)
Backup all settings using the USB Memory Port
- (Reference Manual, page 36, 56)
Enable Panel Lock for some of the physical controls
- (Reference Manual, page 57)

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HDCP TROUBLESHOOTING

The VR-50HD MK II supports many video source devices, but DVD/Blu-Ray players and Streaming Boxes require HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) to be turned on in the system settings. Once enabled, the signal will pass through.

But there are exceptions. If the VR-50HD MK II's HDMI output is connected to a recording or streaming device, or a converter that outputs SDI or Analog video, that device will block the DVD/Blu-Ray player's HDCP copy-protected signal passing through the switcher.

So long as the only destination devices are displays or projectors, then you should not have any issues with enabling HDCP.

On the VR-50HD MK II, turning on HDCP will also disable the SDI, Analog, and USB streaming outputs.

HDMI CAT Extenders: These are a pair of converters that extend an HDMI signal by converting it to Ethernet and back to HDMI again. These extenders may add HDCP to the signal, even if the source is a camera. Please check with the extender's manufacturer regarding compatibility. SDI converters or HDBaseT extenders are recommended as they do not add or require HDCP.

Game Consoles: These may have HDCP enabled by default for all games and content, or just for streaming services and disc playback. If you want to stream or record the Roland's output, then HDCP needs to be disabled on both the game console and the Roland. Consoles either do this automatically or have a menu setting. Check your game console's manual for more information.