VR-400UHD: Quickstart Guide
This article contains links and information to help you get started with the VR-400UHD.
For additional support, please submit a ticket at roland.com/backstage
Quickstart Topics:
Click on a topic to jump to that section
PRODUCT VIDEOS
INSTRUCTION MANUALS
Startup Guide - Covers connecting equipment and general information.
- This is a PDF copy of the manual of the box.
Reference Manual - Contains detailed walkthroughs for every feature and menu setting.
- This manual is PDF only.
Remote Control Guide - Contains detailed information for LAN and RS-232 control.
- This manual is PDF only.
FIRMWARE UPDATES
Please check that the firmware on your VR-400UHD is version 1.10:
- Press the SETUP button > tap SYSTEM > tap VERSION
If it is an earlier version, use this update guide:
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.
- Roland Switchers: How to Choose a Camera for Live Video
- Roland Switchers: How to Setup Clean HDMI Output on your Camera
VIDEO RESOLUTIONS
The System Format setting is the resolution and frame rate of the HDMI outputs.
To change the System Format, go to:
- SETUP > VIDEO > FORMAT
If your System Format is 3840x2160, you can individually down-convert HDMI outputs to 1920x1080.
To change this, go to:
- SETUP > VIDEO > HDMI X > UHD-FHV DOWN CONVERT > ENABLED
The USB output format is independent, with separate settings for Resolution and Frame Rate.
To change this, go to:
- SETUP > VIDEO > USB > RESOLUTION
- SETUP > VIDEO > USB > FRAME RATE
AUDIO SETUP
When you first turn on the VR-400UHD, it is set to mix all XLR and SDI/HDMI input audio at their current levels and output the mix via the HDMI outputs. You can adjust the levels using a combination of the panel controls and the Audio menu.
- VR-400UHD: How to Set Up Audio (Coming Soon)
-
VR-400UHD: Audio Operations
(Reference Manual, page 20)
CONNECTING LAPTOPS
On your PC or Mac, there are two ways to set up the computer's HDMI output to your VR-400UHD: 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:
- Roland Switchers: How to Set Up a Windows PC as a Presentation Source
- Roland Switchers: How to Set Up a Mac as a Presentation Source
If you use software that generates visuals or plays media files, there may be additional screen output settings in the software:
- EasyWorship: Screen Setup
- NewBlue: Output Graphics with HDMI
- PowerPoint: Present on Multiple Monitors
- ProPresenter: Screen Configuration
- Resolume: Output Setup
ADDING LIVE GRAPHICS
You can overlay graphics like lower thirds and logos on Layers 1 and 2 in each scene, and using the DSK and LOGO functions, which use a keyer to remove a solid color from an overlay source.
-
VR-400UHD: Using DSK and LOGO Composition
(Reference Manual, page 14)
- Roland Switchers: How to Set Up PowerPoint for Chroma Key Graphics
- Roland Switchers: Tips to Improve Text Readability with Luma Key
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 JPEG (.jpg, .jpeg), 24-bit color PNG (.png), 24-bit color or 32-bit with alpha channel |
| Resolution |
Matches the System Format: 1080P = 1920x1080 2160P = 3840x2160 |
| File Name |
Use 8 single-byte alphanumeric characters * The extension ".bmp", ".jpg", ".jpeg", or ".png" must be added |
-
VR-400UHD: Loading a Still Image
(Reference Manual, page 15)
STREAMING VIDEO
The USB-C 4K STREAMING port on the back of the VR-400UHD can:
- Output 4K video and audio for streaming and recording
The USB HOST 2 Type A port on back of the VR-400UHD can:
- Import still images
- Backup and restore settings
- Update the firmware
The USB HOST 1 port is used for firmware updates.
The LAN port is used to control the switcher remotely.
Streaming Setup Guides
A USB-C cable is not included. The following cables are recommended:
If you use Zoom or Teams with a recommended cable and you notice any issues with the video quality, please use this guide to change your USB output setting:
If you have any other issues with your USB signal, this guide helps you troubleshoot the connection:
- VR-400UHD: Troubleshooting USB Video and Audio Output (Coming Soon)
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
RECORDING VIDEO
You can record the VR-400UHD's USB streaming output with software that can record UVC video.
A USB-C cable is not included. The following cables are recommended:
Note that Roland's software for recording video only support HD. To record 4K video, use OBS Studio
SOFTWARE CONTROL
The VR-400UHD has free built-in remote control software you can access with a web browser.
To connect the VR-400UHD to the web browser, you will need the following:
- Ethernet Cable
-
VR-400UHD: Connecting to a Network
(Reference Manual, page 29) -
VR-400UHD: WebRCS Web App
(Reference Manual, page 32)
PROTECTING SETTINGS
There are multiple ways to protect your settings on the VR-400UHD:
- Backup all settings using the USB Memory Port
- Enable Panel Lock for some of the physical controls
HDCP TROUBLESHOOTING
The VR-400UHD 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-400UHD's outputs are 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.
On the VR-400UHD, turning on HDCP will also disable the SDI output.
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.
- VR-400UHD: How to Input Copy-Protected (HDCP) Video
PRODUCT IMAGES
Click each image for a larger version:
ADDITIONAL LINKS
-
VR-400UHD Product Page
- Introduction, Overview, etc.
-
VR-400UHD Specifications
- Detailed Hardware Specifications
-
VR-400UHD Downloads
- System Software Update
-
VR-400UHD Manuals
- Owner's Manual, Reference Manual, etc.
-
Knowledge Base: VR-400UHD
- Additional Support Articles