Final answer:
The video switcher or vision mixer is the equipment that enables an AV team to change video inputs seamlessly during a live broadcast, allowing for real-time transitions and edits in the video feed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The piece of equipment that allows the AV (audiovisual) team to change video input seamlessly during a broadcast is known as a video switcher or a vision mixer. These devices are used in television production and filmmaking to switch between different video sources. In a live production environment, this allows the director to manage multiple feeds — such as cameras, pre-recorded video, graphics, and more — and choose which should be on air at any given moment. Video switchers are crucial for live events, news broadcasts, sports games, and any situation where real-time editing is required.
Using a video switcher, the broadcast team can make instantaneous changes between shots and sources without any hesitation or interruption to the flow of the broadcast, ensuring a smooth viewing experience for the audience. It should also be noted that, within a television control room, there are often feeds from many other networks, which help producers and reporters monitor different perspectives on the same events and stay alerted to new developments worldwide.