Video inserter that provides an economical way to recover signals in the vertical blanking interval that may be lost during video processing such as video compression or overlay and comb filtering. This would include closed caption data on line 21, ghost cancellation reference signal on line 19 and other signals in the vertical interval. Using front panel switches, any of lines 10 through 21 may be selected for insertion by the IEC-787. Odd and even fields are handled separately. The keyer employs the same high performance phase linear circuit used by closed caption equipment to provide clean insertion, completely free of artifacts. Overall video handling is outstanding as well. A switchable monitor output allows the user to view either of the video inputs ahead of the keyer. For system timing, a front panel calibrate switch will cause the unit to alternate between inputs at a field rate. If no input is connected to the VBI source input BNC, it may be used to simply pass or delete selected lines in the VBI of the program video. Packaged in attractive and rugged 700 series chassis.