Has anyone been using Vidblaster Software Switcher?

[greenidge]

We are looking to go to a 2 or 3 camera setup for streaming our church services and I have tested Vidblaster and it seems that it would work but I would appreciate some feedback from anyone that has been using it. We would be streaming to Utream and using .jpg's for scripture verses. We would use the $195 version (7 modules).

[wmmsaved]

I use it to webcast our service each week and it works very well. Be sure to monitor the CPU usage during your test to make sure you have plenty of breathing room there. If so, I'd say go for it.

Some on this board don't like software switchers but we've had zero problems with ours.

What's more, Mike, the Swedish guy who writes the software, is directly accessible via the Vidblaster forum. He's a bit surly if you don't follow procedures or do a search before posting but I don't know anywhere else that you get that kind of accessibility. (I don't think he ever sleeps.) You can also request new or enhanced features and, if you can convince him of the need, he'll add it.

If you have any other questions about it, I'll be happy to tell you what I know.

Michael
bambuser.com/channel/fcbcjax

[greenidge]

Thanks for the info.
Which version did you buy?
Do you use Powerpoint for scripture verses? How did it look?
We are looking at the Home version (just because of the price) but we are unsure if it will meet our needs since it is only 7 modules. If the video window is standard then we should be ok but if not then we will be one module short!

[wmmsaved]

Hi,

We have the Vidblaster Pro. We currently have 2 cameras and our PowerPoint computer as main sources. Since we plan to add cameras later and wanted the ability to directly access stills, audio, graphics (such as you see in the lower third of the screen), effects and moving video, we needed more modules than the Home version could supply. The nice thing about Vidblaster is, the moment you see you need more, you can instantly purchase the license for the desired upgrade.

Here's link to one of our webcasts:
http://bambuser.com/channel/fcbcjax/broadcast/1369547

The sermon begins about 40 minutes in and there are a few PowerPoint slides in the first couple of minutes that can give you an idea of how they look.

In order to take the video from the PowerPoint computer, we purchased an inexpensive scan converter that passes through the vga currently feeding our large screens and provides a composite video output (s-video also) that feeds the Osprey 440 video capture card on our web cast computer.

Link to scan converter: http://www.svideo.com/pctvconverter.html ($33.95)

You'll also need an audio delay unit. When you connect your audio to the input on your sound card, it will be processed separately from the video and you lose sync. (Our video is about 400 ms behind the audio so we set the audio delay to 400 and that does the trick.) We used a Behringer Shark DSP 100 that I got for about $50 on eBay. They are under $100 new. There are better delay units but we're happy with this one. The unit also provides limiting and compression which, being a one-man production band, I find very helpful in maintaining consistent audio levels on the web cast.

You'll probably also want to get a small audio mixer (also easily under $100) to mix your PA audio with a "presence" mic (can be the one on the camera) and any sound you want to take from your computer such as video sound tracks and music.

Hope this isn't too much info.

Michael

[wmmsaved]

One more thing...
No modules are "standard." You have to count each one. Be sure to allow one each for audio and streaming, too.

[VidBlasterUS]

Originally Posted by wmmsaved

Hi,

You'll also need an audio delay unit. When you connect your audio to the input on your sound card, it will be processed separately from the video and you lose sync. (Our video is about 400 ms behind the audio so we set the audio delay to 400 and that does the trick.) We used a Behringer Shark DSP 100 that I got for about $50 on eBay. They are under $100 new. There are better delay units but we're happy with this one. The unit also provides limiting and compression which, being a one-man production band, I find very helpful in maintaining consistent audio levels on the web cast.

You'll probably also want to get a small audio mixer (also easily under $100) to mix your PA audio with a "presence" mic (can be the one on the camera) and any sound you want to take from your computer such as video sound tracks and music.

Hope this isn't too much info.

Michael

Thanks for the detailed explanation of your production system. Have you tried taking the audio out from your mixer and going directly into the the Osprey card instead of the computer's audio input? That should eliminate any delay between the audio and video. I have several VidBlaster tutorial videos on my site and I will add one in the future regarding this issue.

[wmmsaved]

Yes, I tried that but my Win 7 machine did not seem to recognize the Osprey's audio inputs, just the video so Vidblaster could not seem them either. I have yet to get the chance to further pursue that situation to see if there was a solution. The $50 delay unit we had worked so I've just used that as have others.

[greenidge]

Have you had any trouble with the Audio surging up higher when you hit the record button on the Recorder Module? I am having this problem right now and I don't know why. I checked VidBlaster's forum and one person said that they ended up using a PCI sound card to get around it. I am using ver 1.25 Beta but I also had the problem on ver 1.19 (that's why I switched to ver 1.25 Beta)

[wmmsaved]

I have not experienced that but had almost the opposite for the first time this past Sunday. My level on the microphone input in Win 7 kept mysteriously creeping DOWN causing the audio to my webcast to be low. I'm using a version or 2 below yours (1.23 or 1.24, can't recall). Don't yet know if this was a VB issue or Windows 7.

[wmmsaved]

Need to add...

My workaround was to keep the Windows 7 microphone record level window open. If I did that, I could adjust to a proper level and it remained steady. If I closed it, the level immediately dropped.

[greenidge]

I am using XP and have the same problem, I see the Record volume jump up in the Windows record level window so like you, I can adjust it back down. I think it is a bug and I am on the VidBlaster Forum pushing that idea. Someone else has the same problem so hopefully Mike(the guy that wrote the code) will take a closer look at it. Someone said that they used a PCI sound card and they did not have a problem after that, I am hoping for a simpler solution.

[wmmsaved]

Have you tried my workaround (leaving mic level window open) and does it work for you? Also, if you will post or PM me with a link to your post in the VB bugs forum, I'll check in over there with a +1.