Switcher or Scaler?

[dljordaneku]

Originally posted by Tone


The key is in understanding that unless you're willing to spend over $7k, you won't get true seamless switching on a scaler. True, you could scan convert down the PC and use a sub-$2,000 video mixer for all of it, but then you've lost the high resolution PC image.

Well, since Tone mentioned a higher price I want to 1. ask him a question and 2. give you another option. We use the Analogway Smartfade and I know we didn't pay 7K for it. More like 4K. It lets us hook our DVD, VCR and pc and switch between the three. The question I have now is Tone mentioned you wouldn't get a true seamless switcher for less than 7K. If that is the case, then what do or don't have in this case.

dj

Originally posted by Charlie Brown
Phugger

I think Tone has got your artwork beat.

Heh -- Probably more accurate to say "Extron has your artwork beat". I did write a tutorial on this subject HERE. It gives you a few options. TV One does have a scaler switcher, but the best I can do for community members is $995 on it...

[[Admin] PHugger]

I think what Tone is referring to by seamless is the ability to cross fade between two live feeds. You need more than one scaler to do that. If you only have a single scaler the switch must freeze image #1 as it begins to scale and fade into image #2. This is for two moving images - still images are easy. Our Folsom switch has two scalers and does a nice seamless job of switching, but we paid for that...... )c8


PCH

How many switchable inputs does Tim's CSC-1100A scaler have? It's in your price range..... (c8

How many switchable inputs does Tim's CSC-1100A scaler have? It's in your price range..... (c8

Four - but they are all different:

1 Composite (maybe a VCR, or better yet, put tape over it. I feel the same way about composite as I do VHS and MPEG1)

1 S-Video (a VCR)

1 Component (a DVD Player)

1 VGA (Computer)

Sometimes theres a little flicker when going from computer to one of the analog inputs. If you needed more inputs you could always add another switcher before the unit. We've sold a dozen of these and none of them have come back. The product can be found HERE.

Don't feel like you guys can't talk about other specific products and where to buy them in this thread. Ain't no big thang...

[dljordaneku]

Originally posted by Phugger
I think what Tone is referring to by seamless is the ability to cross fade between two live feeds. You need more than one scaler to do that.

To the best of my knowledge (and that is not saying a lot) it will do a seamless fade between two live feeds. We run announcements in Sunday plus while also running a countdown timer that we got from Willowcreek on DVD and I will switch between the two every so often. When I do switch, I can see the other still running while the fade it going on. I have seen the announcement change while fading back to the timer. Is that what you are refering to?

dj

Originally posted by Phugger
Dave - If you had to make a choice between going low tech (low budget) immediately or waiting to spend more money on a scaler/switcher than you can currently afford/justify what would you do?
Best regards,
PCH

I'd do like I said and get the scaler first... We spent a little over a grand on a Videonics MXPro switcher (which we HAVE put to good use). But, we could do just about everything that we do now - OK a couple of things would be tough if not impossible - just using the scaler's switching capability (like Tone's drawing) For a basic PPT/VHS/DVD switch (no Imag, no more than 4 inputs, no crazy transitions) a scaler will do it with the added benefits to the video resolutions!

That's the way I would do it, especially if I was on a tight budget.

[[Admin] PHugger]

DJ - I'm not sure I understand your setup. It may be that you are just switching between two non-scaled sources. They were both VGA already. If you are switching a video source - live camera - with another video source - dvd - you'll need multiple scalers to do it seamlessly. As the image starts to fade from Image 1 to image 2 they can't both be getting attention from a single scaler. Image 1 is frozen in a frame buffer for the transition period while image 2 gets scaled. I think it's quite different for two VGA sources - but I could be wrong.

I reread your post - you only have one source - DVD - that needs scaling. I guess it would work. The VGA source (announcements) don't need to be scaled. Tada!

Best regards,
PCH

[Andrew Proulx]

On the AnalogWay SmartFade, when transitioning from one video source (composite, s-vhs or componet) to another video source (composite, s-vhs or componet) the SmartFade will do a quick fade to black the to the other source so you dont see the scaler switching sources.

On tim's budget scaler, We used to use a inexpensive one as well. We ran vcr to s-video in, dvd to componet in, computer to vga feed thru and program out from our wjmx20 mixer to the composite in for IMAG. Tim's setup would definatly get you up and running with the leasat amount of cash out of pocket and the best quality. Best bang for the buck.

[sempei13]

I was the one who made the call on the switcher vs. the scaler at Dave's church and my concern was switching, not resolution (which a cheaper scaler could temporarily fix). I think Tone's comment on price of a switching scaler is right on. I've used another scaler that caused a visable glitch when switched, so don't think a scaler is the answer (for very little money).

Paul

So many posts, what was the original. If you want to go seemless and don't have any cameras to switch to. I would capture all of your video elements and put them directly into your worship software. That way there is no switching between the computer and the DVD or VHS player. This is what we do to avoid any quirks or human error (which seems to happen anyway ).

[sempei13]

Two problems w/that. First, it takes more time to capture the media into the computer. Second, it may violate copyright (depending on the media). Third, software solutions are more apt to fail when dealing with full motion video than hardware solutions.

Third? Wait, I'll go again.

Nobody expect the Spanish inquisition...

Paul

Whoa call off the dogs! Just kidding.

We use MediaShout and I put the movie clip directly into it and it seems to be easier to work with a finished clip that I know will stop when it's supposed to. With some people running the video it could go over and when you're using a movie clip, you have a scene that it has to finish on, not before, not after.

Secondly, it takes more time to capture. Wait, that's a plus for you....anyways.