NEED HELP - Video Mixer - live and stream

[timato]

I don't know, I'm sorry. I am planning on getting a Decklink card when we upgrade to a Mac Pro from our G5, but currently we are down-converting our HD-SDI signal into a Y/C that then goes into an 8x8 S-Video w/ Stereo Audio router. This then feeds audio and video into a Sony DSR-20 DVCAM recorder (the tape transport mechanism went out long ago). The DSR-20 converts the S-Video and Audio into a 4-pin Firewire that feeds into Final Cut Pro to capture as a Non-Controllable Device.

When we do upgrade the computer, we will have HD-SDI straight into the Mac Pro and into FCP, capturing in probably ProRes 422 HQ, and master to an internal BlueRay drive in H.264 as a data DVD.

Hope that helps...

[petereit]

FYI, you don't get any discernible advantage capturing to ProRes 422 HQ over straight ProRes 422. All you get it much larger files. HQ is only useful if you're capturing 2K or higher resolution material. For straight HD, ProRes 422 is more than adequate.

[timato]

Thanks for the info, Mark! I haven't played with ProRes all that much, so that info is helpful!

I've been toying with Apple Intermediate Codec at 1080/60i and haven't noticed any loss in quality from DVCPro HD (which is not a full raster codec-very annoying) and Pro Res.

[SamG269]

Originally Posted by petereit

Buckhead Church in Atlanta pretty much sets the bar for quality online church video, yet they shoot everything DV.

What kind of cameras do they use? If you know.

[petereit]

Originally Posted by SamG269

What kind of cameras do they use? If you know.

Here's their entire equipment list (from their production website)


Video Switchers: Ross Synergy 2 SD (used in both auditoriums)
Studio Cameras: Panasonic AK-HC931B
Studio Camera Control: Panasonic AK-HCU931P & Panasonic AK-HRP931P
Studio Camera Viewfinders: Panasonic AK-HVF931P
Studio Camera Lenses: Canon XJ22×7.3BIE-D / HJ40×14B / HJ11xex4.5B / HJ22ex7.6B / HJ18ex28B
Studio Camera Lens Control: Canon FPD-400D & Canon ZSD-300D
Stage Cameras: Panasonic DVX-100B
Camera Tripod Systems: Vinten Vision 22 & Vinten Vision 250
Projectors (Standard Definition Side Screens): Barco SLM R-12+ Performer
Monitor Wall Displays: NEC 61XM4 – 61″ Plasma Screens
Monitor Wall Engine: Evertz MVP System
Video Monitors: Marshall LCD
Video Test Scope: Videotek TVM-821D
Engineering Test Scope: Tektronix WVR-6100
Video Router: Ross Talia Kondor
Engineering Monitors: JVC DT-V1700CG
Distribution: Ross Gear
Conversion: Cobalt Digital and AJA
Tally System: Image Video TSI-1000
Master Sync Generator: Evertz 5600MSC
Closed Circuit Television: RL Drake

[SamG269]

(cough) Did you say they set the standard? The Panasonic AK-HC931B costs $50,000! How is that setting the standard? haha. Most of could only dream of having a video system that costs $50,000. Fyi I used to go to this church. Its basically North Point church. Chris Tomlin, Mat Redman, David Crowder, Passion. All of them more or less came from this church or had a relationship with the church. Got to see them when they where fresh.

[petereit]

Originally Posted by SamG269

(cough) Did you say they set the standard? The Panasonic AK-HC931B costs $50,000! How is that setting the standard? haha. Most of could only dream of having a video system that costs $50,000.

No, I said, "Buckhead Church in Atlanta pretty much sets the bar for quality online church video, yet they shoot everything DV."

Do you HAVE to spend $50,000 on a camera to get Buckhead's quality? No. We spent $6,000 on our HD cameras and I'm VERY pleased with our quality. But I study Buckhead's production closely because they have already solved most of the issues I am dealing with, or will be dealing with as we grow. When I look at their equipment list, I ask myself, "What does this do? Why is it important? Do we/will we need it to accomplish our goals? Is there a newer/cheaper/better option that will work for us?".

You don't need to spend a gazillion dollars to put together a competent media ministry. But I think you DO need to take time to study the folks who excel at their media ministry and at least understand why they use the equipment they use, and just as importantly HOW they use it.

And don't get hung up on the cost of their equipment. Your financial source is the same as theirs.

[timato]

Well said, Peter!

I, too, am a firm believer in always being a student and learning from those who have invented the wheel before you came along. There will always be commonalities between ministries and we can always learn from others' mistakes.

Our current system is reaching the end of its current upgrade and while we'll spend nearly $80k on the project, that has been spread out over about 5 years. It's important to remember that sticker shock should not set in when seeing large numbers; this stuff costs money to R&D and produce, even more so for the higher-quality components.

If the equipment is what you need, break it down into sizable chunks and start fundraising, never losing sight of the goal at the end.

Just my two cents.

Tim

[ryan101]

I would suggest looking into the NewTek Tricaster TCXD 300. It is a portable, HD Switcher that has the ability to broadcast, record, live stream, and project simotaniously. This product will stream line your equipment, costs, and production crew.