NEED HELP - Video Mixer - live and stream

[yogaf]

Hi all, I am totally a newbie both in this forum and this video world. We have this new vision to expand to video ministry in our church.
We are planning to buy video mixer/switcher that can take 3-4 input (more is better) video and audio too. I hope that at least I can make 720p min (1080p or i is preferable). The output we want it to be digital (file that can be store on harddrive) so we can edit or upload for streaming.

My question.
Can you suggest me should I get hardware mixer (like edirol, or etc) or PC/MAC base mixer (using software)? Please tell me what is the pro and cons between both systems.

If PC/or MAC base - what is your recommended software and video capture card (I assumed that what we need to be able to capture those cameras).

Is HD make a big difference?

What budget that I am looking at.

Thank you for all your input, GBU

[petereit]

In order to switch HD signals, you're going to need a dedicated HD switcher. They're not cheap. The cheapest deal I could find was a used Panasonic HS300G for $3,500.

You really can't use a PC to do the switching because even the fastest PCs only have enough power to ingest one HD stream at a time. The most notable exception to that is the PC-based Tricaster XD300 system, but that costs somewhere in the neighborhood of $15,000.

If your primary aim is to stream, you really don't need HD. In fact, HD can make it more difficult for you because you'll just need to downsample anyway.

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

[yogaf]

Thank you for your input, you mention tha"I don't need HD" what is your recommended format that I should use (DV)?
In the current days, is PC is a good Video mixer or not recommended?
Say if I am using the Panasonic HS-300G how can I convert the final video to a Harddrive? Do I need converter or it has build in Harddrive?

[petereit]

If your goal is streaming internet video, DV cameras are all you need.
If your goal is to edit video for distribution on DVD, DV cameras are all you need.
If your goal is to edit video for local broadcast, DV cameras are all you need.
If your goal is to edit video for nationwide or worldwide HD broadcast, or distribution on Blu-Ray DVD, then you will need HD cameras.

PCs do not make good video mixers.

To record the output from our Panasonic HS-300G, we use an 8-core Mac Pro workstation equipped with an Aja Kona LHi capture card.

[yogaf]

HAhahhahhaa... thanks for the clarification...
So the Aja Kona LHi capture card is digitizing / capturing video (output) from mixer becoming digital file. Is that true?

[yogaf]

What do you think about the Digital Mixer WJMX50 can you tell me what is the difference with the HS-300G

Thanks

[timato]

Yogaf,

Well, the difference is that the WJM X50 is an analog switcher, near as I can tell. Sure, it says digital, but in this case it's referring to the effects that are digital, not the processing of the video signal.

The 300G is an all digital mixer, meaning that from the signal acquisition to the output, the signal is kept in the digital realm. Another advantage is that is has a built-in DVI-I input so you can integrate computer graphics into your video mix.

Panasonic actually has a brand-new unit, even smaller and more economical than the 300G...The AW-HS50N, which also has DVI-I input and output.

Perhaps you can tell us if you have HD cameras at this point, or SD? What cameras do you have? What outputs you have available to you, and if you want to upgrade your cameras (or buy news ones if you have none at this point), will really be your guiding star as far as what switcher you want and/or need to purchase.

So, let's start there.

[waynehoskins]

The MX50 is most definitely an analog switcher, and a pretty junky one at that (i.e., not broadcast quality). It's definitely useful, but never a first choice.

The "digital" probably refers to the built-in frame syncs, but nothing more. Maybe the digital readouts on the front panel, or the bazillion effect wipes that no broadcaster would ever use.

[yogaf]

@timato & wayne
thank you, for the reply. we finally bought the Panasonic AV-H300G mixer with analog option (component) input. Currently we are using consumer grade HD camera which is the Panasonic HS-9 (component and HDMI output )... we are hoping when we have more funding, we would like to upgrade our system.

My question is, we are looking for a recording device that can record from the output of our system. H300S have the option of either SDI/HDSDI or Component.

Let me know what you think.

[timato]

Do you want a dedicated recorder (like an AJA KiPro) or are you ok with going into a computer? Do you have a computer already? If you have a PC or Mac tower already, see if the Blackmagic Design Decklink SDI card will work for you. It's $300, though you may have to purchase Final Cut Pro or Premiere to work with it, but that would get you HD footage into the computer, ready for editing.

There are other options, like the Sony HVR-M15AU HDV VTR, but at nearly $2000, I think you can do better.

Hope that helps.

[timato]

Sorry, I must amend my last post; the Decklink SDI will NOT support audio that is not first embedded in the SDI stream. You would need the Decklink Studio to do that. However, I still feel it's a good route to go and would keep things in the relatively inexpensive range. Remember, you get what you pay for and you'll want to make foundational purchases (equipment you can build on and out from that will serve you now and in the future).

[yogaf]

@timato,icky
We don't have any PC yet, I personally also think that PC base recorder is also the way to go.
What do you think comparing Decklink Studio vs Intensity Shuttle?
I know Intensity Shuttle is very picky on the motherboard base... do you know if Decklink Studio too?
What type of recorder are you using?