Multiple Video Feeds to 1 LCD Screen

[canucknate]

Hi All,
First time post here, I will try and make it clear and concise.

At our church we currently use 6 5" LCD screens that take video in (VGA or BNC), display the image and then loop it out to wherever we are sending that particular feed. These monitors have been a thorn in our side as they keep breaking. In fact our supplier has informed us that the manufacturer is going to discontinue them because they are basically junk.

So we need to find something to replace them. As with most churches $$$ are scarce and I want to be able to come up with an economical yet reliable solution.

We could go the way of individual 5" screens again but I am thinking there has got to be a way to do this where we take the video feeds into a multiplexer (similar to CCTV security camera's) and then be able to view all the camera's on 1 17 or 19" screen.

I have searched the internet for solutions but keep running stuck, it may be I am using the wrong terminology.

To summarize our requirements:
- Multiple inputs (BNC, VGA, HDMI, it doesn't really matter as we have a bunch of converters/scalars in place already)
- Loop-out for each input
- Preview the feed coming in (whether it be on a small 5" display or a single LCD screen split up for each feed)

If it helps we use Kramer products for all of our video distribution. Your idea's are greatly appreciated and hopefully one day we can start sharing some of our knowledge/experience.

[Brad Weber]

There are multiviewers and even multiformat multiviewers, but not necessarily ones with loop-through inputs or that might fit your budget, the latter being unknown. And several newer production type switchers have integrated multiview capability. But I think it might be better to first address the overall intent and application.

What is the use and what are you actually trying to do overall? For example, do you really need to see all six images at all times or would being able to view any selected one or two at a time be acceptable? You say "BNC, VGA, HDMI, it doesn't really matter as we have a bunch of converters/scalars in place already" but that seems likely to matter in terms of exactly what you have, acceptable image quality and what the destinations accept. Might it be worthwhile to step back from simply replacing what you have and looking at the overall concept to see if there is a better or more effective option?

[Natepelzel]

Blackmagic Design's ATEM production switchers found on this page Should be able to do what you want. Not the most affordable option, but definitely more affordable than their competitors.

I have not used this particular item yet (ordered one last week, waiting for it to arrive) but I have used blackmagic design's products for a long time, and they make top notch equipment.

The ATEM switcher (what I linked you to up above) would be able to take all feeds in, and display them all on a single monitor via either hdmi or sdi. If you'd rather just get some more small monitors, BlackMagic also makes some affordable monitors found on this page.

I really hope that helps you, let me know if you have any questions!

Nate

[canucknate]

Hey Brad,

Our budget is in the 5-7k range, based on input from another individual on our crew who is strictly looking at replacing what we have with a different brand. I think we can do it much cheaper (it's the dutch in me).

Right now our current system allows us to use 15 Pin VGA or BNC, we currently have the VGA (as we were too cheap to buy the correct VGA to BNC cables, a mistake in my opinion as video quality is degraded).

The purpose of this whole project is to give our video operators the confidence they are sending the right feeds to the correct area's in the building (hence the loop requirement, conversely I could split the feed too). From our production booth we can send multiple PC feeds; what we are streaming on Sunday mornings; TV signal; in-house video; etc. This can be done so we broadcast the same thing everywhere, or multiple signals to multiple locations (i.e. service to nursery, playoff hockey to the boardroom, simutaneously). Rarely do these feeds change in service but its something our video team is used to and its next to impossible just to take it away.

[canucknate]

Hey Nate,

First off I have to congratulate you on a fine name.

Thanks for the link I will take a look at it and see if it may work. We actually just purchased a Intensity Pro card for our video stream and are slowly getting it working the way we want it to.