Need your Help on Video Mixer advice

[ANNON]

Hi to everyone. I need your advice/suggestion.

I'm a Video Editor and this is the first time I'm going to shoot a live concert. The producer wants that the singer will be seen in a big screen. What equipment do I need? As far as I know, Video Mixer, Projector and Screen is what I needed. My first option is to rent. In the future I was planning to buy it too.

Here's my question?

Equipment I need?
Size of the Screen ?
Video Mixer, I don't have any Idea how to use this? I will use 2 Camera on the event?
Any tips or idea was mean a lot to me.

If I'm going to buy, can you please give me an advice what brand of video mixer that work fine for $2000 - $3000 budget and $1500-$2500 for Projector and Screen.

One of my friend told me that Edirol Video Mixer is design for DJ, what can you say on DataVideo brand.

Which one is best LCD or DLP, is 3500 lumens is enoug?

Thanks so much to all, looking forward to your help.

God bless.

[tdangelo]

There are many factors involved in what you are trying to do, if you want to do it well. For example, will the screen show up in camera shots, even wide shots? Is the screen part of the set? What is the average illumination level of the stage?fficeffice" />>>
>>
Past those questions/issues, there are basically two different types of switchers. One which will require that any source be “timed” to a master sync before input to the switcher. Or (two), a switcher which has built in frame synchronizers and therefore the sources do not need to arrive at the switcher timed. The easier of the two (for someone without engineering experience, and/or on a tight budget) is the switcher which has built in frame synchronizers, however this will cause “video delay” which may (will) cause lip-sync issues between the live sound and the images on the projection screen.
>>
My suggestion would be to rent a system which comes complete with all the toys you need to get the job done right …. Including a technician.
>>
What is your location?
>>
Hope this helps.
>>
- Tom

[tdangelo]

There are many factors involved in what you are trying to do, if you want to do it well. For example, will the screen show up in camera shots, even wide shots? Is the screen part of the set? What is the average illumination level of the stage?
Past those questions/issues, there are basically two different types of switchers. One which will require that any source be “timed” to a master sync before input to the switcher. Or (two), a switcher which has built in frame synchronizers and therefore the sources do not need to arrive at the switcher timed. The easier of the two (for someone without engineering experience, and/or on a tight budget) is the switcher which has built in frame synchronizers, however this will cause “video delay” which may (will) cause lip-sync issues between the live sound and the images on the projection screen.
My suggestion would be to rent a system which comes complete with all the toys you need to get the job done right …. Including a technician.
What is your location?
Hope this helps.
- Tom

[Tenderman]

Edirol, Datavideo, even Videonics make satisfactory mixers to do what you want. You can get used Videonics gear on Ebay for a reasonable price (I have). A lot of people look down their nose at it, but the MX1 compares favorably with any frame based switcher. On a limited budget, to look good on screen you will spend over $1,000 on the projector. Don't scrimp.

[ANNON]

Thanks to all reply. I was considering DataVideo S500 to be used in live concert. I was doing a comparison between edirol and datavideo, my budget is $2500. Still doing some research about this.

[zactommo]

The comment that edirol is more for the VJ is definatley true. I'd go with the datavideo if I was you. The se-500 give you a quad output preview, so you can see all 4 sources, and it seems to be a pretty simple switcher to use, which is what your after by the looks of thinks.

As for the projector, if your on a small budget, acer do some high output models with good results. The lastest model is the P7280, (i would post links, but i'm a new memeber so i'm not allowed)
or the previous model which some retailers still have at great prices is the PD727

IF your after a slightly higher quality projector, i've had good results with mitisubishi, but i'd stay away from panasonic at all costs.

Hope that helps

[ANNON]

Thanks to everyone. The concert is done and everything works well. I bought a Datavideo SE500 (without monitor) and used a 22' Dell Monitor, 7' Sony Trinitron for monitoring. 2 camera and and a laptop with Pro Video Player installed. The theater has a built in projector and a screen that really helps me a lot to focus only on the video gear/swither.


Question?

Is it possible to record a live concert using SE500? A friend told me tru email that I can connect a 3rd videocam on the 4th input and record all the livefeed from the SE500.

Thanks so much to your help.

God bless.

[waynehoskins]

Originally Posted by ANNON

Is it possible to record a live concert using SE500?

I don't see why you couldn't. It's not my favorite switcher, but it should work. Just pipe Program into your record deck or whatever it is you use for recording. It's not an isolated feed (meaning that if you're using the same switcher for projection, what goes to screens also goes to tape), but if you want to record what's going out to the screens or have a second switcher (looping or DAing the inputs between them) it should work plenty fine.

[ANNON]

Originally Posted by waynehoskins

I don't see why you couldn't. It's not my favorite switcher, but it should work. Just pipe Program into your record deck or whatever it is you use for recording. It's not an isolated feed (meaning that if you're using the same switcher for projection, what goes to screens also goes to tape), but if you want to record what's going out to the screens or have a second switcher (looping or DAing the inputs between them) it should work plenty fine.

Thanks to your reply waynehoskins. Can you please share on which connection do I need to use? I'm really new to this thing so I don't have any idea. Thanks.

[Tenderman]

The Composite is the easiest. The s-video is the best quality. Which one you use depends on where you want your best quality to go. Where you see the difference in quality is around the edges of high contrast objects. On a projector screen there is a very nitceable difference between composite and Y/C (s-video). If your projector has S-video input, and the live feed is the most important, use that. Another option is to get a distribution amp. CE makes some nice ones. I use half a dozen in our station and have one at home. They are about $80. That would allow you to use the same output to feed your record device, monitor and two more devices (i.e., projectors, CCTV feed..). They also make an eight output if you need more. You can find them on B&H photo, Markertek, L-com (I think) and several other places. Radio Shack makes a cheap 4-way DA. Good luck!

[ANNON]

Thanks so much Tenderman. Since I'm new to this technology, can you please post a link to the product that you've mentioned, a friends told me that if we are using a 100ft svideo cable we need to use a distribution amp to get a good signal? My setup is Datavideo SE500, 2 camcoder and and Mac running Pro Video Player, my main concern is to get a good quality video signal from 2 camera which will be recorded to a 3rd camera that we are planning to add. I used 2 monitor, in that case a quad preview of all the input and the livefeed on the scree, is it possible to use a splitter or similar so I can still used the 2 monitor? There are lot of distribution amp in the market, can you please suggest/recommend a product? And for the audio, what is the best way to get a good audio? A line directly from the audio mixer? Sorry for my ignorance, really need your input about this area of ministry, thanks so much to all your input. God bless.

[waynehoskins]

Originally Posted by ANNON

which will be recorded to a 3rd camera that we are planning to add.

Are you planning to use this camera as just a tape machine then, or use it as a camera as well?