Atlona 8x2 scaler/switcher

[teststrips]

I'm looking to start from scratch with video switching capabilities In a small (120 people) church. I need to switch inputs from 2 video cameras, a DVD player, and a computer.

I'm looking at the Atlona At-prohd82m which has 8 inputs and two separate outputs (one for the projector and one for recording to DVD). I've seen other local churches using a similar product by Kramer, but with a single output. The only thing that I can see as missing from the atlona device is a blank screen and/or Freeze button. Is there a separate device that I can put next to the switcher that would add this capability? I suppose it would only need to freeze input from the computer, so it could be frozen before the At-prohd82m device.

[teststrips]

hopefully bumps are OK - anyone have any comment at all on the At-prohd82m device - (would it work), and how to get a frozen image and/or blank screen.

[Jax]

No experience with the Atlona. However, if you want to keep it simple and inexpensive, what we use is the Edirol V-4 video mixer. It has 4 inputs - enough for your 2 cameras, DVD player and computer input. We record to a standalone Sony DVD recorder. Nothing fancy, but it has a screen so you can monitor what's being recorded. As far as your computer output going to both the projector and the mixer, some projectors have a monitor output as well. You would need to get a scan converter to convert the VGA signal to video. If your projector doesn't have a vga out, then you can simply a VGA distributor/amplifier to send your output to multiple screens.

The Edirol V-4 goes for about $1000 new. I bought ours used for about $500. There is also the Edirol V-8 which has 8 inputs and allows you to connect your computer without a scan converter. That goes for about $2000.

[prochlea]

I have some experience with Atlona, mainly their HDMI cables, and I haven't been impressed with their QC. They're basically the only company that makes plenum HDMI cables, and I've used them alot, and had varying levels of success. I recently learned that they pulled all of their plenum HDMI cables over 25' off the market because they've had like a 50% failure rate... and by failure I mean unable to pass 1080p over the full length. They've sent them back to be re-engineered. I've never used this switcher, so I can't vouch for it.