Distribution Amps

[Tom Matthies]

If you do buy a switcher for an analog system, get one that will switch your analog component signals (Y, R-Y, B-Y) into your computer. Try not to use composite video as a source for digitizing since the component signal is superior and will look much better.
Tom

[Smallfry]

Thanks for responding. Yes, I know about the composite vs. component issues. However, budgetwise, I have no choice at the moment. I was wondering if this switcher will work at all.

[Bouncing Account needs new email address]

Of course you can use ANY properly operating composite Routing Switcher… if you are satisfied with composite video quality.
But today’s multitude of superior signal systems means that composite is usually the LOWEST quality transfer.

Hence, many edit houses use passive Patch-Bays to take advantage of the highest quality signals at a much lower cost than equivalent (multi-format) Routing Switchers.
And there’s no worry that an “interior component” in an active Routing Switcher (most have many internal DAs) will degrade the signal (or fail outright).

There are many configurations of Patch Bays that allow you to patch: composite, component, S-Video, SDI, FW, TC, audio, sync… anything that goes via a cable.

You send as many outputs/inputs as you want from/to decks, monitors, transcoders, DA’s and other gear to one central (well-labeled) patch-bay, and you can hook “anything to anything”.

Even locations that HAVE a routing switcher (left over from “all composite” days) just use it now to route to monitors in various rooms and for making VHS dubs and the like.

https://www.atis.org/tg2k/_patch_bay.html

https://home.flash.net/~motodata/patchbays/right.html

[Smallfry]

Patch bay is a great idea. Thanks. Unfortunately, while I am not satisfied with composite video, clients don’t get the concept and could care less about resolution. They are watching their projects on a low res TV and if it looks good, they are satisfied. Until I can afford a better capture system, composite is the way I have to go. Thanks for all the input. I appreciate it.

[Tom Matthies]

Don’t necessarily pass on a patch system. There are loads of analog patch bays on ebay right now. You could probably pick one up for less than $100. Do a search on ADC and you’ll get some good hits. I have a Beta SP machine right in my edit room. Most of our source footage is shot on Digibeta these days. The rest of those sources come from a central machine room with inputs/outputs determined by good old fashioned patch bays. Don’t tell anyone, but I even run our SDI sources,(Digibetas, DVC with SDI cards, and the two other Avids) through analog patch bays. The runs are fairly short and it works.
Shhh…
Tom

[Bouncing Account needs new email address]

[Tom Matthies] “Don’t tell anyone, but I even run our SDI sources,(Digibetas, DVC with SDI cards, and the two other Avids) through analog patch bays. The runs are fairly short and it works.
Shhh…”

No need to make this a “hush-hush” idea.

Using 75 ohm coax cable for SDI is just fine, and an “analog” patch-panel is built for that cable.

There are plenty of machine room patch bays with SDI connected just this way.

There is nothing “magical” about something that might be called a “digital cable” anyway.
The “high-end” cable scams run rampant.