Switcher recommendation?

[John Livings]

Hi Todd,

I “Just” started Mixing/Recording Video Live.

I rented an MX-50 for a day, It stopped working during the mic check. (The rental co. refunded my money)

After some online research, i thought I would try the MX-1

I bought a Videonics MX-1 on ebay for 350.00 + shipping. (No power supply).

I shoot in DV (DV-25) not SD (DV-50), As the inputs/outputs on the MX-1 are S Video or RCA, The quality out of the mixer is about the same as the tape from the Cameras.

I use RG-6 with RCA or BNC connectors soldered on.

The Cable runs are; 2-100 feet 1-150 feet 1-25 feet with NO problems

The video preview goes to a 17 flat screen rack mounted and the output goes to a DSR-11 or a GV-D1000 deck.
I use the DSR-11 if the show goes more than 60 minutes( the DSR-11 records 184 minutes)

I run sound from the mixing board to the MX-1 (No other Audio feeds) I do record audio on all 4 cameras and I pull all 16+ channels off the sound board to mix in post (Alesis HD 24).

As I am not set up to do a final Audio or Video mix during the program, I must edit in post. (However the Video mixer is getting me closer to that goal) With LOTS of backup

The MX-1 Needs an AC to AC Transformer 120VAC to 12VAC.

For me the MX-1 is the Ticket as I shoot in DV, I think you would take a hit with SD (DV-50)

John

[Todd Terry]

I’ll look into that, Lloyd… no, there is no one near me that rents them, but there might be in bigger cities that are each a couple of hours away. Not an ideal situation, but it’s something we have to deal with now and then. There are a couple of TriCasters in town now, but they are permanent installs at facilities here (local municipal cable channel, educational TV station, etc.). I’ve been leaning toward a pure hardware switcher, but times are changing.

The biggest problem I had with the MX50 on previous outings is that they just aren’t set up the way I like… I want a switcher where the preview output shows the inactive “on deck” bus, and then automatically switches back to the other bus when you make a cut or fade…. just like the Good Lord intended. The first time I used a rented MX50 ages ago I just about tore my hair out trying to figure out why the outputs “wouldn’t work right”… pushed every button and setting until I was blue in the face, and even complained about it so much assuming I had a defective unit that the rental company waived the charges (also agreeing “Man, I don’t know why it doesn’t work that way, that’s the way a switcher is supposed to work.”). It was only on the next outing that I downloaded a manual and discovered that the switcher simply doesn’t output that way. Yikes.

Thanks to all for the suggestions… I’m not in a hurry so I have time to review them all. Appreciate the help.

T2

__________________________________
Todd Terry
Creative Director
Fantastic Plastic Entertainment, Inc.
fantasticplastic.com

[Alan Lloyd]

[Todd Terry] “I want a switcher where the preview output shows the inactive “on deck” bus, and then automatically switches back to the other bus when you make a cut or fade”

And that’s what it does. True “look ahead” preview with toggle.

Make sure you can hire the switcher control panel with it – punching something from a computer keyboard is not a good idea. And as I said, the thing is laid out like a production switcher. And the internal playback DVR functions are very handy.

[Chuck Pullen]

Just throwing out a quick and dirty solution from my past. If you literally only need this thing a couple of times a year, I suggest using a synchronizing punch switcher (Markertek & B&H have them) and say a security camera style 4×1 box to monitor all of the sources on one screen. It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s cheap and a great cuts only option for an IMAG.

Chuck

[Brent Dunn]

Aside from a switcher, I keep a low tech, low budget solution in my bag as a backup for just such hiccups. Go to radio shack and buy a media switcher that hooks up all of your stereo gear.

It’s about $20 – $70 and all you do is press buttons to switch. It does have a bit of flash between image sources, but it will save your but at a live event in case you have in issues like the one you had.

Always, always, have a backup plan. This is a cheap save your butt solution.

Brent Dunn
DunnRight Video.com

Brent Dunn
Owner / Director / Editor
DunnRight Video.com

[Bob King]

Don’t know if I’m too late on this one or not. I would suggest you look at a Barco ScreenPro II – EH. It is pretty much the de facto work horse presentation switcher (currently) for the rental and staging business for use in single screen events. It is a strong switcher in the sense that it can take in pretty much anything and scale it to match the projector. It also has a separate scaled output that can do the record feed.

Beware: just like any other solution offered in this thread, here there be monsters… The two big drawbacks to this switcher are the delay when previewing a new input and the steep learning curve. If you are only switching one camera, the scaling delay won’t be that much of an issue. The steep learning curve can be offset by hiring a freelance staging video engineer. Make sure he comes with references.

I understand what you are running up against. Please understand that you are making a huge transition from operating in a studio/post environment to what amounts to a walk through the Wild West. Hiring a good staging video engineer will solve most of your problems. It’s a different skill set.

Hope this helps.

-bk

[Lee Hopper]

check out the new Panasonic AW-HS50
its under $4000.00