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Webstreaming setup problem
I will be broadcasting through internet various video podcast. My camera setup is (3) HVX200. I will be switching live via Wirecast and my Imac Desktop. After lots of research I know that each DV camera needs its own Firewire Port and Firewire Card. Can I install Firewire cards to an Imac Desktop? Is there any other way to connect (3) HVX200 to an Imac desktop?
I appreciate any help. Thanks!
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3 Replies
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[Paolo Grassini] “Can I install Firewire cards to an Imac Desktop?”
No, iMac is limited to one firewire bus. The new Thunderbolt iMacs certainly should be able to handle more if/when the appropriate hardware comes out. Sonnet Echo holds promise as a PCIe expansion box for Thunderbolt iMacs. Maybe the Sonnet Allegro as well if there’s a hub for it.
https://www.sonnettech.com/news/nab2011/mlMany people have had success using two Grass Valley ADVC-55 or 110 on a single firewire bus if they use the camera’s analog composite out. I can’t guarantee that two will work but it seems a good shot.
https://www.grassvalley.com/products/advc55
https://www.grassvalley.com/products/advc110
The issue has to do with how camera manufacturers implement the use of firewire communication on the camera. Unfortunately most cameras don’t allow for two on one Firewire bus and I’ve heard no cases of three.
Grass Valley also has an ADVCMini which converts composite to USB. This might give you a third camera
but once again I can’t guarantee it’ll all work smoothly.
https://www.grassvalley.com/products/advcmini -
WOW thanks for quick reply. I had a feeling Imac wouldn’t work, now I know for sure. I have a friend who has a Mac Pro, how much power would I need to handle (3)hvx200 in 3 different firewire cards?
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[Paolo Grassini] “Mac Pro, how much power would I need to handle (3)hvx200 in 3 different firewire cards?”
MacPro has one internal Firewire bus plus you’d want two Firewire cards for two more cameras. Keep in mind the HVX200 must be in DV mode as DVCProHD isn’t supported. I think even a basic Quad Core MacPro should handle 3 DV cameras. You should be aware of any other programs you might want to run with Wirecast and how much they use system resources.
If the HVX200 supports HD using Analog Component out then you could get three Blackmagic Intensity Pro cards. Please check if HVX200 supports HD out of component though.
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Once Sonnet comes out with their Echo it might be possible to do all this on iMac or even MacBookPro but that’s just speculation until the Echo comes out and is tested.
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