[Christopher Bender]

Oh, I do have on location, well isn’t that special…

[Christopher Bender]

Thank You for your interest Mark,

Being that the campus is closed until tomorrow, I have done my best to clarify the current configuration; it is… for the most part:

2X HDR-HC3 HDV 1080i Handycams from Sony, controlled by wired pads, typical of what you see on-line for controlling zoom. Our second set in two years due to case failures at the mounting points.

2X Bescor Motorized Camera Pan Heads of the MP-101 series, steadfast but loud due to the use of the microphones on the cameras for capturing the student participation. If this can be defined as robotics, I’ll just have to accept it.

A dual and triple, set of High Definition Series LCD Rack Mount Monitors, one of which has failed on the triple set

One Data-Video SE-800 DV – Digital Video Switcher, of which the A, B, & C video feeds, and “Take” are the only buttons in use. Button B and the “Take” have failed.

And a wireless microphone setup from Shure.

When you include the (two years old) considered powerful single GPU desktop, flat-screen monitor, and dual backup power supply, just over eleven grand has gone under the bridge in just over two years.
So on the matters of budget; this has become a once bitten twice-shy scenario in the eyes of the administration.

This is not my system, and I am not even certain how it is all patched together, as several converters and band-aids have appeared and disappeared, without explanation. I am the future of the program, and it is now up to me to get the program up, stable, and on a budget that does not eclipse the previous.

What is required is this:

Two, independent capture systems, comprised of two cameras each, a wireless microphone for the instructor, and a microphone for the classroom (not using the cameras’ mic, motor noise, from great amounts of movement). Mobile enough to jump from classroom to classroom all over campus, it is small but…. That is two say the whole thing breaks down and sets-up in minutes less than ten.

One editing desktop, where all the postproduction will take place.

The challenge is the construction of a fully compatible configuration, which utilizes the most seamless software package, allowing me to dual record and capture very rigorous and technical classroom lectures and board work, and then post edit the material for the best educational resource possible. And be able to train student employees like myself to use. No not the post-editing component, which is perhaps my fate.

Honestly, I can build a computer, a house, and an engine or turbine, even an off-shore oil rig… but I am just becoming aware of the terms used when connecting an audiovisual system and it’s peripherals, it is certainly not complicated… just new.

The Tricaster is not in the plan; hardware video switcher free is, beyond the obvious, that is. I have reviewed the tip of the software-based video switcher Iceberg, and what escapes me is the connectivity required. How does it all come together, and which of what is available can play with Adobe?

While I am just beginning the Premiere Tutorials, The On Location software is new to me and not currently owned by the school, or me but it seems promising for what little I know. Pinnacle is not part of our mother universities (UAA) blessed software license purchases, and is languishing in its non-updated state, but Adobe is, and I own the Cs5 Master Suite.

So far I have looked up the software based switchers called vMix, Boinx, Enosoft, and Vidblaster.

Enosoft is the only product, whose creators have made efforts to explain the specifications as far as its compatibilities, but their information is dated (A DV, pre HD 2009 forum, and site), or I have not yet located the latest.

Suffice it to ask, that while many other software based video switchers state compatibilities with other post editing software packages, and since they all compile the information into AVI, MP4 or 3, what have you, which ones can get me to my destination on Adobe, or do I need to regroup?

Thanks again Mark, and I pray that I covered some part of what you or others could use to narrow in on some guidance to the solution.

Chris