look into a 10×10 router so you can send any signal anywhere without any manual patching. You may be able to get a system with extra serial control panels which you could have at each gen and rec station. if each signal is going to more than one destination besides the router, such as a local monitor at the source, or to a video switcher or recorder, put a DA at the source end.
I would avoid taking the video signal out of the dvd recorder, as you could get the silly on-screen display from the dvd recorder recorded onto your other recordings. Distribute the source before the recorders and long cable runs, which can save extraneous long cable runs. And diagram this out in Excel before you even buy any gear, to make sure it is logical for maintenance also.
Mike