Equipment for live mixing?

S

Sammy D

Member
Hi all,

It's been quite a long time since I've posted here. It's good to see that the forum is still alive and kicking.

I'm working with a university to expand its live streaming capabilities. We already have the network and server in place - we're currently doing live streams of one camera shots with audio and limited graphics - but we are looking to expand the program and make it more professional.

The initial priority is incorporating more than one camera into the shoot. In our current setup, our computer has only has one input for audio and video and our program (Wirecast) has a very limited ability to mix and overlay shots. This means (I think) that we need some device capable of mixing audio and video before it goes into the computer to be streamed.

I want to be able to preview and cut between shots, adjust audio levels from different inputs, overlay multiple graphics (from another computer, if necessary), use instant replay, and preview everything before it goes live.

Does any have experience with this kind of workflow? What kind of equipment should I be looking at?

Thanks for the help in advance.
 
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What is an appropriate budget? Would $10K be acceptable?

I've been doing a lot of research. Contrary to what I was originally thinking, a software based solution might actually be better than a hardware based solution because it would be more affordable and portable. Opinions on this?
 
I've never heard of a software solution that didn't look amateur. I didn't even know of one that existed. What kind of interface? Tell me more. I design tv studios/edit suites/etc. Started out in academia and ended up at a network/film studio. Been doing this for over 40 years....
I need to know the whole concept, what your programing is, audience is and where are you. Is this portable or a fixed location? PM me for more info.
 
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In case anyone else is looking for a similar solution...

I was searching for a portable way to mix video and audio, stream to the web, cut between multiple shots, overlay multiple layers of live graphics, and use instant replay.

Based on my research, there are two ways to get close for under $10K. The first is a Tricaster. The second is a PC with video mixing software (such as Vidblaster). At the moment, neither is able to do what I need perfectly, but they can both get close.

I would recommend researching both of these options if you are in a similar situation. And if anyone is aware of another solution I would really appreciate the help.
 
The company i work for has a switcher that is a combination video switcher and audio mixer. I'm not sure how old ours is but i'm sure you can find one that works with whatever format you're going with. It might be a good solution to getting a seperate switcher and audio mixer.
 
You might take a look at the EZCaster encoder with whatever video switching, audio mixing, and whatever else you need done before you patch the signal into it. I haven't actually used this unit, but it looks like a pretty neat litle rig.
 
@ Captin Pierce: The EZcaster is a good suggestion, but I'm looking for something with a little more functionality. Thanks though.

@ DVX Dave: Do you remember what the name of the audio/ video mixer is?

Thanks for any/ all help!
 
Sammy D said:
@ Captin Pierce: The EZcaster is a good suggestion, but I'm looking for something with a little more functionality. Thanks though.

@ DVX Dave: Do you remember what the name of the audio/ video mixer is?

Thanks for any/ all help!
Click to expand...

i don't remember but i can find out tomorrow, it's the weekend now so i don't work.
 
I'm going to suggest getting in contact with Brian Gramo over at TheStream.tv. He runs between 2 and 3 live streaming shows every weeknight.

http://thestream.tv

They're live starting at 6pm pacific time (9pm east coast), if you want to check out their shows.

They currently run a TriCaster Studio, with a seperate audio board, which is run into a Capture Card from a company called ViewCast.

What is it that you need to do, that the TriCast can't?

The option is Ross Video Swtichers (but they're a lot more expensive).
 
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Andrew,

You asked a very good question: what do I need that TriCaster can't do?

Instant replay is one answer, but the more I do my research the more I realize that there isn't a cheaper viable option than the $25,000 3Play from Newtek. Besides, the Tricaster can record one channel of video for playback. That's as good as I'm going to get for now.

HD is another answer, but I don't think the network is ready for that, either on our end or on the user's end.

So my one legitimate worry is the ability to overlay text and .pngs.

To anyone that has used a Tricaster: do I have to use a DDR to overlay text and pictures? And can I use the built in character generator or livetext to overlay multiple layers of text at the same time?

If you have to use the DDR for text/ pictures, then it isn't possible to do animations + instant replay + text/pictures all at the same time.
 
Sammy D said:
Andrew,

You asked a very good question: what do I need that TriCaster can't do?

Instant replay is one answer, but the more I do my research the more I realize that there isn't a cheaper viable option than the $25,000 3Play from Newtek. Besides, the Tricaster can record one channel of video for playback. That's as good as I'm going to get for now.

HD is another answer, but I don't think the network is ready for that, either on our end or on the user's end.

So my one legitimate worry is the ability to overlay text and .pngs.

To anyone that has used a Tricaster: do I have to use a DDR to overlay text and pictures? And can I use the built in character generator or livetext to overlay multiple layers of text at the same time?

If you have to use the DDR for text/ pictures, then it isn't possible to do animations + instant replay + text/pictures all at the same time.
Click to expand...

I know Brian (from thestream) does overlays but I don't know how their done. He's very open about how things run over there, so if you hop into the chat tonight and ask in between one of the shows (he keeps streaming in between the shows, and talks to the people in the chat), he'll probably answer some of your questions. But maybe a better option would be instead of trying to have the board do everything; Get a second device to run all of the play-back stuff (with HD support), you don't max out the board and if you ever go HD you only need to upgrade the switch board.
 
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Sammy D said:
@ Captin Pierce: The EZcaster is a good suggestion, but I'm looking for something with a little more functionality. Thanks though.

@ DVX Dave: Do you remember what the name of the audio/ video mixer is?

Thanks for any/ all help!
Click to expand...


Panasonic AG-MX70 A/V Mixer, I just realized that the only client that rents this is a college, what a coincidence.
 
check out datavideo's products: http://datavideo.us/

Also mobile studios does this kind of thing all of the time: http://www.mobilestudios.com/default.asp

Datavideo has a wide range of switchers and other live production products.

Mobile Studios is more pricey but they will put the whole package together for you.

I have designed a few systems for small budgets and would be happy to help you if you want to shoot me a pm with a few more details I would be happy to send you a gear lists that will do what you want.

10K is defiantly reasonable for this but you have to be a little scrappy and creative to find the right solution and obviously there have to be a few compromises.
 
Thanks to all for this much appreciated advice. If anyone has more, keep it coming.

Best options so far seem to be products by Newtek, DataVideo and Mobile Studios.
 
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