Live Edit to tape?

[robotriderdh]

I'm filming my school's Musical this friday, and have a small control board with three cams and two monitors. I want to use the control board (with which i can do cuts dissolves, etc.) to do a live edit so as to reduce the annoyance of editing in post with 3 lines of video. My question:

If i want to output the master video signal to a miniDV tape from the control board, and I only have one master output (i also want to be able to preview the master output on a monitor), how might i accomplish this?

I was thinking that i might use an RCA splitter to split the video signal to the camera and the monitor, while not splitting the audio (i need no audio in the monitor, headphone jack is available on control board.)

Thanks!!

 

[mikkowilson]

Don't split the signal without a proper signal splitter/amplifier.

What make/model is the "control board" (actually called a "Video mixer")?

Chances are that it has both a S-video and a Composite output. if this is the case, you can feed one to your deck and the other to your program monitor.

I presume the other monitor will be set up as a "Preview" monitor.

Other options include using a DV recorder that has a video output so that you can actually monitor the recording from the deck, not the output of the mixer.



Here's one tip for you, whatever you do: Record to tape in at least one, if not all cameras as well - just in case.
Bonus tip: If the acts are longer than the tapes, then have your camera operators stagger the recording starts so that they don't all have to change tapes at the same time.
Might seem silly as you are mixing live, but it won't hurt, it's always good to have a backup. I've been there so many times myself, it's worth having the backup.

- Mikko

 

[robotriderdh]

Thank you very much, first of all.

With respect to the problem; one of the problems that i failed to address was that i have no actual DV deck, they are too expensive for my almost non-existent budget. I was planning on finding another DV cam that accepts video in.

i was planning on filming with each cam just in case, as well. thank you for the reminder.

the board is a "videonicx mx-1." it is, in fact, a 'digital video mixer.'

yes, the other monitor is a preview monitor.


thanks again!

 

[mikkowilson]

I figured it would be an old Videonics (the newer MXpro series have dual outputs )

Well the good news is that you do in deed have both Composite and S-video available as outputs, you won't need to split the signal.
Confirmation:

Chances are that you will have either a monitor (You aren't using Panasonic 13" ones by any chance are you?) or your record 'deck' (camera) with an S-video input. If you absolutely don't, then you should invest in a little S-video to Composite adapter to feed your monitor. They run about $10..

Audio tip:
If you aren't using a dedicated audio feed, find the camera that has the best sound and:
A) Tell that camera operator to keep his/her mouth shut during the show.
B) Lock the audio to that source ("Audio/Video" button at the top left of the board, test this out before the show.) so that the audio doesn't change every time you change camera angles.


- Mikko

 

[robotriderdh]

Thanks a lot. I actually have an Azden SGM-1X running through my GL2, which is going to be the main cam. I'm using whatever monitors i can snag from school... tv's... anything that'll show the product; i have no pro monitors.

The output will output both RCA and S-Video at the same time? that's nice.

Thanks! I know you have other things that you could be doing, and i appreciate very much your help and in-depth posts.

 

[mikkowilson]

No problem. I wish there had been someone around to help me with I was at your stage of the game. Just be sure to pass on the info when the opertunity presents itself.

Yes both outputs should be active simultaniously.

- Mikko