What Would You Recommend For Inexpensive Live Feed Cameras - Gaming Tournaments

[demoboy]

I am looking to setup cameras on gamers as they look onto the screen. I want to send the feeds to a switcher/mixer. I will most likely be looking to Blackmagic products. I was thinking of Go Pro Session cameras where I can send the HDMI feeds out to a HDMI/SDI converter onto the main board. Budget range per camera should be about 200-300 dollars.

Any ideas? The problem is I don'T know the nature of regular camcorders if they shut off if not on record mode, etc...or a clean out. I THINK the Sony HDR-CX405 has a clean out and doesn't turn off, but I honestly don't know.

thanks

 

[NorBro]

I don't have any recommendations for that budget, but I think you may be better off renting some cameras with better quality.

If you're using BM hardware, the Micro Studio - which is meant for that kind of live/truck environment - is $60 or so per day.

I guess if you do many of these tournaments (or maybe they even run a few days), it may not be worth it, but just a thought.

 

[demoboy]

I don't have any recommendations for that budget, but I think you may be better off renting some cameras with better quality.

If you're using BM hardware, the Micro Studio - which is meant for that kind of live/truck environment - is $60 or so per day.

I guess if you do many of these tournaments (or maybe they even run a few days), it may not be worth it, but just a thought.

Thanks Norbro. I apologize, actually this setup is for weekly casting as its mainly for a gaming developer's infrastructure group. To be honest, I will be able to get the budget, but I don't want a bulky camera setup in front of camera monitor.

Since I have posted I've read some forums detailing ATEM and the Sony HDR-CX405 as a budget friendly and reliant setup. Of course for such environments so much switching and display splitting, I know I will need a video mixer and switcher that will receive feed from at least 16 sources. I have to be able to receive the feed from the monitors as welll which is easy to split. Am I making any sense? Thanks for the feedback. =)

 

[Jim Ritscher]

Another issue is, "will you have long cable runs?" With HDMI, you max out pretty quickly. I assume the Sony HDR-CX405 does not have SDI out. So if you need long cable runs, you either buy a better camera or get converters.

 

[demoboy]

Another issue is, "will you have long cable runs?" With HDMI, you max out pretty quickly. I assume the Sony HDR-CX405 does not have SDI out. So if you need long cable runs, you either buy a better camera or get converters.

You're right. My plan was to use Atomos or Blackmagic HDMI to SDI converter boxes setup behind the monitors. I don't think I will exceed more than 40ft from all sources to the main mixer/switcher. I was thinking of getting those SDI cams from $280-350 and just buy the C-Mount of MFT lens to go with it. However, C-Mount seems more ideal because lenses are rather cheap on the wide end capturing the gamer.