I am not really sure how many of you have actually been faced with this kind of problem. Ok our Church is not hitting huge attendance numbers but I have this feeling – you know – that we are about to hit that tipping point, especially with this intermediate step we are taking to hold services in a new location.
So I wrote a few posts and asked many questions. In the end, myself and Ron reckon that we can start off with just ProPresenter3 – a per normal. The size of the venue and the numbers don’t really motivate for a mixer, maybe there will be a call for one in the near future, but for now there are other needs that need to be budgeted for.
The only case for a mixer is our KidStuf environment – there we could send a FireWire feed for live video to be set to the Projector with/without text overlays. Maybe there is something cheaper than a mixer that could help out in that area.
I added some good replies as comments that I received via email in response to the question of using an Edirol V8 for IMAG and source switching. There is good advise there.
To Stephen Proctor of worshipVJ
Hey,
I came across your website looking for people you use the Edirol V8.
The Church that I volunteer at as a Video guy, post and production, is going to move to a new venue – yayyy,
and there is a budget for some thing video – especially a Video Mixer
We use ProPresenter3
have two MBPs and an iMac
Panasonic DVX100BE
I was wondering if you could offer some advice – if you have a chance.
Our setup is basically explained on my blog with a simple diagram http://synapticlight.wordpress.com/2009/01/12/video-mixer/
We are really into creating awesome environments for people to connect with God and to want to come back for more.
just sent a request to join the Worship VJ Facebook group pretty cool
shot
Phill
Response
hey Phil!
Thanks for the email!!!
Let’s see….
if you are dead set on using iMAG (live video) in your services, then you definitely need a mixer. and Edirol is the best way to go!
how big is your congregation? I’m just never a fan of iMAG unless you REALLY need it. ya know?
see: http://visualworshiper.com/blog/?p=113
but let’s move past that and get you a mixer.
the V8 i pretty powerful but i see that you need the ability to do two different outputs at one time.
One way to “cheat” this is to use monitor preview outputs….there should be a setting in the menu that allows you to see a clean output (without all the text and preview garbage text). Each input has it’s own preview out. pretty cool, huh? Now, you’d have to hard cut between inputs…you’re not getting a final mix between inputs…and you couldn’t dissolve from one to another on those preview outs. but you can achieve the main effect you are going for.
The other option would be to go with the V-440HD. It has two mixers built into one. You’d definitely be able to pull off what you’re wanting with this, and then some. but you’re going to spend about $10000 more…
…If there’s no need for live video, then I suggest going with propresenter and provideoplayer and getting the advanced module for pro so that pvp can control the backgrounds in pro.
It’s a really cool feature.
It takes away the need to have a video mixer but let’s someone else drive the visuals on a different machine.
Then use the ‘live’ input from either pro or pvp to show the kids and the dancing. There’s a tiny bit of latency but it should work fine for those environments.
Received from Joe Wiggleston from NPCC
Hey Phillip!
The V4/V8 Edirol systems seem to treat a lot of smaller churches well–and you would probably get some decent results…to be honest though, I have never been a fan of their layout and positioning of preview/program buttons, etc. It just does not feel like a “real switcher”…if you ever get to expand to using multiple cameras cuts, etc, it will not be very intuitive and if you ever update to a bigger or more professional high-end switcher, the layout will not feel familiar.
Probably my favorite low-end switcher would be the Panasonic AG-MX70, which (though about twice the price of the V8) operates exactly like any high-end switcher out there, and is more than capable of cutting through multiple sources without any frame delays etc. The T-bar is where it is supposed to be and the source buttons are where they are supposed to be. The keying of words over video (DSK) is really good too. You can achieve a very NPCC-looking product for a fraction of the price. It was my best friend for many years. I would definitely recommend giving it a look.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/249179-REG/Panasonic_AG_MX70_AG_MX70_Digital_Audio_Video_Mixer.html...
…remember if you do get something like the MX70, you’ll want to get a bunch of small cheap reference monitors to keep an eye on your sources and two moderately-sized monitors for your preview & program feeds. I have seen people use the small Edirols with only 1 reference monitor I think, which could be a potential benefit…but I still think it can become confusing and that the quality & intuitiveness of the MX70 is the way to go