OT: HD Multiple input card for PC Recommendation

RalphM wrote on 1/26/2016, 7:09 PM
Sorry for the OT post, but this is about the only forum where I feel I can trust the credentials of those who may answer.

I've got an upcoming need to purchase an HD input card that will handle at least four inputs. This will be used for input from multiple cameras, feeding a streaming video software switcher.

HDMI inputs would be preferred but SDI could work as well.

Also, if anyone has experience with VMix, Telestream Wirecast, etc. I'd be interested in any observations.

Thanks,
RalphM

Comments

farss wrote on 1/26/2016, 11:47 PM
[I]" HDMI inputs would be preferred but SDI could work as well."[/I]

My observation is that HDMI probably will not work and SDI will.
HDMI is a consumer interconnection that's fine for fixed installation and unreliable for anything else.

For what you're doing just buy a vision switcher. Panasonic have a 4 input one that's all you need apart from the encoding for $3.5K .

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/706617-REG/Panasonic_AW_HS50N_Compact_HD_SD_Live_Switcher.html

Bob.

.
RalphM wrote on 1/27/2016, 6:22 AM
Thanks Bob,

Our cameras are consumer level camcorders, hence my interest in HDMI. If the switcher is SDI input, I could install HDMI to SDI converters at the camera locations

It is a fixed installation (church), so I'm not worried about cables getting pulled out, etc. I'm also trying to stay under $2K for the switching system, be it hardware or software.

I appreciate your input - any experience with software based switching systems?

farss wrote on 1/27/2016, 6:45 AM
[I]"any experience with software based switching systems?"[/I]

Not really. I work for a rental house so anything too "soft" is more likely to cause more finger trouble than its worth.

That said we've had a few people renting cameras for use with simple streaming apps running on a laptop but they were using firewire / HDV connections.

For us even the BMD switchers involve too much configuration for a dry hire company. I'd be a tad concerned about this aspect in a church as well. Just about every time I roll up to a church to shoot an organ concert someone has reprogrammed the organ. If they can futz with a pipe organ...

Bob.
RalphM wrote on 1/27/2016, 10:34 AM
"Just about every time I roll up to a church to shoot an organ concert someone has reprogrammed the organ. If they can futz with a pipe organ..."

LOL, I'll have to tell our church organist - he would launch to low earth orbit if someone fiddled with his equipment.

Thanks for the observations. As I search on software switching I see many issues of compatibility being raised...