You might also want to check into Newtek, I know they have a Toaster system designed for scurch production. Probably kind of expensive though.

Or try the turnkey DV-7 system from Roland/Edirol

although the Newtek Video Toaster might also be of interest.

OK, I see that being PC based isn't realistic just yet. We already have a piecemeal system that accomplishes what we need. I just thought there would be a more integrated system available on a PCI card(s).

The Edirol system looks intersting and we will be upgrading to the SE-800 in the near future using firewire cameras.

Thanks to you all for the info

The Video Toaster <is> PC based.

Around NAB2004 I'd expect to see a special where the VT is on offer for maybe $1600. This is about the norm from previous years.

Try to see a dealer though, their offers are about as keen around the same time and the support from most is quite stellar (do people still say that?).

VT is possibly a sledghammer to crack a nut. However the PC required to switch is (listed in NewTek's spec pages) quite a bit less than the realtime NLE recommended spec (dual Xeon, SCSI) etc, so a $600 PC (dual channel gt or eq 266MHz, with at least a 1.8GHz PIV I'd say).

Aura and LightWave will take some getting used to if you want to really making the church service unique.

Despite the lower spec, on a machine like the above, you'd be able to expect the same PC to record the service onto HD as it went (with the FX as pgm-out if you wanted). Perhaps showing some of that footage at points in the service where there is no need to be recording, as another source (time slipping if you like).

Try a dealer demo. You won't be disappointed even if the price is too high for your church. The post service output to DVD option (not realtime) is usually what sets this kit up as a justification against the $1500-$3000 switcher/router solutions.

You'll maybe get 2 frames of delay of audio and video from an analogue input. Assuming good frame accuracy and sync so that the NewTek TBC doesn't have to chase. If you need more than one input, DV ones are "free" but will add to your in-line latency but the SX8 option would add to the number of transitional (non-concurrent beyond 2) inputs. An RS8 will make this more like a Thomson/GrassValley desk.

Try a demo at a dealer, nothing to loose.

I think I've got a clear idead of what you're trying to achieve as I've actually done this. Sort of got thrown together about an hour before the show went live so I guess it's pretty simple and reliable but cost maybe abit higher than you want.

Some of the girls from the church had the lyrics as power point slides on a laptop. that was fed via Sony scan converter and then downstream keyed onto video. Video was switched through fairly basic mixer. I'd suggest the venerable MX50 would be fine, maybe a bit of overkill but pleny of room for expansion. MX50 can access external character generator but I'd imagin you want the text stored not typed on the spot.

The PC with the PP slides could also do service for playing DVDs etc however if youwant to keep it simple a separate DVD player feeding one of the inputs to the mixer might be easier for the user to follow. Audio gets switched at the same time.

MX70 is another option but from what I hear it's more expensive, laggy and harder to drive.

Just seems to me that this solution is going to be very reliable and easy to teach someone to use. Again don't have a clue about costs.