Best Video Switcher/Mixer for S-video ?? Help!! at DVinfo.net

Federico Lang · September 24th, 2009, 11:29 AM

Hi, I am starting a new company and we will work on TV projects. I was looking into buying a video switcher or mixer (don't really know the difference) in order to switch between 2-4 cameras using S-video cabling.

I saw several options, could you please tell me how good do this work or if you know of other brands/models please let me know.

Sima SFX-10 $488
Sima | SFX-10 Video Mixer | SFX-10 | B&H Photo Video

Datavideo SE-500 $950
Datavideo | SE-500 Live Production Switcher | SE-500 - NTSC

Or i could go to Ebay and get an old Panasonic or Videonics one

What do you think?

Shaun Roemich · September 26th, 2009, 01:41 PM

Avoid Videonics like the plague! I owned two and they were amateurish and low quality. As well, the frame store sync took an EXTREMELY long time to sync sources between cuts (almost half a second after "taking" the new source, it would switch). The T-Bar is utterly unusable ESPECIALLY for TV.

I'm also not a fan of the Panasonic MX series of switchers.

I've actually got an EDIROL switcher in my roadcase now and I'm QUITE impressed, especially at the price point (which is more than the items you listed) but it doesn't use S-Video cables, BNC only. I have issues with S-Video cabling in a multicam live setup due to the possibility of the cable being crushed (28 gauge x 4 plus shield... bad for longevity!) as I had this happen a number of years ago before I switched to BNC RG-59 exclusively. The chroma channel shorted to ground and inverted on one of my cameras when a woman in high heels STOOD on my cable and crushed the insulator.

Richard Alvarez · September 26th, 2009, 03:21 PM

I regularly have to switch with old Videonics and Panasonnic MX switchers - and hate them. The Videonics need a Time Base Corrector to insure synch, the MX is ... okay, not great.

I also regularly switch a live show using the DataVideo SE-800AV (Big brother to the one you're looking at) I LOVE it. Rock solid, good effects, responsive board. I can recomend it. Aside from the Grass Valley I also switch on, I'd say it's the best of the low-end switcher I work
with.

http://www.thomsongrassvalley.com/pr...tchers/indigo/

Can't speak to the Sima - haven't used it.

Shaun - Try using CAT-5 cable for long S-Video runs. Attach the S-baluns adapters to them, and you're good to go. S-Video Transceiver

Shaun Roemich · September 26th, 2009, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Alvarez

Shaun - Try using CAT-5 cable for long S-Video runs. Attach the S-baluns adapters to them, and you're good to go. S-Video Transceiver

SUPER cool! Never seen that before. Thanks.

Lee Faulkner · October 1st, 2009, 08:40 PM

HI

Check out the Edirol models.

I've used their 4 input LVS400 for a few years .... easy to drive ... cuts/dissolves/wipes and a *basic* PIP/Key (though it ties up the whole mixer) around $1k as I recall.

Mine has BNC and SVideo in and out. Built really well .... can't go wrong!

There's more capable units from them too, but this will get you going!

Best

Lee

September 24th, 2009, 11:29 AM	#1
Federico Lang Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San José, Costa Rica Posts: 52	Best Video Switcher/Mixer for S-video ?? Help!! Hi, I am starting a new company and we will work on TV projects. I was looking into buying a video switcher or mixer (don't really know the difference) in order to switch between 2-4 cameras using S-video cabling. I saw several options, could you please tell me how good do this work or if you know of other brands/models please let me know. Sima SFX-10 $488 Sima \| SFX-10 Video Mixer \| SFX-10 \| B&H Photo Video Datavideo SE-500 $950 Datavideo \| SE-500 Live Production Switcher \| SE-500 - NTSC Or i could go to Ebay and get an old Panasonic or Videonics one What do you think?

September 26th, 2009, 01:41 PM	#2
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	Avoid Videonics like the plague! I owned two and they were amateurish and low quality. As well, the frame store sync took an EXTREMELY long time to sync sources between cuts (almost half a second after "taking" the new source, it would switch). The T-Bar is utterly unusable ESPECIALLY for TV. I'm also not a fan of the Panasonic MX series of switchers. I've actually got an EDIROL switcher in my roadcase now and I'm QUITE impressed, especially at the price point (which is more than the items you listed) but it doesn't use S-Video cables, BNC only. I have issues with S-Video cabling in a multicam live setup due to the possibility of the cable being crushed (28 gauge x 4 plus shield... bad for longevity!) as I had this happen a number of years ago before I switched to BNC RG-59 exclusively. The chroma channel shorted to ground and inverted on one of my cameras when a woman in high heels STOOD on my cable and crushed the insulator. __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

September 26th, 2009, 03:21 PM	#3
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	I regularly have to switch with old Videonics and Panasonnic MX switchers - and hate them. The Videonics need a Time Base Corrector to insure synch, the MX is ... okay, not great. I also regularly switch a live show using the DataVideo SE-800AV (Big brother to the one you're looking at) I LOVE it. Rock solid, good effects, responsive board. I can recomend it. Aside from the Grass Valley I also switch on, I'd say it's the best of the low-end switcher I work with. http://www.thomsongrassvalley.com/pr...tchers/indigo/ Can't speak to the Sima - haven't used it. Shaun - Try using CAT-5 cable for long S-Video runs. Attach the S-baluns adapters to them, and you're good to go. S-Video Transceiver

October 1st, 2009, 08:40 PM	#5
Lee Faulkner Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 35	HI Check out the Edirol models. I've used their 4 input LVS400 for a few years .... easy to drive ... cuts/dissolves/wipes and a basic PIP/Key (though it ties up the whole mixer) around $1k as I recall. Mine has BNC and SVideo in and out. Built really well .... can't go wrong! There's more capable units from them too, but this will get you going! Best Lee