Looking For cost effective video switcher at DVinfo.net

Blayde Stone · November 27th, 2006, 03:34 PM

A local pastor in our area is trying to locate a used video switcher to route
3 Panasonic AG-456's w/svhs cables to their DVD recorder.
Any one out there have any suggestions???

Richard Alvarez · November 27th, 2006, 05:00 PM

Keep your eye on ebay for deals that come up. Beyond that what is 'Cost effective' to your pastor? I really really like the Tricaster ... work with it at city council meetings and such. Cost about 6 grand new. But worth every penny. You can find some good deals in used equipment for videonic switchers and the like, not as good or 'fancy' as the tricaster, but what does he need? Basic switching? Tricaster would be overkill. Is it going to broadcast with lower thirds and keying graphics? More info would help advise.

Hsien Yong · November 27th, 2006, 06:32 PM

I would recommend the Panasonic MX20 or MX50.
Ebay seems to have at least 1 of each.

Don Bloom · November 27th, 2006, 06:44 PM

Although I prefer the MX20 or MX50 (tricaster is out of my price range but WOW!) you might also look at the Videonics MX1 or MX4-get a set of 4 BW monitors (6 inch should be fine)and a preview and program monitor (color-maybe 12 or 14 inch) and you should be good to go.
check out that big auction site, they're always there.

Don

Glenn Chan · November 27th, 2006, 07:13 PM

The Videonics MX-1 has an annoying lag to the edits, and the unit isn't that tough (sometimes have some weird problems). Otherwise, they were the first of their kind and they do the job.

The Panasonic mixer I used once (I think it was the MX50) doesn't have that problem.

Wade Spencer · November 27th, 2006, 10:54 PM

I recommend looking at the Edirols...specifically, the LVS-400.

The videonics are quite cheap, in my opinion. I'd stay away from them. We used to sell them at work, but moved into the Edirols. They work great.

Blayde Stone · December 1st, 2006, 05:23 PM

Thanks All for your posts!!

Concerning a used "Video Switcher", the pastor has budget around
1100.00 to work with. We were thinking a MX-1 would be fine for
what they would be using it for [community television]. and
possibly a new switcher, Edirol might fit the bill in that realm.
I think they need a "straight cuts only" type of capability out
of the mixer.

Again ,thanks for your input.

Timothy Harry · December 13th, 2006, 12:31 PM

Blayde,

When I was in college (2 years ago) we had a videonics switcher to direct the chapel services for the university's archive. That switcher was the biggest piece of junk I have ever worked with. If we put any weight on the palm rest, the power would turn off, if it ran more than 30 minutes, it would freeze on whatever input that happened to be selected. you had to hit the buttons with a pretty extreme amount of force to select a different input. Overall it behaved worse than a 2 year old child, and had more quirks than a mental patient. I led the charge to have the unit replaced if i was to continue directing the services. We ended up purchasing a panasonic AG-MX50. It was a GREAT board, with tons of features, they are still using this device to direct chapel services today. Panasonic has replaced the MX50 with a MX70, which I have also run. It has a few upgrades to the software and some more features, but overall they are basically the same and a great starter switcher.

Scott Ellifritt · December 15th, 2006, 12:46 AM

Blayde,

Check this one out: http://www.newtek.com/tricaster/
it's more expensive as it literally gives you a mini tv studio.

Blayde Stone · December 20th, 2006, 06:11 PM

Thanks again ,guys in forum!!!
I appreciate your input very much.
Sorry I didn't get back sooner, we were putting the wraps on our Church Christmas program. Everything turn out OK.
Yes, Yes, Yes, the Tri-caster looks like a wonderful piece of equipment and I would be thrilled to have it sitting in front of us. Although, we have to stick to our budget. Maybe a miracle will happen (He is able). We are still exploring our possibilities.

Blayde @ Cornerstone Productions

Scott Ellifritt · December 20th, 2006, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blayde Stone

Thanks again ,guys in forum!!!
I appreciate your input very much.
Sorry I didn't get back sooner, we were putting the wraps on our Church Christmas program. Everything turn out OK.
Yes, Yes, Yes, the Tri-caster looks like a wonderful piece of equipment and I would be thrilled to have it sitting in front of us. Although, we have to stick to our budget. Maybe a miracle will happen (He is able). We are still exploring our possibilities.

Blayde @ Cornerstone Productions

Whatever you decide to purchase, make sure that you check and see if there is any educational discounts that your church could qualify for.

November 27th, 2006, 03:34 PM	#1
Blayde Stone Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Sarasota,FL. Posts: 34	Looking For cost effective video switcher A local pastor in our area is trying to locate a used video switcher to route 3 Panasonic AG-456's w/svhs cables to their DVD recorder. Any one out there have any suggestions???

December 13th, 2006, 12:31 PM	#8
Timothy Harry Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Odessa, TX Posts: 93	Stay Away From Videonics Blayde, When I was in college (2 years ago) we had a videonics switcher to direct the chapel services for the university's archive. That switcher was the biggest piece of junk I have ever worked with. If we put any weight on the palm rest, the power would turn off, if it ran more than 30 minutes, it would freeze on whatever input that happened to be selected. you had to hit the buttons with a pretty extreme amount of force to select a different input. Overall it behaved worse than a 2 year old child, and had more quirks than a mental patient. I led the charge to have the unit replaced if i was to continue directing the services. We ended up purchasing a panasonic AG-MX50. It was a GREAT board, with tons of features, they are still using this device to direct chapel services today. Panasonic has replaced the MX50 with a MX70, which I have also run. It has a few upgrades to the software and some more features, but overall they are basically the same and a great starter switcher. __________________ Tim Harry Bandwagon Media Odessa, TX www.bandwagonhd.com

November 27th, 2006, 05:00 PM	#2
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Keep your eye on ebay for deals that come up. Beyond that what is 'Cost effective' to your pastor? I really really like the Tricaster ... work with it at city council meetings and such. Cost about 6 grand new. But worth every penny. You can find some good deals in used equipment for videonic switchers and the like, not as good or 'fancy' as the tricaster, but what does he need? Basic switching? Tricaster would be overkill. Is it going to broadcast with lower thirds and keying graphics? More info would help advise.

November 27th, 2006, 06:32 PM	#3
Hsien Yong Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 111	I would recommend the Panasonic MX20 or MX50. Ebay seems to have at least 1 of each.

November 27th, 2006, 06:44 PM	#4
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	Although I prefer the MX20 or MX50 (tricaster is out of my price range but WOW!) you might also look at the Videonics MX1 or MX4-get a set of 4 BW monitors (6 inch should be fine)and a preview and program monitor (color-maybe 12 or 14 inch) and you should be good to go. check out that big auction site, they're always there. Don

November 27th, 2006, 07:13 PM	#5
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	The Videonics MX-1 has an annoying lag to the edits, and the unit isn't that tough (sometimes have some weird problems). Otherwise, they were the first of their kind and they do the job. The Panasonic mixer I used once (I think it was the MX50) doesn't have that problem.

November 27th, 2006, 10:54 PM	#6
Wade Spencer Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Wellsboro, Pa Posts: 285	I recommend looking at the Edirols...specifically, the LVS-400. The videonics are quite cheap, in my opinion. I'd stay away from them. We used to sell them at work, but moved into the Edirols. They work great.

December 1st, 2006, 05:23 PM	#7
Blayde Stone Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Sarasota,FL. Posts: 34	Thanks All for your posts!! Concerning a used "Video Switcher", the pastor has budget around 1100.00 to work with. We were thinking a MX-1 would be fine for what they would be using it for [community television]. and possibly a new switcher, Edirol might fit the bill in that realm. I think they need a "straight cuts only" type of capability out of the mixer. Again ,thanks for your input.

December 15th, 2006, 12:46 AM	#9
Scott Ellifritt Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: MS Gulf Coast Posts: 146	Blayde, Check this one out: http://www.newtek.com/tricaster/ it's more expensive as it literally gives you a mini tv studio.

December 20th, 2006, 06:11 PM	#10
Blayde Stone Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Sarasota,FL. Posts: 34	Thanks again ,guys in forum!!! I appreciate your input very much. Sorry I didn't get back sooner, we were putting the wraps on our Church Christmas program. Everything turn out OK. Yes, Yes, Yes, the Tri-caster looks like a wonderful piece of equipment and I would be thrilled to have it sitting in front of us. Although, we have to stick to our budget. Maybe a miracle will happen (He is able). We are still exploring our possibilities. Blayde @ Cornerstone Productions