Simple switcher advice? at DVinfo.net

David Banner · September 6th, 2018, 11:50 AM

Looking for advice for a simple swticher that can take a video in feed (HDMI or SDI) from a couple cameras and can switch between the camera(s) and another source, such as powerpoint show and output the switched signal to a large screen. Any suggestions?

David Barnett · September 6th, 2018, 01:24 PM

Can you estimate a price range?

Also, what's this going to be for, live events? By your wording it doesn't seem it'll be for livestreaming.

I would think a Roland switcher can do it, but not sure if your looking for less: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._4_x_hdmi.html

Simon Denny · September 6th, 2018, 01:27 PM

The Blackmagic ATEM Switcher Studio HD is a simple switcher. You will also need many extra components to setup and run depending on where the cameras are located from the switcher, HDMI is only good for a few meters, all inputs will need to be the same frame rate etc...

Good luck

Chris Harding · September 6th, 2018, 06:26 PM

Hi David

The cheapest switcher is free if you use your lap/desktop Look at OBS !!

You will obviously need something like an input card like a Magewell to get the video into the computer.

If you really want a PC free solution then look at the Roland switchers too

BTW: Posting in the Streaming Forum rather than the Wedding forum will probably get you better results!!

David Banner · September 6th, 2018, 09:51 PM

Thank you all very much.
Originally I was only planning on switching not streaming. But the more I think about it, long term I maybe should plan for streaming eventually too. It might save me some new purchases later.

I'm going to look over the Roland and BM switcher you guys shared.

Hey Chris! I hadn't thought of using a laptop with OBS. I need to look into that as well.
I have two laptops and maybe the cheaper one can even do it.

As far as budget I don't have a hard number. Just trying to get an idea what will reliably work and then save up for that. Those $1000 switchers are certainly within reach but I have to figure out what else I need too.

Now that I'm considering streaming I really did post this in the wrong forum.... errr

Tony McGuire · September 7th, 2018, 03:33 AM

Hi David,

I have a Roland video switcher its VR-3ex. I use it a lot and I also have the one just befor it which was VR-3.

They can be a bit pricy but if you look on ebay sometime you can get one at a good price there is a VR-4 which has HDMI but no SDI in.

VR-4 has a small screen build in as in a 3" screen (could be worng about screen size) which is very handy as it can save taking a monitor for preview. It also has an audio mixer built in.

I have used VR-3 to live stream a local talent show about a year ago and it was very handy. The size of the Roland mixer that I have is great as the VR-3/ex and the VR-4 are about the same size as each other and would be a bit bigger that an A4 sheet of paper as space they will take up on a table

Nigel Barker · September 8th, 2018, 12:20 AM

The simple HDMI switchers are very cheap & might be sufficient for what you want. At £6.99 or equivalent in your local currency one of these has got to be worth a trial https://www.amazon.co.uk/GANA-Switch...ds=hdmi+switch

Donald McPherson · September 8th, 2018, 01:09 AM

The only problem with those cheap switchers is there is about a one or two second blackspot in between switches.

September 6th, 2018, 11:50 AM	#1
David Banner Major Player Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Bentonville, AR Posts: 239	Simple switcher advice? Looking for advice for a simple swticher that can take a video in feed (HDMI or SDI) from a couple cameras and can switch between the camera(s) and another source, such as powerpoint show and output the switched signal to a large screen. Any suggestions?

September 6th, 2018, 01:24 PM	#2
David Barnett Major Player Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Philly, PA Posts: 951	Re: Simple switcher advice? Can you estimate a price range? Also, what's this going to be for, live events? By your wording it doesn't seem it'll be for livestreaming. I would think a Roland switcher can do it, but not sure if your looking for less: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._4_x_hdmi.html

September 6th, 2018, 01:27 PM	#3
Simon Denny Trustee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,409	Re: Simple switcher advice? The Blackmagic ATEM Switcher Studio HD is a simple switcher. You will also need many extra components to setup and run depending on where the cameras are located from the switcher, HDMI is only good for a few meters, all inputs will need to be the same frame rate etc... Good luck

September 6th, 2018, 06:26 PM	#4
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Simple switcher advice? Hi David The cheapest switcher is free if you use your lap/desktop Look at OBS !! You will obviously need something like an input card like a Magewell to get the video into the computer. If you really want a PC free solution then look at the Roland switchers too BTW: Posting in the Streaming Forum rather than the Wedding forum will probably get you better results!!

September 6th, 2018, 09:51 PM	#5
David Banner Major Player Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Bentonville, AR Posts: 239	Re: Simple switcher advice? Thank you all very much. Originally I was only planning on switching not streaming. But the more I think about it, long term I maybe should plan for streaming eventually too. It might save me some new purchases later. I'm going to look over the Roland and BM switcher you guys shared. Hey Chris! I hadn't thought of using a laptop with OBS. I need to look into that as well. I have two laptops and maybe the cheaper one can even do it. As far as budget I don't have a hard number. Just trying to get an idea what will reliably work and then save up for that. Those $1000 switchers are certainly within reach but I have to figure out what else I need too. Now that I'm considering streaming I really did post this in the wrong forum.... errr

September 7th, 2018, 03:33 AM	#6
Tony McGuire Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Donegal Ireland Posts: 119	Re: Simple switcher advice? Hi David, I have a Roland video switcher its VR-3ex. I use it a lot and I also have the one just befor it which was VR-3. They can be a bit pricy but if you look on ebay sometime you can get one at a good price there is a VR-4 which has HDMI but no SDI in. VR-4 has a small screen build in as in a 3" screen (could be worng about screen size) which is very handy as it can save taking a monitor for preview. It also has an audio mixer built in. I have used VR-3 to live stream a local talent show about a year ago and it was very handy. The size of the Roland mixer that I have is great as the VR-3/ex and the VR-4 are about the same size as each other and would be a bit bigger that an A4 sheet of paper as space they will take up on a table

September 8th, 2018, 12:20 AM	#7
Nigel Barker Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK Posts: 3,531	Re: Simple switcher advice? The simple HDMI switchers are very cheap & might be sufficient for what you want. At £6.99 or equivalent in your local currency one of these has got to be worth a trial https://www.amazon.co.uk/GANA-Switch...ds=hdmi+switch

September 8th, 2018, 01:09 AM	#8
Donald McPherson Major Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Aberdeen Scotland Posts: 815	Re: Simple switcher advice? The only problem with those cheap switchers is there is about a one or two second blackspot in between switches. __________________ A little knowledge goes a long way but not long enough.