Jump to content

Multi camera advice


Mr Steve

Recommended Posts

Hello,

 

This topic is not strictly production related but I'm sure someone on here can point me in the right direction.

 

I've been approached by a teacher who is to set up a basic studio facility for BTEC media students where he needs to film / produce a live panel show. He is not technically minded and has asked me for some advice. However, I am not a video guy, and beyond running in CCTV for a show relay, I'm not sure where to start. He has said that he wants to buy some second hand camera equipment, and dollies - probably 3. I assume these would feed in to a vision mixer of some description, with audio recorded separately and both video and audio 'recorded' out on something. He also needs the ability to play in video clips such as a title sequence, and have the ability to play this back to the studio floor as a preview / cue monitor / whatever the correct terminology is.

 

I've not taken this on as 'a job' as it's beyond my area of knowledge. If anyone feels they could give me some guidance on how this sort of thing typically goes together and bits of kit to look out for then I would really appreciate it. I could at least feed back what he should be looking for.

 

If this thread is beyond the scope of BR, then I will not be offended if it is deleted.

 

Thanks as ever...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Have a look at some of the packages that Planet offer, e.g. this one. Cheaper options are available! For a non-technically minded teacher (presumably with no specialist on-site support) an all-in-one system from one supplier who can offer support on the whole lot would probably be a wise move.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Only had a little play with the demo version - but have a look at Switcher Studio. Uses iPods and iPads as cameras over a wifi network, you can add in a Mac desktop for the titles, offers recording etc. Might be a cheap option if you already have the hardware and it's going to be a one off?
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Shez is absolutely right, get someone in who can install and support a complete system.

 

Otherwise they will be mucking around forever trying to get everything to work and buying different things to replace the other things that wouldn't work together.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks guys. A fully installed, supported system will always be best. Unfortunately it's one of those situations where the powers that be are thinking it can be done on a shoestring budget.

 

Well without expertise, which you freely admit neither you nor the teacher have, it really can't and they are just setting themselves up for frustration if they try to. If you try to help do it on a shoestring then the frustration will be with you!

What you describe in your original post is a complicated system to set up even for someone who already knows what they are doing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Video is unfortunately one field that never does well on a shoestring budget.

It would be possible to cobble something together with semi-domestic second hand kit from a well known auction site but you'd have to know exactly what you need and exactly how to fit it all together. And how to support it. It's a specialist field and without that particular knowledge of how things are done, I think you'll really struggle.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Take a look at http://www.vmix.com/

 

At the risk of sidetracking the conversation slightly, can anyone comment on the amount of latency when using vmix for live IMAG? I've got a customer that I think would get on very well with this, but the main output is going to be up on screens directly behind the stage.

 

I saw a ridiculously poor system in a conference venue where the latency was getting on for 1/4 sec, the person on stage could do a mexican wave with themselves on the screen behind.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would contact your local uni or college for a bit of advice.

 

It is far easier to do now than ever before, but to get decent image quality you need a decent system.

Loads of old tat on ebay can be used ok but also can prove to be a nightmare.

 

lead length is often critical.

 

Look at the Datavideo stuff from Holdan UK as it is based around educational/church use.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The problem with this is really the cost - not of the cameras, but the camera supports - a 35mm tripod on a rolling skid is our of it's depth with heavbier cameras. Older kit will be SD and composite - so simple to set up, but you need monitors, and cabling, plus the matching audio, and of course comms. We used to do this at college all the time. It could be simpler to take the kids to a college with media facilities and doing a joint project?
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Does the system need to do all these things in real-time? Is the video going to be shown live to the studio audience and/or broadcast/streamed live? If not then what you really need is three cameras that can record, some way to record the audio and an offline editing system (like Adobe Premiere). You could still send the titles sequence or whatever to a screen for the audience but this is then just another piece of media to be incorporated into the final edit. You may still struggle to get three lots of video that matches seamlessly but you won't be struggling to synchronise everything and mix it live.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

My understanding is that the show has to be recorded as live, and not edited offline.

 

Thank you all for your advice - I will point him in the direction of a local Uni or to approach a company that can provide a package that will not start to break down after 3 months.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You should check why " live" is important

I run a live studio and it is very hard to doIt is also massively expensive to get set up to a modern standard

I also do live mixes for relay over screens or web, recorded and used to make DVDs The whole set up is costly and fraught with risk but in the instance of relay and sales is efficient when you are doing several shows that otherwise would need post production

I have shot iso ( free running cameras that are later edited) before the advent of " multicam" and that is also extremely time consuming I do loads of iso shoots now that are recorded on camera, and then synchronised in post and edited "as live"A mate regularly does 10 camera concert shoots that he edits on multicam Be aware that the cheaper end of the NLE programmes don't do multicam

A badly done live mix can be very slow to watch due to the limitations of the crew's ability

You could also look at local to/ video clubs where the members are very keen and might have the kit that they could bring in and allow the kids(?) to operate under supervision

Many of the devices like the black magic atem mixer are fraught with compatibility issues and if you don't get a consultant who can guarantee that kit supplied will work see lesson together , you will spend a fortune and have no useable system

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.