Posted by Richard Crowley on 10/24/06 16:51

"James G" wrote ...
> (I first posted this in rec.video.desktop, but received an email that
> this group might be better suited to my problem)
>
> We're shooting shows (live bands, mostly) for a streaming internet
> site. We use three prosumer-level cameras and live-switch between the
> feeds. We utilize an in-house stage/set so we're not talking about
> setting up at bars and clubs.
>
> The cameras we have offer two choices for video out: s-video and
> rca-style composite. We've been going with s-video because of the cable
> runs needed (50-feet and 100-feet) and we would also like to preserve
> as much quality as possible (we're not so much concerned about the
> quality for the live stream, more for archiving).
>
> However, given the fragile nature of the s-video connection, we've been
> going through s-video cables like you wouldn't believe. We've found
> them to be really unreliable and we need to find an alternative
> solution, as the 100-foot runs of cable are really expensive.

Since this is a fixed installation, put in hard-wired runs terminated at
wall-plates with the 4-pin miniDIN Y/C connectors. Then you can use
cheap, short, "disposable" Y/C patch cords between the camera and
the wall plate.

If it were me I would hard-wire with Cat5 networking cable (which is
about as cheap as you can get). And use those "balun" transformer
boxes at each end.

There has been quite a discussion of using these over on the
news:rec.arts.movies.production.sound newsgroup where they
are starting to use it for running monitoring audio over to "video
village" and running video back from "video village" to the sound
mixer's cart, etc.

Or use two lengths of garden-variety antenna coax from Radio-
Shack (or wherever). As long as they are the same length (within
1/4 inch) and terminated to the 4-pin miniDIN conectors, they
are likely superior to any 50 or 100 ft Y/C extention cable.

> We are stuck with the cameras we have for now, so we do only have two
> video out options: s-video and composite. Oh, and we aren't really able
> to move the stage and the switcher any closer than they are right now.

Yeah, been there, done that. We used to use consumer camcorders
for multi-camera live switched production. But dealing with the sub-
optimal lighting conditions (and tally/intercom, etc.) soon took us into
using industrial cameras with real Camera Control Units (CCUs), etc.

> We are most seriously considering a system in which we utilize a "hub"
> in which we can plug shorter runs of s-video cable from the cameras
> into the hub (the shorter runs would be much cheaper to replace). The
> hub could easily be place within 15 feet of each of the cameras that
> move around the most (the ones closest to the stage). However, does
> such a hub exist? We're looking for at least a two-in, two-out hub, but
> we'd definitely consider a 4X4 or similar if it can get us what we
> need.

One run of Cat5 cable has 4 pair which is good for two separate
Y/C video runs (or four composite video). Or run one Cat5 cable
to each camera position and use the other two pair for tally &
intercom, etc.

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