4 HDMI sources MBP??
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For switching a live video feed I have two Sony CX405 Handycams connected through HDMI cables into two separate Blackmagic Ultrastudio Mini Recorders to each of the two Thunderbolt ports on my Macbook Pro Retina (2012 model). I feed the projector through the HDMI port. It works great.
How could I use all available video channels in Izzy and connect 2 more HDMI cameras? Unfortunately the Mini Recorders don't provide an extra TB port for daisy chaining. I could use a Blackmagic Declink duo, mounted in a Sonnet Fusion TB expansion chassis which has two TB ports. But this requires either expensive SDI sources or HDMI to SDI converters. I would just like to use inexpensive consumer camcorders and 4x Mini Recorders. I'm aware of the fact that I possibly need to upgrade my computer as well if dealing with four HDMi sources.Any advice?Jacob. -
In case you are not using the cameras simultaneously how about using an external hdmi switcher or mixer, maybe someone else can give you a tip of a good switcher or mixer? But I don't know of a solution getting 4 cameras over Thunderbolt into a mac book pro.
Best Michel
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Yes this is of course the "safest" option. But the point is to program Isadora to switch automatically since I perform as a musician simultaneously.
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Interested also in such a solution
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@Jacob1970 @feinsinn
How about this 4x4 HDMI Matrix Switcher from Monoprice, you can control it via RS232, that means Isadora can control it as well. I have never used this device, just googled it.
Best Michel
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Nice find, Michel, but then I'm not able to do crossfade between the sources I guess?
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No you cannot. Or you try to finde two 2x2 Matrix switches that can be controlled via RS232 and then you can at least crossfade in a limited way.
Best Michel
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Perhaps you can cheat, do a freeze at source1, switch to source2 and do a crossfade.between the freezed image and source2. Its not really elegant, but it works.
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Great find, thanx!
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Here is a few more options-
https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/smartvideohubThe clean switch option will let you fade between sources and will re-sync each input (without this resync - using the above rs232 switcher, you will get a black period, flashes (could be seconds long) and a delay as the capture box resynchronises to the next input- it is the same as pulling the cable out and plugging in another one, this will be ugly and no amount of freeze and switch will get you out of it. The Clean switch 12X12 does a lot more than you need but will do it. You can also look at the ATEM models but they are less flexible with input resolutions (of course with all these solutions you will have to have exactly the same resolution and frame rate on each camera). They do however have some pretty advanced features and the cheapest is also 1500 like the above clean switch. These are SDI but you can pick up convertors from ebay hdmi to sdi for about 40 buckshttp://www.ebay.com/itm/MINI-3G-HDMI-to-SDI-Converter-Adapter-BNC-SDI-HD-SDI-3G-SDI-2-970-Gbit-s-Black-/321767278518and this will make your cables better cheaper and more flexible and able to do longer runs. I would definitely invest- long hdmi are a pain in the ass and not reliable for stage- also not repairable.You can also look for an HDMI or SDI quad splitter, it will cost around 1K and give you 1/4 HD resolution but you can get all cameras at once, like this http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1091833-REG/decimator_dd_md_quad_multi_defnition_quad_3g_hd_sd_sdi_quad.htmlExpecting a switcher with no re-sync capability on the inputs to give you a smooth ride is not reasonable, but if you are ok with a second or two of black between cameras then the hard switch rs232 that michel mentioned is OK. -
What you say is all true, but if you are working with two switches you can crossfade between them and make the switch of the switcher that is not live.
Best Michel
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Another solution, with crossfade and the possibility to command it from Isadora (is Blackmagic Atem, with 4 HDMI input and crossfade.
osc to ATEM herehttp://buechele.cc/blog/2013/2/5/atemosc-a-osc-bridge-to-control-atem-switchersJacques -
Add 2x USB3 BlackMagic Ultrastudios?
