Hi, I am starting a new company and we will work on TV projects. I was looking into buying a video switcher or mixer (don't really know the difference) in order to switch between 2-4 cameras using S-video cabling.

I saw several options, could you please tell me how good do this work or if you know of other brands/models please let me know.

Sima SFX-10 $488
Sima | SFX-10 Video Mixer | SFX-10 | B&H Photo Video (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/485162-REG/Sima_SFX_10_SFX_10_Video_Mixer.html#reviews)

Datavideo SE-500 $950
Datavideo | SE-500 Live Production Switcher | SE-500 - NTSC (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/383508-REG/Datavideo_SE_500_NTSC_SE_500_Live_Production_Switcher.html)

Or i could go to Ebay and get an old Panasonic or Videonics one

What do you think?

Avoid Videonics like the plague! I owned two and they were amateurish and low quality. As well, the frame store sync took an EXTREMELY long time to sync sources between cuts (almost half a second after "taking" the new source, it would switch). The T-Bar is utterly unusable ESPECIALLY for TV.

I'm also not a fan of the Panasonic MX series of switchers.

I've actually got an EDIROL switcher in my roadcase now and I'm QUITE impressed, especially at the price point (which is more than the items you listed) but it doesn't use S-Video cables, BNC only. I have issues with S-Video cabling in a multicam live setup due to the possibility of the cable being crushed (28 gauge x 4 plus shield... bad for longevity!) as I had this happen a number of years ago before I switched to BNC RG-59 exclusively. The chroma channel shorted to ground and inverted on one of my cameras when a woman in high heels STOOD on my cable and crushed the insulator.

I regularly have to switch with old Videonics and Panasonnic MX switchers - and hate them. The Videonics need a Time Base Corrector to insure synch, the MX is ... okay, not great.

I also regularly switch a live show using the DataVideo SE-800AV (Big brother to the one you're looking at) I LOVE it. Rock solid, good effects, responsive board. I can recomend it. Aside from the Grass Valley I also switch on, I'd say it's the best of the low-end switcher I work
with.

http://www.thomsongrassvalley.com/products/switchers/indigo/


Can't speak to the Sima - haven't used it.

Shaun - Try using CAT-5 cable for long S-Video runs. Attach the S-baluns adapters to them, and you're good to go. S-Video Transceiver (http://www.svideo.com/svideobalun1.html)

Shaun - Try using CAT-5 cable for long S-Video runs. Attach the S-baluns adapters to them, and you're good to go. S-Video Transceiver (http://www.svideo.com/svideobalun1.html)

SUPER cool! Never seen that before. Thanks.

HI

Check out the Edirol models.

I've used their 4 input LVS400 for a few years .... easy to drive ... cuts/dissolves/wipes and a *basic* PIP/Key (though it ties up the whole mixer) around $1k as I recall.

Mine has BNC and SVideo in and out. Built really well .... can't go wrong!

There's more capable units from them too, but this will get you going!

Best

Lee