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?

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

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

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!!

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

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

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

Re: Simple switcher advice?
 

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