A/V nerds. Multiple camera projection?

[Stanley Design]

Wondering if some of you can help me out and point me in the right direction. I'm going to be opening an all ages music venue in the next year and one of my plans is to host the shows in the venue with an online stream. So what I would like is the following....

A reliable digital camcorder brand/model that is relatively inexpensive. (Hoping to spend $200-$300 a piece)

A graphics card or interface able to connect 3-4 cameras to the computer at once.

A program that allows me to: A) view all the cameras. B)broadcast whichever one is selected at the given time. C)Send a secondary output to a media projector in the room.

This kind of A/V stuff is new to me and more than a little overwelming, so any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

[fu22ba55]

I'm out of my depth for sure (regarding live stuff) but it sounds like what you want is a video switcher first. (Like a mixing board for video cameras)

Then take a tap off the video switcher and send it to the computer for streaming. (And send another tap to the projector).

You could use an old school video switcher (if you can find one) and just take an RCA or S-Video out from the switcher to a cheap A to D converter (like a Canopus).

So..

Cameras--->Switcher--->Canopus--->Computer

(and at the same time, Cameras--->Switcher--->Projector)

You don't want to waste the CPU cycles on switching, etc... the CPU will be busy enough encoding the video stream.

I'd call B&H Photo Video in NYC and ask them. Their sales guys are pretty helpful and don't try to oversell you. Tell them you're cheap and they can find something for you.

(if the cameras you get use miniDV (or whatever the HD equivalent of that is...) you could always run tape in the cameras as well, then capture each camera's tape into Final Cut Pro later to edit a legit multi-cam version, since you'd be recording each camera's entire performance (regardless of what the live switcher is doing.))

[Stanley Design]

What about the idea of using a security system?
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...&Sku=Q300-2706

A) It comes with 4 cameras and cables for them to run 60ft.
B) It comes with the hardware and software to be able to run them like I want.
C) I don't need audio from the cameras since I'll be wiring the room for sound separately.
D) I also don't need LCD screens on the cameras etc.

I'm just wondering what the quality would be like.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by Stanley Design

A reliable digital camcorder brand/model that is relatively inexpensive. (Hoping to spend $200-$300 a piece)

I have a Canon FS100, just under $300 about a year ago. Great little camera!!! It has Dolby Digital Sound and a 1/8" mic input so that your video can have awesome sound!

[fu22ba55]

Originally Posted by Stanley Design

I'm just wondering what the quality would be like.

That's pretty much the question. video quality. If it's storing the video on it's own DVR, then the video is already compressed (H.264) when captured, so it will be lower quality if you were to go back and edit it.

But if you're really just concerned about the live performance and streaming aspect (not too worried about editing the video later) that might work just fine.

Night vision is cool for the robes-and-fog doom bands.

It seems like a pretty cool solution for the price.

You could try it, and odds are you could sell it on CL or eBay for not too much of a loss. People are going security camera CRAZY these days.

Kudos to you for opening an all ages venue. You must have a lot of patience to run a rock club.