Blackmagic Forum

Hi. We have a small video studio where we record instructional material for YouTube. Currently we use Canon DSLRs and record to memory cards. We then unload the memory cards and produce them with Premiere Pro CC multicam. We have one cameraman and 1-2 people on camera (with wireless lav mics).

We also record 1080p screencasts with Adobe Captivate, and mix that in. All cameras are on tripods with fixed focus, and don't need to move after we start recording. After editing, the 1080p videos are uploaded to YouTube/Vimeo and made into DVDs and 1080p Blu-ray.

I want to reduce post-production time and allow easy monitoring of 4 video feeds. I also want the option of streaming live over the Internet and switching between cameras (and the computer's display) in real-time.

I'm need to replace the cameras anyway. I'm considering a live production workflow to speed post-processing, possible using this setup:
* Video: 3 x Panasonic GH2s -> 1080p HDMI -> ATEM Production Studio 4k -> some video recording card -> a Windows PC and HDMI monitor for watching all inputs
* Screen recording: 1080p HDMI out -> the same ATEM device

So, questions:

* Will live switching really save me time, given that I'll have to do some post-processing anyway? Should I just stick with recording to separate memory cards and syncing them in post?
* At a similar price point, which cameras would you recommend? For at least one of the cameras, we like the shallow DoF we get at about 135mm and f/2.8 on a full frame 35mm DSLR, but a fast lens on a smaller sensor would be fine.
* How would you set this up? I'm looking for recommendations for cameras, a switcher, and a way to save the resulting video directly to a PC (and get it into Premiere Pro CC as easily as possible).

Naturally, the budget is "as cheap as possible." I'm willing to spend money to streamline workflow, though, because we'll be recording several hours of video per week. The studio is small, and the cables won't need to be more than 20 feet.

Thanks!!

DSLRs look amazing but you will need to test the outputs before you buy anything. Most DSLRs do not have amazing HDMI outputs. HDMI is also pretty bad for sending video over any distance, you would be best to run through HDMI to SDI convertors.

Switching can save you a lot of time if you do it well (you can record the ISO's as well and just use them for fixes if you need to.

You can plug your computers in as sources as well and avoid the screen capture, and probably get better quality.

From the SDI output you can plug into a hyperdeck or a capture card (UltraStudio Mini Recorder) with a computer, depending on what you want and your budget. With the capture card you will have the video on your computer already and ready to edit.

You will probably want to stream and record on different hardware.

As Fred said, DSLRs do not always have a great HDMI output. Some of the Canon DSLRs have third party firmware (Magic Lantern) that is practically required if you plan to use the HDMI output. So, check that before proceeding with this plan.

Next, even if you get a great HDMI output, DSLRs are not always a great choice for live video usage, since the lenses have very critical focus and no servo to operate them. You can get (if you don't already have it) some lens control devices that help with that. Most are geared rings around the lens and a geared lever to assist with focusing. But, honestly, these things just are made for more of a post environment. Not that they can't be used live, but their design lends them towards a cinematic style of shooting.

If you have really tight schedule, and have a very difficult time getting these videos out of post production in a reasonable time frame, live switching can certainly help with that - but it is a very different style of production, with its own issues. When you switch live, you might have imperfect timing on when you switch, on which camera you switch to, and many other little glitches that are the result of being live. Since this is "live to tape" (I know, no one uses tape anymore), you can offset some of this by limiting what you do live, and what you do in post. For instance, you can choose to do graphics in post, which keeps you focused solely on the switching. Or you can record each camera (in the camera) and fix any serious glitches afterwards.

Here would be my setup for this with a tight budget, live switching and streaming.

4 x EX 3cameras from sony
1 x ATEM video mixer (1/me is a nice choice)
1 x Hyperdeck shuttle to record the stream
1 x mac mini to stream and run the switcher (use a mini recorder thunderbolt capture from SDI to get the stream from the switcher and a touch screen for super cheap switching interface) You will want a dedicated operator to do this)
2 x HDMI LCD 1 to see your multiview and one to see your output

You will also have to have an audio setup of some sort, no idea what you need but again a dedicated system and dedicated operator.

I use wirecast to generate a stream and it can play clips and graphics also

I would record everything on camera anyway and this way you have a backup if you need to re-edit. The same for audio, record the split tracks as well as the mix so you have freedom to fix things if needed- you can use a series of audio embedders and add the splits to SDI or you can run a separate system or hardware. You get 16 ch of embedded audio which means a stereo mix and 14 channels of ISO.

The EX-3 is also a very nice camera.