Live Cam Projection

[aholmes11]

this is a newbie question so please bare with me. I have a show that will require a live cam video projection with a panasonic dvc-30 cam . the a/v out has rca connector that I was planning to use but I am not sure what I use on the pc side for capture.

I am projecting a live band and on top of the cam I am required to project lyrics on top of the feed (lower third) and I am not sure what software to use other than powerpoint but I it would be could if I could use opaque background for lyrics so vid feed is showing in background.

any help at all would be much appreciated.

[museav]

You might want to try it first. You have a digital camcorder with processing and D/A in order to get the composite video output. That composite signal then runs some distance to a computer, where it goes through an A/D conversion and some other processing. Then out of the computer to a projector, possibly with some processing and scaling involved at the projector. That's a lot of conversion and processing and thus probably some readily noticeable latency.

Do you have a capture card? What constraints do you have as far as type of computer, budget, etc.?

[aholmes11]

Hey. thanks for your quick reply. lets pretend I have an unlimited budget. What would be the best way to do this? I do not have a capture card. I was hoping maybe you could recommend somthing. Appreciate your help!
thanks
Andy

[NickJones]

This is possible with software, but it sucks.
I use and Edirol V4 Vision Mixer, that let's me overlay stuff & switch between 4 video feeds, does heaps of other cool stuff, and I also use a TVOne CS320 Scan converter to turn my computer signal (VGA) into a signal the V4 takes, be warned though that scan converting is fine for lyrics, lower thirds, chryrons, but if you want a high quality power point or movie coming from the computer, it won't look that good.
Do a search on CB for scan converters, if you decide to go down this route it will cost around 1k if you go second hand, for the switcher/mixer (V4) and the Scan Converter.
Edirol V4 (Have seen them second hand for $400 US)
Scan Converters-Most electronics computer shops sell these, your's doesn't have to be over $50.

If you want to go down this route I can send you some stuff to help you out, as for software, look into Media Shout, or Pro Presenter if you use Mac.

Nick

[NickJones]

Oh my apologies, if you had an unlimited budget you would use a Ross Synergy 54 Channel Vision Switcher, with 8 Dedicated Down Stream Keyers, around 30 HD cameras and a budget of at least 500k

Shiny or what?

[headcrab]

That is really trippy.

[Soxred93]

Oh, that's so bright! I'm blind!

[aholmes11]

Nick. you are awesome! Let me digest this a little and get back to you! thanks so much.
Andrew

[NickJones]

Can't hear that enough!

[museav]

Anyone ever notice that the weapons controls on the Death Star look suspiciously like a large frame Grass Valley production switcher of that era? Imagine moving the T-bar for a take and it's as if millions of voices cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced.