Live Video Switching Buyers Guide

by Robin Liss
Published on Dec 3, 2002 12:00 AM



Live video switching is commonly used for video taping events. Whether or not your product is actually viewed live, live video switching can be a very useful tool. If you get proficient at it, you can totally avoid the post production process. Wedding videographers can use multi-camera live video shoots to produce a tape right at the end of the ceremony. There are many options available, and with more and more computer options becoming available there are a vast array of choices for your live video switcher.

Focus Enhancements MXProDV The MXProDV has been around for a while. The MXProDV has four inputs and offers over 500 transitions. The mixer doesn't offer titling but it has chromaky, picture and pictures and many other picture effects. The MXProDV is available for about $2,5000.

Panasonic offers two mixers to choose from. The first is the AG-MX70 which offers 8 inputs. The mixer includes 600 effects, with the addition of 1500 3d effects with the optional 3d unit. The AG-MX70 includes a large LCD screen to help monitor the mixer and select from its many options. The AG-MX70 sells for $6,500. The WJ-MX20 offers only four input and many less features than the AG-MX70 and sells for $1,500.

NewTek Video Toaster® [2] with SX-8 Switcher Expansion module about $5000 Originally the video toaster was made for Amiga computers however, its been reborn for PC. The video toaster is the ultimate switching option. You can have 8 inputs, do audio mixing, chroma keying, plenty of video effects, switching, video titling, and plenty of other effects.

GlobalStreams Globecaster 4000 The reincarnation of Trinity's Play - the Globcaster 4000 includes 4 inputs. The product includes a real time character generator, animation and paint compositing tools, real-time 3D video warp effects creation tool, an eight input audio mixer and internet streaming features. The Globebcaster 4000 starts at $14,995 with many configuration options available.