After much deliberation between the options (Tricaster or Mac/PC based system) we have just taken delivery of a new Mac Pro (2 x 6 Core 2.93Mhz) as the basis for our new video capture/streaming system. While the Newtek Tricaster would have been ideal the price difference was too high to currently justify.We may have been able to stretch to the Tricaster Studio, now the entry model, but this is not HD.
Current hardware build plan:
System:
Mac Pro (2 x 6 core 2.93Mhz, 5870 graphics, 12 GB)
Blackmagic Intensity Pro PCI x 2 – provide HDMI, Composite, Y/C and component inputs (one only at a time)
Blackmagic Decklink Duo x 1 – 2 SDI ports
This gives a total of 4 inputs. We may switch out one of the Intensity Pros for another Decklink to provide 5 inputs in total.
Outboard:
Kramer VP-437xl switcher – scaler/switcher that has multiple inputs including VGA for connecting computer output to the system. This will be connected to one of the Blackmagic Intensity cards via HDMI. The Kramer will allow us to quickly switch between inputs and scale them as required.
Blackmagic Design HDMI to SDI mini converters – allows you to connect cameras (or other devices with HDMI output) to the SDI inputs of the Blackmagic Declink Duo. High end cameras usually now come equipped with an SDI interface.
Software:
There are three products available for the Mac that allow you to record and/or broadcast video over the internet, the first two are commercial products, the third is
Telestream Wirecast (From $449) – Currently our preferred software for switching, capturing, streaming video. Available on Mac and PC.
Boinx BoinxTV (From $199) – Provides similar capabilities to Wirecast but the interface is not so easy to use but it does have some features missing from Wirecast.
CamTwist (Free) – Has two main modes, one to add effects to cameras being used for other applications, the other (Studio Mode) to provide switching/recording capabilities.
All these applications have their strengths and weaknesses. We will publish more information on each of them in the future.
So that’s now the plan, the pieces are starting to arrive and we should shortly be providing updates and videos on our progress.
Mark
