Camera Capture and Streams

[MistyxInori]

Hey ^.^

 

I'm starting to get into the production side of things, like going to events and giving live streams, interviews, coverage ect. I've already asked a question on the lengths of HDMI cables and have already had a hard time finding one that is long enough. My original Idea was to have GoPro's for the static shots and 1 or two better cameras for the interviews / live coverage. So do I have a few questions for you lot

 

1. What would be the best capture device either internal or external to capture at least 2 GoPro's (will defiantly be expanding in the future)

2. For the other cameras, I'd be looking for something that isn't too expensive but does the Job. I'd also be looking to attach a shotgun mic (I'm confident I can find somewhere) and possibly 2 lavalier microphones.

3. What would be the best way to capture the camera(s) you suggested above? Either HDMI? SDI Video Input? 

 

If there is anything else you can recommend with networking or anything like that feel free to do so. I'd be using OBS-Studio to put everything together and then send it out. 

 

I do have to go for a little while but I'll look forward to reading the responses when I get back

 

[ALwin]

4 hours ago, OfficialMistyCS said:

snip

Ok firstly, how much are you willing to spend?

For the GoPro or similar camera (including cheap GoPro clones) record internally.

 

For the other camera(s), you want to attach a shotgun and two lav mics to it (total 3 mics) at the same time?

 

I have no idea if you want a portable solution or looking for a solution that you spend about 30 minutes to one hour preparing in a studio or on location.

 

For the streaming side, if you have multiple cameras, you need a switcher to capture the feed of all the cameras so you can decide which camera's footage is being streamed at any moment.  Or are you thinking (e.g. if you have four cameras) you will be sending out four separate streams?  Most video switchers are designed for studio use, a portable setup involves putting the device in a mobile rack case which you will then have to provide power somehow.

 

If you are working solo and you want a portable streaming solution, here is something you might be interested in:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1133060-REG/livestream_ls_broadcaster_pro_livestream_broadcaster_pro.html

This device captures a video feed from a camera or switcher using an HDMI input.  The device can be connected to a WiFi/Ethernet or 3G network via a USB modem.  It encodes the feed from the camera and sends it out to your streaming server/service with up to 1080p at 5Mb/s.  With this you don't need a computer (well you might need one or a phone/table for the initial setup) or video capture card.

 

 

If you live in the UK, call up CVP.com and ask them for advice.  You might be able to go to them in person and they can demonstrate the sort of setup you might need, if you live close enough.

 

[MistyxInori]

Thanks for the reply @ALwin  This would be for a studio setup most likely with the advancement to be going to a location to setup there. My plan would be to have all cameras broadcasting on separate monitors and then picking on obs what to display at what given time. So a pass through capture device would be ideal. As for the mics, A shotgun mic would be placed on top for more after movie shots or larger groups and the lav mics for more professional looking interviews. Can you suggest any cameras that would be ideal for this and what would be the best way to stream them to a pc with obs? via wire or wireless? Thanks

 

[ALwin]

As I asked earlier, what is your maximum budget right now and how many cameras do you plan to start with?

 

(All prices I mention are in GBP as listed on CVP without VAT, I don't have the symbol on my keyboard.)

 

By lav mics, I assume you mean wireless lavs?  The cheapest good quality wireless lavs are the RodeLinks which cost around 240.00 each set.

 

A decent shotgun mic for "professional/semi-pro" level of work will be something like a Rode NTG2 which costs around 160.00.

 

For recording the feed of those mics, you can use something like a Tascam DR-70D which costs another 180.00.  This allows you to connect up to four microphones at the same time.  Video cameras that have integrated XLR input will at most come with only two XLR ports.  Some cameras allow additional XLR port connections with the use of an accessory (thinking Sony cameras) that cost around 390.00.

 

The cheapest video camera that has dual XLR ports costs around 850.00.  But depending on the number of cameras you want to use, you may end up buying an even more expensive camera because you need SDI out ports, which the cheapest camera might not have.

 

Each camera you plan to use must have its own tripod or support/mounting solution.

 

I don't recommend using multiple monitors to watch each camera's feed.  In fact there is a better solution but I need to know what is the maximum number of cameras you plan to run.  For example, the ATEM Television Studio from Black Magic (around 615.00) it has 4 HDMI-in and 4 SDI-in ports.  You can connect a maximum 6 camera inputs (4HDMI+2SDI or 4SDI+2HDMI).  You can monitor all camera feeds on a single monitor, and because the ATEM is a switcher you can select which camera's viewpoint is being broadcasted.

 

How I would use the feed from the ATEM to OBS I am not 100% certain, having never done this kind of setup myself.  But one solution would be to use a video capture card to feed the HDMI or SDI output of the ATEM back into the computer and feed it to OBS.

 

If you want to take the ATEM on location, out of the studio, you need a mobile rack case.  And if the location where you will be using it doesn't have a power outlet, you need a portable power solution.

 

This doesn't sound like something you can do alone, this kind of work requires minimum a two person crew.

 

I've only mentioned some of the primary components that I can think of at the top of my head, but you are looking at a minimum budget of 5000.00 GBP.  We can talk in more detail and make a comprehensive list.

 

If you want a one person solution, similar to how ENG shooters work

• 1x Camera
• 1x Shotgun mic mounted on camera, no booming the mic (which might require a second person, there are ways you can boom a mic solo using a stand)
• 1x Wireless Lav kit
• The device I linked in my previous comment, the Livestream Broadcaster or something similar
• rigging solution

I can also help you find a solution for this, but you will still need to spend more or less 2000.00 GBP.

[MistyxInori]

I don't really have a price limit atm. So lets see what the cheapest setup would be and the most expensive. I don't plan to have the lav mics connected at the same time as the shotgun mics. They'll have their own separate camera. So 1 Camera with the shotgun and one with the lavs. As far as input goes 2 HDMI for the gopros would be easy enough and 2 SDI for the main cameras. I'm literally brand new to all of this and I'm learning as I go. Is all the info for pricing I need on CVP? 

[ALwin]

Addendum:

If you go for a solution that does not use a device like the ATEM, and instead want to use video capture cards, you may need multiple capture cards.  I am not certain consumer video capture cards can take multiple camera feeds on the same card.

[MistyxInori]

I've looked and they can't so I'm opting for an internal card

 

[ALwin]

12 minutes ago, OfficialMistyCS said:

As far as input goes 2 HDMI for the gopros would be easy enough and 2 SDI for the main cameras. I'm literally brand new to all of this and I'm learning as I go. Is all the info for pricing I need on CVP? 

Yep, CVP is a professional supplier in the UK.  Their prices are pretty good.

 

Well if you never plan to have more than two mics connected at the same time then you can just feed the mics into the single camera with the XLR.  But if you need to connect more then two mics, I really recommend using an external recorder or soundboard that has multiple mic inputs.  Feeding two mics to one camera and the third mic to a second camera is doable but I don't recommend it.  Better to get all the mics connected to a single recorder so that the quality of the recording will be consistent.

 

As for internal video capture cards... you will need to be using a desktop which makes it less portable than a laptop.  But for internal cards you might look at Black Magic's DeckLink cards, but they might end up costing you more than the ATEM switcher.

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/decklink

 

ATEM switcher

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/atemtelevisionstudio

[MistyxInori]

You sir, are beautiful. 

[ALwin]

53 minutes ago, OfficialMistyCS said:

You sir, are beautiful. 

Can I advise you to go contact CVP.  I'm not a supplier, I am someone who works in doing things like what you want to do, but for myself.  So I might not have as wide a knowledge about various other options as perhaps someone from CVP.