Producing Conference Video Pt. 4: Live Delivery and Postproduction

All-in-one Streaming

Roland recently launched the VR-5 A/V mixer and I have to admit that I am very seriously considering buying one for myself, even though I already have all the individual components that I require to stream live video. The reason is that this one device combines several large pieces of equipment into a single unit and is much easier to transport, set-up, operate and store. My only hesitation is that it lacks a tally light connection and I own a Datavideo ITC intercom system with integrated tally light controls which I regularly use, so I'm hesitant to take a step backwards in functionality or buy a second unit that duplicates much of what I am able to currently offer.

Feature-wise this one A/V mixer combines a 5-Channel Video Switcher (3 video sources, Scan converter/PC input, & audio/video/photo playback from SD), with an audio mixer (2 Mono and 5 Stereo Mixable Audio Channels), a pair of built-in LCD monitors (with touch control for easy video source selection), and allows the video switcher operator to manipulate three video layers using the downstream keyer (chroma- and luma-key). In addition to HDMI, S-Video, and BNC outputs, it also records the output internally to MPEG-4 video with MP3 audio on SD/SDHC cards and, if that wasn't enough the VR-5, is an industry first USB video/audio-class device for web streaming.

What this means is that you can connect the Roland VR-5 A/V mixer to your computer with a standard USB 2.0 cable. I still might purchase one, despite the lack of tally light connection, as one of my clients wants me to produce a semi-annual series of six webcasts in six small northern BC fishing communities and not having to pack a separate audio mixer, record deck, scan converter, several monitors , and an analog to digital audio and video conversion solution means that I just might be able to get all my equipment with me on the plane rides within normal baggage allowances.

Taking forward and backwards integration one step further is NewTek with their TriCaster series. These small-form-factor computer boxes combine multiple audio and video inputs, pre-recorded playback, keying, recording, and ultimately video streaming direct to the streaming server. Rather than rattle off the specs from their wide lineup, let me tell you a quick story about the last time I used a TriCaster. Not too long ago I was asked to film and produce a webcast for an executive at a large computer company-one that is large enough that you would likely know its founder's name. On the way to this out of town webcast I received a phone call from my client in a panic explaining to me that all of the equipment that was being couriered would not arrive on time and could I figure out how to replace everything within a few hours and in such a manner that their client couldn't tell that we were working on a Plan B.

The NewTek TriCaster TCX-D850