Is there another camera you would reccomend?
How much more money for a significant step up in image quality?
Well, for what its worth, no, I can't really recommend another camera. In my world, gear purchases are outside of my influence, so I use what they buy. That said, its pro gear. I normally have Sony DXC 537, 637, or D30 on my events. Those live in the 10s of thousands range without the lens. I'm guessing those are above your budget. At the risk of over generalizing, and I'm thinking you've been around long enough to know what I mean, get the most expensive camera you can afford.
The stage is 40' wide x 30' deep. We have tape marks on the floor for a 20' wide x 15' deep area we ask presenters to stay in. There are about 20 lights, including some new ones that are directly overhead. Mostly cans & floods.
The guy I'm working with was a network broadcast cameraman years ago, and he's directing the lighting upgrades.
Where all this lighting won't help is at remote shoots in the Guild shop or other off-site shoots...
That's a fair amount of stage. Kudos for limiting it to work better for you. How's that going? I find that trying to give presenters direction is like herding cats...
Good to hear that you've got someone working on the lights, when I began playing in video I didn't appreciate how important it is. As for the remote shoots, a low cost solution is some of those Home Depot style Halogen work lights on stands and a good amount of diffusion. Not great, but on a budget, 3 of them will do you right. Did I mention diffusion? And maybe a home built dimmer, just so you have some more control, but watch out for the amber shift.
The on-screen images are ok, but could be so much better.
That statement doesn't sound like you've got a cable issue. As I mentioned before, video cable issues exhibit themselves the same as audio, just visually.
The switcher outputs to both a composite out and an S-video out. Currently the composite out has a 'Y' cable on it, which feeds the two CRTs. The S-Video out feeds the VCR, and the VCR's S-Video out feeds the projector.
I would definitely get at a composite DA. S-Video's limitation is that it doesn't handle long cable runs well. If you are at 75' on S, I'd run it composite, without question. If you are under 25' with S, you should be OK, though I like to keep S under 15'. Video is far more finicky about Y-cables than audio is. Avoid them at all costs. Feel free to continue to run you records S, but DA all your displays.
Maybe we should be going with something like the Panasonic MX-50 mixer? Anything similar for a lot less $$?
I have used the 50 and like it, very solid with bare bones simplicity. I can't really comment on other options, refer to my above statements about how I get the gear I use. It does sound to me like the priority in your system would be, in order, DA, Cameras, Lighting. If your switcher works and you have all the inputs and outputs you need, spend you money somewhere else. To go back to our common audio background, upgrading your switcher will not necessarily yield the same results as upgrading your mixer. Especially if you are just switching.
Hope this helps.