Hi Mike and Mike,
"Hey Weogo, fancy running into you here."
Digital boards and recording, video, whatever it takes.
I must confess I have yet to even lurk on the lighting board... :- )
"Lots of good ideas here, here's a few more. As previously mentioned, camera-only cameras are in a totally higher price range, so you'll wind up looking at some camcorders in the prosumer/entry-level-pro range. I have successfully used cams like the Canon XL1 for live projection, and the image has been excellent. Bottom line, stick with a 3-chip cam. Many of the ones in this range are impressive with low light."
Panasonic AG-DVC30, with three 1/4" CCDs, is the current first choice. About $1500.
It appears that right now, camcorders are similar to computers in that they are rapidly improving and coming down in price. Maybe a few years from now I'll buy a couple used Panasonic HVX200s with flash storage for a grand!
"Now, what to do with the present cams that are being retired from this duty: use them as recording decks and ditch the VHS. Despite the fact that they have inferior (1-chip) imaging systems, this portion of them will not be used, and their tape transports must conform to Mini-DV recording standards, which has twice the lines of resolution of VHS, to say nothing of significantly better color reproduction. I have been very satisfied using this as a low-budget solution, and it should work well for you until you have the funds for a DSR-11 or similar standalone DV deck."
We just got a Sony VRD-VC20 stand-alone DVD burner.
Great idea on using the old mini-cams as decks!
"Markertek is good, so is Full Compass. So is B&H."
Yep, have dealt with all three.
"I have run S-Video at lengths exceeding 50', but maybe I have gotten lucky."
Good!
"For long runs of composite video, I like to use RG-6/U coaxial cable to minimize line loss."
How long is long?
"Here's a low-cost alternative for the D/A although I do like the BNCs on that Kramer. Definitely use a D/A whatever brand instead of daisy-chaining or Y-splitting."
I've seen the DA you posted, or very similar, on several sites. Does it pass a quality signal?
"Like Mike said, utilitarian is the mantra."
I'm lobbying for quality, not quantity!
"Client provided a Sony PD-170 that we used handheld onstage, with a 200' composite run to the video village. For what its worth, that little camcorder held its own far better than I ever dreamed it would."
Alas, the Sony PD-170 is a bit beyond the budget.(Twice the price of the Panasonic.) It has three 1/3" CCDs.
"hooked up for I-Mag"
Ummm, what's I-Mag?
Thanks and good health, Weogo