Do I need a VT PRO card to run VT[5]?

[Paul Lara]

There have been numerous questions about the uses of LiveSet(TM) in VT[5] and whether customers using the older VT33 card can utilize these live effects.
Here is a PDF file that outlines the basics of what is possible.

[ScorpioProd]

Paul, what if one wants to do one of the most common type of things, going from a live anchor desk with a live PIP, cutting to that SAME live PIP but using just the pure input full screen. A simple cut like that should work with the old VT card, correct?

[Cineman]

Re: Do I need a VT-PRO Card to use VT[5] ?

Think I would be remiss to not mention at this point that Bobs 3rd Channel, Plug-In, can do all of the situations pictured, as tested on VT[3] and VT[4], without the VT-PRO Card. And it can do it with a cut or dissolve to, or from, one of these sources, glitch free. You can use use the Preview bus to see the live source that you want to come up next, or just return to Main.

One super capability of 3rd Channel is that you could add a second display screen to the left pictures, or a 3rd window/box to the right, and display three live camera shots with the PRO card, or two with a computer generated source in the third, without it.

Nes Gurley

[KHS-TV]

Paul, what if one wants to do one of the most common type of things, going from a live anchor desk with a live PIP, cutting to that SAME live PIP but using just the pure input full screen. A simple cut like that should work with the old VT card, correct?

Certainly looks like it based on that PDF.

Technical note: In practice, a non VT-PRO card will allow you to set up an effect that uses two live video sources, however
it will then “glitch” when you transition or switch to a third. You would also not be able to use the preview bus to see any
the live source that you want to come up next.

Since with your scenario you're never switching to a third, it shouldn't glitch, right?

[Adam_LightPlay]

Thanks Paul.
Is the info in the .PDF the same whether you are using an SX-8 or an SX-84? Or when you say VT-Pro can do such-and-such, are you also assuming the user is using an SX-84?
Thanks for a clarification.

[John Perkins]

The card is the key part, it has the 2 or 3 chips on it, but you will need a breakout box of some kind for any switching.

[Thalek]

Besides the awesome over-kill of the SX-84, are there smaller breakout boxes available? I myself could probably get by comfortably with only three hardware inputs for switching, although if no one made a box that small, 6-8 hardware inputs would also get consideration.

[PIZAZZ]

Besides the awesome over-kill of the SX-84, are there smaller breakout boxes available? I myself could probably get by comfortably with only three hardware inputs for switching, although if no one made a box that small, 6-8 hardware inputs would also get consideration.

I fill up all 8 inputs on my SX84 constantly. Of course I use component connections. Soon SDI.

[Thalek]

At least for the near future, I'm likely to be using composite inputs. I've used a single Firewire input, but there's about a one second delay for the encoding, transmission, decoding, and it is somewhat disorienting. Especially to our talent, who have a monitor so they can see where they are with respect to the "virtual" set.

Being essentially a hobbyist, my needs are more modest than you professional guys. [grin]

[lvsoule]

so to do the double screen sources, does it require a SX84 BOB? or can you do it with the SX8?

[KHS-TV]

so to do the double screen sources, does it require a SX84 BOB? or can you do it with the SX8?

You can use an SX-8. In fact, you can use all VT[2] hardware to do double-box. If you use the VT[2] card, though, just make sure you don't accidentally try to use three live sources at one time on the Switcher - the driver will silently crash and you won't be able to switch to anything anymore.

Anyways, if you've got a VT Pro card, I believe you can still stream three sources in from an SX-8, so you shouldn't have that limitation.

[lvsoule]

yeah we were able to do this once using the picture and picture transition, but it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. If you have a better way. I have a VT3 and a VT4.6 that was recently upgraded to the VT5

[JReble]

This is probably a great opportunity to nag Newtek again for an external 3 component/composite/Y-C input break out box like the Tricaster has. I'm really at a loss as to why they don't just put that in a box and sell it.

[Paul Lara]

This is probably a great opportunity to nag Newtek again for an external 3 component/composite/Y-C input break out box like the Tricaster has. I'm really at a loss as to why they don't just put that in a box and sell it.

NewTek initially thought that 3 inputs was the magic number, but not so, according to many prospective buyers. Note how TriCaster STUDIO has 6 inputs instead of 3.

Since you brought it up, though, what would you be willing to pay for such a breakout? Hmm?

[Randall Chesbro]

up to $800