Routing Switchers (plus, how mine are set up)

[@DocMicrowave]

I have a 12x12 in my fly pack rig. love this device. I use it not just to reroute internal signals between the Atem, recorders and interfaces, also as a splitter and distributor for external monitors, as well as providing feeds for venue AV systems.

[@TheBoringVoice]

Thanks for covering an often overlooked piece of gear. Been setting up a 12x12 but then discovered all the uses, so I see how you can need so many.

[@neildocherty]

I see BlackMagic has dropped most of the old models today and now just has 3 12G models (10x10, 20x20 and 40x40). Useful for the upcoming Constellation 4k maybe...?

[@YourEnvironmentSeattle]

I figured out a method of building switching router functionality in OBS. It's a bit clunky, but now feel like it's vital to my workflow. I'm definitely keen on getting a 12x12 or 20x20 for my 4k studio.

[@ikon16]

The hardware panels from Blackmagic do have some macro functionality, but you're right that it's weird it's not built into the regular router control software and protocols.

[@douglasmathewriverauriarte6543]

You are the best! Learning is my everyday with your videos.

[@DivineLightProductions]

Awesome Video! Comment to your mention of the CO's being able to see other CO's FOV and knowing on their own when to adjust zoom/focus (wide/medium/close): Would love to see a BTS video from your channel with TD work while displaying the multview so we can hear how you interact/communicate with your crew when live :)

[@djp_video]

I have a few such videos available to KZbin Members. I don't usually post them on the public channel.

[@sunsetlabs]

Hey Doug, thanks for your videos - so helpful. Q: some of your sources must be HDMI (like computers, or certain cameras)... do you convert EVERYTHING to SDI and drop it into the 40x40? If so - MULTIPLE converters or ONE system of some sort? The HDMI-SDI world is tough for me, so many different sources... trying to figure out the best workflow. Thanks! (Jason)

[@djp_video]

Yes, I convert everything to SDI. Each of the computers in my trailer goes directly into HDMI-to-SDI 4K/6G Mini Converters. For several of the computers, that actually means two or even three converters -- one for each video output. And then all of the monitors have SDI-to-HDMI 4K/6G Mini Converters. This arrangement allows me to route the video from any computer to any monitor, switcher, video recorders, etc. or any combination thereof.

[@sintheticMotion]

Thx Doug for the insights and explainations! I really like a lot from your videos!

[@fkmobile1]

Hello Doug. Thanks! Looks like there is a slight delay added by the matrix switcher. How much of a delay have you found in production?

[@djp_video]

There actually isn't any delay. The delay you're seeing is a combination of the monitor and camera, not the routing switcher.

[@realjeremyduncan]

We have different routing setups programmed into companion so we can trigger them with a streamdeck.

[@nvcnyc4298]

Hello, im just starting to learn about production so, it would be great if you could recomend some books that would help me to understand this topic better.

[@djp_video]

I'm not really aware of many books on the subject. But there is one technical book that I have which is fantastic -- Digital Video and HD - Algorithms and Interfaces by Charles Poynton. Probably not the best choice for someone just starting out, as it is deeply technical, but it is a great book. amzn.to/3lPfDe7

[@bpcrook]

Do you have your router/hub upstream or downstream from your switcher?

[@djp_video]

Both. The switcher inputs are connected to outputs on the routing switcher (so I can include any video source in the program I'm creating), and switcher outputs are also connected to inputs on the routing switcher (so I can send those outputs to any device). Essentially any video source, like cameras, playback, computers, or switcher outputs can be routed to any destination like monitors, recorders, capture devices, or switcher inputs. I have complete flexibility, and that comes in extremely handy.

[@SegaleMabiletsa]

Hi Doug, thanks for all your informative videos. I always enjoy watching and learning from you. Have you documented your trailer setup for any of your crew in case of your absence? I have seen some production vans with a configuration book inside.

[@djp_video]

I have charts showing what's connected to what... but it would still require someone a long time to figure out how everything works, no matter how well it is documented.

[@corybaker13]

Can you create macro functions with these buttons? So one press triggers off a group of commands when pressed? eg when button 8 is pressed every monitor connected will receive A CAM feed only

[@djp_video]

That feature is called salvo routing, and no, the Videohub routing switchers don't have that feature built-in. It's easy enough to replicate with software, though... Bitfocus Companion, for example, can do that.

[@corybaker13]

@@djp_video excellent thank you for the reply

[@scottezell222]

You mentioned instant replay. What hardware/software do you use for replay? Would you possibly do a video on that topic?

[@djp_video]

These days I’m using vomit with a Decklink 8k Pro and Decklink SDI

[@scottezell222]

@@djp_video thanks Doug!

[@hawkeyefilms9008]

with all the conversions etc. fiber/routers/sources what are your issues with insuring live cameras are in sync with each other for audio?

[@djp_video]

The SDI/fiber conversions don't add any latency at all; that's just a conversion from electrical to optical and vice versa -- no processing takes place. As for sync between camera and audio, most of the time I don't have to worry about it. The cameras I use have really low latency and it's difficult to spot the difference between when you hear something and see it. But when I do, I just send those live audio sources to an aux bus on the mixer that has a 2 frame delay on it, while leaving other audio sources (playback, effects, etc.) alone without the delay.

[@cyrilmamai8802]

Hello, like your idea to send back the quadro view with 3 cameras and PGM. What box you are using to form this multiview? Decimator? Atem?

[@djp_video]

Blackmagic MultiView 4.

[@JustinVodden]

hey there Hive mind, what are y'alls thoughts on Dante AV? hoping to see more manufactures get on board with it. disclaimer, I am a Dante fan for audio, been using it for years as an early adopter of Yamahas CL5. hoping to use it in a intercom upgrade in the future

[@djp_video]

I haven't used Dante AV yet. I'm hopeful that it will do for video what Dante has done for audio. But I'm concerned about quality with the relatively limited bandwidth of Ethernet.

[@cristiancastillodp]

Hey Doug, would you happen to know how I can route two Atem Video Switchers to one another? Trying to get all the individual inputs from one switcher and duplicate it to the other switcher.

[@djp_video]

You’d need a pile of SDI splitters/distribution amplifiers or use a video routing switcher like those discussed in this video. You might be better off investing in a 2 M/E switcher instead.

[@robertziep]

How do you get an SDI output from your Servers and Computer? Do you just use an Decimator or something similar to adapt the Signal?

[@djp_video]

Blackmagic HDMI-to-SDI 6G Mini Converters

[@dv1858]

How do you take the pc monitors into the multiview? Hdmi to sdi per Computer?

[@djp_video]

Each computer has at least one Blackmagic HDMI-to-SDI 6G converter connected (several have two). And the monitors have SDI-to-HDMI 6G converters.

[@jrodjared]

How are you getting locked timecode to your Hyperdecks? Did you just jam sync them?

[@djp_video]

The timecode on the HyperDecks is derived from the SDI signal, whether that be the ATEM switcher, camera, or other video source. I'm not doing anything to override it.

[@jrodjared]

@@djp_video Oh I see, it's the same source going into each deck. Makes sense. I wish those decks had some kind of external input on them, but then they wouldn't need the Studio Pro I guess.

[@JorgieMathew]

Can't touch this!!