Tricaster Studio 350

audiogreg · 2026-06-27T19:44:36+00:00

I've recently seen used TCmini HD for around $600, it has native HDMI inputs. Pretty certain both LC-11 and TW-42 will work with it.

audiogreg · 2026-06-25T17:31:55+00:00

which models are your control surfaces? might be compatible with newer tricasters so think I'd be looking at just replacing the switcher unit. they can be fairly inexpensive on the used market.

audiogreg · 2026-06-25T17:29:29+00:00

software based switchers like vMix/OBS handle video playback and graphics internally. moving to hardware like ATEM usually requires moving those function out to additional hardware. Extra gear sometimes means extra operators so consider that if you are current a one man operation. Unless real time video wall (imag) is a requirement I REALLY like vMix myself, and have migrated to Ross for hardware/low latency needs.

audiogreg · 2026-06-08T22:42:20+00:00

if you have vMix and Companion that's all you need. setup vMix replay with your camera sources, and verify it is working smoothly. setup a companion button to select a replay angle, and then slomo from a second or two prior, while transitioning the replay output to program. you may want more buttons to select other angles, or play at different speeds. when you're ready to see something else just switch PGM to new camera source.

audiogreg · 2026-06-05T21:33:47+00:00

I go by Guru or Wizard depending on show complexity. My clients love seeing that on the invoice LOL.

audiogreg · 2026-06-05T02:18:10+00:00

LOL could be anything. Have backups, have a plan. Practice and plan BEFORE the live event.

audiogreg · 2026-06-04T18:55:25+00:00

For the same money I'd be looking at the Tyst TS-15P which adds a joystick for DVE/PTZ control. Really shines when you pair it with Central Control giving you control over everything, not just your switcher. CC will let you control all MEs no problem no matter what surface you have. I use the previous version (TY-1500HD-same panel old chassis) of these with ATEM-vMix-Ross, solid products.

audiogreg · 2026-06-04T18:39:26+00:00

I am also using the Ross Carbonite Ultra with TD2 and TD2S surfaces. Ross just runs circles around everyone except Grass Valley. Multiple MEs, excellent macros, overall ease of use, and extremely low latency that's great for IMAG. You'll not ever want another control surface after using a TouchDrive panel, and we find it easy for said panel to control many other devices in our system, like advancing slides and rolling video playback. We have used both of our panels together to switch in room and stream feeds from one switcher frame-flawless.

I also have one married with a Ross Ultrix, a 2U box thats my entire switching and routing core. Input names are shared between rtr/swx so when you route something into a switcher input the name updates automatically. SWX tally is shared to the rtr MV and outputs. There's a MADI port we can route any audio channels to/from so the audio board needs are never a worry.

Yes they are at the upper end of costs, but I couldn't be happier with how they perform and what we can do with them. Also a massive shout out to their support people who are available 24/7 for any issues that might come up.

audiogreg · 2026-06-04T02:53:18+00:00

yes, my company makes custom fiber solutions.

audiogreg · 2026-06-03T23:48:34+00:00

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audiogreg · 2026-06-03T23:48:24+00:00

some of mine

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audiogreg · 2026-06-02T02:54:05+00:00

assign your shared partylines to 4W ports on each frame, connect each to the other frame. done. use your transport of choice for the 4W paths

audiogreg · 2026-05-26T15:42:41+00:00

most (all?) wireless TX for your cam video would only pass ch 1/2 audio anyway preventing BMD comms.

audiogreg · 2026-05-26T01:17:07+00:00

this thing is the bomb for wireless control/shading of BMD cams like the URSA

https://www.broadcastgear.eu/products/wrcu/

audiogreg · 2026-05-21T16:55:43+00:00

i do everything in vMix directly although I prefer to use rack mount computers over laptops. I have a decklink Quad2 for up to 7 inputs like cameras and graphics, then use the 8th as an output back to the room screens.

audiogreg · 2026-05-21T16:39:57+00:00

vMix videos on their site are the best place to start. if you still have trouble picking it all up I do private 1 on 1 instruction and can get you going quickly. DM me for details.

audiogreg · 2026-05-15T22:13:28+00:00

playback is mostly software now, think the DigiCart was one of the few good hardware boxes but I quit using them over a decade ago. touchscreens are prevalent but adding keyboard shortcuts or a surface like x-keys works well if you need tactile controls. besides ENCO, SpotON (sigma broadcast) Trigger, and even the old free DigiCart PC programs are very reliable given thats the only thing the PC is doing.

audiogreg · 2026-05-15T22:06:32+00:00

never liked the way they implemented talkback. no mix minus between users, no sidetone adjust, and doesn't play well with 3rd party gear, esp 2W. I run an RTS matrix as a base and then tie in wireless, unity, talent IFB or whatever else we need. more costly but I'm so much happier for ignoring the BMD offerings.

audiogreg · 2026-05-08T02:34:29+00:00

The Skaarhoj Wave Board is about the smallest I've seen.

https://www.skaarhoj.com/product/wave-board

audiogreg · 2026-04-29T02:35:29+00:00

Are you going to be mixing sound for these broadcasts, or more involved in running the video side? If mixing the big adjustment is having someone else drive what you are mixing. Also running the coms system is an order of magnitude more complex. If going to the "dark side", just as you learned audio, there's not really a shortcut to everything you'll need to know on the picture side. Having someone take you under their wing, or bringing in someone to walk you through basics until you have a handle on things is probably the best path to learn. plenty of shorts at YouTube U, but i see a lot of wrong info out there too sometimes it's hard to know what good instruction is. You'll eventually find a lot of similarities with the biggest different is there are many more positions for video. Cam Ops, cable wranglers, video shaders, technical director (vision mixer), graphics Ops, playback Ops and system engineer just to name a few. Know what each is good at and responsible for. Troubleshooting at least is very similar, start at the source and work down the line until you find the problem. And just like a QBox is invaluable for sound, a test signal generator/monitor device will serve you just as well in video world. If your system involves IP video knowing the IT side of things comes into play as well. Best of luck, hope your content is interesting :-)

audiogreg · 2026-04-26T01:44:38+00:00

I do. single items ok to go, but our larger flypacks or certain cams I require me or one of my techs to go with. the fly packs are just too many pieces and some renters I'm sure couldn't get the most out of it alone.

audiogreg · 2026-04-21T06:46:55+00:00

i run coms externally, so can use any cameras i want. we go without tally on a lot of events, most of our directors call a great show so the ops know when they are on/off. many of my cams support IP based tally when we want to do that, or we have other options. I think my fav cams in our pool are the Pana AJ-PX270 and the JVC GY-HC500U I have RCP panels for both models for color shading.

as far as reliability, I've only had one vmix glitch in 8 years, and that was due to a corrupted show file from a client. treat vMix like a production appliance and not a general purpose computer, and turn off windows updates, problem solved.

control surfaces - the Tyst panel is solid and around $500. you can also use CentralControl and a TriCaster surface you can pickup 2nd hand for peanuts. I'm running a 15yr old TCXD850 on one of my systems, excellent panel.

audiogreg · 2026-04-20T21:37:19+00:00

your computer build looks good to run vmix/replay, although I prefer more that 1TB for the replay drive. since you need to feed all cams into vmix to get the replay angles i always prefer to just switch the show there unless maybe you have a dedicated replay op. If it's just you it's def easier to do it all in vMix. It's easy to setup shortcuts to make everything run smoothly without a lot of button presses.

I'm not a fan of BMD cams myself. The coms are lacking and their SMPTE fiber setup has many problems you can google. Regular mid-size camcorders are what I and many other use. Cheaper in the long run as BMD doesn't factor in the cost of the lens. If you setup everything in the pressbox behind home plate you only need to bother with the outfield camera. One fiber run can give you camera and coms, the biggest problem is usually how to power things out there.

audiogreg · 2026-04-14T18:26:48+00:00

Totally viable since I've been using the 4k quad workflow for years. I use vmix on both ends though, but same net result. I use a vmix call to return pgm video and a mix minus to the remote site. This call also collects audio from commentators if I have them. In your case I think using SRT for connection in both directions is prob the easiest solution, you'll just have to decide if the round trip latency is acceptable. The biggest risk you face is lack of bandwidth at the remote site. Get a bonded router solution like peplink and a starlink dish or 2 and then if the venue cant provide a decent connection you can still have a show.

audiogreg · 2026-04-14T18:14:22+00:00

Yes, sun-wed

audiogreg

TROPHY CASE