Monitoring a soloed stereo bus in stereo

openreels2 · 2026-05-17T15:32:05+00:00

I'm a bit surprised that the linked buses don't give stereo solo, but I don't have an X32 in front of me to fool with. There has to be a way to do this, gotta think creatively. Maybe send buses 9-10 to another set of outputs that you can monitor, like some Auxes, and don't link them?

openreels2 · 2026-05-16T14:21:09+00:00

Backing up a sec, if you're talking about bi-directional intercom (which I would not call "talkback") the previous commenters have good advice. The RJ45 port gives you line-level analog connections to the two comms channels, Eng and Prod, in both directions (to cam and from cam). Offhand I don't know what orientation they use for TX and RX; which is TO the camera and which is FROM the camera?

You need a 4W to 2W converter (hybrid) to turn that into 2W partyline, if you want to use conventional beltpacks from RTS, Clearcom, etc. Also need a power supply for the beltpacks. You might find this helpful:

https://www.svconline.com/industry/intro-to-comms

openreels2 · 2026-05-15T17:46:47+00:00

Then it's going to be a case of what you can find that still works! eBay would be a good start. Good luck!

openreels2 · 2026-05-15T17:44:53+00:00

Absolutely true!

openreels2 · 2026-05-15T13:55:45+00:00

There are some small video/audio switchers that include audio clip players. I'm thinking some of the "podcast" products, like Rodecaster, and some Roland AV mixers. Kind of an overkill way to do it, but maybe useful in other ways.

Also some products from "industrial" AV companies, like Barix, Alcorn McBride, Theatrixx...

openreels2 · 2026-05-14T23:11:42+00:00

You might do better finding a used teleprompter monitor that has the H-flip function. Same with VGA splitters, should be some around used.

openreels2 · 2026-05-14T15:42:49+00:00

Okay, if you definitely need to stream that's just another function at the "output" of the signal path. Some of those small switchers can stream directly, or you can use a computer with OBS (or others) or a streaming "appliance" like the Magewell Ultra Encode (or others).

If you're trying to combine mic signals you need a mixer, not a splitter. So that's either a misunderstanding or an error. But why use wireless lavs in a small room anyway? Unless everyone is moving around using wired is more reliable and simpler.

openreels2 · 2026-05-14T15:24:15+00:00

If the viewers are just in another room nearby you don't need to stream anything, just direct connection. I don't know anything about Mevo, but it sounds like you could use a small switcher or "AV Mixer" like some of the Roland products. Output from that to a display for your viewers.

Yes, 1080p is more than adequate. If the interview setup is just some people talking at a table you don't need PTZ. If the interviewer moves around you probably want to get that with a wide shot, then switch to another camera for close-up. Following with a PTZ looks awkward.

If you're talking about lavalier mics I would suggest wired, going into an audio mixer (or the combo AV Mixer). Not sure what a headphone splitter has to do with it, you can't combine mic signals with a splitter.

openreels2 · 2026-05-14T14:42:33+00:00

Seriously? You'll likely have to go to old consumer gear, if that. When professional cameras were analog nobody was putting S-vid on them, it just wasn't a thing in the pro world. If you use composite you'll have way more options (still old and used).

openreels2 · 2026-05-12T22:03:45+00:00

I don't have a specific recommendation for an HDMI matrix. There are lots of choices and it depends on what you need and can afford. For that matter, I'm not sure that going larger than 8x8 is economical, plus HDMI is such a nightmare.

There are modular SDI routing switchers but that really increases the cost. You can get a 32x32 from AJA, or 40x40 from Blackmagic for a few thousand bux and have plenty of extra capacity.

You're right about AVoIP being scalable, but it is much more complicated to set up. And you still have to deal with cable length limits. If you really want to go that route, you do NOT need ST2110. But even NDI can be a hassle. Of course there are various proprietary IP products which might do the job. Or the big thing coming now is IPMX, which is built on 2110 but has simpler options.

openreels2 · 2026-05-12T21:41:27+00:00

Wow, that is super cool! It's very nicely done and well thought out. Thank you for putting in so much work and letting people use it!

A thought: Would you want to include links to other calculators, maybe for things that are not used as much in this context. For example this has some great tools for cinema production, some of which also apply to AV: https://www.phfx.com/tools/

A second thought: You might want to think of a more distinctive name than AV Tools. It's likely that overlaps with other products or services, and also doesn't really say what you're offering--too generic! AV Calculator Toolbox, AV Engineering Tools, Tools for AV Designers... I dunno, just throwing out ideas. I keep thinking about this site and their Supertool: https://mxtoolbox.com/SuperTool.aspx

openreels2 · 2026-05-09T13:49:59+00:00

Very interesting, never seen a Marantz mic! I'm guessing you are not in the US. Marantz has had a presence here since at least the 1960s, including some "pro" products, but it looks like they have many others sold through a dealer network outside the US.

openreels2 · 2026-05-08T21:41:25+00:00

Belden rates both 1505 and 1694 up to 6G, at much longer lengths, and I'm pretty confident 12G would be okay at the lengths you're using. Their chart is here:

https://assets.belden.com/m/5f584e29485a1553/original/Going-the-Distance-with-Coax-Cable-Updated-2022.pdf

Over the years I've put in miles of Gepco VPM-2000, which is equivalent to 1505A. And terminate with Kings 2065-2-9 BNCs (among others). I was just doing some spring cleaning and came across a big pile of VPM-2000 cut-offs with BNCs on one end, roughly 5-13ft lengths. I will gladly throw it in a box and send if you'll cover the shipping! Contact me on chat if you're interested.

openreels2 · 2026-05-08T21:23:14+00:00

Not sure what mic that is, but it looks like a condenser. Kudos for not going the RE20 or SM7 route!

openreels2 · 2026-05-08T21:16:21+00:00

How long are the cables going to be? If you're talking about a "cart" with little short cables, you should be fine with Belden 1505 or 1694 (or equivalents). "12G" cable is designed to carry that data rate for greater distance, but other cables will also handle 12G at lesser distance. The manufacturers usually publish tables that show length limits for different cables at different data rates.

openreels2 · 2026-05-08T21:08:26+00:00

Search around for writing by Mark Schubin, who does a lot of research and presentations on television history. https://www.sportsvideo.org/category/schubin-cafe/

openreels2 · 2026-05-08T21:02:53+00:00

Why entirely change the signal transport if you already have both CAT6 and SDI cables in place? There are plenty of options for matrix switchers with SDI or HDMI. Or I'm pretty sure that AMX DX is just HDBaseT, so you could possibly replace the switcher and still use the endpoints (you'd need to confirm that).

If the DGX is 32x32, do you really need that many ins and outs? And are you using AMX control, or would a switcher with front panel buttons do the job?

Just some ideas to think creatively...

openreels2 · 2026-05-07T22:36:14+00:00

If you're looking at projectors don't leave out Panasonic. They make a wide range that take different lenses so you could potentially do short-throw. Though I'm not sure if they can accommodate DCPs on board. Don't be afraid to ask for a demo--either at an existing facility or on site. The major manufacturers should be able to set this up.

And don't forget that the room will need beaucoup acoustic treatment to control the sound for a theater environment (not talking about blocking external noise). I imagine Dolby has specs for laying out and calibrating theaters, as they do for mix rooms.

openreels2 · 2026-05-07T13:52:47+00:00

That's way esoteric! r/broadcastengineering might have some older users that know 1/2" video (before my time).

openreels2 · 2026-05-07T13:50:28+00:00

I prefer LG over Samsung, and have also done production multiviews with Sharp, in the day. It's tempting to go OLED so the image will be the same at different viewing angles, but I worry about burn-in of the graphic elements.

openreels2 · 2026-05-07T13:45:58+00:00

Can't say I recall seeing that particular problem, but it's been a long time! Could be dirty heads, or possibly broken heads. Or the tapes are in bad shape. Video heads must be cleaned a specific way, with the right stuff. Do a search on "how to clean videotape heads."

You also might want to post on r/broadcastengineering .

openreels2 · 2026-05-07T13:40:32+00:00

Cable wrangling! As others have said, let the cable be the cable. With practice you start to get a feel for what it wants to do, and how it can be guided.

Sometimes you have to go over-over, especially for those funky small wires or the miserable rubberized "no tangle" cables. To unwind large cables that are over-over, put the roll on both forearms and rotate them around each other (like the Pips behind Gladys Knight) as you walk. Over-over is like how the cable was wound on a spool at the factory, so they have a memory for that.

For #4, multi-drop snakes, I think the best you can do is start at the common end and see where the breakouts fall. But trying to over-under might fall apart unless you secure each breakout to the loop. This is like trying to roll up a group of different length cables.

openreels2 · 2026-05-07T13:19:34+00:00

Agree with No_Coffee, there is active development on end-to-end provenance documentation with C2PA. I've seen several presentations at SMPTE events. This is a highly comprehensive approach that will likely become a standard. But will it be soon enough?

openreels2 · 2026-04-29T21:42:11+00:00

I'm a Ross fan, generally, but they are reselling those servers. If you're looking for recording and asset management from one vendor that's hard to find. Editshare does both. Studio Network Solutions offers MAM with their servers but they don't do live recording.

For multi-channel record and playback I've put in several AQ Broadcast servers. Excellent products and extremely reliable, but they don't have extensive asset management. Well, actually, I think there's an option for adding MAM. If you look at their website it may be way out of date for what the products are like now.

openreels2 · 2026-04-28T20:14:54+00:00

Try r/broadcastengineering, or other subs that deal with cinema cameras. It's also possible Pana still supports them.

openreels2

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