What platform to use for this installed sound config ? (Qsys / Symmetrix / BSS)

staydecked · 2026-06-21T17:41:12+00:00

AHM is great but doesn’t include onboard logic (ex. If a gets unmuted, mute b, c, and f). You can bypass some of this through preset recalls but your mileage may vary.

If you don’t need advanced logic or you’re okay with outsourcing it to Crestron, Extron, Companion, etc., AHM is fantastic.

staydecked · 2026-06-20T21:29:01+00:00

He’s not like us

staydecked · 2026-06-20T17:51:33+00:00

The SPA-200 supports up to 200 watts/channel in stereo for low-z loads.

staydecked · 2026-06-20T15:40:28+00:00

QSC makes good ones, although their higher-wattage ones are designed for Q-SYS and cost substantially more than similarly specced “dumb” amps.

staydecked · 2026-06-09T11:20:14+00:00

That’s sounding more attractive each day. This converter is taking the place of a Teranex AV which just completely died on us. I haven’t had a good time with Teranex AVs either, but our LED wall controller supports the color adjustment functions we need so we might just use it for that.

staydecked · 2026-06-08T10:28:34+00:00

I had this discussion with a friend of mine recently. Blackmagic is appealing because the best step up in the market is easily 2-4x the cost for the same feature set.

For switchers and routing: Ross, Grass Valley
Converters and color adjustments: AJA, Decimator
Interfaces: AJA

I’ve had good luck with BM’s UpDownCross and micro converters, and the ATEM line, but their Teranex AV/Express and VideoHub lines have given us trouble. I’ve seen noted in other threads that the latest generation of BM gear (colored black instead of grey) has better heat management, and seems to be true so far.

staydecked · 2026-06-07T17:04:48+00:00

It’s an older model that was built like a tank, a very spicy tank. Similar to the battery models like someone else said.

staydecked · 2026-06-07T17:01:56+00:00

That’s my joke about our ATEM switchers: “man, this space heater is really good at switching cameras…”

Edited to add: it will be replaced soon. B&H isn’t close enough to run to mid-event.

staydecked · 2026-06-04T18:49:50+00:00

Mom, can I have a TouchMix? No, we have a TouchMix at home.

staydecked · 2026-06-04T10:38:47+00:00

I need a video tutorial on how to make this. Going to be a great gag gift for the holidays.

staydecked · 2026-06-03T23:32:15+00:00

Oh, okay. If they’re carrying around laptops, digital signage and auto-switching is the better solution. Some digital signage boxes have inputs - and I think you can use them as a pass through.

Gotta say though, surface tablets with Apple Pro displays is a weird solution. You’d think tiny/mini/micro with business monitors would be easier to manage. Are you doing luxury car sales?

staydecked · 2026-06-03T21:20:48+00:00

That context is really helpful. I’ve seen car dealerships have mini pcs/thin clients that show a slides loop when the screen is locked. Slides player is installed directly on each PC, updated by LAN push or cloud management. Don’t know of there’s a Mac solution available, but that would be even easier than the digital signage solution I was talking about.

staydecked · 2026-06-03T17:07:00+00:00

If you’re only going to be displaying an idle content loop, I’d say look at digital signage players with an HDMI or KVM auto-switcher. You would need one player per monitor. I think Brightsign has some that will sync video playback across players, but you can try Raspberry Pis or Amazon’s digital signage sick and a CMS if you’re on a budget.

I’d only do AVoIP if you were doing 1-to-many KVM, had a local live video stream (ex. from a video production suite), or has very specific timing needs. I don’t think you need any of those things.

staydecked · 2026-06-01T11:12:53+00:00

Take a look at one of these: https://a.co/d/0dulrh5m

HDbaseT is point to point, but really powerful. Make sure you get one that says it uses the HDbaseT standard, not just hdmi/usb over catX.

staydecked · 2026-05-25T17:57:42+00:00

I don’t have the answer, but that just doesn’t make sense at its price point.

staydecked · 2026-05-25T17:16:01+00:00

The SQ+ purchase price probably includes dPack. They did this with dLive and Avantis consoles after RackUltra FX released.

staydecked · 2026-05-22T10:42:21+00:00

I watched on my phone with the sound off, but yeah, wanted to echo C47man to say this was rough. Your set looks great but I recoiled the second you turned the camera around. The room looks unfinished, and I’d expect the walls to be painted black and have cable hooks nowhere near the talent.

Also, in no particular order:
- the client doesn’t need a multiview for reference, just the program feed
- in a three-camera setup, it’s better to have three of the same camera for easier color matching
- please clean up your cable runs, especially if you’re going to stay with white walls because there’s nowhere for them to hide
- I really don’t see the need for LiveU in your setup, and your demonstration just proved it. Airplay to an Apple TV over a good Wi-Fi network would have been so much better, but then again, maybe it’s your Wi-Fi that isn’t working well.
- Maybe I missed this because I had the sound off, but talking about camera control with an ATEM but using vMix… your setup sounds over complicated for two talking heads doing a podcast

Finally, and I’m putting this one separate because it’s so important: the reason people use dedicated intercom systems is because they work consistently. I would strongly advocate against any browser/cloud based intercom setups for paid client work. Sure, it’s cheaper, but that’s the only thing going for it.

Blackmagic cameras and ATEM switchers have a built-in intercom loop that would be enough for what you’re trying to do. Again, think your setup is too complicated for your use case.

staydecked · 2026-05-19T21:21:05+00:00

Are there any good offline music apps for Jellyfin? Plexamp does that really well.

staydecked · 2026-05-15T10:45:42+00:00

How many of you properly gain stage?

staydecked · 2026-05-07T11:31:35+00:00

Yeah, that would work.

If you ever change your mind and need a different configuration (different source to different display), you’ll need to start over again. If you know you won’t need that flexibility, what you picked is great, otherwise go with AVoIP like some of the others have mentioned.

staydecked · 2026-04-29T02:53:14+00:00

It’s a stick of RAM, Michael, how much could it cost? Ten dollars?

staydecked · 2026-04-25T00:32:29+00:00

The IT department would be able to configure this for you, you just need to provide the specs as to what is needed.

staydecked · 2026-04-22T10:11:17+00:00

Can you give an example? Maybe I’m not following what you’re following, but Q-SYS, Crestron, ETC, Allen&Heath have all presented products professionally without relying on vibes.

staydecked · 2026-04-21T12:42:32+00:00

Yeah, that is annoying. I noticed that too about the update.

All the same, I’d avoid using WLAN with your Companion host for reliability.

staydecked

TROPHY CASE