VidBlaster + Hardware Qs

[longcipher]

Hi Folks,

We currently have a few Tricasters where I work but they have been taking a beating courtesy of UPS.

I've been tasked with finding a better solution and stumbled upon VidBlaster. My goal is to build a laptop-based solution that fits in briefcase that our techs can carry, rather than ship.

So, with money being no object -- seriously -- I'd like to purchase:

VidBlaster + a super-fast Core i7 laptop (any laptop recommendations?)
USB Audio interface

And -- here is where I really need your help -- how do I get multiple composite or S-Video feeds into the laptop? We use 2 PTZ Sony cams (BRC-300) and I need to cut between them live. The Osprey cards looks awesome, but aside from a Magma Chassis, I don't see a way to get them into a laptop. Do you have any solutions I don't know about yet?

If you have any other advice - let me know. I will be purchasing these components fairly soon so can run tests for you guys if you want me to.

NOTE: We currently webcast at 320x240 / 29.97 fps / 323kbps --- we archive our video as MPG-2 720x480.

[Mike]

Note there aren't any super fast i7 laptops, yet. All models I have seen so far have a special mobile CPU that runs at a much lower clock. As always, desktops are faster than laptops and in this case this is especially true due to the processor difference.

Getting composite/s-video into a laptop is already described in the FAQ How do I connect my cameras to VidBlaster? (http://forum.vidblaster.com/showthread.php?t=132).