Multiple computers

[amking4]

Hey guys,

I have searched the forum for this answer but I have not found one yet. I was wondering is there anyway to use two computers with Vidblaster. Here what we are trying to do, we are wanting to use Vidblaster on two computers, one person handling all the switching and the other handling all the graphics/commercials, While using the same cameras and vidblaster. I know that we can use multiple monitors and spread Vidblaster out, and use two mice and keyboards with one computer but we are trying to cut down on CPU usage. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance guys.

Mark

[Sinc747]

Mark,

Great question!

Specifically what would the 2nd person do regarding the commercials and graphics? Prepare them or change/run them live?

Several of us use a 2nd PC/laptop to prepare new graphics on the fly and/or monitor our streams. But that's not what you're referring to.

There has been a small amount of discussion somewhere in the forum about using VB on 2 PCs: one to switch and one to stream. You might try tracking down that thread.

Regarding CPU: Many report that best performance can be found with an i7 CPU and Windows 7 o/s.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

[amking4]

Tom,

We will be defintely using a different PC to monitor the stream on Ustream to take some of the load off our main CPU, but thats not what Im referring to. The 2nd person would not be preparing them at all...simply changing the graphics and running the commercials. Like I said, I know this can be done via two 24" monitors and two mice and keyboards...just trying to cut down our CPU usage..even though we have a huge CPU. AMD Phenom Black 3.4 GHz. I did take a look at the other threads for monitoring the stream on one and switching on the other.

[APTV]

It kind of does not make sense. If you have a person switching the graphics and commercials then just let them switch the cameras also. Or you could just use an independent number pad from the streaming PC to control the cameras so person number 2 can control the cameras. I use 2 pc's in my broadcast. PC 1 runs VB and PC 2 runs the chat and other related things.

[amking4]

Well the one person could be doing both but we will have quite a few number of cameras as well as numerous graphics and commercials. For what we are trying to do, it would be extremely difficult for one person to concentrate on all of those things without making mistakes. Like you said, it is possible but we are trying to eliminate as many mistakes as possible while on the air.

[APTV]

I hear ya on that. I run 3 cameras, 2 pc's, host the show and do it all myself. I would love to have someone just to produce the show.

Still it may come down to the cameras can be run from the number pad. Might be your best bet if you cannot run VB from two machines.

[amking4]

Wow, thats a hell of a show right there. I give you all the props in the world for doing all that yourself. Thats awesome, like I said we have a back up and that is multiple monitors. We have two 24" monitors to go with our computer so each person can have thier own monitor and we just run the computer with two keyboards and mouses so we have a backup, just looking to see if anyone had a work around to use less CPU, from what I have gathered though it does not look that way.

[jrslick22]

How about running a black magic HD capture card on the switcher (VB1) then just run you VB2 out to monitor 2 (HD cable on VB1)?
Not exactly what you want but would take work from the switcher operator

Definitely a good idea now that instant replay is working.
would be even better if you could use firewire to link two or more sources, might be a good feature request.

[amking4]

Jr,

I dont believe I understand what you are talking about. We are using Osprey 450e capture card. I believe you to be talking about the same thing I am...using one CPU (tower) but running a dual monitor setup and just spreading out Vidblaster over both monitors. Or maybe I just dont understand what you are getting at, it is probably me. LoL!

[jrslick22]

ok here goes:

VB1 - with dvi and hdmi output
dvi is plugged into a monitor and is used to display commercials and graphics
program out is displayed on the hdmi cable

VB2 - with hdmi cap card plus camera inputs
hdmicard receives the feed from VB1 as a camera input but picture is actually whatever the program out is from VB1 ie commercials and graphics.

You dig?

[jrslick22]

Another thing i have done before is:
Mix content on Vidblaser (vb1)>encode to HD using WME<->Open IP camera on VB2 using WME stream as the source.

I guess its a software version of what i already mentioned, not quite what you want but still worthwhile.

In some Studios ive worked in it is done in the opposite all of the camera selection is done on VB1 (in my example) that way they are handing off a smooth and well selected video feed. VB2 then adds commercials, graphics and replays as needed. Just have to remember that VB2 operator is the senior engineer as they have the most potential to sttuf the show up.

[JakobR]

I would do it this way.

VB1. Vidblaster machine with Ospreycard. And a second videocard with DVI or HDMI out.

First engineer switching cameras.
Record this "clean feed" with the recorder.
Extend your desktop to two montors
Send Program to second monitor.

VB2. Vidblaster machine with DVI or HDMI in.

Second engineer adds commercials, overlays and replays.

Stream or record this "dirty feed.

JAKOB

[amking4]

Jr,

I got it now, you are just sending the feed to the second computer as a camera, which is the entire program feed. The second operator adds the overlays and sends it to Ustream. And if we need to run a commercial then that is when it is run. So in VB1 I would only have to have four camera modules and a program and preview module open, it would eliminate CPU usage on one. Do you think it would eliminate enough CPU usage to justify that crazy setup though? If it gets my CPU usage down to 30 percent or so, that would work I think..anyway here are our computer specs.

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Quad-Core
Mem: 8GB PC6400 DDR2/800
Video: Osprey 450e capture card (for video input)
ATI Radeon II (for video output)
ATI Radeon II (for video output)
HD: 750GB SATA-II 7200RPM
Optical: LG 22x DVD+-R/+-RW

[jrslick22]

You got it.

I think the real advantage is being able to take work away from the operator, let him focus on replays, mixing and directing, let the Camera people focus on getting good shot, and let the VB2 person do the VT, Graphics etc

[amking4]

Absolutely,

thats they way we do it right now. The director directs and concentrates on that and the graphics person concentrates on what they have to do. Its easier and minimizes mistakes.

[Sinc747]

Any progress or success with this concept?

[amking4]

No progress on our side, we have been confined to having one person do everything, not what I want or ideal for us since we have so many overlays and the commercials we will be running but it is what we have to do for now.

Anyone else?

[Sinc747]

Are you using the Playlist module for commercials?

Would a module similar to Playlist be helpful for your graphic overlays?