Brief intro, I used to be a member of this site years ago but no longer have my login, or associated email address. At the church I attend, I have recently taken interest in the new audio/video system that has been setup. There is someone who I have been working with who does the audio system, but I would like to take control of the video system as he says he has little experience with it (I don't either, but very willing to learn).
Basically what I have to work with right now is two Canon HDV cameras (I think they are XH A1) and possibly looking to add a third. I have a Focus MX4-DV mixer that has these two cameras, a dvd player, and computer going into it. My biggest issue with this setup is the fact that the camera's High Def. capabilities are being wasted with a non HD mixer. Another is basically WYSIWYG. Only one output that can be recorded.
I want to know the feasabilty of building a PC that can record in real time from 2-3 HD (DV) sources as this would be the main limitation I would assume? I think better dvds could be produced if I recorded all the sources and mixed/edited them afterwards instead of mixing in real time.
So my goals are building a PC that I can record in realtime from 2-3 HDV sources and later be used to edit said videos and author dvds. If this is possible, what would be the recommended OS and production software? One reason I ask this is because the person currently in charge has expressed his displeasure in the current mixer. I'd like to get some feedback and some good solid info before I run this by the powers that be.
Thanks
Chris.C
hardware
prices 
