Video is Really Ready to Roll Now!

Hi All - Well the other day in the POD when I was setting up the video, I was under the impression that my video distribution amp (one in, four out, S-video and composite) would take one S-video OR one composite video input and then distribute the signal to both composite and S-video outputs. Turns out it doesn't work that way. S-video in only goes to S-video out and composite in only goes to the composite outputs. Not a big problem, but I had to do some rewiring of the system today, so I could make use of the ADC video processor (which only has composite in and out.) At top right is a picture of the rack shelf pulled out and all the rewiring completed. (It looks like quite a maze, but it is quite simple - just had to figure it out on paper first!) At front right is a one of four video input selector.

At left front of the rack shelf is the Mallincam DVE (Digital Video Enhancer); this is a nice little box by itself and whatever you feed it (at the S-video input or at the composite input) you will get outputs at BOTH the S-video and composite outputs.   If you want a very simple Mallincam setup and still have some extra video enhancement capabilities, the DVE by itself is quite effective.  Directly behind the DVE is little box that allows me to insert date/time text info on top of the camera's video.  At right rear (behind the one-of-four selector) is a four channel video distribution amp. This allows me to send the single camera signal to multiple devices (monitor, video grabber, video processors, etc.)  Underneath it all, is an ADC video processor.  With everything wired up and installed back into the equipment rack, it looks much better (see picture at lower right - the "video bay".)

Finally, I was able to make some tweaks to the sound. I had a simple passive desktop Logitech microphone, plugged into the sound card "Mic In" jack.  While it worked, the output level was quite low and generally poor sound quality.  I decided to try out a USB based "Yeti" microphone made by Blue Mic, which is more like a (lower end) studio mic with built in preamp and USB output.  Once I was able to resolve an issue with the device driver, it worked great!  Much better sound quality (using it in the directional / cardioid pattern mode.)  It picks up my voice well, no matter where I'm at in the POD.  As well, I can have some background music playing and it will pick it up too.  So everything is ready to go for some real video  broadcasting of observations -- just one minor detail: lots of clouds, heat and humidity for the foreseeable future!  --  Oh well - patience, patience ;-)