Cameras, conversations and conversions at Camera Diner with Teranex

Author: Paul Genge

Published 1st May 2013

Every Thursday evening, around 500 viewers tune in online to Camera Diner’s live show getting a unique look at the latest in film and still camera technology, as well as exclusive interviews with some of the imaging world’s biggest names. The whole thing is streamed live from a basic set-up in Oxford, England.

Shot on a 1950’s style diner set, the show has accumulated more than 4,000 views in just four months. Host and managing director, Paul Genge, explains how his passion for all things camera related manifested into this labor of love. “After working in the photography industry for two decades, I wanted to create something of my own that was unique and gave back to the camera community. “

He continues,” I noticed that there were tons of camera magazines out there, but no one was producing video content offering expert advice, tips and insight into the latest imaging technology. So I quit my job with a global camera manufacturer and started my own magazine style tech show, Camera Diner.”

To bring the online show to life, Genge credits the affordability of products such as Blackmagic Design’s Teranex 2D Processor, a standards and frame rate converter with 465 conversions. “Due to the affordability of Blackmagic, I was able to realize my dream [Camera Diner] with broadcast quality equipment,” he said.

Varied Formats

Hosting a range of special appearances, Genge faced the weekly challenge of working with a variety of video formats and standards his guests might bring in, all of which had to be mixed into the program output of the show live.

“Pretty much every guest we have on the show brings in some form of video content. Either that or they want to display their output straight from a camera. In order to get the digital feed from a camera or tablet, the output has to be converted so that the feed can go through our ATEM switcher and streamed online,” explains Genge.

To solve this problem, Genge installed the Blackmagic Design Teranex 2D Processor allowing him to convert a variety of video formats and signals that might come his way. “After viewing Teranex at a trade show, I knew had to have it. It was the missing piece to our puzzle. It would allow us to be prepared for nearly any eventuality and ensure that we could always get the output signal we’d need to go through our ATEM 1 M/E Production Switcher.”

Making The Right Conversions

Camera Diner’s program output comprises of three HD digital camera feeds over SDI into an ATEM 1 M/E Production Switcher. Controlled using a PC, the switcher is used to produce the show by mixing the live feeds with graphics and then routing the output to a PC for online streaming.

Sitting in the middle of this workflow is the Teranex 2D processor. Typical conversions include 1080i/1080p at 60 fps to 720P/50, which are then passed to the SDI inputs on the ATEM 1 M/E Switcher for their chosen streaming resolution.

“We have the Teranex connected to the ATEM via SDI and also to a LCD TV via HDMI which is located on the Camera Diner set. This allows me to see the live feed on set as well as the viewers watching from home. This allows us to do camera demonstrations, while showing the camera’s GUI at the same time. Being able to split the feed from the Teranex is invaluable to us when we are providing live demonstrations,” said Genge.

Get out of Jail Free Card

For archived shows and YouTube clips, program output from the ATEM mixer is sent to a Hyperdeck Studio to record the program playout in ProRes HQ and then sent to a PC to be edited in Sony Vegas to tighten up any presenter glitches, add adverts and titles. The edited package is converted to a Vimeo friendly file and uploaded online.

“The Teranex’s price point and quality of conversions simply blew me away. It’s so easy to use; you simply take it out of the box, plug it in, tell it what to do and it does it. I love the Blackmagic products I have purchased so far, but the Teranex unit has been our best investment yet because it’s my ‘get out of jail free card’ should someone need to show output from a smartphone, tablet or any other piece of kit they might conceivably bring on to the show, I’m converted!” concludes Genge.

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