Re: Have I biten off more than I can chew ? Production Van

[Bob Zelin] "a production van is not cheap. And no one works with composite video anymore - I don't know who your client base is."

I'm going to step in here for a moment and say that I disagree with your statement here, Bob. I think that the usefulness of Don's future production van depends entirely in just what it is that he intends to use it for. While composite video is being used less and less these days, it still has it's uses. A production truck retrofitted with all the new digital bells and whistles might be a technical marvel to look at but may be entirely out of the range of a limited budget. A basic setup as described above could easily be used for producing smaller, simple events. Does a basic sales meeting or video conference need HD SDI? Probably not. Would a small cable TV production need to be produced in HD? Nope, probably not. Most cable providers probably couldn't even handle an HD signal from a remote location.
I think that the usefulness and technological level required in Don's truck depends on just what he intends to use it for. If it is to be used in a small market for fairly modest shows, using "vintage" but proven technology might be just fine. You can set up a pretty nice little analog truck these days just by shopping wisely on eBay. Lots of stuff there with lots of life still in it. Not every situation requires a state of the art setup.
We have largely phased out composite here, but it still has it's use every now and then. Sometimes a composite signal is all that is available. Note the LOW budget producer that doesn't know his aspect ratio from his elbow that will still bring in a VHS tape for an edit and then not understand why you are giving him the Stink-Eye in the edit room. Unfortunately, for some people out there, composite video is "just fine".
Yea, I have three Grass 200's in storage yet. How many channels of ADO would you like to haul away? Beta SP camcorders? I have four of 'em sitting on a shelf in my shop. And as for my old Grass 110 switcher? Actually I loaned the CPU circuit board to the local Time Warner Public access channel when their OWN GVG-110 died. They are still using it to this day. They are perfectly fine with using it for their remote productions.
So yes, Virginia, composite video is still alive and well (kinda) and going strong in many smaller markets for many situations.
While a nice shiny digital truck would be nice to have it might just be out of the $$$ range of many people.
If the market will support it, build the darn thing and be proud of it! Just make sure that you have the work to support it.

BTW. Dump the JVC switcher and stick with a used Grass Valley. It will serve you better in the long run. Try to find a Model 110 is possible and make sure that it has the optional sync generator card installed. That way you can use a simple black burst signal to synchronize it. Define your market, take a good look at whether you truck can fill a niche and, if so, go for it!
Tom