Re: Multiple Edit Suite Setup - Overkill?

Hi Rick -
you are asking for a lot on a forum like this. May I suggest that you look for a systems engineer to help you. There are many many issues to consider. Building a facility is not easy.

You have A LOT OF SOURCES AND DESTINATIONS to deal with. The problem with many of the small routers (like Knox, Sigma, Kramer, etc.) is that they max out at 16x16, and are usually "one level" - which means composite video and stereo audio only. You have to deal with composite video, analog component video, SDI (and now HD-SDI), analog audio (possibly 4 channels), possibly AES audio, and Time Code, in addition to RS422. All of these need to be reassignable. There are a lot more than 16 source/destination combos in your facility. Patching may be "messier" than a router, but a large router is EXPENSIVE.

As for the monitors, the PVM-20L5/1 has been discontinued by Sony, as have most of their CRT monitors. Even the PVM-20L2 is discontinued, but they are still in stock at B_H photo, and other places (but not the 20L5). Most of us love that monitor, but you can't get it anymore. The LCD monitors, that have been discussed over and over on this forum, look TERRIBLE with Standard Def video. This includes the Sony Luma Series
Like the LMD2020, and LMD232. They are teriffic for HD, but not for standard def (like SDI). You can do just as well for HD work with countless cheaper options from Apple, Dell, Sony, and HP.

To answer your question "what do you like for a router" - I believe that every brand on the market is better, more reliable, and easier to use than Knox. Sigma Electronics is teriffic, but because everyone wants low low cost - Kramer (or Ocean Matrix - same product) are very good and reliable.
Of course, more expensive companies, like Leitch, Pesa, Grass Valley, Utah Scientifc, Sierra (now owned by Kramer), BTS, are fantastic, but these products are very expensive.

The fact that the Blackmagic Videohub (SDI/HDSDI and RS422 only) is 12x24
and is only $4995 is an absolute miracle, compared to anything else on the market. But as you keep adding D/A converters, this "cheap price" does not become cheap for long.

A project like this is often not a "do it yourself" kind of job. You might like to think about hiring a local engineer who does this all the time to help you.

Bob Zelin