A video mixer is different than using your computer for video editing.  Computer editing is non-linear, using a video mixer is a linear function.  You edit footage from the respective VCR's and mix it on the fly.  Some people think this is an archaic way to edit video.  A video mixer is great for live situations like churches, schools, meeting and others.  Studio situations also. You have to get used to using a video mixer because it is linear.

Having good editing decks is a necessity.  You will be doing a lot of assemble editing with a video mixer so you want a recording deck that doesn't leave "glitches" when recording.  One with "flying erase heads" is mandatory.

A very good, low cost video mixer is the Sima SFX-9 digital video mixer.  This video mixer can mix multiple video signals, has composite and s-video inputs and outputs, mixes audio and can perform wipes, fades and dissolves.

If you have questions, e-mail us at video-editing@mchsi.com, we want to help you with your individual editing needs.

Good luck with your video mixer search!!

Roger Bussey
Video-Editing.com