News - Digital Mix

Upscale Betacam SP

19th August 2025 By Dion Edwards

Upscale Betacam SP to HD video files

A local TV producer acquired some very rare recordings on Betacam SP tape and entrusted us to transfer the tapes to HD video files.

Sadly, these tapes had not been stored correctly and had developed mould on the tape spools.

Prior to commencing the transfer, we had to disassemble the tapes, and prepare the tapes for transfer. This involved baking the tapes for a short time and then manually cleaning and removing signs of mould.

After tape preparation, we used one of our many Betacam SP players to digitize the tape. Betacam SP, being an analogue component format (YpBpR), we converted the analogue signal to serial digital (SDI) for processing and digitizing.

The video processing and upscaling system allows us to select custom resolutions and frame rates to suit the customers’ requirements. In this case 720p 10 bit 422 MOV files.

The result – a 100% recovery rate and a very happy customer.

Contact Digital Mix to get your video tape archive upscaled to HD files.

Typical file types

10 bit 422 MOV
8 bit 422 MOV
Compressed H264 MOV
Compressed H264 MP4

For more information go to this page

ATAINZ Conference 2025 – Christchurch

23rd April 2025 By Dion Edwards

Once again we had the privilege of working with the ATAINZ team to deliver the audio visual and video production requirements for the ATAINZ 2025 conference held in Christchurch.

Working alongside the preferred local AV provider we provided the personnel and livestream solution.

The conference was held over 2 days and along with the 150 delegates in attendance, an additional 70 delegates joined via the livestream on the members section of the ATAINZ webste.

Digital Mix provided 3 HD video cameras and livestream hardware in addition to full event recording. Postproduction services for the event included editing of all presentations with the inclusion of PowerPoint slides for archival and reference purposes.

Another ATAINZ event delivered perfectly.

Call us to talk about your next event.

PLF Tonga 24

23rd April 2025 By Dion Edwards

Pacific Leaders Forum 2024, Nuku’alofa, Tonga.

Digital Mix was chosen by a New Zealand based event management company to provide video recording and technical support for a youth forum meeting as part of the Pacific Leaders Forum 24. The event was held over 2 days in Nuku’alofa, Tonga.

Given the limited resources available in Tonga, we provided video recording, video editing and IT support in the form of a Starlink broadband connection allowing delegates access to the internet.

We had a very limited timeframe to deploy the equipment, and the Starlink system worked flawlessly.

Despite a minor earthquake and torrential rain, the event was a huge success. The youth forum was able to meet in person with the EU commissioner to share their findings.

One of the many events we’ve had the pleasure of being a part of.

DVCPRO Tape recovery

25th January 2025 By Dion Edwards

Cassette repair and recovery.

All tape is prone to damage from incorrect storage, most common is mold damage. As a result, this causes the layers of magnetic tape to stick together causing the tape to snap during playback.

A batch of DVCPRO cassettes were sent in to us after another local transfer facility returned the tapes to the customer as “unrecoverable”. Challenge accepted! We subsequently stripped the magnetic tape from the cases and after a short time in our tape baking oven we manually cleaned and rewound the tape onto new tape reels. Thereafter the damaged sections were removed, and the good tape sections reattached to the reels. Once the cassettes were reassembled, we digitized the individual sections of tape with our Sony and Panasonic VTR’s. As a result of the repair process, we were able to rescue over 99% of the material. This was due in part to the damaged tape sections of tape being at the beginning or ends of the various recordings. Subsequent tape recordings were done via a direct serial digital transfer and uncompressed QuickTime files supplied to the customer.

The result – a very happy customer.

Below are pictures of the tapes showing some of the damage.

Digital Mix can repair and transfer most professional and domestic tape formats, and we stock spare cases and reels for most of the supported formats.

We transfer the following video, sound and film formats.

Video

Digital Betacam
Betacam SP
Betacam
DVCAM
XDCAM Disc HD or SD
DVCPRO 25
Umatic SP
Umatic low band
Super VHS
VHS
VHS C
Video 8
Hi8
Digital 8
Mini DV
HDV
Betamax

Audio

Audio Tape
DAT – Digital Audio Tape
Mini Disc
Micro cassette
LP
1/4 inch audio reel

Film scanning 2K / HD under or over scan options

Super 8 with or without sound
Regular 8 film
9.5mm film (pathescope)
16mm film.

Contact Digital Mix to discuss your tape or film transfers.

ATAINZ Workshop 24 – Auckland

22nd January 2025 By Dion Edwards

We are proud to work with ATAINZ to deliver their conferences and one day workshops to delegates both in person and online. We have worked with the ATAINZ group for a number of years and have delivered their conferences from venues in Taupo, Palmerston North, Hamilton, Queenstown, Nelson, Wellington and Auckland. Next stop Christchurch!

The 2024 workshop was held in Auckland and Digital Mix provided the technical support for the event.

Working alongside our preferred AV supplier Digital Mix provided all the audio-visual equipment to connect to the venues in house projection system. Our part of the day was to provide a livestream and video recording solution to over 100 delegates all over New Zealand. This was accomplished using a 3-camera HD livestream system with the ability to stream the content being displayed on the screens.

All in all, a successful event and a very happy client.

Customer feedback

Awesome work, Dion and the Digital Mix team! It’s always a pleasure to see the level of professionalism and attention to detail you bring to these events. The technical setup and seamless execution make such a difference for everyone involved, both in person and online. It’s partners like you that help ensure our workshops run smoothly, letting us focus on delivering great content and results for our members. Here’s to many more successful events together.

Funeral Livestream

3rd May 2020 By Dion Edwards

Religious gatherings, funerals and memorial services under COVID 19 restrictions have resulted in many challenges for family and friends unable to attend in person. A funeral livestream solution may be one of the only alternatives available.

Digital Mix was recently commissioned by a local funeral director to provide a reliable and cost effective funeral livestreaming solution. Under level 3 restrictions, only 10 family members could attend the service in person. This left many family and friends with only one alternative, to join the service online.

The major issue for the Digital Mix team was that the venue had no broadband connection. The solution for internet connectivity was to use the 4G mobile network. Digital Mix alongside Edwards Sound provided a totally independent audio visual system to livestream the service to family and friends around New Zealand.

The system included two high definition cameras, a 65 inch LCD screen, sound equipment and vision switching equipment. The 4G connection was excellent and allowed transfer speeds that did not compromise the quality of the stream. An audio visual technician and camera operator were on site and ensured everything went according to plan.

The high definition vision switching equipment allowed for a video tribute to be played both locally and on the video stream. As a backup to the video stream all video content from both cameras was recorded separately and an edited video of the service was provided to the family after some post production and editing.

The livestream was held via zoom and allowed for family members to watch the stream and interact with one another after the service.

Digital Mix can customize a solution to meet your requirements or incorporate existing on site equipment to make your next livestream event a success. Visit our livestreaming page for more information and other livestream options offered by Digital Mix.

ATAINZ Conference 2020

22nd April 2020 By Dion Edwards

ATAINZ Wairakei 2020 — ATAINZ Wairakei Resort 2020

The ATAINZ 2020 conference was hosted by Wairakei Resort and Digital Mix is proud to be part of the technical crew making this event a huge success. This years conference was attended by over 180 Delegates from across New Zealand.

In a association with the in-house audio visual provider – WAVE, Digital Mix provided the high definition cameras, camera operator, AV recording equipment, front of house audio equipment and technical support. Projection, signal distribution, lighting equipment and venue support was provided by WAVE.

The two day conference was made up of keynote speeches and presentations by business specialists and experts in New Zealand tax and trust law. The second and last day of conference culminated in a 3 person panel discussion with a moderator. To ensure nothing was missed a second wide angle camera was provided to ensure seamless switching between camera angles.

Technical Support

ATAINZ 2020 Technical — Technical setup – Atainz 2020

To ensure everything went to plan an audio visual technical engineer was on site to oversee all presentations, adjust audio levels and ensure presentations ran to time. To assist the various speakers, 2 x 32 inch fold-back TV monitors were placed on the floor in front of the podium, allowing the presenters to see their presentation notes and a presentation timer without having to turn to the projection screens.

Dual camera setup — Dual camera angles for panel discussion

Post conference all relevant presentations were edited and upload to the members only section of the ATAINZ website. This is an ongoing commitment to ATAINZ members to provide resources.

Client Testimonial

The Accountants & Tax Agents Institute of NZ (Inc) (ATAINZ) has used Dion and Brian to provide Audio Visual and IT support for our annual Conference since 2018 and our annual Workshops since 2017.

At all times ATAINZ has found Dion & Brian to be innovative, efficient and extremely professional in both their design and implementation of their services for our Conferences & Workshops.

They are also extremely flexible to work within a budget, work at different locations throughout NZ and also working with the various onsite contractors at each location.

All you need to do is tell them what you want to achieve and they will formulate an AV & IT plan that meets your needs. It is as simple and stress free as that !

As a result of their commitment to delivering excellency the level of professionalism at our events has been increased substantially and as a result of the AV our members now have a video library resource that enables them to refer back to.

In fact we consider Dion & Brian part of the ATAINZ team and we wouldn’t consider running an event without them.

ATAINZ would highly recommend Dion & Brian and would have no hesitation providing a verbal refernce if required.

Gary Upson

CEO – ATAINZ

The Food Show – Auckland 2019

9th August 2019 By Dion Edwards

The Food Show Auckland 2019 – another premium event brought to you by the team at Edwards Sound and Digital Mix.

We are proud to have worked in conjunction with the team at Edwards Sound to provide the cameras and operator for the 2019 Auckland Food Show.

The audio visual system supplied by Edwards Sound comprised the following components

HD LED display system
Blackmagic ATEM HD camera switching
DAS Audio loudspeaker system – 8 speakers
Amplifiers, and audio processing equipment
2 x headset wireless mics, 2 x handheld wireless mics
2 x laptops for video and background music playback
4 x HD cameras in various locations
Wireless operator communication system

The 4 HD cameras were positioned as

Direct overhead PTZ Camera with remote operation
Wide angle for front shot of the stage
Tripod mounted camera on dolly for close up stage shots
Shoulder camera for audience and other shots

The main camera used for close up and extreme close ups of the cooking and plating of the various dishes.

After setup and testing the stage was set for some of New Zealand’s and Australia’s celebrity chefs to demonstrate their culinary skills. Over a four day period, celebrity chefs Annabelle White, Annabelle Langbeing, Jax Hamilton, Simon Gault, Luke Hines and others graced the Neff Cooking Theatre main stage to demonstrate to keen punters.

The multiple camera angles options allowed for maximum coverage of the demonstrations and extreme close up action being displayed on the high definition LED display system. People placed further back in the audience where accommodated with additional HD displays and delayed speaker feeds.

Additional HD displays and speakers accommodated for audience far from stage

A program video monitor was placed at the front of stage allowing for program output feedback. This allowed the chefs to see what was being displayed on the HD LED system without having to turn their backs to the audience. In addition a foldback speaker was located on stage allowing for the chefs to hear the questions and answers from the audience.

Program video output is displayed on a foldback display

The Auckland Foodshow 2019 – Another hugely successful event put together by Edwards Sound and Digital Mix.

Stage Show Recording

22nd June 2019 By Dion Edwards

Digital Mix offer stage show recording services for big and small shows alike. From single camera, record only to multi camera options with or without post production services, Digital Mix have the equipment and personnel to cater for almost any stage show recording or event.

A case study – The Herald Theater

Digital Mix was contacted by Auckland Live to provide a single camera recording for a stage show at The Herald Theater.

This show was a little different to the norm in that the actress was not mic’d and moved across stage at various stages during the performance. Video clips played an integral part of the show being projected onto a screen at the back of stage. Additional audio in the form of video clip audio tracks and hand held microphones used for audience participation, these signals were fed through the in-house sound system. In all 4 separate audio channels had to be recorded.

Performers audio on stage
Radio mics and audio from video clips
Room / ambient audio.

Digital Mix provided a single high definition video camera and operator. To cater for the audio challenges, a dual channel stand alone audio recorder was placed front and center of the stage. A directional shotgun microphone was also used as well as a separate audio feed from the in-house public address PA system. In all 4 separate audio tracks were recorded.

Stage Show Recording with a single camera and multiple audio channels — Stage Show Recording

In the post production phase, the video and audio files were edited on an AVID Media Composer edit system, combining the recorded video and audio and included various graphics, video clips and other elements to create a master video file.

Another event under the belt and a happy customer above all.

For more information on this and other services please visit this page or contact us.

Training Video

1st June 2019 By Dion Edwards

Training video production – a seemingly simple task but careful consideration should be made when producing content for online or inhouse use. A poorly produced video can do more harm than good. Content should be engaging and ensure the viewers stay engaged throughout.

Digital Mix have produced video content for a number of customers for both online and inhouse use. Subjects we’ve produced content for include.

Safety Training
Project Management
Driver Training
Site specific safety training
Plant and machinery training
Medical seminars and training
Operator Training
Generic safety training

Training video production using two cameras at a training venue — Training video production

Case study: Project Management Training Video

Pictured above is a typical two camera setup for recording of a presenter in a training situation.

Camera 1 is set up for a tight shot of the presenter centered in the frame.

Camera 2 is setup with a slightly wider shot with the presenter in the left third of the frame. This allows for post production insertion of bullet points to the right of the presenter.

Audio quality is as important as the image, in this case we used

Single radio lapel microphone on the presenter.
Shotgun mic situated just out of shot.
2 channel audio recorder on the podium (for back up audio)

Post production and editing.

So what can be added in post production to enhance the training video. In the post production phase we mix the audio and add content such as.

Powerpoint Slides
Images
Text
Relevant video content
Company logo’s at the beginning and end of the video
Lower third graphics for presenter credentials
Animations and transitions
End credits and reference links
Music and sound effects

The final steps:

The last step is client sign off and distribution. Final files are rendered subject to the hosts requirements. In most cases a compressed MP4 file is sufficient for most video hosting services. However other options may be required for use on smart devices and media players. We ensure that the supplied files are suitable for all applications.

For more information on the services listed above please visit these pages or hit the contact us button and we’ll get back to you ASAP.

Video editing

Video Production