@ Cpilcher

Having an independent Control Surface, whether a MIDI device, touch pad or custom hardware is the way to go.
I am not sure, however, if a separate number pad behaves any differently than a built-in keyboard number pad (what I mostly use). If it does, you are laughing as it would be equivalent to the aforementioned independent Control Surface. If, on the other hand, it is just an extension of the keyboard, then there will be limitations to what you can do since the main User Interface Window has to be 'Active' for it to recognize "Shortcuts". This means that any time you have any other functions to perform, either within vMix (edit a Title for example) or outside of vMix (moderate a chat room or send a tweet), your 'Keyboard Shortcuts' for switching in vMix are non-functional (since the keyboard is required in that other 'Active' window). This is the big advantage of the web interface and/or a MIDI device or Control Surface; your TD can continue switching while you, as the producer, can do whatever needs to be done 'behind the scenes'. All I can say is that it is very frustrating and stressfull to be in the middle of trying to modify or edit a graphic or special effect when all of a sudden you need to switch cameras or apply an Overlay but there is no way to do it without closing out what you are doing and getting back to the main UI, which might only take a few seconds, but in a "Live" show, it feels like an eternity.
You would be best to experiment and test as much as possible with different scenarios to find the 'hardware' and workflow that will work best for you.


Ice

It might not be what you are looking for but have you taken a look at our vMix Control Surface iPad App?

It has the interface that resembles more of a switcher than a web interface. Might be worth a look if you are searching for a solution. Hope this helps or gives you another option.

https://itunes.apple.com...surface/id978932322?mt=8

You could look at xkeys panels. You can configure the keys freely with keys and blockers. Only con's are the lights won't work out of the box and the lights are not really bright enough. They should make panels with white led's instead of red and blue and make the sides of their buttons black so they won't bleed light to the next keys.

The ipad app is nice to have to be able to get onto the set and being able to control vmix to show how it's going to look, etc. But I would always prefer real buttons to press.
You cannot press keys blind on a touchscreen. When switching I prefer to keep my eyes on the multiview as much as possible.

Also, some years ago I was working from a touchscreen with a BMD ATEM at a place with lots of flies. They managed to drive me nuts starting bumpers and switching camera's without my consent! I had to disable the touchscreen and continue by mouse.

Stumbled across this, anyone have any experience with it? http://xkeys.com/xkeys/xkr32.php

I also like their humor, the detailed description in the center of the pic strikes me as funny for some reason... http://xkeys.com/xkeys/a...32/XKR-32BackCU_1200.jpg

I currently use the Shuttle Pro v2 and it's great, once a production goes live I rarely need the keyboard.

But the more I think about it, I currently run a dual monitor setup so I can view vMix on one screen and replay and audio levels in another... I could just put audio on my main screen and setup my second for the replay operator. My third monitor out would be used for the multiview for switching. That just leaves me in need of a program out for my final production (usually sent to a Jumbotron at the venue). I have a bunch of Intensity pro cards, I'm just not sure if they will fit once I install the magewell card.

Update: I have been able to successfully eliminate an entire computer and a bunch of hardware. Thanks to vMix my mobile setup just shed a ton of weight and setup time. A couple weeks of test runs and I will be ready for a live event at the end of February. I have attached a pic of the "obsolete" equipment that I no longer have a use for.

Thanks for everyone's help and support.