I am always very willing to help, but I think when you read the manual first, 2/3rd of your questions are answered by it, making it much less work to answer those that remain. ;)

So I read thru manual - and watched a lot of videos.... BUT I still cannot find specific answers.. Maybe someone can help me.

1) in the input source area - it seems that the inputs automatically become different colors - I am trying to figure out if there is some significance there. (some are blue, orange or green).

I figured this out - seems obvious now, but I don't see it anywhere in the manual

2) If I am playing a video - and towards the end of the video - I want it to cue in 2 camera shot - as two squares sliding over the video automatically - is that possible? (like within the last 10 seconds - so that you still hear/see the video behind -- this is for the intro).

I can't find this answer anywhere.

3) can I theoretically set up a soundboard - by renaming one of those color squares AUDIO - and just put in the 1/2 dozen drops I need?

I can't find this answer anywhere.

4) is there a way to cue up videos - so that the producer can listen to them w/o them going live? I am streaming from the same computer I'd be looking at videos on.

This - you are saying is only possible w two computers? I don't see why.. there's virtual line in software out there like VoiceMeeter Banana that are supposed to let you do this? But I am not sure.

5) I have to make a title INPUT - and then I can overlay it onto a video via multi-view right? Or is there a way to avoid creating that extra input?

I can't find the answer to this either.

6) what does 'create a virtual input' mean?

If I search Virtual Input on your manual - anything w the word virtual or input comes up - and I haven't found this either

I realize I am a total newbie - but I am doing my best to assimilate this knowledge... we are all newbies once.

re 4: one way is to press [S] for solo listening in that video Input's entry in the audiomixer.

But hey, dowload and play. It's 2 months for free!

edit: and then you might figure out other ways beyond soloing for queing video clips ;)

Thank you !

I am still a bit confused on the A/B/M/S thing - but i think I am figuring it out.

@ iamralphsutton

Looks like you are well on your way to getting a better understanding of the vMix GUI and workflow, the more you "play" with it, the clearer it will become.
I am not that familiar with x-split and it's capabilities, but there are likely many things that are "easily" done there that are much more complex to set-up in vMix, but I believe are certainly possible.
For item 2 on your list, a simple transition or merge is probably not what you want and this will likely require an advanced set-up with "Triggers" and "Multiview" Inputs.
Items 3 & 4, appear to be effectively covered by others above.
Audio and its routing can be one of the most confusing aspects of any set-up, so it's important to keep an open and clear mind when venturing down that path.
For item 5 on your list, first off, any element you use in vMix needs to be an INPUT.
Using the "MultiView" feature is a way to create pre-composed special effects (upstream Keys) which make vMix a very powerful and versatile tool, but it will take considerable effort and time to fully appreciate how to use it effectively. Using the "Overlay" buttons allows for simple overlays (downstream Keys) such as titles.
A "Virtual Input" is essentially a copy of the chosen INPUT (right click of cog wheel) that can be altered/manipulated to suit your purposes (example: mirror image) that can then be used as a separate (but linked) Input in that it is still connected to the 'original' source and hence only a virtual input.

The best advice anyone can give is to PLAY, PLAY, PLAY around with everything in vMix and explore the possibilities.
If there is a specific task you want to accomplish (item 2 perhaps), there are many here who will be happy to coach and assist you along and help you find a way to make it work the way you want.

Hope that helps out in some way.


Ice

Yes forgot abt solo..
Another may be to monitor / preview each input source via NDI on a seperate laptop.

A.

I have an old PC core 2 duo, running vmix, just 4 gigs of ram....and it runs very smooth...I do mostly recording, but it works well....When I need more power, I will build a more powerful system......today, all software developed, is calling for more and more power,......plus, xsplit does not come close to vMix where features are concern....there are plenty features that will need power to perform......when you get to understand vMix, you will see so much features that will see the reason for the power....vMix is a poor man's Tricaster.,....full of great features....

Not just here.

The SKYPE call setup - requires a 2nd computer.

I emailed support on another question - and the answer was a 2nd computer.

So it seems like to have xMix work effectively - they want you to have a 2nd computer.

I really do not know what you are trying to achieve...Tom Sinclair from Streaming Idiots uses a single PC to do his stuff....a second PC is only used for his personal comfort.....for years he only used a single PC...I did Skype calls and recorded as well on a single PC with very low rating.....dual core, 4 gigs of ram, and had no problems...maybe you should read the help files carefully before you make false suggestions....

My issue is we are already up and running w a setup tjat allows these things.

But I am well aware of xsplit limitations,. And want to switch.

But if everything doesn't work. There'sgonna be a mutiny here.