Equipment help for new streaming project

[NKRobotics]

Hey guys and gals,

I'm new to streaming, but I've been researching it for the past couple of weeks, and have also read through a lot of the guides. I'll describe the questions/problems I have after the apparent needed information:

Browser: Chrome (16.0.912.63)
OS: Windows 7 (64-bit, Home Premium)
Broadcaster: Xsplit to Justin.tv
Internet: ~30mbps down, ~10mbps up

Problem Description:

While an avid watcher of Justin.tv and Twitch.tv streams, I also coach debate for a local high school. Working with our city league, we want to create a debateTV series of shows, including debates that are broadcast via webcam. For those who've done CX or Policy debate in their past, they probably are familiar with what I'm talking about. For those who aren't, here's a brief description:

Policy debate is a form of speech competition in which teams of two advocate for and against a resolution that typically calls for policy change by the United States federal government or security discourse.

Since the debates are being held via webcam, there will be an on-site set and an off-site set:

On-site:

• 2 debaters on a single webcam. Each debater has a headphones and mic.
• Host, running the show on the computer. Has a headphone and mic.
• On-site Judges (up to three). Each has a headphone and mic. The panel of judges together has one webcam.

Off-site:

• 2 debaters on a single webcam via Skype. Each debater has headphones and mic.
• Off-site Judges (up to three). Probably connected via Skype. Presumably they have their own audio inputs and outputs set up.

Equipment Summary:

• Up to 2 high-quality webcams
• Up to 8 or so headphones and mic sets
• Ability to mix these audio inputs

Questions:

1. What are reasonably-priced and still high-quality equipment I can buy for headsets and mics? I'm looking for something erring on the smaller side.
2. For the off-site team, would it be better to have a single room mic and headphones, or individual headsets?
3. Do I need a separate PA mixer? If so, what's a good one that's reasonably priced?
4. Will XSplit suffice? Do I need additional software, especially for the audio mixing?

Sorry for long post. Forum admins, let me know if changing this somehow would it make it better/more accessible/more likely to get approved.

~NKRobotics