Hi - I know a number of you have been asking for a way to interface a LANC controller to the CX7, and as we already knew, the CX7 functions in a sports pack via a LANC type control.

I've reverse engineered (meaning poked sufficiently with sharp probes <wink>) the interface, and can now operate the camera via at least the Sony and Giottos LANC controllers (including manual focus on the Giottos, now out of production, but I'm going to be testing another one shortly that has manual focus).

Anyone interested in either instructions/plans or a completed adapter? This isn't like a big time thing, but I would like to make a bit for my trouble, gas is expensive and all that. Don't figure there's a big demand out there... but not everyone has the time and/or workbench at hand, so I'm offering!

I'm figuring that like myself a lot of you like this little camera, and the extra control ability would be of use... so PM me or whatever and let me know. I'll be researching cost of parts and such as well as availability for DIY'ers and should have something shortly - probably not an expensive thing, unless I'm modding actual LANC controllers...

Sounds very interesting, to focus on a controller and not just on screen :)

Which still available LANC controller will be able to do it?

Yeah, actually that was the ONE thing I really wanted to access with the CX7. Even though spot focus is effective, it's handy sometimes to defocus or do a rack, and that's a pain to do on a touch screen any way you slice it!! Little buttons aren't ideal, but the CX actually has a readout when in manual focus mode, and at least with the Giottos, you can switch between auto and manual with another button. AND it would free up the touch screen for spot exposure <wink>!

The Giottos focus functions work perfectly, so now I've got a pocket cam with nearly as much control as a big one. Not bad considering the video quality I'm seeing so far. This could make the CX7 the ultimate stealth cam.

I'm looking around a bit at LANC controllers, going to order one I found on a pro video supply site that's pretty cheap (cheap is good!) and looked small, want to see how it works...

I'm contemplating modding a controller with the A/V connector instead of the standard 2.5mm plug vs. just making an adaptor - I'm preferring the adaptor so I can still use the controller on other cams with "normal" LANC jacks!

There are actually quite a few LANC controllers that have focus and other functions, but most are pricey (did I mention cheap is good?). The adapter shouldn't cost more than $15-20 in parts, and any LANC controller ought to work, so my thought is find the most bang for the least bucks.

Dave,

I would definitely be interested in a LANC controller for my cx7 so please put me on your list!

BTW - How would it plug into the camera?


Cheers,
Chuck

BTW - How would it plug into the camera?

I'm assuming he's done this through the Multi A/V plug.


Anyone interested in either instructions/plans or a completed adapter?


Yes, interested in both. I tried cutting up one of my own a/v plugs and the pins are so tiny. A completed a/v plug with a lanc jack on one end would be great to have.

Yes, the LANC will interface throught the A/V "D" shaped jack on the camcorder back. Plug into the A/V jack, turn cam on, use LANC for whatever your particular LANC controls. Since the LANC protocol seems pretty standardized, I expect ANY LANC controller will work, so no need for a new one of those, just need the adapter!

I've got several options I'm considering -

one is just instructions for the DIY (as John notes the wires are very tiny and not easy to work with, so a GOOD soldering iron and soldering skills are a necessity).. maybe not for everyone, I'm used to working with this sort of thing, although now I need a magnifier visor!

Second is a simple adapter cable, with the A/V plug on one end and the 2.5mm jack on the other, just plug whatever LANC you have into it... that's my best thought, and it won't be expensive. I'll put together a couple prototypes once I souce the parts - a week or two probably.

The final option is to modify Lanc controllers one at a time... but I don't like that reversing the procedure isn't going to work well - the LANC would then be dedicated to the CX7 and other Sony cams with the A/V interface...

Dave,

I am very interested. Have you also been able to modify it to include an audio out minijack (I remember reading one of your earlier posts on this possibility). I would be happy to pay for such a modification (I'm hopeless with soldering etc!).

Thanks.

Hi Roger -

Haven't tried it yet, however it should be possible - the awkward thing is it means two separate jacks, one for LANC and one for Mic, meaning a bigger adapter... or two adapters, one for each purpose. It's just a matter of physical size for a housing for the jacks... don't want too big a box or whatnot!

For the LANC it's just a short lead from the A/V plug to an inline 2.5mm jack - really compact, and should be durable - adding another jack and a second cable becomes an issue with flexing the cable, but I may figure something out - If I were doing it, probably put something with a cold shoe mount for a bracket mount for stability, but now the rig is getting a bit bulky!

My thinking is the smallest simplest solution to match the cam. Will consider the options though - maybe I can find a small box that could mount under the cam.

I'll test the rigging for external mic input shortly and see if there are any issues - I was able to mount the HW1 wireless and got both the internal mics and the HW1 signal just fine with the adapter in place, so I'm not sure whether I can convince the camera to shut down the internal mics... Will post results once I've poked at it some more!

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the quick reply. "Sounds" promising!

Actually I am wondering if it's possible to make TWO small adapters, one for the LANC, and another for audio (input and output seems possible from your post - that's great)? I would be interested in both and would use both of them depending on circumstances. I know it seems not so ideal but I agree with you that simplicity and portability are important - I don't want to load down the camera!

Roger

Sorry Dave - just re-read your post and realize that you did suggest two separate adapters - that would work for me. Thanks.

fiddling on the bench right now, so will know shortly... would definitely be two separate adapters or a minibox of some sort. It'd be "LANC" with a 2.3mm jack or Mic input with 1/8" jack, so you could tell them apart. In theory you could also do other configurations, but it would just be the A/V cable that comes with the cam, with different plugs/jacks...

I was most interested in the LANC capability for external control, as I am pleasantly surprised by the internal mics and the HW1, but I guess being able to throw a good Rode Mic or somesuch on this could be handy... good thing they didn't make it any smaller! I've noted that the reports on the internal mics under "extreme" conditions have not been good, so I do see a reason that some might need BOTH LANC and Mic in... anyone really NEED that, or should I not worry about that capability??


I'm just checking my details, so I can spec this out for parts ASAP - seems like a lot of interest, and I'll put up a web site I guess so anyone that wants one can get an order in... hope it's not too "successful", but see a need... fill a need... (obscure movie quote time) and I can crank these out pretty fast once my parts are lined up.

I'm beginning to doubt how good an idea DIY is for the "average" guy... I've almost got the design finalized, and it'll probably be cheaper and faster to pay me to make the silly things up and stuff 'em in an envelope! Unless Sony has a pile of the obscure part # I need for the short A/V cable in stock, I'll have to go to China...

I'm looking forward to the website and also your modifications. I definitely have a need for some kind of audio in/out. At present I am using the Sony AIS adapter that allows me to plug in for example, the Rode mic but I can't hear the sound I'm recording! That's most frustrating.

LANC for focus control would be great but as earlier posts discussed, two adapters for the two functions would be more in keeping with the camera's portability etc.

I'm hopeless at DIY and it never comes out right - it's great if you are able to produce these adapters! Thanks.

OK, good news and bad news... the mic inputs work fine...

HOWEVER, the original designed purpose for the Sony circuit was to have the camera in an sealed underwater housing... therefore the internal camera mics don't appear to be disabled when the A/V jack mic inputs are used... SO, you've got phase and crosstalk/noise issues out the wazoo - I haven't dumped the .MTS file yet to see what it looks like on the waveform on the timeline, but I'm guessing it's not going to be pretty... although I'm not 100% sure yet if the 5.1 circuit of the CX7 means that the front mics are disconnected... more tests, but familly time dictates they come later!

My suggestion for an external mic input would be the Sony one from B&H that uses the AIS shoe...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=479976&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

On the plus side, you should be able to use both simultaneously, although I don't have one to test - but my HW1 works fine, so I don't know why the VMCK100 shouldn't allow external mic. And the Sony Mic adapter is not expensive for the added functionality... I think I'll abandon the mic inputs via the A/V jack idea entirely unless further testing shows the inputs replace the internal mics...

Hi Roger - we both must be typing simultaneously...

I think the AIS adapter is your best bet for mic IN, but maybe the other thing I should try is for a headphone out... the HW1 has one right on it, so I'm good with that, and my last attempt at using the A/V jack for audio out yielded too weak a signal to drive headphones... would require a preamp probably... more bulk!


Edit - Kids all snuggled warm in their beds, me out freezing in the shop fiddling over a warm test bench... did some more testing, with some interesting results... Now where's the old guy in the red suit with my shipment of parts??

As already noted, mic ins work, but onboard mics still active... BUT when adding in the HW1, strangeness happens! The mic "ins" become "outs"! Not as strong a signal as at the headphone jack of the HW1, but very close to usable, now we are back at two jacks... hmm. Odds are quite good that the AIS mic adapter will also cause the same result, cutting onboard mics, and turning ins to outs... not sure the level would really be adequate in a noisy envirnoment though.

Hi Dave,

Thanks - sorry not sure if my last post got through.

Anyway, I'm back from reindeer riding : )

I've had good results with Rode mic attached through AIS and also the Sony bluetooth mic. I do need some kind of audio out monitoring capability. I may be in the minority here but a combination of AIS attached mics and audio out through your modification/adapter would be great for me!

Roger

Hi Roger -

The audio out shouldn't be a big deal... but I may have hit a snag - seems the A/V cables (at least the Chinese one I sacrificed for R&D) have a different wiring configuration than the stub cables of the sport packs... and there's no part # for that cable - going to keep trying though. May be looking at having these made at one of the Chinese factories that make the copy A/V cables

The more I research this, the more interesting the A/V jack becomes, and the more frustrating it is accessing all it can do! The challenge is that it's all hidden behind that proprietary sony jack!!!

I tried cutting up one of my own a/v plugs and the pins are so tiny. A completed a/v plug with a lanc jack on one end would be great to have.

John -

Did you cut up one of the OEM Sony A/V cables that come with the cameras? If so, how many leads were in the sheath? I've hit a dead end in that the cable I used to make my adapter uses the lead from a scrapped Sony sport pack, and they have NO part # or availability from Sony...

I had hoped that the Chinese cheap-o copies of the VMC-FS15 (the Sony A/V cable) would work, but they have 7 leads, and are not correctly configured to allow for modification. The HCA cable has 7 leads too, but to different pins!!

I'm trying to avoid hacking one of my A/V cables if someone else can tell me what's inside <wink> - if there are 10 leads, and the 10 pins on the A/V plug can be accessed individually, I can use that for the adapters... expensive, since the Sony OEM part is not cheap, but I'll supply plans and the remaining parts are less than $1... and some soldering.

Let me know what you found when you dissected your cable?

John -

Did you cut up one of the OEM Sony A/V cables that come with the cameras? If so, how many leads were in the sheath? I've hit a dead end in that the cable I used to make my adapter uses the lead from a scrapped Sony sport pack, and they have NO part # or availability from Sony...

I had hoped that the Chinese cheap-o copies of the VMC-FS15 (the Sony A/V cable) would work, but they have 7 leads, and are not correctly configured to allow for modification. The HCA cable has 7 leads too, but to different pins!!

I'm trying to avoid hacking one of my A/V cables if someone else can tell me what's inside <wink> - if there are 10 leads, and the 10 pins on the A/V plug can be accessed individually, I can use that for the adapters... expensive, since the Sony OEM part is not cheap, but I'll supply plans and the remaining parts are less than $1... and some soldering.

Let me know what you found when you dissected your cable?

I used a Sony cable. The plug has 10 tiny pins that go through the plug and come out the back where all of the cables get soldiered to.

I've uploaded some photos of the plug.
Front:
http://www.321govideo.com/plug3.jpg

Back:
http://www.321govideo.com/plug1.jpg

Cables:
http://www.321govideo.com/plug2.jpg

From the photos you can see the front has the 10 pins and the back has the 10 pins that flatten out. The inside of the sony cable has 5 tiny black wires and a ground wire. They were connected to the pins. 4 of the pins were not connected to any wires. So, I had to hack up my plug and disconnect everything, then try to connect some bare wire to the correct pins. I unfortunetly couldn't get mine to work. I think I either misread the pinout or have a bad connection.

The sony cable was extremely difficult to get apart. There was this waxy substance over everything.

Thanks John!

I was thinking you'd just cut a cable <wink> Never contemplated tearing the actual plug apart, very helpful to see though! I guess this proves that anything put together CAN be taken apart...

If only I knew who was making this special plug, I'd be set! It's critical that the RIGHT pins are connected, and you've confirmed that the standard cable wiring is incorrect for the LANC adapter...

If you've still got the parts, PM me and I'll e-mail you with the correct pinouts to adapt your LANC - since you've already sacrificed to the cause as it were!

Special thanks John!!

One trick on that "waxy substance" - it's hot melt glue... thought it looked mighty familiar from my wife's craft projects...

OK, thanks to John's inspiring my destructive urges I'm back in business - I've hacked one of the cheap Chinese A/V cables down to it's bare bones, and can access all pins as needed - now will need to devise a way to remold the cable end, and I can either modify any existing LANC, or I am working on an idea for an adapter molding that will simply "nest" inside the inset area of the camera where the A/V jack resides - it may cover the HDMI out, but I'm thinking this needs to be as compact and flush as possible for the extreme sports applications, so trying to keep that in mind as I work.

If I can't source the plugs, at least I know I can destroy cheap A/V cables to the desired end!!

David,

I've been searching the web for something like this but haven't come up with anything. Are you still trying to make these to sell?

I would like to get one for a Sony DCR-SR85. The plug would need to have the LANC control and still have the video out. I don't really care about the audio. If you can make it with the audio that would be fine too.

THANKS!

Hi,
I am also wondering if you ever managed to produce these for sale....if you did, I would for sure buy a CX7 LANC adaptor....let me know.
Thanks!
Daniel Viney

Any news on these LANC adaptors??? I ordered a few A/V cables off of ebay that I may try to hack. David, are you going to make some of these to sell or can I get the DIY plans and try it myself?

Any update on these cables?

What we want is ALMOST already being made, but very expensive.

http://www.digideep.com/english/info/html/lanc-adapter-for-sony-10pin-connector/

Don't know why they say a video IN jack unless it's for an HDV camcorder.

Also way too big for an in-line LANC solution.

Since the SR series has a MIC jack -- all we need is a TINY plug and LANC female socket.

Has anyone come up with and released a wiring diagram for the 10 pin plug to a 2.5mm jack so we can use a Lanc controller with the CX7/CX9.

Rob

ste-fra LANC adaptor for Sony camcorders and stereoscopic video. (http://digi-dat.de/produkte/index_eng.html)

Hi Serge,

I saw that adapter the other day. A little expensive. I was thinking about getting a Sony zoom controller and cutting off the cable and adding a 2.5mm jack to it. But, from what I have been reading, you need to add a resistor between two wire. I was wondering if anyone knew exactly how to do this. I am good with a soldering iron and have made my own adapters before.

Rob

I just saw on the Studio 1 Productions website ( http://www.studio1productions.com ) they now have an adapter cable for the LANC controls that convert from 2.5 mm to a 10 pin 'D" connecter. The cable is a little expensive, but they do have an explanation of why it is $69.

I have to say, I built my own and it ran me about $50, but that does not include any labor cost.

Here is what I did. I bought a RM-AV2 for $39.95 + $8.75 for shipping. I then bought the 100k ohm resistors and a couple of 2.5 mm female jacks. One note here, the 2.5 mm jack has to have a large enough plastic casing on it so you can put the resistor inside. My total cost for everything came to $51.13 including tax. So I guess with Studio 1 charging $69 for one is not too bad.

Rob

I made a mistake on the price of the Lanc Adapter cable from Studio 1 Productions, it is $59.00

Rob

I made a mistake on the price of the Lanc Adapter cable from Studio 1 Productions, it is $59.00

Rob

It's now selling for $49.99, if this is what you are referring to: Sony LANC Adapter Cable - LANC 10 pin Adapter Cable 2.5 mm to D connector with Video and Audio - LANC-SA (http://www.studio1productions.com/lanc-sa.htm)

Hi guys. I have been following this thread and may have some info that may be helpful?

I too have also been searching for the elusive LANC adaptor. I managed to source a supplier in China. I am fortunate as the company I work for has a factory based in Guangzhou, China. I have managed to get it $10 USD cheaper than $49 USD.
This is the company that I purchased it from: -

Zowietek Electronics, Ltd. (http://www.zowietek.com) - $35 just for the cable + shipping

I have a full schematic and there is a wiriing diagram for the Sony 10 pin AV/R cable connection. This is for the Sony DCR HC42E, but I would assume (dangerous) that this is a standard part for all sony camcorders.......i might be wrong??
Not sure how to add a pic yet. Will add asap

Simon -
Highly probable that the 10 pin is common among most of the Sony line. I know the HC1 didn't have the LANC pins, but everything since that model seems to have it. I've got schematics as well if you want to cross check against current "D" jack,

It'll be interesting to see what the Chinese adapter REALLY ends up costing, since you can source the Chinese copy of the Sony A/V cable for a couple bucks (like $3, and less than $10 on eBay) - of course the Chinese version of the A/V cable is a little "off"... but usable.

IF they got the LANC adapter cable right, it shouldn't cost more than $10 in quantity, in all honesty. That's one of the reasons I never bothered with developing it further. I've built a couple adapters for my own use, and will probably hack a couple of older LANC controllers I use for permanent use with the "D" jack, since the 2.5mm is gone forever by the looks of things.

Anymore by the time you do the engineering, someone in a Chinese factory is knocking it off... often with mixed functional results, but that's another story.