Hello,

I'd like to put a camcorder in our woods and let it record the various goings on overnight. In a recent program on Discovery/Science Channel, I saw a small Pelican case strapped to a tree that caught a Jaguar on its night-time prowl (obviously not in *my* woods!)

A bit of research led me to this:

http://www.pixcontroller.com/Products/LANC_PixController.pdf

I want to do exactly what the last page of the document does (including controller an external IR LED array). Unfortunately, this product has been discontinued and the manufacturer doesn't seem to have a replacement.

Can anyone make any recommendations?

Thanks,

John.

i found a little cheap circuit that is a LANc controller, with a trigger.
the ciruit when triggered by any closed contact (could be a PIR motion detector or a laser barrier or any contact activated system) do the following sequence.
switch on cam, set to record mode for a programmed duration, switch off cam.
http://www.keene.co.uk/electronic/keene-electronics/keene-pir-lanc-controller-(pcb-only)/KLRP1PCB.html

but they got the ready made kit also
http://www.keene.co.uk/electronic/keene-electronics/keene-lanc-remote-with-pir-detector/KLRP1.html

Thanks, Giroud.

I was thinking about buying one of these. So I'd be interested in hearing of any experiences, especially with badgers and foxes.

Hmm, I sense a project coming on.

I really want to be able to do the following:

1) Use PIR to trigger recording
2) Turn on/off an LED array
3) Record video to tape for defined amount of time
4) Record true timelapse to Memory Stick (not interval recording to tape)

LANC can be used to control the camcorder(s) but implementing a LANC interface is a pain due to its rather complex timings.

Thankfully, an inexpensive chip exists to do the grunt work of communicating via LANC. You send/receive commands from the chip and it takes care of the LANC stuff:

http://www.elmelectronics.com/DSheets/ELM624DS.pdf (approx. $15)

You communicate with it via an RS232 interface using a simple protocol. This could be from a laptop but that's rather undesirable out in a forest.

Instead, you can use a PIC microcontroller that would send the commands to the LANC chip. The PIC can be hooked up to a myriad of sensors - e.g., PIR and can also turn on/off external hardware (such as the LED array).

As it happens, I have a PIC kit in a drawer patiently awaiting its reason for existing:

http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/BASICStampModules/tabid/134/txtSearch/90005/List/1/ProductID/313/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName%2cProductName

which you can buy (as I did) from your local RadioShack who just happen to sell a bare-bones PIR module:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2906724

I already have an LED array:

http://www.supercircuits.com/IR-Illuminators/IR25

and I hope to squeeze everything into a Pelican 1400 case (to fit an HDR-HC1 + my smaller camcorders):

http://www.pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=1400

Programming will be done on a PC and then downloaded to the PIC. I envisage a small number of buttons/switches to choose a mode (e.g., timelapse to Memory Stick, PIR-activated etc).

I'm not sure when I'll start on this but I'll provide updates...

John.

The biggest problem, from my inquiries, was likely to be the time taken to wake the camera up when the motion is detected. Leaving the camera awake means using up battery power, so external power pack, or solar panel, is needed if you are away from an electricity supply.

Agreed. For me, the biggest current draw would be the IR LED array - hence the need to turn in on and off as required.

I had in mind a seal lead-acid battery to power the whole lot, such as:

http://www.thebatterystop.com/catalog/i1311.html

though I haven't calculated the capacity needed yet. The above example has a decently small volume and is cheap.

this battery seems to be only 1.2A/h . that is very small (it gives you 12X.1.2=14.4watt).
any big li-ion camcorder camera (like the sony NP-970) is 7.2V at 6.6A.h (about 47Watts).
you better have to find a battery that can power your device without conversion, since converting voltage is very lossy (at best 80% efficiency).
So if you camera is 7.2V, go for a 7.2 V battery, the led array will be ok with such voltage since led device are usually current driven , not voltage driven.
www.batteryspace.com has a lot of battery pack of any voltage between 3.6 to 48V and with big current available reasonably priced.
for my regular video use (powering LCD monitor of my stabilizer, or my WEVI wireless transmitter, i choosed a nimh 24V-5A (about 100W of power) that almost fit in your hand. I use a DC-DC converter to get 12V out of it.
if you are ready to bring heavy things with you , thare are some battery pack for electric bike that can deliver up to 500W of power, should be enough to power your system for several days.

The drawback with this kind of battery is that they are not designed to be run down to nothing - effectively you need something that will run for at least twice the time you intend running the equipment for. I have three 12V 3.2Ah batteries that were used for monitoring equipment, they lasted three nights if I was lucky, and became less reliable as the season progressed. They were not powerful enough to run the infra-red lamps for the video camera - I needed to use a 7.2Ah version for that.

i purchased 12V 12A lead gel battery (the cheap one for electric scooter, less than $80 ea.)
lead support better discharge than li-ion or nimh, but any battery getting a deep discharge is damaged during the process. The 2nd problem is the discharge curve.
some technology (like lead) is going slowly down the hill from 13V to 8 , while others (like li-ion) are providing rock steady voltage and suddenly drop.
for sure , if you are ready to lift heavy, use a car battery (12V @ 120A/h over 1000W of power !) and you will hardly discharge the battery under 60%
for very long use, try a solar panel.

Thanks for the info.

Actually, my original thought was a full-size deep discharge marine 12V battery since I have one just lying around. Of course, it is large and heavy but I only have to carry it into our woods (for now!)

But before I worry about the power requirements out in the field, I have to get all the electronics and programming worked out!

John,

Here are is a site that has homebrew video kits and info.

http://www.whitetailsupply.com/index.html

You might check out Pixcontroller's forum. There is a member there named PaPaBob that knows a lot about what you are after.

for such project, i usually use eletronic kits (google for "electronic kit" ).
they always got some cheap kit (usually around 10$) for timer, delay, detector, power regulation.

http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/hk/default.asp?page=mk&pagenum=2&order=pr%5Fsku
http://store.qkits.com/category.cfm/TIMER
http://www.bgmicro.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=116
http://www.hobbytron.com/electronickits.html

you just need solder iron and careffully assemble them.

I've been searching around the internet for the last hour or so, having come up with the following equipment:

http://www.trailmaster.com/tm700v.php

It's not cheap - and is pretty much twice the price here in the UK (and only available from www.alanaecology.co.uk), but I can't find anything else of similar quality.

I asked Keene about their unit mentioned in an earlier post, and they said it really needed something quite close (and large) to trigger it, but the trailmaster unit is designed for wildlife - so works at a greater distance from the subject.

Judging from a post found elsewhere on the forum (sorry, I came across it by googling TM700V, and don't know exactly whereabouts it was) the trailmaster units will work with Sony camcorders, but not Canon or others - something to do with the Lanc protocols.

So, I have a Sony A1, I have infra-red lights, If I buy a TM700V, I've just got to sort out the thorny problem of a suitable battery/power supply!

Since my last post, I have designed and built the electronics to control a camcorder with the following features:

1. Single 12V source (e.g., small lead-acid battery) to power all the electronics, camcorder and IR LED array (two on-board regulators - 5V and 8.4V)
2. Video interval recording and/or memory stick timelapse recording (i.e., can do both at the same time)
3. Automatic use of IR illumination and night shot mode (servo controlled) - i.e., sense the ambient light level and turn the IR LED array and night shot mode on or off
4. PIR motion detection to trigger video and/or memory stick recording
5. User selectable settings (via small rotary dials and DIP switches) for things like timelapse interval, whether to record to memory stick in VTR mode or not etc etc.

It's all based around a Parallax BASIC Stamp 2px and an ELM624 RS232/LANC interpreter plus a real time clock (for timing) and some shift registers for user settings.

I'm developing the software at the moment. In principle, a number of programs could be devised and you download the one you need in the field via an RS232 interface.

To be continued....(!)

Wow, that's out of my league. I like things to come ready made, so I just have to understand how they work and then use them!

We bought a moth trap a few years ago. If I'd known it came as a kit, I wouldn't have suggested it. We have never managed to fit the bits together, the electrics don't match that shown in the assembly diagram, and a couple of colleagues who know about these things can't work it out either. So we're still using a low power actinic light trap while the more powerful mercury vapour one sits in the garden shed.

As for the camera, in the short term, I'll probably get a bigger battery in the exectation of being able to leave it running for most of the night - or at least long enough to get the main period of activity when badgers are leaving their setts, for example. I can run the infra-red lights off the 12V 7.2Ah battery I mentioned previously.

Hi every body

My questions are simple:

I'have a Canon XL2, when i use it with the Lanc remote ZR-1000 i noted that in "pause mode" the recording heads "seems to run" but not in "standby mode". true or false ?

When i drive the cam in stand by mode i can restart it after 3 or 4 seconds delay in pushing the standby button, but if i let the cam turn "auto power off" i can not restart it with the Lanc remote (the cam seems power off like the name of the mode).

Now if i use a PIR remote from Keene or others (an example) did this system switch the camera in standby mode or in pause mode (with all the problems evocated) ?

If in standby, the recordings heads are not turning and if the Lanc remote can restart the system from standby position, with good a battery we have found a solution, a delay exist few seconds but not very important, with a good Li-Po power pack we have many hours off survey.

What are yours answers.

Gilles

I don't know about the XL2, but I seem to remember that on my old Canon XM2 I had to switch it so that it didn't power right down to standby, but so you could still see the picture on the viewfinder. Then there would be only a 2 second delay before it responded to being told to record by the LANC.

However, the trailmaster TM700V that I mentioned previously does not work with the XL1, so there may be the same problem with the Keene unit. Perhaps you should ask Keene if it will work with Canon cameras? I don't think it is sensitive enough for my purposes, so I'm not following it up.

Hi

here is a link to PIR sensors, coupled with a Keene Pcb, i think that could be OK


Electronic Modules, Kits and Components (http://www.glolab.com/index.html)

There are two ways to power up a sleeping camcorder via LANC.

One is to issue a LANC command expressly to turn the power on. However, this requires that the camcorder is still listening to LANC commands while asleep.

The other is to send a simple 150msec pulse that forces the camcorder to wake up - it doesn't require the camcorder to be actively listening to the LANC for commands.

The Sonys I have tested require the second option. If a remote LANC controller only sends standard LANC commands, these camcorders cannot be awakened.

Ideally, any controller should try both.

Hi John

Thank's for the information, but have you an idea to do that:

The PIR motion detector detect the animal the videocamera (XL2) turn on (no problems for that) but the Videocam is in pause, to start the record i have to "expaid" a second pulse "Rec button 2 or 3 seconds after" ?

I cannot record directly since the standby position !!!.

How to do the second pulse 3 seconds later (software, hardware) ? Basic stamp and soft programing are like a foreign language for me.

Best regards

Gilles

Here's what I've found with my Sony HDR-HC1:

When first powered on into camera mode, it is in standby mode ("STBY" on display) and issuing a simple LANC command (1030 for STOP) returns LANC data beginning with 14 - i.e., Record-Standby mode (as you would expect).

After 5 mins (the default auto power off time), instead of the camcorder switching off, it remains on but the "STBY" indicator disappears. Note, I am using the AC adapter for power which may influence whether the unit powers off or not. Once the "STBY" disappears, issuing the 1030 STOP command returns 02xxxxxx which means Stop mode. By trial and error, I have found these two ways to get the camcorder back into Record-Standby:

1. Power off (105E) and then send the 150msec pulse to re-awaken it into Record-Standby

or

2. Issue the "Start/Stop" command - 1033. This actually starts recording. Issuing it again stops recording. i.e., this command functions like the start/stop button.

My occasional short meanderings in pursuit of remote filming have taken me to this website:
Use of remote camera systems to investigate efficiency of DNA-based sampling methods | Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NoRock) (http://www.nrmsc.usgs.gov/research/KendallRemoteCamera.htm) where you can see the short video clips of some of their research.

They say more details of remote equipment used will be posted at some time in the future, but I did see that "Trailmaster" were acknowledged somewhere. Last week I emailed them a couple of specific questions about the TM700V but not received any reply yet.

Annie
I have two of the TM700V's with the IR light controller that I use for some wildlife work. I might be able to answer some of your questions.

Gordon Hoffman

Hi Gordon

I thought with so many thousand members, there ought to be someone on these forums using the TM700V, so thanks for replying.

The kind of questions I was asking were along the lines of:

1) The sample videos I've seen using the system have all be based around large animals. How does it work with smaller ones - eg small rodents visiting a feeding station? All the equipment is in a smaller spaces, and closer to the animals than when working with larger creatures so there may be issues of practicality in there somewhere.

2) Can the sensitivity be altered so that, for example, moths don't set it off?

3) Can the angle of the horizontal field of sensitivity be altered?

4) If Sony cameras will work with it, presumably my A1e will be ok, but does anyone know yet if it will work with the Canon XH-A1?

5) Any other information about the practicalities of using it would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Hi Annie
1) I have to admit I’ve never used it on creatures this small but I see no reason why it wouldn’t work on them providing you have the space. The monitor is about 120mm high 75mm wide by 100mm deep. The light controller is a separate unit. The camera and light controller are connected to the monitor by separate cables and can be set up a ways from the monitor.
2) The sensitivity can be adjusted. It is suppose to work on both body heat and motion
3) The monitor covers about a 150 degree arc. You can cover a portion of the sensor with tape to reduce the amount of area it covers which I have done.
4) If your Sony has a lanc port it should work. I know the Canon XL1 does not work as I’ve tried it. Canon must use a different type of lanc protocol so I would be surprised if their newer models are any different but I do not know this for certain. All I’ve used have been Sony camcorders that have the nightshot mode so I can use them with the IR spotlight if I want.
5) For what I mainly use it for it works fairly well. The one main problem as the monitor has to powers up the camera when it first detects an animal, I find it takes up to 6 to 7 seconds to get into record mode so action can be missed at first.
There is a number of setting you can make such as the length of time the camera will record for each triggering which can be set from 6 seconds to 98 minutes. It can also be set so that if the animal is still tripping the monitor it will continue recording even if it is longer than the time you had it set to record providing you still have tape left of course. Once it has done recording an event you can also have it set so the camera will stay in pause mode from 6 seconds on up to 10 minutes so if it detects movement again it will start to record fairly quickly. If no movement is detected it will power off again after the set time is up.
The monitor will record the time and day when it is triggered also which can be handy at times.

Hopes this helps some and if you have any more questions fire away.

Gordon Hoffman

Hi Gordon

Thanks for all this. It's a good start. I will definitely be trying one of these units. The supplier here in the UK has to order them from the US, so it's likely to be a few weeks before I actually get my hands on one - and I'm very busy with other work for another six weeks, so that's ok.

I can disable the auto-power-off on my camera, so it doesn't take quite so long to get into record mode. However, this does mean it drains the battery faster, but it should last for several hours, if not overnight.

What kind of animals were you using the units on? I have hedgehogs, badgers and foxes amongst my potential subject list, as well as the rodents mentioned earlier.

It probably won't work with bats as they are generally in and out of the frame too fast - although there are some situations at a roost where I may be able to use it. At present, I just switch the camera on at the roost exit, and leave it running til the tape runs out, by which time and bats will have flown out. But that is to do with counting bats rather than for usable video footage.

[QUOTE=Annie Haycock;926677]
I can disable the auto-power-off on my camera, so it doesn't take quite so long to get into record mode.
QUOTE]
I'm not sure if this will help as the monitor will power the camera down.

I have use the cameras on mainly on cougars and bears. Have done some monitoring of deer, coyotes, wolves and bobcats. Have had smaller animals and birds trip it also.

Gordon Hoffman

Hi

Have a look here Dgital video motion detector.

Radiant (http://www.dvmd.com/)

Here's a link to my Sony camcorder using a IR array , PIR motion sensor, Homemade LanC
controller. I'm running wireless to my house. I built a controller that detects Video and turns
on a VCR to record in my house. But now I'm using a video capture card and security software
that records to my hard drive. I programmed my LanC controller to Zoom in on every other video clip

Sony wireless video pictures from outdoors photos on webshots (http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/565040207ledNcZ)

Found this list of lanc camcorders might be usefull for those starting from scratch!
The table isn't formated properly but is still easy to decipher. Just read the heading and that is the order of the information. Many are discontinued and can be had on ebay for cheap

Model AVInput LANC Camcorder Input type
Canon DC10 No No
Canon DC20 No No
Canon Elura Yesdocking unit Yes 3.5mm Composite
Canon Elura 2 Yesdocking unit Yes 3.5mm Composite
Canon Elura 2 MC Yesdocking unit Yes 3.5mm Composite
Canon Elura 10 Yesdocking unit Yes 3.5mm Composite
Canon Elura 20 MC Yes - docking unit Yes 3.5mm Composite
Canon Elura 40 MC Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Canon Elura 50 MC * Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Canon Elura 60 Yes No

Canon Elura 65 Yes No

Canon Elura 70 Yes No

Canon Elura 80 Yes No 3.5mm Composite
Canon Elura 85 Yes No 3.5mm Composite
Canon Elura 90 Yes No 3.5mm Composite
Canon ES75 No


Canon ES8400 No


Canon ES8600 No


Canon GL1 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Canon GL2 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Canon Optura No Yes

Canon Optura 10 MC Yes No 3.5mm Composite
Canon Optura 20 MC Yes No 3.5mm Composite
Canon Optura 30 Yes No 3.5mm Composite
Canon Optura 40 Yes No 3.5mm Composite
Canon Optura 50 Yes No 3.5mm Composite
Canon Optura 60 Yes No 3.5mm Composite
Canon Optura 100 MC Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Canon Optura 200 MC Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Canon Optura 300 Yes No 3.5mm Composite
Canon Optura 400 Yes No 3.5mm Composite
Canon Optura 500 Yes No 3.5mm Composite
Canon Optura 600 Yes No Special
Canon Optura PI Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Canon Optura Xi Yes No 3.5mm Composite
Canon Ultura No Yes

Canon Vistura No Yes

Canon XL1 Yes No RCA
Canon XL2 Yes Yes RCA
Canon XL1S Yes Yes RCA
Canon ZR No Yes

Canon ZR10 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Canon ZR20 * Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Canon ZR25 MC * Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Canon ZR30 MC * Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Canon ZR40 ** Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Canon ZR45 MC ** Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Canon ZR50 MC ** Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Canon ZR60 Yes No 3.5mm Composite
Canon ZR65 MC Yes No 3.5mm Composite
Canon ZR70 MC Yes No 3.5mm Composite
Canon ZR80 Yes No 3.5mm Composite
Canon ZR85 Yes No 3.5mm Composite
Canon ZR90 Yes No 3.5mm Composite
Canon ZR100 Yes No 3.5mm Composite
Canon ZR200 Yes No 3.5mm Composite
Canon ZR300 Yes No 3.5mm Composite
Canon ZR400 Yes No 3.5mm Composite
Sony CCD-FX240 No
Sony CCD-FX340 No
Sony CCD-FX640 No
Sony CCD-TR5 Yes RCA
Sony CCD-TR57 No Yes
Sony CCD-TR66 No
Sony CCD-TR67 No Yes
Sony CCD-TR86 No
Sony CCD-TR87 No Yes
Sony CCD-TR96 No
Sony CCD-TR97 No Yes
Sony CCD-TR316 No Yes
Sony CCD-TR416 No Yes
Sony CCD-TR516 No Yes
Sony CCD-TR916 No
Sony CCD-TR917 Yes Yes RCA
Sony CCD-TR940 Yes Yes RCA
Sony CCD-TRV11 No Yes
Sony CCD-TRV15 No Yes
Sony CCD-TRV16 No Yes
Sony CCD-TRV17 No Yes
Sony CCD-TRV25 No Yes
Sony CCD-TRV35 No Yes
Sony CCD-TRV36 No Yes
Sony CCD-TRV37 No Yes
Sony CCD-TRV41 Yes Yes RCA
Sony CCD-TRV43 No Yes
Sony CCD-TRV46 No Yes
Sony CCD-TRV57 No Yes
Sony CCD-TRV58 No
Sony CCD-TRV62 Yes Yes RCA
Sony CCD-TRV65 Yes Yes RCA
Sony CCD-TRV67 No Yes
Sony CCD-TRV68 No Yes
Sony CCD-TRV72 Yes Yes RCA
Sony CCD-TRV75 Yes Yes RCA
Sony CCD-TRV81 Yes Yes RCA
Sony CCD-TRV82 Yes Yes RCA
Sony CCD-TRV85 Yes Yes RCA
Sony CCD-TRV87 Yes Yes RCA
Sony CCD-TRV93 Yes Yes RCA
Sony CCD-TRV99 Yes Yes RCA
Sony CCD-TRV107 No No
Sony CCD-TRV108 No No
Sony CCD-TRV118 No Yes
Sony CCD-TRV119 No Yes
Sony CCD-TRV128 No
Sony CCD-TRV138 No No
Sony CCD-TRV140 No No
Sony CCD-TRV215 No Yes
Sony CCD_TRV228 No
Sony CCD-TRV308 No No
Sony CCD-TRV315 No Yes
Sony CCD-TRV318 No Yes
Sony CCD-TRV328 No
Sony CCD-TRV338 No No
Sony CCD-TRV408 No No
Sony CCD-TRV428 No
Sony CCD-TRV517 No
Sony CCD-TRV608 No No
Sony CCD-TRV615 Yes Yes RCA
Sony CCD-TRV715 Yes Yes RCA
Sony CCD-TRV716 No Yes
Sony CCD-TRV815 Yes Yes RCA
Sony DCM-M1 Yes No
Sony DCR-DVD7 Yes Special
Sony DCR-DVD92 No
Sony DCR-DVD100 Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-DVD101 Yes Special
Sony DCR-DVD103 Yes Special
Sony DCR-DVD200 Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-DVD201 Yes Special
Sony DCR-DVD203 Yes Special
Sony DCR-DVD300 Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-DCD301 Yes
Sny DCR-DVD403 Yes Special
Sony DCR-DVD602 No
Sony DCR-DVD653 Yes Special
Sony DCR-DVD703 Yes Special
Sony DCR-DVD803 Yes Special
Sony DCR-HC20 No
Sony DCR-HC21 No
Sony DCR-HC30 * Yes Yes Special
Sony DCR-HC32 * Yes Yes Special
Sony DCR-HC40 * Yes Yes Special
Sony DCR-HC42 * Yes Yes Special
Sony DCR-HC65 * Yes Yes Special
Sony DCR-HC85 * Yes Yes Special
Sony DCR-HC90 * Yes Yes Special
Sony DCR-HC1000 Yes Yes Special
Sony DCR-IP1 Yes No Special
Sony DCR-IP5 Yes No Special
Sony DCR-IP7BT Yes No Special
Sony DCR-IP45 Yes Yes Special
Sony DCR-IP55 Yes Yes Special
Sony DCR-IP210 Yes Yes Special
Sony DCR-IP220 Yes Yes Special
Sony DCR-PC1 No Yes
Sony DCR-PC3 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-PC5 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-PC55 Yes No Special
Sony DCR-PC7 No
Sony DCR-PC9 Yes Yes
Sony DCR-PC10 No No
Sony DCR-PC100 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-PC101 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-PC105 Yes Yes Special
Sony DCR-PC109 * Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-PC110 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-PC115 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-PC120BT Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-PC330 Yes Yes Special
Sony DCR-PC350 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-PC1000 Yes Yes Special
Sony DCR-SC100 No
Sony DCR-TR7000 Yes Yes RCA
Sony DCR-TRV480 Yes No 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV5 No Yes
Sony DCR-TRV6 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV7 No Yes
Sony DCR-TRV8 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV9 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV10 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV11 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV15 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV16 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV17 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV18 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV19 No Yes
Sony DCR-TRV20 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV22 ** Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV25 * Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV27 * Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV30 * Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV33 * Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV38 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV39 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV40 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV50 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV70 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV60 Yes
Sony DCR-TRV80 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV85 Yes Yes
Sony DCR-TRV103 Yes Yes RCA
Sony DCR-TRV110 Yes Yes RCA
Sony DCR-TRV115 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV120 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV130 No
Sony DCR-TRV140 No
Sony DCR-TRV145 No
Sony DCR-TRV203 Yes RCA
Sony DCR-TRV210 Yes RCA
Sony DCR-TRV230 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV240 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV250 No
Sony DCR-TRV260 No
Sony DCR-TRV280 No No
Sony DCR-TRV310 Yes Yes RCA
Sony DCR-TRV315 Yes RCA
Sony DCR-TRV320 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV330 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV340 * Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV350D8 * Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV355 No
Sony DCR-TRV360 Yes No 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV460 Yes No 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV510 Yes Yes RCA
Sony DCR-TRV520 Yes Yes Connection=3.5mm
Sony DCR-TRV530 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV720 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV730 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV740 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV820 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV828 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV830 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV840 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV900 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-TRV940 Yes Yes
Sony DCR-TRV950 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DCR-VX700 No Yes
Sony DCR-VX1000 Yes Yes RCA
Sony DCR-VX2000 Yes Yes RCA
Sony DSR-PD100A Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony DSR-PD150 Yes Yes RCA
Sony GV-A500 Yes Yes RCA
Sony GR-DV900 Yes Yes RCA
Sony GV-D200 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony GV-D1000 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony VX700 Yes Yes Special
Sony HDR-HC1 No Yes
Sony HDV-1080i No Yes
Sony HDR-FX1 Yes Yes
Sony TRV525 Yes Yes 3.5mm Composite
Sony VX1000 No
Sony VX2000 Yes Yes RCA
Sony VX2100 Yes Yes RCA

That's the list I use but have found it not to be 100% I double check
googling the model#and Lanc
thanks

It doesn't look like anyone has been on this forum for a while, but I'll try a post anyway.
I have 8 Trailmaster TM700v motion sensors that were used in a research project which is now finished. They all work perfectly, and have LANC cables as well as the Trailmaster light controllers. I'm not sure if advertising this kind of stuff is allowed here, but maybe someone knows where a good place to list these may be? They're pretty specialized and high-end as anyone who has experience with these units knows. I also have 10 Sony HDV camcorders (HC5s, HC7s and HC9s w/ batteries) that were also used. Anyone have any ideas where to find some interest in these?

Probably this isn't the right forum for advertising, but it is the one where interested people are most likely to see that you have this stuff for sale.

I also have a trailmaster TM700V for sale here in the UK.

Although many cameras have LANC control, the Trailmaster only works with the Sony cameras. I have had three Canon cameras and a Sony A1, the Trailmaster works only with the latter.

I too have only used them on Sonys, but I never tried anything else. They worked on every Sony (the above listed models, as well as some higher-end camcorders I wasn't willing to leave out in the woods). LANC should be a universal protocol, but maybe there is some minor differences which preclude playing nice with the TM700v. The sensors are unparalleled in performance though, nothing even comes close. Newer models of Sony camcorders now use the 'AV' port (and did away with LANC) but there is an outfit in CA who makes a LANC adapter which works perfectly through the AV port. Again, I can only verify this on Sony camcorders.
I haven't a clue where to advertise these sensors though, as they are such high-end and specific products. Pretty much only people interested in really high quality video would be interested, since there is a plethora of self-contained and easier to use trail cams available. (but the video quality of these are abysmal)
Good luck with yours, Annie, and if you find someone looking for more used sensors, send 'em my way!
cheers

Derek do you know if they actually work with the new sony camcorders. I have two of the units but would like to use a camcorder that uses sd cards instead of tape. I tried a canon camcorder years ago and the TM700v wouldn't operate it so it appears not all LANC protocals are the same.
Thanks.

Gordon

Hi, Gordon
Yes, they do work with the newer solid state camcorders, however since Sony abandoned the LANC port for the 'AV' port, a LANC adapter is required. I bought one of these from a company who makes them (and I forget at this moment who that is, but I can dig it up) and it worked perfectly, although a bit pricey for the adapter ($50). I used a Sony CX550V, and it worked like a charm. Solid state is a much better way to go with these sensors, both for the lower power requirement and the faster boot up time. (not to mention much longer record time) That said, I looked at some of the newest Sony camcorders, and several do not even have the A/V output now, as Sony seems to be moving toward HDMI and USB ports. The new CX580V does have the A/V port though, so there are at least some still utilizing this port. I honestly don't know why Trailmaster has not addressed the fact that Sony has abandoned the LANC port, and it seems like few (if any) other cameras with LANC play nice with the TM700v.. Trailmaster incredibly still tries to pitch their 'own' optimized video camera with their sensors, but it's a 8mm video camera (not even Hi-8!) Seriously? Just try to find THOSE tapes any more..... so that's crazy. But if you can get a Sony solid state with the A/V port, it'll work with the adapter.

Here is the company who makes the A/V adapter cables. Looks like they now have a new one w/o the composite jumper attached (which you don't need for the LANC connection to the TM700v), for less money. (wish they had this one before!)
Sony LANC Adapter Cable - AV/R Pro LANC 10 pin Adapter Cable 2.5 mm to D connector Video Audio (http://www.studio1productions.com/lanc-sa.htm)

Hey, Gordon! I just noticed you're up there in Pincher Creek! How are things up there these days? I spent quite a bit of time in the Crow's Nest Pass area some years ago.... drop me an e-mail if you like. Maybe we know some of the same people up there.

I may have been a little premature in stating that not all the new Sony camcorders have the A/V port... I was going of the specifications for various models listed on B&H's website. But I got to thinking about it, and it seemed odd that they wouldn't have some sort of composite output (and the A/V port combined the LANC functions with the composite outputs) so I went to Sony's site, and found that several of the cameras listed on B&H which DON'T mention the A/V port do in fact have them. I'm not surprised, actually, and should have checked this against Sony's website before commenting on it. So the bottom line is make sure any camcorder has the A/V port, and it appears this may be most if not all 'new' Sony camcorders (including the NEX line) which do in fact have this port according to Sony's website. I can't confirm this w/o actually seeing the specific models and making sure the port is the same configuration as the cameras I've personally tested though.

Hi Derek
Thanks for the info it sounds promising. I've been holding off buying a new camera to try with the TM700v but now I'll have to start looking for one. I'm suprised to that Trail Master doesn't upgrade their camera list. I have the HC3 for one unit and an old DV camera for the other which I would like to upgrade to an HD camera. I was hoping the new solid state cameras would boot quicker and also should be quieter than a tape camera. They should work better when it gets down in the -20s too.
Thanks for the links.
It's been cool for the last few days. Having a little rain mixed with snow. Mountains are white but at least the wind has been fairly light.
Thanks again.

Gordon

One thing I noticed with my CX500v, is when the LCD is closed, the camera completely shuts down. It cost me the first few times I deployed the camera, because with the LCD closed, it wouldn't boot up when the TM activated, but I eventually discovered that there is a little pull-out feature to the eyepiece which turns it on, with the LCD closed. This has to be done or the TM cannot activate the camera. (one of these days I'll actually read an owner's manual....)
I think the solid state cams do boot up quicker, and are probably quieter, although the one noise that I have seen animals react to is the little lens cover snapping open when the camera comes on. No way to avoid that.
I do have about a dozen HDV camcorders (HC3, HC5, HC7, and HC9) models that I'm going to move cheap if you are interested.... yeah, they're tape, but they're cheap!

cheers
D

Yes that automatic lens cover is annoying. I've been tempted to fix that. I seen animals reacting to the tape heads spinning up on cameras that use tape so that is one reason I want to get away from it and another is sometimes I have it out in colder weather that I should and it's hard on the camera getting the head spinning in those conditions.
Thanks.

Gordon

I am surprised to hear that trailmaster doesn't work with modern camcorders working on CF/SD cards?

We need something which can work with present day video cameras.

You misunderstood.... it does work, but as always has been the case, Trailmasters only work reliably with Sony camcorders. The new Sonys abandoned the LANC port, but there are adapters available which plug into the new 'A/V' port and provide a LANC connection to the Trailmaster. These work, I've used them with sold state Sony camcorders

Will the new Go Pro cameras work with the trailmaster?

Sabyasachi the TrailMaster TM700v requires a camera with a lanc port, which GoPro doesn't have, and it seems to only like the sony brand of camcorders.

Gordon

Here is an IR trigger for GoPro cameras:

GoPro Motion Detectors (http://cam-do.com/GoProMotionDetector.html)

This is very intriguing..... while the GoPros are lame in low light, the small size and weatherproof housing make it an interesting choice for daylight deployment. It would be MUCH lower profile than what I've been using. I've written that company and inquired about the possibility of a LANC adapter which might work with the GoPro and Trailmaster. Maybe the new GPs will actually be better in low light, too. I might keep a few of these Trailmasters for a while now!

It doesn't look like anyone has been on this forum for a while, but I'll try a post anyway.
I have 8 Trailmaster TM700v motion sensors that were used in a research project which is now finished. They all work perfectly, and have LANC cables as well as the Trailmaster light controllers. I'm not sure if advertising this kind of stuff is allowed here, but maybe someone knows where a good place to list these may be? They're pretty specialized and high-end as anyone who has experience with these units knows. I also have 10 Sony HDV camcorders (HC5s, HC7s and HC9s w/ batteries) that were also used. Anyone have any ideas where to find some interest in these?

Derek,
I just sent you an email through your contacts here. I am interested in your trail master units for sale. See the email, and if that doesn't work, let me know.
Neal