Since the HMC-150 doesnt have a "live speaker" I find myself going back to headphones which are cumbersome. Has anybody tried using a "wireless" bluetooth head phone on their camera? Or am I thinking too far out of the box?

Too far out of the box for me. I need an over-the-ear headphone in the field or I can't hear well enough. I'm using the dumb old Sony MDR-7506 like so many others. Cumbersome? Maybe. But it works so well...

Hi Randy

At weddings I'm shooting with two cameras and yes it IS a pain to have to keep going back to the tripod mounted camera and grabbing the headphones to check the audio now and again!! With dual tally lights on the cameras I can easily check that it's still running by simply looking at the camera but it would really be great to have a remote earphone (I say earphone cos with shoulder mount cameras the normal twin phones get in the way on the right side!!) I wonder if anyone has tried infrared??? As long as you can see the second camera you should be able to get an IR signal back to cordless phones????

I was looking carefully at BlueTooth as well but does anyone know if it might clash with normal radio mics or even the venue's wireless system???? Hmmmm maybe it's worth looking for a small neat IR headphone setup (you could also make a short sorta vertical mount to get the IR transmitter up higher )

Anyone else used cordless phones on cameras???? I'd love some info too!!!!

Chris

Ok, I wonder if this might work??

They are called BlueTooth Audio Dongle Transmitters on eBay and just have a 3.5mm plug that goes into your headphone jack on the camera and has a range of 33' which should be enough????

You obvious also need to get any BlueTooth cordless headphones so you can hear the audio !!! Over here they are listed from China for $22.00 and have a built-in Lithium Battery and comes with a charger.

Chris

Yeah I found those after I posted. In theory they should work partly to monitor sound when your away from the camera and partly to clean up the wires you have to play with. With reference to your post Bruce I agree with wanting noise canceling headphones. There are these Amazon.com: Motorola MOTOROKR S9 Bluetooth Active Headphones (Red,Black) [Retail Packaging]: Cell Phones & Accessories: Reviews, Prices & more
and others like them some with larger muffs too.

Hi Randy

Any idea if these little transmitters would interfere with either the camera electronics or being used in conjunction with either VHF or UHF radio mics??? I know that they work way up in the GHz range but quite often I find that cell phones cause me grief during shoots so I was wondering if anyone has had issues with bluetooth interference???

For a mere $20 I guess doing a "dummy shoot" (non critical one) so make sure the BT signals don't cause any issues would be a good idea???

Chris

I dont think they would interfere because its a whole different system (bluetooth VS RF) but you never know The biggest issue is if the Bluetooth TX is on the camera and the Wireless RX is also on the camera you never know when things are that close. I am going to give it a shot I like this one.

Amazon.com: Miccus BluBridge mini-jack: Portable, Bluetooth Music Transmitter with Swiveling connector for all (1/8") Headphones: Electronics: Reviews, Prices & more
Small light & no wires.
It may even work with my cell phone headset, even if it doesnt I dont mind spending $70 on a good wireless headset.

Hi Randy

We had an eBay shop here with the transmitters so I have bought one plus a BlueTooth headset ...!!
My total outlay was $55.00 so if it fails miserably I haven't wasted a lot of money!! However because I'm using a shoulder mount cam as my "B" camera I got a headset with just one side active otherwise the earpiece on the camera side clashes with the camera body. I try that but looking further maybe the smaller headsets might work (that go behind your neck)

Anyway, once it gets here I'll rig it up with two radio mics running and let you know the results!!

Also let us know how your one does??? (If you decide to get it???)

Chris

I ordered my reciever i'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks Randy

It will be good to compare notes!!

Mine was shipped on Thursday and still hasn't arrived. It takes longer for packages to go from our East to West Coasts than it takes to get an international item from Hing Kong or China!!

Hopefully tomorrow but packages often take a week!!! Must be dragging it across the outback on an old cart pulled by a camel!!! I bought another Weifeng tripod from China last week and it was at my door in 3 days!!!

Chris

Hi Randy

I got my setup today and it appears that the dongle won't pair with the headset!!! The supplier has asked me to send it back and he will replace it. More waiting time now!!

He has assured me that they do work so when the new one arrives I'll give it another try!!

Chris

I got mine and I did the worse thing I could do I tested on the job. but it actually works!! and works pretty well at first I tried pairing the unit with my new fancy discovery plantronics handsfree but it didnt work so I thought I was done so out of desperation I tested it with my old bluetooth hands free (motorolla I think) and it worked BUT I only got one channel and it sounded low and awefull but it was a handsfree not a wireless headphone so today I went out and bought a rocket fish wireless bluetooth headset from best buy for like $60 USD and its loud enough and stereo and sounds damn good. The only problem is its a little too small for my big head:).

Hey Randy

You too???? The headset I got is really tiny!!! I will also look for a decent sized one next!! I want to check first that my audio dongle actually works before I go out and spend more money on another headset.

I assume that the BT doesn't clash with any other audio on the camera???? Is the audio as pristine as it is with normal headphones???

I'll let you know my results once I get the replacement dongle.

Actually IR headphones have a pretty good range and I'm pretty much always in view of my camera so I might even check out an IR connection and clip the IR transmitter on the camera handle.

Chris

The sound is better with my new BT headset (made for music) than my old ear buds it doesnt seem to interfere with the wireless or camera audio BUT there is a 1 second delay. thats no big deal for me I am just using it for wireless confidence during a ceremony and sometimes at the reception.

you can find digital audio transmitter for cheap and they are way better than bluetooth audio.
it is a real pain to find them (don't know why ) but they are great.
you will need a cheap earphone boosted since the receiver delivers only line level and is not suitable for direct monitoring.

2.4GHz Digital Wireless Audio Transceiver (SOYO-WT24G01) - China Wireless Speaker, Wireless Headphone, Wireless Mp3 in Karaoke Player (http://soyotech.en.made-in-china.com/product/tbrJxQhPFAVo/China-2-4GHz-Digital-Wireless-Audio-Transceiver-SOYO-WT24G01-.html)

this earphone booster is really great, with rechargeable battery included.
FiiO E5 3.5mm Earphone Volume Booster Power Amplifier - eBay (item 260556579380 end time Dec-17-10 03:34:28 PST) (http://cgi.ebay.com/FiiO-E5-3-5mm-Earphone-Volume-Booster-Power-Amplifier-/260556579380?pt=Other_MP3_Player_Accessories&hash=item3caa61e234)

Hi Giroud

What physical size??? I assume that other dealers will sell these as your link talks about a miniumum order of 500 units!!

I was under the impression that BT also used the 2.4GHZ band???? Your other option is to use an "el-cheapo" on camera radio mic setup. We have them here for around the $49 mark...you get a transmitter and Azden type hotshoe bracket for the cam and the transmitter has line input too so you can monitor from the audio out of the camera. The receiver can just slip into your pocket.

I tried these as my first radio mics for weddings and the squelch level is a little too noisy!! but they would work for just monitoring audio!

The move to BT was mainly for convenience as the headphones are "all-in one" (I think Randy will agree too) so all you need to do is clip the phones onto your head without having wired phones going to a receiver on your person. All I really need to know is whether the audio is physically working (has the person accidentally ripped out the mic cable???) I'm now in the process of swapping the over the head phones (which are way too small for my head) for a pair of BT jogger phones which go behind your neck. With the shoulder mount camera it might be a little neater too.

Chris

yeah for weddings my new system seems pretty good so far. Its a little pricey I bought the $50 transmitter mainly because theres not wires it plugs right into my headphone jack and doesnt get in the way at all. the headphones I bought I use to my cell phone too there the loudest I have ever heard. Its nice not getting a set of ear buds twisted up when your trying to shoot and being able to walk away from the camera if you need to without having to have forgotten you tied to the camera and yanking the camera around:)

the set a mentioned are about the size of a pack of cigarettes, just a bit shorter.
the fact they are stereo, digital and have line-in input allows to use them in lots of cases.
need a link to the DJ mixer or just want to send some camera's audio for monitoring ?
As said, they are a real pain to find because they are branded with different names.
i got 2 sets, one labelled CTA, the other is noname
I tried these ones too, they are a lot cheaper and smaller, but quality is a bit poor sometimes, don't know why. But when quality is not required, they are acceptable.
2.4 GHz Wireless Audio Transmitter-Sound Port - eBay (item 280593978037 end time Dec-24-10 00:01:13 PST) (http://cgi.ebay.com/2-4-GHz-Wireless-Audio-Transmitter-Sound-Port-/280593978037?pt=Other_MP3_Player_Accessories&hash=item4154b452b5)

Thanks for the info Giroud

Those could be an option!! If they can be found!

Randy, the dongle I sent back to the supplier works fine. Being ignorant of BlueTooth I was unaware that to pair the dongle and headphones you need to have an audio signal present at the dongle!!

He has now sent it back to me and I will do things the right way!! Plug it into the cam headphones jack before trying to pair it!!! He also said that the phones/dongle should be in close proximity during pairing??? (sorta right next to each other???)

A quick question from you??? Once the audio dongle and phones are "paired" do you have to repeat the process everytime you use them or do they "remember" what they are paired with????

Chris

I dont know about yours in particular mine can be paired without and audio source. after they are paired you SHOULD be fine the trick I needed to find out is how to turn each unit off and on and put into pairing mode. There all deifferent its like "hold the button for 6 seconds and whatnot".

Hi Randy

Just got my dongle back and I exchanged the single headset for a "joggers" stereo headset. The former only monitored one channel.

This one is pretty loud too!!! I had to reduce the headphones volume so it didn't blast my ears off. It works really well actually. The transmission delay is someone you have to get used to so it's advisable not to watch the bride talking and your monitored audio arrives a fraction of a second later!!!

With the stereo headphones I can now monitor the audio wirelessly on both my XLR channels!! It also doesn't seem to bother the UHF or VHF radio mics!!!

Chris

Chris,
Good its sounds just like my rig now. I dont need to look at the B&G I just need to know the sound is there. Im excited no more headset tangles!

This is the ones I have. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/498098-REG/Sony_DRBT21G_B_DR_BT21G_B_Stereo_Bluetooth_Behind_the_Neck.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/549969-REG/Sony_TMRBT10A.html

The only problem I have is the delay I get with wireless headphones. Does any body have the same Problems?

Dan
Forever Moments Video Productions (http://www.forevermomentsvideo.com)

Hi Dan

Yep all BT audio seems to have a short delay so that's perfectly normal !! You get used to it I guess????

When I was testing my setup with the camera it was strange getting my speech back in the phone a fraction of a second later!!! I suspect it wouldn't be too off-putting at a wedding???? I will try my setup at the weekend and see if the delay is annoying or not.... it will be comforting (even with a delay) to be able to monitor the audio of my A Camera while I'm busy with my B-Camera!!! From a distance, I have no issue with the recording side as the cams have tally lights back and front but audio has always been a worried which in the past, means putting your 2nd cam down, putting on headphones to check the audio and then going back to what you were doing... The BT will make life a lot easier!!

Chris

I did a wedding on Sunday with mine and everything worked great! The only thing I would recomend is only monitor your wireless, with the delay and monitoring the shotgun mic it weirded me out.

Hi Randy

I have a wedding coming up on Friday and Saturday so I'll give my new system a shot then!! My dongle is stereo so it sends Channel 1 (usually the radio mic) to the left headphone and Channel 2 to the right. If I'm using 2 radio mics the 2nd will be on Channel 2 otherwise I have a Rode VideoMic on the cam which feeds Channel 2 as a backup.... What exactly makes it weird??? Surely both will have the same delay or does the BT send them one after the other????

I guess it might be weird if you look at the couple but if you look away while you monitor it might seem less weird!! I wonder why BT has a delay in transmission????

Chris

[QUOTE=Randy J with the delay and monitoring the shotgun mic it weirded me out.[/QUOTE]




I know exactly what Randy is talking about. That is why I don't use them for work.

Dan
Forever Moments Video Productions (http://www.forevermomentsvideo.com)

I normally dont need to monitor my nat sound mic I go by levels alone more or less. So I just setup the monitor out of the AG-HMC150 just to output channel 1 through the headphones so I only hear my wireless.