I am not sure how long lanc cable can run but I am sure it is not long. If I want to control my cam using lanc over a distance of 30-50 meters, how can I do that? Is there any device which can convert lanc to another format for long distance traveling? If not lanc, is there any other protocol for camera control?

Good question..

These guys recommend you stay under 75 meters.
Daguerro's Free Technical Library for TV & Film Camera Equipment (http://www.daguerro.co.uk/technical.htm)

This web-page mentions their LANC gear will work at distances of 200feet.
LANC Remote Controller and LANC Control Extension Cables. (http://www.21best.com/21_best/electronic/security/video/pan_tilt/LANC-Remote-Controller.html)

They sell the extension cords in 100ft lengths here:
VariZoom VZEXTL100 100' LANC Extension Cable VZ-EXT-L100 B&H

Hi Mark thanks for the link and info. I don't expect lanc cable to be able to run that long. 200ft? That's pretty amazing compared to hmdi which is so short.

Hi Kenny,

When talking about sending video long distances, that becomes an issue as quality degrades over longer paths. HDMI in particular is good for short runs only. But think about audio cables and how far they can go - I would think LANC would be quite similar and distance would not be an issue.

Thanks

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor

As Jeff said, the LANC "signal" is pretty basic, not like a video stream, it should be able to be extended quite a bit... how far do you actually have to go?

At 50meters (164') with the right cable you'll be Ok. Make sure you anchor each end of the cable properly, tape them up and don't put any drag on the cable,
LANC connectors aren't that stable.

How are you going to monitor the picture?

Cheers.

As others have mentioned there is a world of difference between a simple LANC cable and an HDMI one. HDMI cables are pretty much the exception to the rule. I can't think of any other type calbe that has such a limited length without using a repeater.

A LANC cable is not carrying an HDMI signal just simple commands for equipment operation. You are good to go for the length you need.

At 50meters (164') with the right cable you'll be Ok. Make sure you anchor each end of the cable properly, tape them up and don't put any drag on the cable,
LANC connectors aren't that stable.

How are you going to monitor the picture?

Cheers.

I am going to run hd-sdi cable to my monitor for distance monitoring. With the lancs cabling, I will be able to do focus and zooming too.

As others have mentioned there is a world of difference between a simple LANC cable and an HDMI one. HDMI cables are pretty much the exception to the rule. I can't think of any other type calbe that has such a limited length without using a repeater.

A LANC cable is not carrying an HDMI signal just simple commands for equipment operation. You are good to go for the length you need.

ya you are right. lanc is not as complex as hmdi cable.

As Jeff said, the LANC "signal" is pretty basic, not like a video stream, it should be able to be extended quite a bit... how far do you actually have to go?

Dave, I am looking at a length of 50 meters because that's the current length of my hd sdi cables.

By the way, anyone knows which consumer grade camcorder comes with LANC function? I am referring to sony handycam kind of cam.

There is a LANC interface in ALL the higher end "consumer" Sony handycams - it's "hidden" in the A/V jack, there are adapters for the traditional 3.5mm (2.5mm?) plug. Check the specs for the model you're looking at, and see if "LANC" is listed anywhere, if it is, the camera should accept LANC signal. If it's not listed, post the specific model and hopefully it will be possible to check compatibility for you.

Zoom should be fine, not sure about "focus" control via LANC on the Sonys - there can be some differences in implementation of the various possible functions available on the LANC port - I can confirm on/off, record start/stop, photo, and zoom... beyond that, there may or may not be compatibility issues with the specific LANC controller you are planning to use.

Kenny, why are you planning to be 50-meters away from this camera? If it's because you'll be running another camera at say a sports event ...
then you're going to have your hands full.

If so, it maybe better to run the distant camera on auto focus and just LANC control the start/stop, zoom and framing and forget about LANC focusing.
Might make it easier and cheaper to find a LANC controller too.

Cheers.

yes, I will be running multiple cams for a seminar and sports event thus wish to have a main control area which I can control those cams. Yeah I guess auto focus will be the way to go. Not all lanc can control cam focus?

Whoaaa multiple cams. No offence but if you haven't got experience doing this stuff with reliable rigs, then trouble is looming big time.

For instance, how big and how long is each event, will the other cameras need LANC controllers and monitors, will you have enough storage on each camera,
will you have to change all their cards mid event, how are you covering the audio, from the PA?, how are you going to sync the footage in post,
how soon do they expect to see a finished video after each event?

For a start, I'd get some camera operators, maybe with their own gear, start calling around.

Hope this helps, other folk are reading this and you're helping them too, maybe I can pick up a few tips from your experience, hang in there mate.

Cheers.

thanks allan for advise. I have been doing these kind of coverage for years and will want to have more automation rather than 100% depend on man labor. It's tough and expensive to get labor over here sometimes.

I will be using a video switcher. No problem on the storage as I will be recording direct into a centralized system with ample harddisk space. Each of these cam video stream will also be recorded separately on an external recorder or on their own CF/SD card as a backup. Audio signal will be coming from the venue sound mixer to my switcher/mixer. Therefore I don't foresee any big problem unless I miss out something?

Good to hear Kenny. Back to square one eh, the LANC controller.

Cheers.

Should be NO problem running a multicam like this (lots of us in the wedding/event forum doing it without remote control), the one thing you need to make sure of is that the cables are well protected against "human interaction".

And yes, LANC controls can be different - I can vouch for the ones on the Sony controllers being pretty certain to work, but for a time I was fiddling with hacking the LANC port on the A/V socket... and some functions on non-Sony controllers were a "tad" unpredictable for whatever reason - my suspicion is there is some "varaiblity" in LANC protocol implementation, but I
don't know for sure.

Depending on your situation, auto focus or setting a fixed focus should be sufficient in most cases, the little Sonys do fairly well in "auto".

I have done several shoots like this and never by choice. My first choice is always to use competent camera operators. I realize not every budget can afford broadcast cameras, CCUs, and a video technician to shade and switch. So, by the time you get down to handycams and LANC controllers you are asking for trouble. I am not knocking it, I have done it, I don’t like it. There are just too many things standing in the way of producing a quality product.

Kenny, you have done this many times yourself. So I will only ad my two cents worth to say focus is the least efficient of all LANC control functions. You mentioned auto focus. Many camcorders can be set up to achieve tremendous DOF. Manual focus would be my first choice if it can work for the shot in your situation. As far as a crew goes…do you have at least one good assistant or are you going completely solo? Having a runner that can communicate remotely with you is a bare bones minimum for muti-camera remote set ups. To me, it is not a set it, and forget situation. Unforeseen things WILL happen that require human intervention. It is a plan for the worst and hope for the best scenario.

Steve

Source for LANC adapter cable, with listing of some compatible Sony cameras. I've not seen this cable anywhere else.

Sony LANC Adapter Cable - AV/R Pro LANC 10 pin Adapter Cable 2.5 mm to D connector Video Audio (http://studio1productions.com/lanc-sa.htm)

Jeff

I have done several shoots like this and never by choice. My first choice is always to use competent camera operators. I realize not every budget can afford broadcast cameras, CCUs, and a video technician to shade and switch. So, by the time you get down to handycams and LANC controllers you are asking for trouble. I am not knocking it, I have done it, I don’t like it. There are just too many things standing in the way of producing a quality product.

Kenny, you have done this many times yourself. So I will only ad my two cents worth to say focus is the least efficient of all LANC control functions. You mentioned auto focus. Many camcorders can be set up to achieve tremendous DOF. Manual focus would be my first choice if it can work for the shot in your situation. As far as a crew goes…do you have at least one good assistant or are you going completely solo? Having a runner that can communicate remotely with you is a bare bones minimum for muti-camera remote set ups. To me, it is not a set it, and forget situation. Unforeseen things WILL happen that require human intervention. It is a plan for the worst and hope for the best scenario.

Steve

Hi Steven, yes I agree that human operator works best for unforeseen circumstances. I will not be going 100% without human as that is too risky. Other than the switcher guy, there will be 1-2 other crews who will man the lanc control and of course if anything went wrong, such as blocked view, sudden power off etc, the assistants will run to it to man it. The key objective is not to have a man for every cam as that is too costly in terms of manpower. If I can achieve a 1 man to 2 or 3 cams ratio, that will greatly help.

I have a similar situation. We have a camera that is un-manned at an event and we have to run up steps to start and stop it. I already have an audio snake running to it, so I thought that if I bought the right adapters, I could run the lanc through the xlr snake. I got everything in this morning and after an quick test, it doesn't work. I tried it at both 3ft and 100ft.

Any suggestions?

MY guess is the pin config is off. You will need to find a schematic for the LANC TRS and get an adapter to match. Do all your testing at 3 feet then move on after it works.

Steve