Live Video Monitoring at DVinfo.net

Mike Morrell · February 9th, 2004, 06:51 PM

I've got a gig coming up in a couple of months where the client wants to be able to watch a monitor (back stage) of the stage production as its being recorded. I've never been part of a production where this was a requirement. Typically, I use multiple cameras and do the camera switching in post. I do not think that they need to see live "camera-switching" and they would be OK with a wide shot or just one camera feed.

Anyway, for someone like myself who uses DVX100's and does not own switchers and such, how best to run live video to another location? I've not seen the venue yet, but the distance between the camera and the monitor may be as great as 50 to 150 feet. I doubt that they have an in-house video system either. Are there any affordable wireless solutions available for this purpose? What alternatives do I have?

Rob Lohman · February 10th, 2004, 04:09 AM

There are transmitters like these that will broadcast
on a channel that a simple TV can pick up. Since they are very
small it easy to put on your rig as well.

Mike Morrell · May 13th, 2004, 12:53 PM

I'm not sure that I want to use this type of wireless transmitter as it violates FCC regulations to do so for commercial use.

If I had to run a cable, I it might be as long as 150 or 200 feet. How long of a S or RCA video cable can you get and have it be usable? Is there some sort of signal booster that you can use to run longer video lengths?

Mike Morrell · May 21st, 2004, 08:33 AM

Not that anyone is interested, but I have found two solutions for future reference.

SmartHome sells two cable adapter that splits S cable into two cables that connect to two RG6 (75ohm) cables and then brings them back to an S connection. I have obtained acceptable results going to 250 feet. This was with quad shielded RG6 cable costing about $100 for 500 feet.

The other wired option, and I'm not sure why I did not think of this first is a RF modulator. These are sold to hook DVD players up to TV's w/o A/V jacks. You get sound too with this option and you only need one RG6 cable. As expected, the video quality is not as good as the long run S video at 250 feet, but also good enough for this application.

February 9th, 2004, 06:51 PM	#1
Mike Morrell Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Norcross GA Posts: 119	Live Video Monitoring I've got a gig coming up in a couple of months where the client wants to be able to watch a monitor (back stage) of the stage production as its being recorded. I've never been part of a production where this was a requirement. Typically, I use multiple cameras and do the camera switching in post. I do not think that they need to see live "camera-switching" and they would be OK with a wide shot or just one camera feed. Anyway, for someone like myself who uses DVX100's and does not own switchers and such, how best to run live video to another location? I've not seen the venue yet, but the distance between the camera and the monitor may be as great as 50 to 150 feet. I doubt that they have an in-house video system either. Are there any affordable wireless solutions available for this purpose? What alternatives do I have?

February 10th, 2004, 04:09 AM	#2
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	There are transmitters like these that will broadcast on a channel that a simple TV can pick up. Since they are very small it easy to put on your rig as well. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

May 13th, 2004, 12:53 PM	#3
Mike Morrell Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Norcross GA Posts: 119	I'm not sure that I want to use this type of wireless transmitter as it violates FCC regulations to do so for commercial use. If I had to run a cable, I it might be as long as 150 or 200 feet. How long of a S or RCA video cable can you get and have it be usable? Is there some sort of signal booster that you can use to run longer video lengths?

May 21st, 2004, 08:33 AM	#4
Mike Morrell Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Norcross GA Posts: 119	Not that anyone is interested, but I have found two solutions for future reference. SmartHome sells two cable adapter that splits S cable into two cables that connect to two RG6 (75ohm) cables and then brings them back to an S connection. I have obtained acceptable results going to 250 feet. This was with quad shielded RG6 cable costing about $100 for 500 feet. The other wired option, and I'm not sure why I did not think of this first is a RF modulator. These are sold to hook DVD players up to TV's w/o A/V jacks. You get sound too with this option and you only need one RG6 cable. As expected, the video quality is not as good as the long run S video at 250 feet, but also good enough for this application.