Mini = Portable? lets build a scenario at DVinfo.net

Owen Meek · April 11th, 2008, 08:31 AM

i am interested in the Mini SI-2K solution as it can be taken to places where the DVR body combination may bring a flinching effect on the subject.
i have the Asus W7s notebook, and the specs seem to match the requirements perfect.

what i have understood thus far, is, i can basically hide the main processing unit (laptop) in my bag and no one will know i have got hollywood in my hands.

scenario: since all the controls are now tucked away in my bag, i will need a wireless trigger device (maybe even a wireless 5 button mouse) for program specific controls for the most essential features. [PAUSE]/[F.STOP UP]/[F.STOP DOWN] (please fill me in those parts that i have missed. i have intentionally negated shutter control as the f/stop can be used for exposure control)

then i will need to hook myself up to a viewfinder like this? http://www.myvu.com/Products/shades/
this may not be a solution for critical focusing? but can it be an ample guide for exposure metering?

im probably missing a chunk of information here, but is this scenario achievable?

Jason Rodriguez · April 11th, 2008, 09:41 AM

Hi Owen,

There is already a trigger mechanism, and there is a second multi-stage programmable button that will let you swap through different functions on the camera (such as exposure meters, focus zoom, etc.) . . . you can program the multi-stage button however you need. So with these two buttons, you should have about 90% of the work done for you.

So yes, the laptop in your back-pack should work fine, although there still could occasionally be some heating issues depending on the out-door environment (i.e. really hot).

I would purchase a fast laptop, like something in either the 2.5Ghz or 2.6Ghz range . . . I know the specs say 2.33Ghz, but that's minimum . . . with the new processors out there, having more processing power available for some overhead is better, especially when shooting at 2K resolutions.

Bob Grant · April 11th, 2008, 05:36 PM

One could 'hide' the mini in an old VHS camcorder body. A bit of work with a Dremel tool would do it.
For the DVR I'd imagine the same boards as in the full camera could be used to build a backpack friendly PC. Rather than fan cooling perhaps heat pipes could feed a small radiator that was discretely outside the backpack. It could take the form of a water bottle in a mesh holder. Instead of a spinning disk a SSD could be used to record to.

Chris Lakes · April 13th, 2008, 10:04 PM

If you plan on putting a laptop in a back pack, maybe try putting some of those ice packs at the bottom or beside the laptop. When we were filming in the desert we had a few problems with the laptop overheating until we raised it on a laptop stand and put ice packs or cold pop cans underneath it. This worked until we could rig up a fan.

John DeLuca · April 13th, 2008, 11:17 PM

So the camera head plus mini rig, start stop switch and EVF tethered to a liquid cooled laptop hidden in a backpack…..Sounds like a sweet set up :-)

-John

Justin Lovell · March 30th, 2009, 03:53 PM

I've been using the mini-2k head with myvu 301 Shades. Works great. Just need a VGA>RCA adapter to convert the signal. (which can probably be powered off the USB on the CPU)... or a simple battery pack of 4 AA batteries will do the trick.

Pics here:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wrIRoS5Mkp.../s1600/003.jpg

FrameDiscreet.com <br> transfers // cinematography

Best!

Justin
Cinematography//film.transfers
Frame Discreet - regular 8mm, super 16mm, super 8mm, film transfers to dvd toronto
FrameDiscreet.com <br> transfers // cinematography

Bob Hart · March 30th, 2009, 06:15 PM

"That's a fancy lookin' lens you got on that old Polaroid camera. Didn't know they made them like that back then. -- They did huh? -- Learn somethin' new every day.

What's with that wire comin' out o' iet? -- No battery for the electronic flash. -- Oh right.

That's a clever idea you got goin' there using the battery in your Macbook. You are a smart young man. There's hope for the young generation yet.

Well you have a good day y'hear. 's good to see somebody keeping all the old things goin'. -- Don't forget some snaps of the monument. - By-ee.

Come along Martha let's leave the young man to go about his business."

April 11th, 2008, 08:31 AM	#1
Owen Meek Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 69	Mini = Portable? lets build a scenario i am interested in the Mini SI-2K solution as it can be taken to places where the DVR body combination may bring a flinching effect on the subject. i have the Asus W7s notebook, and the specs seem to match the requirements perfect. what i have understood thus far, is, i can basically hide the main processing unit (laptop) in my bag and no one will know i have got hollywood in my hands. scenario: since all the controls are now tucked away in my bag, i will need a wireless trigger device (maybe even a wireless 5 button mouse) for program specific controls for the most essential features. [PAUSE]/[F.STOP UP]/[F.STOP DOWN] (please fill me in those parts that i have missed. i have intentionally negated shutter control as the f/stop can be used for exposure control) then i will need to hook myself up to a viewfinder like this? http://www.myvu.com/Products/shades/ this may not be a solution for critical focusing? but can it be an ample guide for exposure metering? im probably missing a chunk of information here, but is this scenario achievable?

April 13th, 2008, 10:04 PM	#4
Chris Lakes Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 33	Ice If you plan on putting a laptop in a back pack, maybe try putting some of those ice packs at the bottom or beside the laptop. When we were filming in the desert we had a few problems with the laptop overheating until we raised it on a laptop stand and put ice packs or cold pop cans underneath it. This worked until we could rig up a fan. __________________ www.marsunited.com

March 30th, 2009, 03:53 PM	#6
Justin Lovell Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: toronto, canada Posts: 212	myvu goggles I've been using the mini-2k head with myvu 301 Shades. Works great. Just need a VGA>RCA adapter to convert the signal. (which can probably be powered off the USB on the CPU)... or a simple battery pack of 4 AA batteries will do the trick. Pics here: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wrIRoS5Mkp.../s1600/003.jpg FrameDiscreet.com <br> transfers // cinematography Best! Justin Cinematography//film.transfers Frame Discreet - regular 8mm, super 16mm, super 8mm, film transfers to dvd toronto FrameDiscreet.com <br> transfers // cinematography

March 30th, 2009, 06:15 PM	#7
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,477	A maybe conversation. "That's a fancy lookin' lens you got on that old Polaroid camera. Didn't know they made them like that back then. -- They did huh? -- Learn somethin' new every day. What's with that wire comin' out o' iet? -- No battery for the electronic flash. -- Oh right. That's a clever idea you got goin' there using the battery in your Macbook. You are a smart young man. There's hope for the young generation yet. Well you have a good day y'hear. 's good to see somebody keeping all the old things goin'. -- Don't forget some snaps of the monument. - By-ee. Come along Martha let's leave the young man to go about his business."

April 11th, 2008, 09:41 AM	#2
Jason Rodriguez Trustee Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 1,095	Hi Owen, There is already a trigger mechanism, and there is a second multi-stage programmable button that will let you swap through different functions on the camera (such as exposure meters, focus zoom, etc.) . . . you can program the multi-stage button however you need. So with these two buttons, you should have about 90% of the work done for you. So yes, the laptop in your back-pack should work fine, although there still could occasionally be some heating issues depending on the out-door environment (i.e. really hot). I would purchase a fast laptop, like something in either the 2.5Ghz or 2.6Ghz range . . . I know the specs say 2.33Ghz, but that's minimum . . . with the new processors out there, having more processing power available for some overhead is better, especially when shooting at 2K resolutions.

April 11th, 2008, 05:36 PM	#3
Bob Grant Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 1,570	One could 'hide' the mini in an old VHS camcorder body. A bit of work with a Dremel tool would do it. For the DVR I'd imagine the same boards as in the full camera could be used to build a backpack friendly PC. Rather than fan cooling perhaps heat pipes could feed a small radiator that was discretely outside the backpack. It could take the form of a water bottle in a mesh holder. Instead of a spinning disk a SSD could be used to record to.

April 13th, 2008, 11:17 PM	#5
John DeLuca Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 496	So the camera head plus mini rig, start stop switch and EVF tethered to a liquid cooled laptop hidden in a backpack…..Sounds like a sweet set up :-) -John