Remote monitoring at DVinfo.net

Antony Meadley · October 14th, 2006, 05:24 AM

In the past, when I have been filming concerts, we have run cables from the cameras back to the monitors to see what is being filmed.

However, our next concert is in a venue which will be too large to do this.

So what I want to do is use some kind of wireless system to monitor the video.

Does anyone have any experience of using something like this?

In case it is relevant, we are UK based.

Brian Duke · October 14th, 2006, 08:16 PM

I want the same thing.

Tom Tomkowiak · October 15th, 2006, 06:52 AM

This is not exactly hi tech commercial grade, but about a half-dozen years ago I bought a X-10 wireless audio/video transmitter & receiver set.

I haven't looked at www.x10.com lately, but I imagine they're still selling it, or something similiar.

Anyway, my 6-yr-old transmitter takes audio/video in via standard phono plugs, and you can choose 1 of 4 channels (A, B, C, D) to transmit out. (Needs electricity to operate.)

The receiver also needs electricity, and has a selector to match the transmitter's A, B, C or D channels. Video & audio out is also via phono plugs, and goes to tv channel 3 or 4. So, obviously, you need something with a tv tuner (I use a 5" portable tv) on the receiving end.

I don't recall what they claim to be the max operating range, but I'm usually not more than 100 feet from the 2nd camera, and haven't had a problem.

The little buggers are reliable -- still working after 6 years. They work just fine with my setup in a church setting; no idea how they'd work at a concert or in the UK.

Vito DeFilippo · October 15th, 2006, 07:59 PM

This summer I did a small role in the upcoming film "I'm not there". The director was walking around with one of those "video walkmans" that Sony makes. I recognized it because we use one as a DV deck. Ours is the GV-D1000. Great little machine that runs on battery as well as regular power.

Anyway, they had some sort of wireless unit attached to it to allow the director to walk around and monitor on the go. Never saw that on set before... I didn't see the transmitter, so I don't know if it was attached to the camera, or attached to some other unit that was attached to the camera by wire. The receiver was exactly the same depth as the machine. Looked like it was made by Sony for that purpose, not some kind of jerry rigged thing.

You might want to check that idea out.

October 14th, 2006, 05:24 AM	#1
Antony Meadley New Boot Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 14	Remote monitoring In the past, when I have been filming concerts, we have run cables from the cameras back to the monitors to see what is being filmed. However, our next concert is in a venue which will be too large to do this. So what I want to do is use some kind of wireless system to monitor the video. Does anyone have any experience of using something like this? In case it is relevant, we are UK based.

October 14th, 2006, 08:16 PM	#2
Brian Duke Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hollywood, California Posts: 899	I want the same thing. __________________ Visit me and my work at www.artofduke.com

October 15th, 2006, 07:59 PM	#4
Vito DeFilippo Trustee Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 1,585	This summer I did a small role in the upcoming film "I'm not there". The director was walking around with one of those "video walkmans" that Sony makes. I recognized it because we use one as a DV deck. Ours is the GV-D1000. Great little machine that runs on battery as well as regular power. Anyway, they had some sort of wireless unit attached to it to allow the director to walk around and monitor on the go. Never saw that on set before... I didn't see the transmitter, so I don't know if it was attached to the camera, or attached to some other unit that was attached to the camera by wire. The receiver was exactly the same depth as the machine. Looked like it was made by Sony for that purpose, not some kind of jerry rigged thing. You might want to check that idea out. __________________ . http://www.nosmallroles.com

October 15th, 2006, 06:52 AM	#3
Tom Tomkowiak Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: On the NC Crystal Coast Posts: 203	This is not exactly hi tech commercial grade, but about a half-dozen years ago I bought a X-10 wireless audio/video transmitter & receiver set. I haven't looked at www.x10.com lately, but I imagine they're still selling it, or something similiar. Anyway, my 6-yr-old transmitter takes audio/video in via standard phono plugs, and you can choose 1 of 4 channels (A, B, C, D) to transmit out. (Needs electricity to operate.) The receiver also needs electricity, and has a selector to match the transmitter's A, B, C or D channels. Video & audio out is also via phono plugs, and goes to tv channel 3 or 4. So, obviously, you need something with a tv tuner (I use a 5" portable tv) on the receiving end. I don't recall what they claim to be the max operating range, but I'm usually not more than 100 feet from the 2nd camera, and haven't had a problem. The little buggers are reliable -- still working after 6 years. They work just fine with my setup in a church setting; no idea how they'd work at a concert or in the UK.