Director/Client monitoring with 7/5D

[earmarkcreative]

I'm wondering what you guys are doing to drive the director's monitor or video village monitor when shooting with a HDSLR. Seeing as the HDMI output is probably driving your on-board monitor, what are the options?

Thanks for the feedback!

[salils]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2659001&CatId=3657

For composite video just google "video distribution amplifier".

If anyone knows a cheap way to convert HDMI > composite I'd love to hear

[Jean Dodge]

There is a thread over at cinema5D.com called "multiple monitors" you might want to read.

The problems are many, the solutions are still being worked out. Splitting an HDMI signal is not easy, as monitors recognize the camera as a recording device and the anti-piracy aspects of HDMI kicks in.

here's a link, but don't expect a definitive answer.


http://www.cinema5d.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=4663&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

Splitting the HDMI signal over to DVI seems to be the route that shows the most promise thus far, although there are powered HDMI splitter boxes (that are not cheap) that also need to be tried.

Whenever the 5D is recording, it seems like the signal going out via HDMI cable drops to VGA standards. This is a major problem when trying to judge critical focus. No answer as of this writing (day two barely of 7D release) if the 7D handles the signal out in the same fashion or not.

[Jean Dodge]

Sad news: According to Phillip Bloom via twitter, the camera has the same SD quality output when recording, and so the HDMI situation would seem to be unchanged from the 5D mk2 to the 7D.

It was just a hope anyway that canon would improve this feature but apparently they didn't bother to address this major issue.

This affects both the ability of the user to see a good monitor for critical focus when shooting, and also the hope of ever having a second monitor setup in HD when shooting.

[puredrifting]

This is a symptom of still camera engineers creating a video camera, they just don't get it on a lot of the practical, hands-on operating stuff.

Dan

[earmarkcreative]

All the hype about these cameras replacing Scarlets and hvx + 35mm adapter etc seems to forget this fundamental requirement for film/commercial/music video production. That is the ability for the director/producers/studio folk/client/agency reps etc to view the action as it is being filmed from their vantage point in video village. Now hearing that the HDMI output switches to 480p once the camera is recording makes it worse.

I like the images that are produced by these cameras but I find it hard to believe that DPs are out there shooting paid gigs for clients/directors etc without somehow being able to send video beyond the camera head.

If you have done this successfully before, please let us know how it was achieved.

[morgan_moore]

It is intersting the cultural 'gap' between togs and those in the motion industry

Tog clients nearly never want to see !

making a living as a pro photographer I WISH my clients would look at my screen, (and learn too)

I have had a situation where the client said that looks good and then reject what is delivered - even though I tried to show them when we were standing right there !

Even when I shoot tethered the clients tend to wander off and drink lattes

Technically If the screen can be cleared while monitoring (not recording) I dont see why one even needs to record to the camera

I look forward to solutions for moive AND stills

S

[Kholi]

It's quite simple, really. You MUST change the HDMI output into an SDI output. That requires another chunk of change but this is something you'll keep for the rest of your career.

By doing this, you can run several SDI cables to SDI monitors and you will not have to worry about ripping HDMI cables out.

DVI, etc etc... I'm sorry, but even the crappy Component cable HVX thing was just horrible. SDI exists and stays primary for several unfukwitable reasons. Spend the money on a Blackmagic converter box and call it a day. Oh, and you really don't need more than an SD feed out for monitoring.

[earmarkcreative]

By AJA: http://bitURL.net/?5hsx3h http://bitURL.net/?y4s7cq
By Blackmagic Design: http://bitURL.net/?avp396

I like that they both have x2 SDI outputs, one for the onboard monitor and one for village! PERFECT! This solution raises another question. How do you power these converters from your rig without running a stinger into the wall?

Kholi,

My question now is, what happens to the monitor feed on the village monitor when the camera operator hits record on the camera? I keep hearing that the 7D & 5D default to 480p when in record mode. Are you currently using this system or have in the past with success?

This is the last thing I need cleared up before I dive into the HDSLR world.

[Kholi]

By AJA: http://bitURL.net/?5hsx3h http://bitURL.net/?y4s7cq
By Blackmagic Design: http://bitURL.net/?avp396

I like that they both have x2 SDI outputs, one for the onboard monitor and one for village! PERFECT! This solution raises another question. How do you power these converters from your rig without running a stinger into the wall?

1) Convert your rig to an AB powered or V-Mount powered system.)

2) Run power for the camera, monitor, etc (which is what I would do, anyway)



Kholi,

My question now is, what happens to the monitor feed on the village monitor when the camera operator hits record on the camera? I keep hearing that the 7D & 5D default to 480p when in record mode. Are you currently using this system or have in the past with success?

This is the last thing I need cleared up before I dive into the HDSLR world.


It looks fine on SD monitors. There's no real reason to feed clients HD, they just need to see an image and half the time aren't even paying attention to it anyway.

At best, they may ask if such and such is part of the image to which you reply, no, it's just an overlay and will not be in the final image. Or if they see a flicker, just say it's what the camera does when we roll.