Camera for remote stream

[rob norton]

Last week I shot something where I provided a remote stream using a blackmagic atem mini switcher. They streamed the image from my c200, as well as heard the microphone - it worked really well.

As a bonus for future shoots I think it'd be good to add an extra camera that provides a wide image of the entire set/location, to let the agency make more informed decisions by showing them the space. At the moment I'm thinking along the lines of a raised "security cam" type shot, placed in an unused corner etc.

An iphone is probably the easiest solution. The only reasons I can think of to add a different camera/wireless system are:

- better low light
- the streaming software (Riverside) allows 1 host/7 guests so the iphone not coming into the switcher means the set up requires two guest spaces rather than one.

As far as non-phone options, any suggestions? The camera wouldn't need to be controlled once it's in position. If it doesn't need to record then maybe something like a canon RP would work?

A premium option is probably a sony fx3 but that's starting to be a pretty expensive security cam.

 

[NorBro]

If you're considering an iPhone, maybe consider a GoPro, too. Different FOVs which might work well.

Keep in mind the RP has a crop in 4K. You'd probably use it in 1080p for its purpose but just FYI.

If the camera choice wouldn't be recording and it's only for viewing, you can pretty much use anything you want, I think.

 

[ahalpert]

S5? Best bang for buck with good low light if you don't need AF, which it sounds like you don't?

 

[rob norton]

If you're considering an iPhone, maybe consider a GoPro, too. Different FOVs which might work well.

Keep in mind the RP has a crop in 4K. You'd probably use it in 1080p for its purpose but just FYI.

If the camera choice wouldn't be recording and it's only for viewing, you can pretty much use anything you want, I think.

Thanks, good thinking. I think I need to do more tests and see what I can get away with.

S5? Best bang for buck with good low light if you don't need AF, which it sounds like you don't?

Thanks Abe, panasonic hasn't even been on my radar for a while even though I know a lot of people like them.

Going against my initial request for non-phones, I'm now leaning towards a phone, which could be used on its own if there are enough guest spaces in the software. If there aren't enough spaces then it becomes a matter of adding a wireless system into the equation (I already own a connex mini, which likely won't be used with the main camera because it'll be tethered to the streaming station).

The iphone 13 pro max battery life at 20+ hours removes the need to power the phone. (I doubt my current phone would last a full shoot day plus I'd still need to use it on the ground).

This would mean I'd only need the following pieces:
- phone
- lighting to HDMI adapter
- safe way to mount everything at a decent height. I would need to avoid any consumer/blogger jank fest.

 

[ahalpert]

- safe way to mount everything at a decent height. I would need to avoid any consumer/blogger jank fest.

this maybe involves unnecessary complications (ie a gimbal). but I've taken to mounting my wide master shot at wedding ceremonies on a weebill-s on a 10' light stand with 2 15-lb sandbags at the base. I have 2 android phones for adjusting and start/stopping the shot: one for wifi monitoring of the camera and the other for bluetooth control of the gimbal to remotely pan/tilt. so I can set up the shot without accessing the camera and adjust it later if need be

 

[rob norton]

this maybe involves unnecessary complications (ie a gimbal). but I've taken to mounting my wide master shot at wedding ceremonies on a weebill-s on a 10' light stand with 2 15-lb sandbags at the base. I have 2 android phones for adjusting and start/stopping the shot: one for wifi monitoring of the camera and the other for bluetooth control of the gimbal to remotely pan/tilt. so I can set up the shot without accessing the camera and adjust it later if need be

Nice, I'm sure that works well. It's a shame you can't eliminate a phone but I bet you have no issues. I think I'll start with a hard mount but a little gimbal would be great if you needed to move around. It'd be cool if you could do a 360 cam up high and individuals could all independently choose where in the space they want to see.

 

[ahalpert]

. It'd be cool if you could do a 360 cam up high and individuals could all independently choose where in the space they want to see.

That would be cool although I'm not sure how different it would be from panning around a 2D image if the camera is in a corner. Because most of the other angles you can see will be ceiling and wall. But definitely if it's in the middle of the room. I noticed that the Canon fisheye VR lens promo video had the camera in a stationary position right at the edge of the stage of dancers. So when they came to the front, they were basically on your left and right and the experience was like sitting in the front row of a concert. If the camera were on the stage itself, you'd see butts and unflattering angles from some views. (Brawley once posted an awesome 360 video from a camera riding on his ursa during a complicated handheld oner. And you could get a great ecu of him licking his lips.) And if the camera were further back from the stage, it would be like a 2D image with lots of nothing around it. (It would be sweet to have an OK Go! type music video with a VR camera on a conveyor belt moving through different sets and dance groups coming to and fro.)

there's also pocket 4k. Cheap, good low light

What's the story with iightning to hdmi? You have to run a cable from phone to computer? There's no way to bring it in wirelessly?

and yes, eliminating a phone from my set-up would be great. I wouldn't say that I have no issues with it, but I'm able to get shots I couldn't before. Unfortunately I'm considering adding a 3rd phone so I have 2 cameras simultaneously monitored/controlled and 1 gimbal controller at the ready

 

[rob norton]

What's the story with iightning to hdmi? You have to run a cable from phone to computer? There's no way to bring it in wirelessly?

The phone could either join the call via wifi without anything else required, or be used with a wireless video Tx/Rx to go through the switcher, which is going into a laptop.