Camera w/Component video out

Ted Spencer

Ted Spencer

Veteran
I need to find an inexpensive used camera or camcorder that outputs widescreen SD or HD video directly to component video outputs to use for real-time monitoring in an audio recording studio. It does not need to be especially high quality or especially low-noise, and recording capability is completely irrelevant. It's just going to be used to provide a 'virtual window' between rooms, displayed on an older Panasonic plasma screen that doesn't have HDMI inputs. The lowest possible latency is also key, which is why anything involving HDMI and/or HDMI adapters is probably unsuitable.

My old Panasonic HXV200, which I sold several years ago in favor of a Nikon DSLR, would probably fine (despite some latency), but used ones are running around $800 and up these days, and I'd like to spend a lot less than that if possible.

This is a matter of some urgency, since my current system (an ancient grocery store-style 12" B&W Motorola set, believe it or not) just died and I'd like to replace it with something much better.

Any suggestions would be welcome. TIA!
 
Looks like one of these Canons might be a good choice. Do you know if it's possible for these cameras to remain in video throughput mode indefinitely (just outputting the image live via component video) without shutting themselves off after x amount of minutes? I have an old Sony SD camcorder that will, but only if there's no tape in it, and I use it for this purpose elsewhere. It'll need to be doing that all day long. Thanks again for your help with this.
 
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Yes, they will stay on as long as there is juice to feed them (that's not a problem with supplied adapter).

Things to watch out when using them indoors is that they aren't that wide (~ 40 mm FF) and bright (but you can use cinegama and 360 deg. shutter).
 
I found those earlier in a B&H search, but the price stopped me cold. Probably a great solution, but a golden chalice where a beer glass will do : )

Thanks all the same!

Greg_E said:
Way more money than you want, but this might be closest to what you really need.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/849846-REG/Sony_evi_h100v_w_EVI_H100V_PTZ_Camera_White.html

They should have a non-PTZ version that would be cheaper, but not sure if it will fit down to your desired price. You may want to look at this like any other tool that you need for work and just get something decent that should function day in and day out without problems.
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Pretty sure I can deal with all of that. Thanks!

laverdir said:
Yes, they will stay on as long as there is juice to feed them (that's not a problem with supplied adapter).

Things to watch out when using them indoors is that they aren't that wide (~ 40 mm FF) and bright (but you can use cinegama and 360 deg. shutter).
Click to expand...
 
I second the recommendation for the Canon Vixia HV20/30/40 models. They are HDV (tape based) cameras, but you just need the realtime component video out which they have. Of course, make sure that the component cable is included with the used purchase. There are always a lot of these models on Ebay. I've had an HV20 since new myself.

Thanks

Jeff
 
I just got one (an HV20) on ebay yesterday, for a decent price, and also the component cable separately. It was surprising to me how few of the HV20/30/40s were being sold without the cable, which was originally included. I'd say 90%+ of them didn't have one. Odd...

DigitalVision said:
I second the recommendation for the Canon Vixia HV20/30/40 models. They are HDV (tape based) cameras, but you just need the realtime component video out which they have. Of course, make sure that the component cable is included with the used purchase. There are always a lot of these models on Ebay. I've had an HV20 since new myself.

Thanks

Jeff
Click to expand...
 
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