Remote Control 2 HVX200e cameras?

PaulVortex

PaulVortex

Member
Hello everyone - First post here, I really hope someone can help me out with a bit of advice...

I'm planning a shoot very shortly using 2 Panasonic HVX200e cameras... What I want to do is control both of them from a single remote control (start/stop record and also Zoom + Focus)...

I could do this with two CanonXL2 cameras... but I have no idea if it's even possible with the HVX200e.

I receive the cameras tomorrow, and was hoping someone could give me a heads up on how that might be possible, so that I'm ready when they get here.

With my fingers crossed, Many thanks,

-Paul.
 
The main problem with that is you hit record and it stops record on the other cam or vice versa with just about any function you do. Just have to make sure the tallies are set 'on' and you have a 'sweet spot' for the remote when you control 'a' or 'b' cam, not effecting the other's sensor.
 
Well - what I actually want is to literally control both cameras at precisely the same time... So when I hit "record" they both start shooting, and when I hit it again they both stop shooting... When I push "zoom in" they both zoom in together, and when I alter focus on one, the other also alters focus in the same exact way.

On the XL2 you could flip a setting in the menu on the camera so they both had the same "name", and then on one remote, you could punch in a code that meant the remote would control any camera with that "name"... That way both cameras would run at the same time from one remote.

I'm building a 3D stereo rig, and need a way to make both cameras behave identically. Preferably without having to shell out for a bunch of 3rd party equipment.
 
Ahhhh - Turns out the way I described it for the XL2 is exactly how you do this with the AG-HVX200... For reference of others, if you check page 19 of the manual, it explains how *avoid* the remote controlling both cameras at the same time, by making sure it's coded to one specific camera... But if you set both cameras to VCR1, and set the remote to VCR1 as well, the single remote will control both cameras simultaneously.

Phew - That's one 3D headache out the way.

Now for TIMECODE matching across the two cameras... Which I believe is simply a case of attaching a firewire cable from one camera to the other.
 
I'd look into using a wired remote.

3D requires insanely precise matching; I wouldn't trust an IR remote for that.

The wired remote ports on the HVX200 support Start/Stop, Zoom, Focus, and Iris.

I don't know if you could simply use a "headphone splitter" 'Y' cable to use one wired remote with 2 cameras or not; but you could build a custom controller at low cost using "stereo" potentiometers to control the 2 cameras.

I'd link the 2 cameras with a BNC cable or something (just from video-out to video-out) to make sure they are operating at a common ground (most likely unnecessary, but never hurts to be safe) - a firewire cable between the units would do the same thing.
Then plug in splitter cables to combine the "remote" ports.

- Mikko
 
mikkowilson said:
I'd look into using a wired remote.

3D requires insanely precise matching; I wouldn't trust an IR remote for that.

The wired remote ports on the HVX200 support Start/Stop, Zoom, Focus, and Iris.

I don't know if you could simply use a "headphone splitter" 'Y' cable to use one wired remote with 2 cameras or not; but you could build a custom controller at low cost using "stereo" potentiometers to control the 2 cameras.

I'd link the 2 cameras with a BNC cable or something (just from video-out to video-out) to make sure they are operating at a common ground (most likely unnecessary, but never hurts to be safe) - a firewire cable between the units would do the same thing.
Then plug in splitter cables to combine the "remote" ports.

- Mikko
Click to expand...

That all sounds like really good advice...

With relation to the remote that comes with the camera... Is that remote wireless only, or is the use of a 3.5mm wire possible with that particular remote. Also, I noticed that there are two 3.5mm wired remote inputs on the camera... One for start/stop and zoom and another one for focus/iris... So if the remote is able to be wired, would I be right in saying it will have a seperate connection for those functions as well.

Just wondering if this will require me to actually buy/rent a wired remote from somewhere. Using a splitter sounds like a good way to go!

I'm afraid I don't have enough time to build anything too involved for this shoot (this production is being pushed together at break-neck speed, so I'm having to find as simple a solution for each issue, as possible).

-Paul.
 
mikkowilson said:
The included remote is wireless only.

But the wired controller is easy to build: http://dvxuser.com/articles/remote/

- Mikko
Click to expand...


Wow - That's awesome!

A shame it doesn't handle the focus though.

Very tempting to try it, but I'm pretty stuck for time, and will have enough of a headache even building the 3D rig... But if that goes quicker than I'm envisioning, and tests with the wireless remote turn out badly, then I will look at building something like this and using a splitter to control both cameras.
 
The focus/iris port uses the exact same spec (except it uses a [more common] 3.5mm connector instead of the 2.5mm used on the zoom/start-stop). Same potentiometers though.

If the "Y" cable doesn't work, then you can build one of these units using "stereo" potentiometers which is 2 pots mechanically connected to the same control shaft.

- Mikko
 
mikkowilson said:
The focus/iris port uses the exact same spec (except it uses a [more common] 3.5mm connector instead of the 2.5mm used on the zoom/start-stop). Same potentiometers though.

If the "Y" cable doesn't work, then you can build one of these units using "stereo" potentiometers which is 2 pots mechanically connected to the same control shaft.

- Mikko
Click to expand...

Well, if that's the case, I think you can consider me convinced.

Now I'll start looking for parts. Will post back if/when I make progress with this - But as mentioned I'm at breakneck speed on this and the shoot is looming.

Looks like the ideal option though.
 
Money would be funny, in a rich man's world.

Er... Did I just quote Abba!? That is not a good sign.

No, afraid the budget won't stretch. I don't own the cameras (just renting) and so I'm not keen to buy anything specific for them. At least building this system would prove considerably cheaper, if I can find the time this week.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top