Wireless video for steadicam

S

SantaCruzMichael

Well-known member
Hey guys,
With the Merlin arm coming out I am starting to think about a wireless video system. On Sunday I did some steadicam shots and had the director literally breathing down my neck trying to watch my LCD. Enough, already!

Found these cheapo transmitters on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/3000mW-Wireless...hZ020QQcategoryZ20589QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

I'm trying to figure out if I could rig up a 12 v power supply for this little transmitter that would be light enough to fit on my Merlin accessory plate. Maybe 8 AA batteries?

Has anyone had success putting something like this together? Suggestions? Mikko?

Thanks,
Michael
 
I think I am going to can this idea based on other posts, at least until I can afford to spend a few grand on something halfway decent......
 
Micheal;

Any of those small low-cost transmitters on e-bay will do an equally "ok" job for monitoring - note that they arn't great, but they will get that director off you back.

- as a side note, a transmitter system is standard fare in a Steadicam operators kit. They make life easier for everyone. No monitoring cables off the rig, and the director & operator don't have to infringe on each other's workspaces. I've heard stories of directors beeing literally nocked out by running into the magazine on a film camera on a Steadicam beacuse they where too close to the operator. Transmitter = good.


Power is in deed an issue. There isn't much space for a 12v battery on board.
You could use 9v batteries (many systems will run just fine on them) - possibly a pair ganged together in parallel to provide a few more mAh or power/runtime. An ultra small "covert" style transmitter could go a long way to offset battery weight.

The only time I've transmitted video from my Merlin was with a smaller camera. I put my transmitter (Which actually cost me $38 on e-bay!) on the accessory plate, and a old 12v camcorder battery up on the stage with the camera. That worked fine, but wouldn't work with the DVX unless you had the metal gimble upgrade to carry more counterweight.

- Mikko
 
Gonna try it

Gonna try it

Thanks for the input. As far as weight goes, I'm pretty certain the Merlin arm/vest/metal gimble is in my near future.
The prospect of being able to carry a bit more weight is what got me thinking about video transmitters.

I guess I'll try one of the cheapo transmitters and see what I can get out of it.

Will post results once I get it set up.

Thanks,
Michael
 
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