FS7: Wireless Video Transmission System

C

ChristopherA

Well-known member
Is anyone successfully using a wireless transmission system with their FS7? We just got a Steadicam and so we've been trying to set one up.

We purchased an IDX CW-1, but it wouldn't broadcast the FS7's HDMI signal. We returned it to B&H and purchased an IKAN Blitz. When plugged in via SDI at 23.98p, the FS7 appears to only output psf, which the IKAN sends as separated fields. The resulting image looks like really bad interlacing and is generally unusable. Further, the Blitz is unable to lock on to the FS7's 24p HDMI signal.

I expect that a Teradek Bolt would probably work, but I don't really want to spend that much. Does anyone have a good experience with their video transmitter?
 
Paralinx Ace works brilliantly and is a fair bit cheaper than a Teradek Bolt.

I picked up an ex-demo HDMI version for a song and will replace it with an SDI version later in the year.

Cinegears 150m is much loved too and probably a decent price in the US. Over here it works out pricier.
 
I've used teradek HDMI/SDI products as well as paralynx HDMI transmitters on my fs7. I don't own one, but when setting one up, the monitor you're sending to must be ready for it. Small HD for example, required me to change an output setting, PSF, as you mention.

I want to buy the nyrius aries pro, very cheap HDMI transmitter/receiver, can be powered by USB 5v. 2-300 on amazon.
 
The Cinegears definitively does not support 1080psf. I contacted Paralinx and a sales guy told me that he was unsure whether the SDI version of the Ace could do psf without artifacts, but that he would talk to one of their support guys and email me. I'll let you know if and when I hear from him.

Ben—Could you do a test for me? Put your FS7 into 1080 23.98p, and see if the Paralinx is able to work with that signal? I was able to get the IKAN system to work over HDMI at 30p and 60p, but not 24p. Before I return this and buy another system, I'd like to get confirmation that it should work.
 
Wes. said:
when setting one up, the monitor you're sending to must be ready for it. Small HD for example, required me to change an output setting, PSF, as you mention.
Click to expand...

The problem is definitely not the monitor. I'm feeding an Odyssey 7Q+. It is able to read the signal straight from the camera without any problems.
 
ChristopherA said:
The Cinegears definitively does not support 1080psf. I contacted Paralinx and a sales guy told me that he was unsure whether the SDI version of the Ace could do psf without artifacts, but that he would talk to one of their support guys and email me. I'll let you know if and when I hear from him.

Ben—Could you do a test for me? Put your FS7 into 1080 23.98p, and see if the Paralinx is able to work with that signal? I was able to get the IKAN system to work over HDMI at 30p and 60p, but not 24p. Before I return this and buy another system, I'd like to get confirmation that it should work.
Click to expand...

No problem will test tomorrow. Have a smalhd702
 
Wes. said:
I want to buy the nyrius aries pro, very cheap HDMI transmitter/receiver, can be powered by USB 5v. 2-300 on amazon.
Click to expand...

I have a Nyrius Aries Pro and strangely, it works fantastic on my Red. On my FS7 however, since I'm NTSC (USA), you can only send SDI (I use a 7Q or SmallHD 702 mounted on camera) and HDMI (Nyrius) simultaneously if shooting in HD. Strangely enough, I think in PAL, there's a 4K / UHD option for SDI and HDMI simultaneous. Maybe that changed in the latest firmware, but it's a really strange variation.

I used Teredek pretty regularly and it's always solid. People on Reduser rave about the Cinegears Ghost Eye, but that a major bummer if it doesn't work for the FS7 as Ben mentioned.
 
gene_can_sing said:
I have a Nyrius Aries Pro and strangely, it works fantastic on my Red. On my FS7 however, since I'm NTSC (USA), you can only send SDI (I use a 7Q or SmallHD 702 mounted on camera) and HDMI (Nyrius) simultaneously if shooting in HD. Strangely enough, I think in PAL, there's a 4K / UHD option for SDI and HDMI simultaneous. Maybe that changed in the latest firmware, but it's a really strange variation.

I used Teredek pretty regularly and it's always solid. People on Reduser rave about the Cinegears Ghost Eye, but that a major bummer if it doesn't work for the FS7 as Ben mentioned.
Click to expand...

Just to clarify, you're saying that when using your nyrius on your fs7, you can not get a signal from your SDI at the same time?
 
Wes. said:
Just to clarify, you're saying that when using your nyrius on your fs7, you can not get a signal from your SDI at the same time?
Click to expand...

You can only get an HD signal, not UHD or 4K with SDI + HDMI. However, I think this is an NTSC limitation. If you do PAL I believe you can use both at 4K. Really strange.
 
Ben Scott said:
The SDI output on the FS7 is hd-only right?
Click to expand...

Yes, SDI on FS7 is HD only, of course. What Gene is saying is that if your camera is setup for NTSC operation, when shooting in UHD / 4K, you can only have either SDI or HDMI, not both (and he means 1080 out of SDI). You can have both when your camera is setup for PAL.
 
ChristopherA said:
Is anyone successfully using a wireless transmission system with their FS7? We just got a Steadicam and so we've been trying to set one up.

We purchased an IDX CW-1, but it wouldn't broadcast the FS7's HDMI signal. We returned it to B&H and purchased an IKAN Blitz. When plugged in via SDI at 23.98p, the FS7 appears to only output psf, which the IKAN sends as separated fields. The resulting image looks like really bad interlacing and is generally unusable. Further, the Blitz is unable to lock on to the FS7's 24p HDMI signal.

I expect that a Teradek Bolt would probably work, but I don't really want to spend that much. Does anyone have a good experience with their video transmitter?
Click to expand...

I feel your pain. I've used the Transvideo SD tranny system when doing two reality shows. I chose the SD version because it was cheaper and had more range. Since I only used it for my soundperson and my director, HD was not a factor. No AC trying to following focus. It worked fine with my F800 and HDX900. Even good with my Glasstron video glasses for jib work.
But, both of those cameras do an effective downcomvert so it wasn't an issue.
When I put the FS7 up...problem! No downcomvert option. Bummed to death. Been without directors video and video glasses for my jib for two years.
Now I'm looking for a small economical on board downconverter so I can use my toys again.
Me thinks unless you need serious follow focus, a downconverted signal offers framing and moderate focusing but still gives the director a good reference and you aren't trailing video hose.
Anybody know of a small, compact downconverter that will either give HDMI or SDI to a 480 signal?
 
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When trying to display the signal on either a 7" monitor or a 32" TV, I found I had to change the HDMI out setting or I got nothing. As I recall, it had to be changed to 1080i out rather than 1080P. But after that, it worked great.
 
mainstreetprod said:
When trying to display the signal on either a 7" monitor or a 32" TV, I found I had to change the HDMI out setting or I got nothing. As I recall, it had to be changed to 1080i out rather than 1080P. But after that, it worked great.
Click to expand...

Except you can't change it if you are shooting in 4K and when using XDCA and ProRes, you can't do it even in HD.
 
Question for Christopher & Gene ... mostly out of curiosity - can you not loop out of your Ody 7Q or Small 702 (mounted on camera) with a wireless transmitter? Or does this present problems too?
 
markfpv said:
Question for Christopher & Gene ... mostly out of curiosity - can you not loop out of your Ody 7Q or Small 702 (mounted on camera) with a wireless transmitter? Or does this present problems too?
Click to expand...

Hi Mark,

I've tried the Nyrius out of the 7Q to avoid the 4K SDI / HDMI limitation, but it sucks. It sort of works, but the signal cuts out really easily. Out of the FS7 HDMI, the signal is solid. I mainly shoot 4K and quite often have an SDI monitor attached, so I kind of need both.

To be honest, I mainly use the Nyrius Aries Pro on my Red (and it works really well) because those jobs I tend to need a directors monitor more. On the FS7, it's mostly for my doc / event / run+gun jobs, so a directors monitor isn't really needed.

I would love a Cinegear Ghost Eye, but it's quite a bit of money.

Incidentally on the Ghost Eye which was mentioned in another thread, my British friend who owns FS7 + Ghost Eye says it works great, but they are on PAL. Seems like PSF struggles more with NTSC. Someone did mention if you send out an interlaced signal (vs PSF) from the FS7, it should work fine which makes sense.

Same with the Small HD 702 Lite. I noticed my Brit friends say the image is great, but on my FS7, the image has lines going through it (as noted by some), perhaps because it's PSF + NTSC. On my Red, the 702 Lite looks much better / no lines. Maybe I'll try to Interlace feed out FS7 instead of PSF
 
Hi everyone, Thanks for weighing in. It seems like there is no really clear-cut answer on this issue. I had hope that the Paralinx Ace in SDI would work. I even spoke to Paralinx and had them confirm that the Ace handled 1080PSF, but Liam's experience in 23.98 1080PSF with the more expensive Paralinx Arrow (which explicitly supports PSF) makes me worry.

markfpv—Yes, looping through the Odyssey 7Q+ works fine. However, It was my hope that the Odyssey could live in the video village and give the exposure, focus, LUT tools to the AC. Not to mention, this setup is primary for steadicam/gimbal work and the Odyssey + battery adds unnecessary weight.

I found this device (http://decimator.com/Products/MiniConverters/MD-HX/MD-HX.html), which seems promising. It converts basically any input into any output (including SD, allenfacemire), and does so with no delay. It's tiny, and at $300 it's not terribly expensive.
 
The Ace is swankier than the Arrow. The Tomahawk is swankier than the Ace.

We use decimators all the time for videogame capture
 
I had first of all the iDX CW1.. pretty useless I found.. traded in for the CW7 .. works very well.. all frame rates Ive used it works.. including 23.98P.. (which seems to becoming the universal FR).. all antennas internal and power from V mount pins.. cant be bad..
 
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