Wireless Video Village

B

Brian Petersen

Well-known member
Here's a hard question for you, and I'm hoping you guys can point me to some answers.

I will be shooting a 2 HVX feature shoot this Fall. We will be running 35mm Adapters on both cameras (probably M2, so image is not flipped). I will probably have a Marshall 7" on each camera for the ACs to keep focus...

BUT... The director would like to see what's happening on both cameras from a video village WITHOUT being hard connected to each camera.

What are my options on this? I have the HD components already going to the Marshall's. Can I spilt that signal? Or am I stuck with an s-video out now? And then when I do figure out which signal I am using, what options do I have for getting it wireless over to a video village.

Any help would be GREAT!
 
Hey Brian:

I was technical producer on a recent sitcom pilot that we shot on two HVXs. All improvisational comedy and yes, the director used a wireless two monitor setup so she could see both of our cams live.

I don't know if there are options for wireless HD, I don't think that there are or at least not in a package small enough for the HVX. We rented NTSC wireless microwave from a company in LA that custom engineered this system for us, it worked out pretty well although the reception varied, depending on where we were shooting.

I can't recall the name of the company but I will find out tomorrrow at work and can possibly even post some photos of the setup. Beware, the microwave transmitters that I fastened to each HVX sucked down a lot of power, the operators had to wear Anton Bauer Hytrons on a belt to power these suckers, no way would 9V or AA work. Anton Bauer around the waist means more fatigue and weight but it worked.

Also, this system is not cheap to rent. We used professional, high end stuff, you can always take your chance and BUY one of the cheapie wireless video systems from www.markertek.com but you get what you pay for.

Your other issue will be that if you are feeding the Marshalls component, you will get no composite or S-VHS output from the cam. All of the component analog splitters I have are DC powered but way too big to strap to a camera or operator. By the time you add cables, the splitter, power supply for splitter, power supply for microwave transmitter, you are into some serious bulk and weight.

Best,

Dan
 
Doest the Marshall have a In and a Out ? So you dont need to split it first, but take the out and do whatever you want with it ?
 
Hi mochouinard:

I looked, yes, the Marshall does have looping inputs so he would have an output but I am still unsure on if there is a reasonable cost HD wireless system. Will do some research on this.

Dan
 
I posted something about HD wireless and it is EXPENSIVE... best solution is component->RCA if it just to see..
 
There's not really any viable wireless HD microwave that I'm aware of.

There are a few options available to you to do it in SD, none of them are cheap. You need to work with a company that uses licensed products or you run the risk of being fined by the FCC.

LA based companies renting different levels of Microwave TX (transmitters) and RX (Receivers)

Wexler
VER
Bexel
Boxx Communications
Areal

Be aware: Microwave signal is NEVER perfect, requires line of sight, and need transmitters attached to the camera. Don't let anyone tell you that "Wi-Fi" isn't microwave, it is. There can also be a picture/audio delay. There's lots of "snake oil" salesmen in Microwave systems out there. Demand a demonstration AT YOUR LOCATION before you commit. All kinds of wireless signals can disrupt your picture, especially with small systems. You won't know what's at the location until you're there.

I.
 
Thanks for the post Illya. We rented from VER, their system was pretty good. Be careful, those little wireless transmitters get HOT, you should see the heat sink on these little boxes.

Still cant think of a way to power them without wearing something big and heavy like an Anton Bauer Hytron belt. If you are shooting big cams, no big deal to wear a battery belt but HVX users are generally used to small and light everything so it may be a shock when you hook one of these systems up and discover you have to wear this 5-10lb battery belt and deal with the cable from the belt to the transmitter.

Best,

Dan
 
Thanks for the help everyone. I'll look into those leads.

The wireless village doesn't NEED to be HD. It will probably just be for the director, but if I could get a nice clear HD signal I may have put the ACs there with remote follow focuses. But it sounds a Marshall on the HVXs for the AC and then run microwave SD out to video village. And we probably wouldn't have to go wireless all of the time. I'm sure we'll have a number of times where we can hardwire everything.

Thanks again for the help! If I find anything else as I'm looking around I'll let you know.
 
As far as im aware the only HD wireless systems are extremely expensive (even to rent) and for the most part are HDSDI in only. If you want to use the component out to your Marshall than you are stuck in a hard wired mode. Pulling the component cable out allows you to to use the composite out...possibly to a Modulus or something like that. Microwave seems overkill for your application. If the shot requires critical focus use a hardwired big HD monitor and the director can share the screen with the AC.

Hope this helps........
 
Small "mini" microwave transmitters can be powered with AA batteries. Talk to your rental provider they should be able to give you this option.

I.
 
I saw the Boxx microwave system at NAB. It takes component inputs, but is only SD. It looked good there, and only cost around $3000 if I remember right. I've never used one myself though. So I won't vouch for it, but check it out.
www.boxx.tv
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top