Getting video into the control room

[Legacy]

Hi All,

Now that I'm able to run video cameras on location some are asking to be able to see what's coming off the cameras live in the control room.

What do others do to accomplish this without spending a fortune and considering that I'll need to run the signal from one camera (Canon HV30) typically 150-200 feet before the display. The camera has Component and HDMI outs. I'd love to find a small flat screen that would be quite portable. It doesn't have to supremely detailed or accurate as it's mostly for artist communication / audio producer seeing stage action during audio only sessions.

Thanks in advance,
Silas

[DSD_Mastering]

Hey Silas,

We use Gefen CAT5e extenders. We've got component, VGA and HDMI. Works perfectly! thumbsup


Regards,

[d_fu]

If quality isn't a big issue, there are solutions for wireless component or S-Video transfer, some even with a "talkback" channel for remote control of the camera.

Daniel

[mpdonahue]

Originally Posted by Legacy

Hi All,

Now that I'm able to run video cameras on location some are asking to be able to see what's coming off the cameras live in the control room.

What do others do to accomplish this without spending a fortune and considering that I'll need to run the signal from one camera (Canon HV30) typically 150-200 feet before the display. The camera has Component and HDMI outs. I'd love to find a small flat screen that would be quite portable. It doesn't have to supremely detailed or accurate as it's mostly for artist communication / audio producer seeing stage action during audio only sessions.

Thanks in advance,
Silas

Well the obvious choice would be composite video and a piece of coax. If this is really just for communications, then a decent piece of RG179 will do just fine and is very lightweight and easy to get through tight cable runs. Others are using CAT5 with Baluns with good results.
As far as looking at the picture in the studio, we are using a half a dozen small 9" LCD's and a video DA so everybody gets their own monitor in front of them. They go for about $60ea. The picture is not stellar, but acceptable.
All the best,
-mark

[b808]

I run component.
Now it is a little pricier then HDMI although HDMI in a consumer grade format, which is apple to oranges compared to the formats of HD-SDI and RGBHD and Component etc, it will be a little cheaper, not greatly, then using Component.

The quality will degrade past 200 feet.

Here are some monitors you might want to taker a gander at.
ToteVision - HD 7"-20" Monitors

[Legacy]

Many thanks to all.

I guess my noob stumbling block now is - the HV30 component breakout cable ends in 3x rca (Pr,Pb,Y). Is there an easy way to get this over one piece of coax?

The Cat5 extenders look like they may be an affordable / easy solution except some of them require a power adapter which would mean one more thing to run power to on stage.

Thanks, B808. Those displays are cool but WAY out of my price range I'm afraid. Any links to cheap displays for this poor audio geek?

Mark do you know the brand of the ones you use? They have a component input?

Thanks again,
Silas

[mpdonahue]

Silas,
I think you are trying to be too fancy here. Use the composite video out (the one with a yellow RCA connector) and connect it to a piece of good RG179 thin coax (Which you can buy in 100' pieces for $70 from Markertek) with an RCA to BNC adapter. I would stay away from component video. If you get a flaky connector you will get weird colors and image shift. Better to carry a spare piece of coax and stay with composite.
You really don't need anything more for studio displays. If people are expecting HD video so they can see what's happening on the stage, they should hire people who do video for a living. Just my opinion. YMMV
As far as monitor's go, I got a deal on a case of "Coby" (Or translated to english from the native Chinese "cheapest monitor in world") 9" lcd monotors, like the ones that you see on the headrests of cars. I think I paid the princely sum of $45 apiece. If you look around you can find DVD Players for about the same money, but they are bulky and producers will start watching movies during long takes...

Another route to take is to get a 19" LCD monitor/TV. They are going for about $220 or so. We have a couple of them that we use for both purposes on the road.
All the best,
-mark

[Legacy]

Brilliant! Thank you Mark! This makes much sense.

Composite it is!

-Silas