Using a video monitor on remote sessions

[Recording David]

OK, I've finally got a video monitor to use on my remote sessions. What's the best way of connecting it to the camera?

It has an S-Video connection and the standard phono-type inputs that you normally see on consumer video gear.

Obviously I'll need to get a long reel of cable for it so I need to get the right thing.

I suspect I'll need a long length of S-Video cable but I'm prepared to be corrected if I'm wrong.

Thanks guys! thumbsup

[NorseHorse]

Or you could just get a long phono cable, right? That might be easier.

[Recording David]

OK thanks. You'd normally have 3 phono connections from the camera (audio L&R and a yellow one for video).

I'd obviously need just the video feed. Do you know if you can get just this? I'm assuming a standard phono cable wouldn't transmit video??

What I know about video stuff could be written on a stamp, so sorry for my very basic approach...

[Remoteness]

If you're just using the video feed for closed circuit viewing, I would just use the (phono) video connection, but...

A standard phono cable will not work for long cable runs.

You should use a 75 Ohm coaxial cable for this application.
We have BNC connectors on all our 75 Ohm video cables.
If necessary we add a phono to BNC adapter for those types of connections.

In any event, you could build a coaxial cable with phono plug on it.
If so, get the over sized phono plugs since the coaxial cable can be difficult to wire and can get damaged easily with regular phono (RCA) plugs.

[Recording David]

Thank you Steve - very clear!

[bishopthomas]

Depending on the length of your snake you could send the video signal down a snake channel by using the proper connector adapters. You'll have some quality degradation so no promises.

[d_fu]

I have a system with two little boxes that will convert an S-Video signal into something that will run across a regular CAT5 cable. I've tried 20 or 30 m without problems, even for a recording (using an old analog camera with a defective tape drive, fed into a USB video digitizer). The thing doesn't even require power and there is another version for composite video. It's fairly sturdy, but you'll need a way to safely position the cable, lest someone will step on it or tear down the cam.

There are similar systems that will do wireless video transmission (composite or S-Video). Some even feature a "return channel" for remote control of the camera. Quality is likely to be worse than VHS, but probably sufficient for a simple control monitor, if the control room is not far away.

You're most likely to find this kind of stuff in shops that sell CCTV/surveillance technology. Most of it is fairly affordable.


Daniel

[bove]

Originally Posted by d_fu

Quality is likely to be worse than VHS....

When you say worse, are you referring to the suspected video quality while using a wireless device, or while using the little box you recommended?

[d_fu]

Originally Posted by bove

When you say worse, are you referring to the suspected video quality while using a wireless device, or while using the little box you recommended?

I was referring to the wireless.

[Remoteness]

We tried the economical wireless video route, but I was not very pleased with the results.

You have to spend a lot of bread for a good quality wireless video system and that still does not guarantee excellent picture every time.

[Thomas W. Bethe]

We have a Sony camera and a Sony monitor and I was able to find a really good deal on coax cable with BNC connectors on both ends. I have two BNC to Phono Plug adapters and it works GREAT. I got the Coax cable with the connectors on it and the monitor and the camera from this place HGR Industrial Surplus - We sell everything You can do a search and most times they have the monitors and camera in stock. If not wait a couple of days (they get in 11 trucks in a day) and they will get one. The coax is hit or miss but most times they have the cable and you could make your own up with a couple of RCA plugs. Most of their stuff is used but not abused and you have 30 days to return it if it does not work.

Best of luck!

[fifthcircle]

I wish I could remember who made it, but a now departed colleague of mine had a video adapter system that went from video to an XLR cable that you could run down any mic line. Basically, there were a couple pieces of the setup- a box that terminated in a CAT-5 connection and then a CAT-5 to XLR adapter. Worked like a charm and it never interfered with any of our audio signals.

-Ben

[Barnabas]

When I just need a video monitor, I use microphone cable with adapters at both ends. Most of the time, the quality is excellent. I even run the video through audio snakes.

Details are here
Making the Wrong Cable Work for You

Coax would be better, but keeping up with lots of different kinds of cable is a pain when mic cable is good enough.

[digitalolive]

I am using two cameras this weekend. One for an offstage chorus to see the conductor (Holst's Planets). That one I am using S-Video to a flat screen monitor. The second sends a feed to the recording location. I simply use a snake channel with adaptors. Either way works fine.

Steve