Monitor Camera
Christopher Jahn
something else I'm researching.
We're replacing our FOH video camera, and it's so hold that the
replacement isn't obvious. So I thought I'd see what other
companies are using.
The old camera is a Panasonic Digital 5100HD, and it's mounted 90
feet from the proscenium.
What are you using?
--
}:-) Christopher Jahn
{:-( http://soflatheatre.blogspot.com/
A transistor protected by a fast-acting fuse will protect the
fuse by blowing first.
Lloydj
> We're replacing our FOH video camera, and it's so hold that the
> replacement isn't obvious. So I thought I'd see what other
> companies are using.
>
> The old camera is a Panasonic Digital 5100HD, and it's mounted 90
> feet from the proscenium.
>
> What are you using?
>
> --}:-) Christopher Jahn
>
> {:-( http://soflatheatre.blogspot.com/
>
> A transistor protected by a fast-acting fuse will protect the
> fuse by blowing first.
I don't know why you'd want to replace that camera, it's a very good
one. Do you know that the CCD is defective, is that why you want to
replace? If not, it probably just needs a good cleaning.
LJ
Christopher Jahn
news:b8c6ce4e-6cb8-44a3...@m11g2000vbo.googlegroup
s.com:
The iris is shot, and when it attempts to adjust to changing
light levels, it overwhelms the power supply. This causes random
flickering and flashing across the image.
Plus, when I was dusting it off, one of the rubber drive belts
for the autofocus crumbled from dry rot. It's done.
--
}:-) Christopher Jahn
{:-( http://soflatheatre.blogspot.com/
The next person to pass us will die within a fortnight.
Lloydj
>
> > Plus, when I was dusting it off, one of the rubber drive belts for the
> > autofocus crumbled from dry rot. It's done.
>
>
> --
> "Filtering the Internet is like trying to boil the ocean"
There's a Panasonic repair facility in New Jersey that can repair/
rebuild for a lot less than a new camera which costs at least $1,000.
The iris is in the lens and it's issues may be related to the belt you
mention which to replace that must be less than a whole new camera..
As a side bar, I lost the drive belt on my HP plotter and it will cost
about $80 to replace. Point being, you might want to compare
replacement costs v/ repair costs first. If the glass is good, the
CCD is good, and you're getting output from the electronics, you might
benefit from doing the mechanical repair only.
Just a thought.
Christopher Jahn
news:pan.2009.12...@carnations.com:
> On Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:48:48 +0000, Christopher Jahn wrote:
>
>> The iris is shot, and when it attempts to adjust to changing
>> light levels, it overwhelms the power supply. This causes
>> random flickering and flashing across the image.
>>
>> Plus, when I was dusting it off, one of the rubber drive
>> belts for the autofocus crumbled from dry rot. It's done.
>
> Is it not repairable? What did your local repair shop have to
> say about it?
It's twenty years old; they don't make parts for this anymore.
And if I did find someone to repair it, I'd end up with an
outdated camera. At some point, you reach the point of
diminishing returns, and we're past that.
--
}:-) Christopher Jahn
{:-( http://soflatheatre.blogspot.com/
"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president..
is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonous to
the American public."
- Teddy Roosevelt, in 1918 during the First World War.
Christopher Jahn
news:512b7245-17c0-4933...@a32g2000yqm.googlegroup
s.com:
The picture has never been better than "just ok." I've been doing
research, and even a mid-priced security camera will give me a
better picture over a wide range of lighting conditions.
But thanks for the input.
--
}:-) Christopher Jahn
{:-( http://soflatheatre.blogspot.com/
Oh dear, I've gone and inflated my ego.
Duncan Wood
wrote:
It's always a bit dependent on your specific venue but for a reasonable
colour image in low light these
Panasonic WVCLR930
aren't bad.
The Sony DXC-390P are really nice but over 5 times the price & I'd doubt
they're worth it unless you wish to relay to large screens in the public
area.
--
Duncan Wood
Christopher Jahn
news:pan.2009.12...@carnations.com:
> On Sat, 26 Dec 2009 13:31:05 +0000, Christopher Jahn wrote:
>
>> Carnations <Beau...@Carnations.com> wrote in
>> news:pan.2009.12...@carnations.com:
>>
>>> On Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:48:48 +0000, Christopher Jahn wrote:
>>>
>>>> The iris is shot, and when it attempts to adjust to
>>>> changing light levels, it overwhelms the power supply. This
>>>> causes random flickering and flashing across the image.
>>>>
>>>> Plus, when I was dusting it off, one of the rubber drive
>>>> belts for the autofocus crumbled from dry rot. It's done.
>>>
>>> Is it not repairable? What did your local repair shop have
>>> to say about it?
>>
>> It's twenty years old; they don't make parts for this
>> anymore. And if I did find someone to repair it, I'd end up
>> with an outdated camera. At some point, you reach the point
>> of diminishing returns, and we're past that.
>
> OK - I was only enquiring. I am conscious that a lot of stuff
> simply gets thrown away when it could have been repaired and
> made perfectly serviceable again.
>
> From my point of view, if something can be repaired and then
> it still meet what is needed of it, then why not repair it?
> :-)
>
>
It's a fair question. If it was giving us perfect results, we'd
consider keeping it. But even at its best, anyone in a
followspot looked like Glinda the Goodwitch; and amorphous ball
of light with occasional arms and legs.
--
}:-) Christopher Jahn
{:-( http://soflatheatre.blogspot.com/
The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't
said. (Peter Drucker)
Lloydj
>
> It's a fair question. If it was giving us perfect results, we'd
> consider keeping it. But even at its best, anyone in a
> followspot looked like Glinda the Goodwitch; and amorphous ball
> of light with occasional arms and legs.
>
Ah-ha, therein lies the rub. Even with an automatically adjustable
iris no camera will prevent that look. If it's sensitive enough to
correct for the hot spot caused by the followspot, then everything
else will be horribly underexposed and invisible, or you get Glinda.
You might look at a good quality POE security camera with digital
zoom. But even these can be blinded by the light. I'll ask a friend
of mine who is in security if there's something he would recommend.
Let you know.
Duncan Wood
You can manually compensate on many modern cameras (write it into your
lighting cue stack) but the better panasonics & sonys are surprisingly
good at coping, there nay be some other brands with black stretch & auto
blc.
Richard Crowley
Many modern digital video cameras (mostly higher-end models) use
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) to automatically recover high-contrast
images. They have automatic settings like "spotlight" (which expose for
the brightest parts and let the dark areas go black) and "back-light"
(which does the opposite, exposes for the "dark" area, and lets the
bright surrounds "blow out" white.)
Christopher Jahn
news:7prbk8...@mid.individual.net:
ACtually, the thing we need is Wide Dynamic Range (WDR). It's
superior to BLC and DSP. We found a camera that looks promising;
details are at the office, but I will be posting the relevant
data - and a review of the image - in the next few days.
--
}:-) Christopher Jahn
{:-( http://soflatheatre.blogspot.com/
Love is in the offing, said the homicidal maniac.
Atlantic Illumination Entertainment Lighting
> The iris is shot, and when it attempts to adjust to changing
> light levels, it overwhelms the power supply. This causes random
> flickering and flashing across the image.
> }:-) Christopher Jahn
*** Both are symptoms of a failing power supply. You may be able to pick
up a used supplly for low to no dollars.
--
Richard Bonner
http://AIEL.chebucto.biz
.
Atlantic Illumination Entertainment Lighting
> I am conscious that a lot of stuff simply gets thrown away when it could
> have been repaired and made perfectly serviceable again.
> From my point of view, if something can be repaired and then it still
> meet what is needed of it, then why not repair it? :-)
*** I agree. I hate waste and am very good at sourcing low to no-cost
parts to keep old equipment running. People complain about budget cuts
when, many times, repair experience and ingenuity easily keep the budget
within means. I have seen too many over the years that only have a
replacement-with-new mentality.
Having said that, if the camera is really beyond feasible repair,
Christopher, look in second-hand stores. There can be found the last or
second-last generation of cameras that will give a suitable picture for
the purpose at a fraction of the price. Contact local video suppliers and
ask them to keep an eye out for a camera that will do the job at the
lowest price.
Atlantic Illumination Entertainment Lighting
> > It's a fair question. =A0If it was giving us perfect results, we'd
> > consider keeping it. =A0But even at its best, anyone in a
> > followspot looked like Glinda the Goodwitch; and amorphous ball
> > of light with occasional arms and legs.
> Ah-ha, therein lies the rub. Even with an automatically adjustable
> iris no camera will prevent that look. If it's sensitive enough to
> correct for the hot spot caused by the followspot, then everything
> else will be horribly underexposed and invisible, or you get Glinda.
*** The type of camare required is one with a high contrast-ratio
capability. It will show a picture with less over & under exposure
within a given frame.
Christopher Jahn
Lighting) wrote in news:hinm3c$9m$3...@Kil-nws-1.UCIS.Dal.Ca:
We got 20 years out of the old camera. We bought a brand
spanking new camera that does things that the old one could
never, ever do. Higher resolution, wide dynamic range, lower
power consumption, smaller housing. And if we upgrade the system
to an IP network, it's ready to go.
Clinging to old gear isn't always the best the course of action:
all it does is ensure that you have obsolete gear that's inferior
to the current industry standard, and may not work with current
systems.
--
}:-) Christopher Jahn
{:-( http://soflatheatre.blogspot.com/
Ban Censorship!
Christopher Jahn
Lighting) wrote in news:hinll4$9m$2...@Kil-nws-1.UCIS.Dal.Ca:
> Christopher Jahn wrote:
>> The iris is shot, and when it attempts to adjust to changing
>> light levels, it overwhelms the power supply. This causes
>> random flickering and flashing across the image.
>
> *** Both are symptoms of a failing power supply. You may be
> able to pick up a used supplly for low to no dollars.
>
Which would leave me with equipment running on a power supply
that could also fail at any minute because it is also 20 years
old. No thanks. Besides, when I took it down to get the specs,
I discoved the rubber tread that allows the focus motor to drive
the lens is dry-rotted, and several wires are showing signs of
dry rot.
Even a really cheap modern camera will outperform this ancient
device. Five more years and it will be an official antique.
--
}:-) Christopher Jahn
{:-( http://soflatheatre.blogspot.com/
Nid yw Cymru ar werth!
Duncan Wood
wrote:
> ai...@chebucto.ns.ca (Atlantic Illumination Entertainment
Whiich one did you get in the end?
Christopher Jahn
news:op.u6jqspbrhaghkf@lucy:
THis one:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/332828-REG/Sony_SSCDC593
_SSC_DC593_CCTV_Security_Camera.html
I picked up a 5mm-100mm 1.4 auto-iris lens to go with it.
Probably more range than I need, but it was equivalent to what
was up there.
--
}:-) Christopher Jahn
{:-( http://soflatheatre.blogspot.com/
It was such a lovely day I thought it a pity to get up.
Atlantic Illumination Entertainment Lighting
> ai...@chebucto.ns.ca (Atlantic Illumination Entertainment
> Lighting) wrote in news:hinm3c$9m$3...@Kil-nws-1.UCIS.Dal.Ca:
> > ...if the camera is really beyond feasible repair,
> > Christopher, look in second-hand stores. There can be found
> > the last or second-last generation of cameras that will give a
> > suitable picture for the purpose at a fraction of the price.
> > Contact local video suppliers and ask them to keep an eye out
> > for a camera that will do the job at the lowest price.
> We got 20 years out of the old camera. We bought a brand
> spanking new camera that does things that the old one could
> never, ever do. Higher resolution, wide dynamic range, lower
> power consumption, smaller housing. And if we upgrade the system
> to an IP network, it's ready to go.
> Clinging to old gear isn't always the best the course of action:
> all it does is ensure that you have obsolete gear that's inferior
> to the current industry standard, and may not work with current
> systems.
> --
> }:-) Christopher Jahn
*** This is true. However, industry standard or not, the bottom line is
the intended purpose. It may not require the most recent standard.
An issue with standards when speaking of equipment is that they change
every year or so, and I believe sometimes just for the sake of change.
Please do not think that I am dissing your choice, Christopher. I am
not at your venue so I must bow to your decision as to what is best for
it and its budget. I just wanted to suggest alternatives.
Enjoy your new camera! (-:
Atlantic Illumination Entertainment Lighting
> ai...@chebucto.ns.ca (Atlantic Illumination Entertainment
> Lighting) wrote in news:hinll4$9m$2...@Kil-nws-1.UCIS.Dal.Ca:
> > Christopher Jahn wrote:
> >> The iris is shot, and when it attempts to adjust to changing
> >> light levels, it overwhelms the power supply. This causes
> >> random flickering and flashing across the image.
> >
> > *** Both are symptoms of a failing power supply. You may be
> > able to pick up a used supplly for low to no dollars.
> Which would leave me with equipment running on a power supply
> that could also fail at any minute because it is also 20 years
> old. No thanks.
*** Understandable, but a supply need not necessarily be 20 years old.
I source recent power supplies at a local laptop repair store, as an
example.
> Besides, when I took it down to get the specs,
> I discoved the rubber tread that allows the focus motor to drive
> the lens is dry-rotted, and several wires are showing signs of
> dry rot.
*** Not good.
> Even a really cheap modern camera will outperform this ancient
> device. Five more years and it will be an official antique.
> --
> }:-) Christopher Jahn
*** Donate it to a tech museum then. (-:
Atlantic Illumination Entertainment Lighting
> THis one:
> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/332828-REG/Sony_SSCDC593
> _SSC_DC593_CCTV_Security_Camera.html
> I picked up a 5mm-100mm 1.4 auto-iris lens to go with it.
> Probably more range than I need, but it was equivalent to what
> was up there.
> --
> }:-) Christopher Jahn
*** What was its cost including the upgraded lens?
Christopher Jahn
Lighting) wrote in news:hiprh5$l84$3...@Kil-nws-1.UCIS.Dal.Ca:
> Christopher Jahn wrote:
>> "Duncan Wood" <nntp...@dmx512.co.uk> wrote:
>> > Whiich one did you get in the end?
>
>> THis one:
>> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/332828-REG/Sony_SSCDC593
>> _SSC_DC593_CCTV_Security_Camera.html
>
>> I picked up a 5mm-100mm 1.4 auto-iris lens to go with it.
>> Probably more range than I need, but it was equivalent to what
>> was up there.
>
> *** What was its cost including the upgraded lens?
>
$387 US.
--
}:-) Christopher Jahn
{:-( http://soflatheatre.blogspot.com/
I'm not easy, but I can be tricked.
Atlantic Illumination Entertainment Lighting
> ai...@chebucto.ns.ca (Atlantic Illumination Entertainment
> Lighting) wrote in news:hiprh5$l84$3...@Kil-nws-1.UCIS.Dal.Ca:
> > *** What was its cost including the upgraded lens?
> $387 US.
> --
> }:-) Christopher Jahn
*** Seems very reasonable to me. Given the low cost, I agree that it
would not be worth it to go another route.