2 camera shoot with 3 monitors

[John Fishback]

If the hvx2oo has a viewfinder output connector you could send that to each 80 and a composite video feed from each hvx to the 1700. The 1700 has 2 composite inputs so your producer could switch between the 2 cameras. The 80 can inout either component or composite video, but I don’t believe it has video thru connectors so you couldn’t send the video on to the 1700.

Alternately, you could rent 2 VDAs and feed each from the hvx. The ouput of the VDAs could then feed both monitors.

John

MacPro 8-core 2.8GHz 8 GB RAM OS 10.5.4 QT7.5 Kona 3 Dual Cinema 23 ATI Radeon HD 3870
ATTO ExpressSAS R380 RAID Adapter, PDE Enclosure with 8-drive 6TB RAID
24″ TV-Logic Monitor
Final Cut Studio 2 (up to date)

Pro Tools HD w SYNC IO, Yamaha DM1000, Millennia Media HV-3C, Neumann U87, Schoeps Mk41 mics, Genelec Monitors, PrimaLT ISDN

[Michael Capehart]

The HVX200 has a component out that overrides all other connections when attached. It will only let you use the component. Or the composite or S video which only give you SD output. The 1700 only has one component in and out. So I can only hook up one camera to the 1700. I really want to figure this out. Is there an in out switch type of box that would help?

[Michael Capehart]

Clarification on VDA please. I don’t know what that is.

[John Fishback]

A VDA is a video distribution amplifier. It takes one input and has multiple outputs. You’d need two, one for each camera. Then you’d need a passive component switcher with at least 2 inputs. You plug the output of each vda into this switcher (and one output from eac vda goes to the 80s). The switcher will have one component out you feed to the 1700. The producer would hit the A or B switch (on the switcher)to see one camera or the other. If you have a rental house in your area they could put this together for you. If it’s something you’ll do a lot, then you could invest in the gear.

John

MacPro 8-core 2.8GHz 8 GB RAM OS 10.5.4 QT7.5 Kona 3 Dual Cinema 23 ATI Radeon HD 3870
ATTO ExpressSAS R380 RAID Adapter, PDE Enclosure with 8-drive 6TB RAID
24″ TV-Logic Monitor
Final Cut Studio 2 (up to date)

Pro Tools HD w SYNC IO, Yamaha DM1000, Millennia Media HV-3C, Neumann U87, Schoeps Mk41 mics, Genelec Monitors, PrimaLT ISDN

[Michael Capehart]

Thanks this is the tech help that I was needing. The 1700 only has 1 component in and out. How to address getting both component signals into the 1700 via the VDA. Component out the VDA to SDI, Composite, Svideo? stumped on that one. I need two inputs into the 1700. Which by the way I thought was capable of handling when I bought it. Any last suggestion? You have been great with your advise.

[Matthew Romanis]

The HVX only has component, Y/C video, and composite as out put options. The 1700 has multiple inputs but only the SD/HDSDI is a dual source input with individual switching available. Since the HVX does not offer SDI/HDSDI as an option, this won’t help you.
You need a source switcher, multiple inputs and one output.
If the input sources are not genlocked, then when you switch there will be a 1-2 second delay as the internal sync in the monitor cycles to catch the new sync pulse form each source. To avoid this you will need a source switcher with internal sync of it’s own.
Some computer suppliers have an RGB source switcher available which can accomplish this, you will need to to alter the D9 plugs though to RCA or BNC.
Another option is a cheap quad source switcher from a security CCTV supplier. This will allow you to use either the composite or S-Video (Y/C video) output from the HVX to route to to the 1700 screen. The advantage form this is that in Quad mode you will see both sources at the same time on screen (screen will have 4 partitions of which two will be your cameras) or you can use the quad switch between sources full screen. Be careful though as some of the cheap models look a bit “ropey”, decent money spent on this (read $200-$400) is a good investment if you are doing multiple camera work often.
Check these out.
<https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/246202-REG/AV_Toolbox_AVT_8120_ATV_8120_Quad_Splitter_with.html>
<https://www.gaotek.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=116_92_78&products_id=232>

[John Fishback]

Here’s a crude diagram of the setup. Each of 2 VDAs takes the component out of one camera and turns it into two component signals. One goes to each small 80. The other component out goes to a component switcher. It has multiple inputs with switches for each. When you push a switch it outputs that input. You feed this component output to the component input of the 1700. The producer selects which camera to view by pressing one of the 2 swwitches.

A VDA is designed for one only type of signal – composite, component, etc. You mention SDI. The 1700 has 2 SDI inputs with switches on the front. However, the hvx doesn’t have SDI outs. If you wanted to use SDI, you’d have to use a component to SDI converter. This would work if the 80 is the model that has a SDI input. Some SDI converters may have 2 or more outputs. Then you don’t need the VDAs. If you’re renting the camera, you might want to use the 170 which has SDI out. Then you’d just need 2 SDI VDAs.

I suggest you find a video engineer in your area to help with this if you don’t feel confident. He’d also be able to balance the cameras so they look alike, handle off-loaqding P2 cards, etc. Good luck.

John

MacPro 8-core 2.8GHz 8 GB RAM OS 10.5.4 QT7.5 Kona 3 Dual Cinema 23 ATI Radeon HD 3870
ATTO ExpressSAS R380 RAID Adapter, PDE Enclosure with 8-drive 6TB RAID
24″ TV-Logic Monitor
Final Cut Studio 2 (up to date)

Pro Tools HD w SYNC IO, Yamaha DM1000, Millennia Media HV-3C, Neumann U87, Schoeps Mk41 mics, Genelec Monitors, PrimaLT ISDN

[Michael Capehart]

I have ordered the component in and out boxes that you have diagramed. Thanks so much for all your help. Sometimes you just need someone not involved with the set up to see it most clearly. Thanks again for all your help.