[Tyler Ries]

Yes, this way is a perfect way to get individual monitors for all your sources. The video is not changed in any way by going through the B&W monitor. Just be sure to turn off any termination or 75 ohm switch which might be on the monitors when you use the loop through. In a video signal, the color is modulated onto a subcarrier portion of the video signal which is ignored by the B&W but will remain when it passes through.

[Tyler Ries]

You should be able to use the Log and Transfer function in FCP. It works the same way as Log and Capture, but reads the video files from your media and not a tape deck/capture card. The Log and Transfer should convert the files as you log them.

Also, the station I work for does a similar thing and we found that the Flip HD cameras work pretty well. They have simple use (point and shoot) as well as internal memory, a battery and they are super cheap (compared to other HD consumer cameras). Just a though …

[Tyler Ries]

I grew up in Chicago, but went to study Television in New York. A few of my friends stayed in Chicago and attended Columbia and Northwestern. I would say that if you are looking for a hands on experience, Columbia College will get you started right away (that’s why it was my second choice school). The Northwestern program is more of a general education with a lot of theory before the practice.

Having just graduated, my recommendation would be to look for a school that will teach the theory along with hands on practice. Being able to start using the schools gear right away will let you use that theory an understand it better. If you go on a tour of th school or meet with someone from the department, ask those questions and make sure you are getting what you want. I can tell you that being in school is mostly not about classes, but a resource to support you while you are learning. Work on as many out-of-class projects as you can, because that I where you really learn things. I know that there are a larger number of filmmakers shooting all year at Columbia, so volunteer to grip or assist on as many as you can, when you are a senior, you too will appreciate the help. Also,
an internship is so important because it is real experience, jobs love to see that you have experience and people who trust you. I’m sure that wherever you go, if you are very serious about working in the industry, you will need to work hard on your own time to gain experience and become more desireable than the next guy.

[Tyler Ries]

I agree with Bob, double check the AJA output settings for the component video. Some monitors can handle RGB and Component on the same input. If the output signal is RGB, the monitor might see it, but the 1800 won’t. Be sure the output is on Betacam Component.

[Tyler Ries]

Bob,

Thanks for the info on where to find the control adapter. Any idea if i will also push the time-code information, or is it just simple controls? Either way, this looks like the solution. Thanks!

Also, I looked into the 1500A and recommended they buy that one, but the higher-ups saw the lower price on the smaller model. I keep pushing that, in a professional world, you got to pay to play. Oh well …

[Tyler Ries]

I have done this before and is very common in live theater. You can get all the things you need at radio shack. For the camera, a cheap security camera (it can even be B&W) or even your home video camera will do the trick. Then some quality coax and cheap video amplifier and splitter (I know Radio Shack used to make a consumer model). Keep it all anaglog to avoid delay and be careful with wireless that could cut out or have bad reception.

Another tip, I used to project the image on the back wall of the theater so the actors could keep their gaze at the audience.

[Tyler Ries]

Looking at it that way, another option looks like a form of MPEG/H.264 encoding. The quality might not be as consistent and will vary with the available bandwidth of the network. One company I know of that provides the equipment for it is Streambox (https://www.streambox.com). I know you said you tried Skype, and this is very similar except they use a broadcast quality compression. With this option, their might not be as much room for an IFB type use, but the cell phone thing is a simple way using a hybrid system on the truck end and someone with unlimited minutes. You can even use a blue-tooth as an earpiece.

Basically you need two units, an encoder and decoder. The big issue is your schools network. As long as you remain behind the firewall, you should do alright, but you never know. Your IT department might have bandwidth limits or even cut you off mid-stream if you are clogging the network. If you can get their approval, you will save yourself a lot of headache later on.

I am sure that there are other companies that make streaming boxes and have video-over-ip solutions. Some google research will lead you to more!

[Tyler Ries]

If you don’t already have the equipment to do this, you will most likely be looking at quite an investment. Make a good list of all the information you have, from where to where, what you need to transmit, and find out what you really have access to.

If it is over the college data network, you really need a dedicated line of single mode fiber (and a second for backup). That line needs to be yours and cannot also be used for their data transmission. Also, you will need to know the length of the fiber run. Not just distance from building to building, but the actual length of the fiber, which can vary greatly. See if the IT people have a fiber tester, usually those can give you a length readout. The length information is important for when you go to purchase the transmitter, because a longer line means a more expensive unit.

Also, get a good idea of what you need to send. Digital or analog? Once again, the more you need, the more you will spend. HD-SDI transmission can be small and simple (a Telecast Rattler is real simple to setup and use), but adding audio will complicate it somewhat. The audio can be embedded in the SDI signal, but you need to de-embed on the other end before the input to the mixer. Analog transmission options exist, with bi-directional audio and video, but expect to spend more to get it all in one box.

My thought would be to speak with someone who can take all your needs and technical requirements and find you the best option. Try talking to someone at a rental house and then renting it to see if it is something you really want to invest in.

[Tyler Ries]

You know that DVD’s do not have the same quality as a majority of the professional formats available, or you would not be asking the question. Sure, DVD is not the best quality, but if that’s all you have to work with then it will have to do. Some DVD’s are better than others, a professionally made disc with proper compression will look better than something made with a home DVD recorder, so you best bet is to choose your sources carefully.

If you want a program to copy the contents of a DVD onto you computer to be used as editing material, this is a favorite of mine. Squared 5 makes a great freeware program called MPEG Streamclip (https://www.squared5.com/). This program works just like the capture window in FCP, with the ability to set in/out points. The program uses any of the codecs you already have installed in your system (which should give you plenty of good options if you do have FCP installed). Once these files are created, they can be imported and used normally. The compression codec that you use is important, I have seen a noticeable difference between exporting in DV50, ProRes and 8-Bit Uncompressed, all from the same source DVD. Do some tests to find the codec that works best.

[Tyler Ries]

I agree with Bob, a rental might be the best way to do this. You wont have to worry if they change the delivery format or the cost associated with keeping a 15 year old tape deck operating properly. Just rent the tape deck for a short time only when you need to deliver the show and save yourself the hassle and money owning a dying piece of equipment.