Wireless Video Input

nick

i would be very cautious about using simple radio solutions (iphone to a computer) if it is a show that has a large audience. If you practise in an empty room and get it to work you may get a shock when you try it in a room full of people who also have iphones and other radio devices on.

You wont be able to find out how well it works till the audience have arrived and you are starting the show, and each night will be different.

Lanz

yea your limited by your wifi connection for smoothness on the playback front and it definitely isn't without many variables that could affect the stability and speed of the connection.

At home for me its great for a quick test of an idea without getting a camera and cables out, but yea nick a theatre situation would be suicide without a lot of testing, We know everyone ignores the signs and announcements "turn your phones off during the performance" :)

Skulpture

Its great to know its possible, at least in a home settings with good internet connection.

I still believe that wireless video isn't quite ready yet (unless you have big budgets; microwave/satellite up links, etc.)

Even then we all know that even then things can go wrong!

mark

Well, one other approach is to ignore the bluetooth/WLAN connections entirely and go with a simple composite video transmitter. We did this for a Troika Ranch piece in 1998, using a transmitter from Super Circuits. Take a look at these options.

http://www.supercircuits.com/Wireless-Security/Wireless-Video-Links/

The particular transmitter I used was later "discontinued" because it was, in fact, well over the 100 mW limit for personal broadcasting in the United States. (I still have this bad boy tucked away in a box for the next time I'll need it and want to risk getting arrested!) But the beauty of this kind of system is that it was transmitting in a range **not** interfered with by cellphones, bluetooth, and other crowded spectrums.

On the computer side, you'll need a composite-video-to-USB or composite-video-to-DV converter to bring the resulting signal into Isadora.

Best Wishes,

Mark

stefanino

Hi Mark,

how do you manage the power for the transmitter on the body of performer?

mark

Stefanino,

Batteries. There was a pack of 4 x "AA" cell batteries. Lasted for 30 min or so, if my memory serves me. (The transmitter ate a lot of power!)

We used one like this so it was more "flat" and could more easily be concealed within the costume.

http://www.tandyonline.co.uk/enclosed-4-aa-battery-holder.html

Best Wishes,

Mark

stefanino

simple, great.. and cheap :)))

vjw

I used a Direct TV transmitter with a handmade battery pack and it worked really well. Bought it at Best Buy some years ago. Have also used smaller cameras and transmitters with less good results, as they seem to need line of sight for best communication.

vjw

Hey Mark,

What are the specs on the transmitter you mentioned above? Just curious.

Thanks, Valerie

mark

Dear Valerie,

Well, they don't sell it any longer because it was illegal! It was rated at 500mW, which is five times the legal limit. (Apparently shortly after I bought a couple of these, the FCC came down on them.) But a long time has passed since we did that... maybe some of their more contemporary options are just as good now.

Best Wishes,

Mark