Video in the studio

[Michael Jones]

OK. I don't know what the heck I'm talking about, so any of you video-philes, help me out here:

I'd like to have video in the CR of the studio. Something like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...8&category=298
maybe?

Clocking matters aside, what sort of wiring would be required for that?
SVHS?

I don't necessarily want to play DVD's, its not an entertainment center, but I have done some video post production work in the past; most everything I'm given to work with comes from VHS tape, or digital video tape, and is transfered to VHS.

Or am I going down a dead end path here? And there's something completely different I should be looking into. Keep in mind, I'm just pre-wiring... nothing will go in for a while.

[knightfly]

Michael, I did a google on "novabeam model 100 video projector"

and this was one of the links -

http://user.dtcc.edu/~rod/novabeam.html

notta lotta comment on video connections, finally at the bottom he mentioned RCA's - I think this particular unit is too old for SVHS, so if you're planning on that specific one then standard 75 ohm video cable, such as either RG-59 or (better) RG-6 would do.

I also didn't see anything about ceiling mounting and reversed scanning necessary for it -

Another comment, from the same search -

http://www.supercalibrations.com/disc5/0000003f.htm

Oh, and a source of manuals -

http://www.searchmain.com/searching/...nuals.html&o=1

Sounds like you may be able to find a better deal. I'm not up on the absolute latest wiring for things like component video, etc, it's been years since I designed and installed cable and broadcast TV systems. I'd think either you pull "one of everything" or figure out which unit you're gonna get and what it needs.

What I've done in partial preparation for the same function so far, is to buy an insert/assemble edit version of a SVHS deck from JVC, so it will sync to an external video signal, including Black Burst from a Rosendahl Nanosync, which can tie everything in the studio to Video Black Burst, including Word Clock. I need to do more research on current clocking/DV/Firewire before I commit much further, though... Steve

[John Sayers]

I agree with steve about the 75 ohm standard video cable - may be run three lines in case you are required to run separate RGB cables.

cheers
john

[dwillis45]

I'm not sure exactly what you are after, but it sounds like your past projects involved some type of post production soundtrack work. It also sounds like you are envisioning a method for viewing video while composing.

I would approach this through a computer video setup rather than a video projector. More and more video work is being edited in DV format with software like Final Cut Pro. It's fairly easy to transfer DV footage from a DV camera via firewire. And there are ways of transfering SVHS, VHS, etc. to computer with the right kind of interface. Once on the computer, most quality video softare will allow you to insert multiple tracks of audio and even apply effects. Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Express, for example, work well with most sequencing programs and you can import most standard audio files.

You can also approach soundtrack work from the opposite side of the coin using a program like Digital Performer. As I understand it, DP offers a video window that allows you to import digital video and view movie clips as you record or mix audio.

[knightfly]

Yeah, that's kind of the direction I'm looking at - I use Samplitude on the PC, and the newer versions ship with Magix Video Deluxe, kind of an entry level NLE - it allows you to run just the Video SW and have up to 8 audio tracks, or you can sync to Samp and run dozens. One thing I'm considering is just using a multi-head video card like the Matrox Parhelia, and scan converting one of the outputs externally to NTSC for a large monitor... Steve

[jkrummri]

Knightfly just so you know with the Parhelia you can use it as a triple Head or a Two head and one NTSC. They give you the brake out cable. It workes great.

[knightfly]

Thanks, I'd seen that option but forgot - earlier in it's existence, there were some issues with some audio software but apparently newer drivers have solved it, seeing mostly good press lately... Steve

[TexRoadkill]

Originally posted by dwillis45
I would approach this through a computer video setup rather than a video projector.

Almost all of the newer projectors have VGA inputs so you can easily hook them up to a computer.

Michael - Your best bet is going to be an LCD projector. 1200 lumens would be minimum. Over 2000 is pretty good. Get something with a native resolution of at least 800x600 and preferably 1024x768. You could run any type of computer or video signal through it.

You could probably get away with just VGA and SVHS. 3 or 5 BNC's would give component video. SVHS and VGA can get flaky after about 10ft without a distribution amp. Your best bet for a run of 20' or longer is going to be component.

If you want to switch video sources at the projector with a remote you would need to wire up the computer and video decks directly to the projector. If you want to use less wiring then run a 5 line component with RCA/BNC's to the projector. On the comp/deck end you can hook up a BNC to VGA adapter like this http://www.inlineinc.com/products/adapters/9000.htm Then you can hook that up to a computer monitor switcher and hook up all your video sources to that switcher using VGA cables or use some more BNC/RCA/SVHS to VGA adapters http://www.trianglecables.com/1footvgadbma.html.

[frederic]

Thats an older unit, so it will require either a single 75 ohm NTSC signal, or the standard three cable breakout if its a piece of professional level gear, all 75 ohm coax of course.

That unit is big, so anchor it well.

Another option is a smaller, newer unit by Epson, Go Video, and about 20 other vendors which accepts DVI, NTSC, Svideo, analog VGA, etc. Thats what I have for when my studio is completed, for the same reason you want one. Because mine is VGA, I can also project one of the desktops up, load windows media, and push play to "illustrate the point" if there is any video editing going on. For the PC side, I have a simple "car" high brightness LCD thats 16:9 format (7") which I will be sticking above the four 19" VGA monitors I use as my desktop, so I don't have to figure up the projector just for quick viewing. Projector bulbs don't last, unfortunately, even when you take good care of them by leaving the fan on to cool the bulb after you use the projector.

Bulbs are expensive too!

The newer units are tiny too, mine is smaller than a laptop, and about 3" thick, even with all those connections I mentioned above. I can also mount it upside down, right side up, in front of a screen, behind a screen, at an angle to the screen, and I can adjust electronically the projection settings to compensate.

I bought a 6' wide motorized projection screen I intend to mount on the ceiling in front of the vocal booth window, and project behind me. This way, once I'm done most of the editing, I can push play, and swivel my chair around, and watch the end result. I'd rather project forward, but I have this slanted ceiling thing going <G>. I don't do enough post production work that swivelling once in a while is going to kill me. It beats a small NTSC monitor for sure!

[Michael Jones]

Maybe I should clarify some things, and tell you more or less what I'm wanting to do.

As far as capturing video, I'm already doing that. I use a Miro video capture card to capture from VHS to a striped raid drive on the PC using an SVHS port on the Miro. There's also a time code striped to one channel of the VHS (if I'm lucky).
Pinnacle s/w runs all that.
To capture DV, I use a firewire port on the miro.

To score a scene, I sit at the piano, not the mixer, and have like an old drafting table at the side which I use to hold blank staff paper so I can notate the music for the scored scene. I have a TV on a stand with a VCR playing the scene at the back of the piano, and I compose for the scene as I watch it. (A remote control for the VCR aids in this process.)
When I'm happy with it, I play and record the notated music, then import the music file into the captured scene in Nuendo. Sync and edit to flavour. Repeat as necessary. (I don't edit scenes, I edit music.)

Now I have the music sync-ed, frame accurately to the scene.
I can play the scene, with the mixed and edited music on the PC through Nuendo, but having 2, 3 or 4 people crowd around a PC monitor to view the scene isn't very comfortable.

So, what I'd like to do is run Nuendo, a VCR and a Projection Screen of some sort all through a master time clock so that when Nuendo starts, so does the VCR and it plays the scene on a nice large screen. Everyone sits on the couch and chairs in the CR, and.... picks apart my composing! lol.

Clocking functions with Nuendo and the VCR I've got down.

But I know very little about projectors, and their wiring requirements.
Some kind of ... flat screen... LCD... HD... Super High res... Digital... bad-ass mofo to the bone TV is just out of the question. Too expensive! But I don't mind wiring it for the future along with something I can use currently. That's why I offered the somewhat older, and MUCH less expensive projector scenerio.

[jkrummri]

Michael I am using Nuendo and a Matrox Parhelia Video card.
I capture video through fire wire into Vegas 4.0 and burn time code And save as movie file same as you or pretty close.
Then I import Mov into Nuendo, The Parhelia will then output the Full screen Video file to either S-Video or RCA out witch then I send to a old LCD Projector (only 1000 Lumens) it works pretty good but room needs to be dark. The good part is that I can
Also send the Video Feed to my Live room , Vocal Booth , Drum room or any were else . The Video out on the card is good enough to demo scenes. If you have a AV rental service in town call and ask if they Have any of there projectors for sale. I got my projector from a company that rents to a lot of the local Hotels they always have to upgrade there gear . I’m sure you can relate.
Hope this helps.

[jkrummri]

Hay your building why don’t you just flush mount a good rear screen TV a much better picture, cheaper and you can have the light on .Maybe Have your studio logo going just for the cool factor , Make sure there is some movement To avoid burn in .

[TexRoadkill]

There are cheap LCD projectors out there. Here's one http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=48654

It's only 600 lumens though which means the lights have to be pretty dim.

Something like this would be a little better http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...&category=3319