Aaron King

Thanks, Jarrett. I figured that would be the case with their current model. If that's the scenario with their previous model, I might be better off getting ahold of a G-Zoom since those are more widespread.

I am wanting to see who out there owns and rents a Preston Gimbal Micro Force. I might have a need for one coming up. I have an MDR2, so I'm not sure if they are compatible, or if there is an older model that exists. Thanks for any input.

Is there any performance difference in power when a Gen2 Battery Stage is used with the CineLive Electronics than when using either the current Gen3 or 4?

I sent you a message.

I have a set of 8 Power Cubes that I just recently retired early this year. PM me and we can talk more.

I have a shoot with the Varicam 35 coming up in about a week. I've not had a good chance to mess with one yet and also haven't been able to find my answers through other searches. I am wanting to know what kind of Run/Stop input it has, as well as the Power Input to run off my sled. I figure the power is a 4 Pin XLR, but i just want to make certain. Thanks for any input.

I am looking for a Preston Cinetape Cable. If any of you that have fully switched over to the MDR3/HU3 have the old Cinetape cable laying around and interested to sell it, please let me know. Thanks.

This happened to me once as well. Try tightening down the flat head screw on the latch. That did the trick for me and has not happened again since. I do occasionally check the screw from time to time just as a safety measure. I hope this helps you out.

Getting ready to do my first Amira shoot tomorrow and can't seem to find anything that confirms the Run/Stop on the camera. I have an MDR2, so will my Alexa Run/Stop cable that I currently have work with the Amira, or did they change the plug? Thank you.

Gregor, reworking the shoulder placement and body posture really makes a difference. Since creating this post with the feedback, and getting personal advice from Chris Fawcett and Jerry Hollaway, the Exovest has been fitting me much better. It really is a learning curve that takes time to fine tune for yourself. I still find myself doing simple adjustments from time to time just to try things out, but it is far more comfortable now than before. If you are still having issues, contact Chris. He was very helpful over the phone and with email.

Thanks for the input. Sanjay, I noticed very quickly that the thread settings needed to change at the socket block, but after reading your suggestion I decided to do it a bit more and it made a nice difference. As for the shoulders, I've had my straps all the way it, but I worked with spreading them out over my shoulders and that has proven more comfortable than where they had been previously. Mix that and talking with Chris Fawcett and discussing body posture I am starting to find a much better feel and fit. Thanks for the advice. If anyone else has good advice from using the vest, please feel free to share more.

I have had my Exovest for about three weeks and just started week two on my first show with it. For the most part I like it, but I am having an issue with the spars and shoulders leaning to my left when under load. This is causing a level of discomfort as one side is digging into my shoulder, the other my neck and also the mis-alignment with my spine. I have been talking with Chris Fawcett and he has been corresponding with me on the fit. My question is for all other Exovest users and if you had issues with this at first and also any other helpful fitting techniques to try as you find the perfect fit. Thanks.

Mike, I called on Saturday when I was trying to troubleshoot the issue, but wasn't able to get in touch with anyone at that time. It was a busy schedule and I didn't have a lot of time to try calling again. Luckily the show always has a spare Starlink system, so I used that the rest of the weekend. Now that I'm home I am going to get in touch today and see about sending it in.

My Teradek Bolt 300 Rx has quit excepting a signal. It was working fine earlier today, but then it dropped out. I switched my power cables and everything started to work fine again. About an hour ago it dropped out again. The Tx is sending a signal, but there is no response on the Rx end, not even any lights. The only thing happening is the Blue LED light at the power switch is blinking. Any thoughts what the cause is? I still have one more day on this job and tonight I will attempt to reinstall the firmware and see if that works. I've called Teradek, but there is no response yet since they are closed for the weekend. Thanks for any advice.

Has anyone used the new line of IDX Duo or Cue batteries? Specifically the 95 & 150. I know the Cue 150 has not released yet, but it is the same internally as the Duo, just minus the extra Dtap and USB. I am setup with V-mounts, and my current set of batteries are getting long in the tooth. So if anyone has used them on set either as an onboard battery, or those of you with V-Mounts on your sled and have worked with a set, I would like to here how they did. Thanks.

For those of you who own the Exovest, what was the wait time when you placed the order? Curious to know as I am heavily considering one myself very soon.

When doing the firmware update on the Decimator 2, there are two options for either 32 or 64 Bit. Does it matter which one you choose? Once you make the choice and have the Decimator plugged into the PC, will it update the Downconvertor or do I need to perform a click and drag? I know these might be remedial questions for some, but I'm not always the best with computers. Sorry.

I attempted to do the firmware update with my Decimator 2 today, but wasn't successful. What exactly is it that I need to do to update it properly to convert the PsF through the HDMI output to the HDMI input? I just received my Gen2 and immediately left to do a job for a few weeks that unfortunately is shooting on F55. I really want to use my new monitor on this job if I can, considering I feel I paid good money for it. I have the weekend to figure this out if I can. What about the cross convertors? Is there anything special you need to setup on those, or do they convert the signal right out of the box?

Honda Element. It's what I drive, and you would be amazed by the space when you completely remove the back seats. I know several people in production around my area that drive them as well.

I had that issue when I first got my Archer 2 three years ago. I just tightened the screw and haven't had a problem with it since. Does yours keep working itself loose? I don't know any reason why Lock-Tite wouldn't solve your problem, or at least give peace of mind for the future. I would use the purple kind as I think it's not as strong. That way if you ever need to rework the screw, you can.

The work hours really depend on what type of production your on, and the budget level. Like Lawrence said, most union shoots for film and television you can expect to be on set somewhere between 12-14 hours. They do go over from time to time, and some shows seem to make a bad habit of notoriously going over far too often. Most of my work usually ends up being music videos, and those hours can sometimes be ludicrous. The directors have these huge visions of grandeur, the budgets keep getting lower, and you only have the artist for one day. Very early you realize that you aren't going to be home in time for dinner. I guess producers find that it's cheaper to just pay the crew the overtime than to pay for two days rental on all the gear. My longest day on the clock was 23 hours, but most of that was the result of extreme weather delays. Luckily, the last few jobs I did at the end of 2013, the Producers were very tight on the Directing team to wrap up on time and I was usually packed up and leaving between 12-13 hours, and that was with lunch in the schedule. Like I said, the hours vary from job to job, but 12 is always a good staring point for how long you will be there.

I had the same situation as Adam did. Shortly after Teradek made the announcement about the upgrade I sent out for the shipping info. I sent my Bolt to them during a time that I didn't have anything on my calendar. Well, just my luck, three days after sending it off I got a call for a job out of town the next day. I called up a couple resources for other transmitters but none were available, so I called up Teradek. They told me mine was at the shop and that there were several others ahead of mine. I told them my situation and asked if it was possible to push mine to the front of the line and said I would pay for the rushed over night shipping. They came through for me without any problems and better yet they went ahead and payed for the rush delivery and it arrived at my hotel 30 minutes before call time. I couldn't have asked for anything better, and the Bolt works really well. Great product at a great price with great customer service. A++

Not sure if you meant to end your message early, but I understand what you are saying. I know it has everything to do with who you know already involved in the production, which is how I get most jobs I do. I just figured one of these would be a good resource in finding out about more productions than what I know of on my own.

Does anyone utilize either publications of Production Weekly or Below the Line? I am wanting to start using one of these sites to learn about, and apply to, upcoming productions. I like that Below the Line has a discount with Local 600, and other Unions, but is its service any better or worse than Production Weekly. Any insight on the two would be much appreciated.

Is this issue of "too hot" batteries only occuring when using the D-Tap? What about powering the Bolt directly from the cameras, or sleds, 12v ports? Those should be regulated and not give this issue of high voltage causing the TX to switch to internal power, right? I have only used the Bolt now a couple of times using the D-Tap and haven't experienced this issue yet, but that's not to say it won't happen on the next job. Over the years, even as an AC, I got myself into a habit of always turning every device off that had a switch, regardless of being powered from one source. I've gotten myself even more strict with that since doing Steadicam, and it being my personal equipment, but that's just me. Charles made a good point about the internal battery that I haven't thought about yet either: How many cycles does the battery have, and how do we go about replacing it when needed? I have been pleased with the Bolts performance so far, but this is definitely something to keep an eye on.