IDX HD Transmitter Demo at Panavision

[Dominick Aiello]

Hello All

 

Charles asked me to let everyone know when IDX was coming over to show off their new HD Transmitter.

 

Well, I just got word that they will be here (Panavision Woodland Hills) on Tuesday, May 27th at about noon. If anyone from the forum would like to come and see the transmitter, you are more than welcome.

 

The unit that IDX is showing can only transmit 59.94i and the multi-format version should be released sometime in July. The IDX press release on the product is attached.

 

Hope to see all of you here!

 

Dominick

nab_08_cam_wave_hd_release.pdf

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

Well, I just got word that they will be here (Panavision Woodland Hills) on Tuesday, May 27th at about noon. If anyone from the forum would like to come and see the transmitter, you are more than welcome.

 

 

Damn!

 

I won't be back from the Lime Rock World Challenge Race until laster tuesday night.

 

Have fun and let me know what they say.

[Charles Papert]

Great Dominick, looking forward to seeing it in action. Will you guys be putting it through a scope so we can compare the wireless vs wired signal and see just how "paintable" it is?

[Dominick Aiello]

I will make sure there is a waveform there to compare wireless to hard-wired.

[Charles Papert]

Dominick, we had talked about having a unit on a rig or at least handheld so that we can see what a traveling signal looks like--anything like that lined up? Should we see if someone wants to bring their rig in?

[Rob Vuona SOC]

Dominick, we had talked about having a unit on a rig or at least handheld so that we can see what a traveling signal looks like--anything like that lined up? Should we see if someone wants to bring their rig in?

 

 

Hey Charles,

 

How are things . . . .? If I know you they are great!

 

I'm not sure if I can get there or not, but I am interested in this unit or more specifically the HD/SDI unit and was wondering If you can take some great picts and give the system a once over . . . .it may be something I could use in my applications, since you have seen my rig and how I work.

 

Thanks

 

let me know

 

You Da man!

[Charles Papert]

Hey Rob:

 

All good here.

 

I think it may well be something that would work for you live guys, that's really what it's designed for I think. Another system coming out soon is the Boxx which was mentioned in another thread, that will be pricier but more flexible format-wise and they have a massive looking antenna receiver array for it, might have more range/reliability.

 

I'll bet that Erwin will be the man to post pix from tomorrow...!

 

p.s. if Hayley comes back to DOND, make sure to say hi for me, we had fun on the cheerleading movie. She calls me "Paper-T". Ask her to tell you about the time her hair got caught on velcro on my camera!

[Rob Vuona SOC]

Hey Rob:

 

All good here.

 

I think it may well be something that would work for you live guys, that's really what it's designed for I think. Another system coming out soon is the Boxx which was mentioned in another thread, that will be pricier but more flexible format-wise and they have a massive looking antenna receiver array for it, might have more range/reliability.

 

I'll bet that Erwin will be the man to post pix from tomorrow...!

 

p.s. if Hayley comes back to DOND, make sure to say hi for me, we had fun on the cheerleading movie. She calls me "Paper-T". Ask her to tell you about the time her hair got caught on velcro on my camera!

LOL . . .Crazy Hayley I will ask her, did you tell her you were over at DOND hangin out with me?

[Koen Wattez]

Does the sytem only acept HD SDI and SDI ?

Or does he also works with an composite signal from a Digibeta ?

 

If so it looks very interesting, but I can't find it back in the documentation.

 

Thanks

 

 

Koen

[Erwin Landau]

So far HD-SDI only...

 

That was the problem so far, there are tons of RF/UHF/VHF transmitters...

 

 

They make an analog Wevi but again so far had 5 frames delay, check there website, they might have upgraded that one as well.

 

 

Later,

 

 

Erwin

[Charles Papert]

We had a good session yesterday (thanks again Dominick for inviting the horde of Steadi-lads). The unit held up well to scrutiny; a perfect image for what is probably the "expected" range for a Steadicam receiver. We walked about as far away through hallways as you would expect a Modulus to still deliver a viewable image before we lost transmission. The difference is that the Modulus would have started breaking up at least halfway through and eventually turned into snow, while the Camwave provides a rock-steady image, then starts to sparkle, then cuts out completely. A downside is that once you hit that point, it takes 20 seconds for the system to re-link again. The solution is obvious--have someone carry the receiver (easier than the sharkfin/receiver/battery combo we are used to with a UHF transmitter as with this, the antenna is built-in) around with you. If that becomes physically impossible because of the demands of the shot, chances are no transmitter would be useable anyway so it would have to be recorded and played back after the fact. But again--the image is indistinguishable from hard-wired (possibly with some extra noise, but luma and chroma remain untouched) and latency is all but undetectable.

 

The unit operates between 5.18GHZ and 5.86GHZ, so there is always the possibility of interference from something on set like a cordless phone, but most film-related gear like Prestons etc are in the 2.8GHZ range. A variety of devices were waved around near the unit from cel phones to garage door openers (!) but the signal held. There's always the possibility of a particular location throwing a wrench in the works with wireless however. There is no diversity receiver planned however one can use multiple receivers with the caveat that the digital encryption has to be switched off. However for those using handheld monitors with standard batteries on the back, this will be a plug-and-play operation to make a director's monitor (again, with perfect picture) so it may well be worth it. Given what we saw in terms of range, it would seem somewhat unlikely to be a security issue but that is dependent on the production.

 

The unit only delivers HD-SDI and SD-SDI, so it won't be ideal for film work. An outboard converter from SD composite to SD-SDI (and another one on the receiver that goes the other direction), but that will add to the bulk and weight on either end. Blackmagic just introduced a series of low-cost 12v converters that would get you working in SD for under $1000 more.

 

The 24p compatible version is on its way and the product seems well on track for the promised July delivery date.

 

According to Tony from IDX, some of the concerns of the original unit regarding moisture in the body affecting transmission have been eradicated. The system has been tested and spec'd for an appropriate range but not yet for extreme humidity. It appears that it will work just fine at the base of the sled, where it could be mounted inline with one of the batteries (avoiding a power cable) if you have SDI cable running through your post, of course. Although it is distributed through IDX and initial models have all been shown with V-mount, we were told yesterday that integrated Anton Bauer mounts will be available for an additional charge. The unit is self-contained (no rubber duckies) so the profile of most cameras or rigs will not be affected much by its inclusion.

 

Overall this is very promising for those wishing to cut the cord on HD jobs (i.e. all of us). It will be interesting to see what other similar products emerge along the same lines as well.

 

did I miss anything? Didn't notice who was taking pictures, but there are various online at various reseller's sites.

 

(p.s. yes Rob, I did mention you to Hayley!)

[Rob Vuona SOC]

Damm Charles,

 

Nice breakdown, sorry I missed out yesterday . . . .just so I'm clear this unit is only for a directors monitor or producer feed, not for actually recording of the image correct ?

 

It's not in the same league as say the LINK system ?

 

Thanks again for the break down . . .

 

PS: You'll have to come by some of the other shows I'm doing and meet more pretty girls . . .LOL . . .

[Charles Papert]

For live TV, I can't see why it wouldn't work...?

[Dan Coplan]

The only thing I think you missed is the cost. How much?

 

Given the variety of transmitters out there (Canatrans, Modulus, Titan, etc.) where, in your opinion, does this fall on the list of "most desirable"?

 

Dan

[Charles Papert]

$6K list price (B&H showing pre-order listing at $5499).

 

It's apples to oranges to compare the Camwave to those RF tx Dan--different applications and different result. Bigger, heavier and more expensive, but delivers clean uncompressed HD. I will probably continue to use my Modulus for film jobs and this for HD jobs where I'd be otherwise asked to carry a cable.