Suggestions for a Video Camera or Source
Category: Unknown · Tags: feedback, vidiot · Posts: 33
#1 — mrmodularus · 2018-09-26
Does anyone have any suggestions for a budget and/or low cost video camera to provide a live video feed( to a vidiot )? Thanks in advance!
#2 — reverselandfill · 2018-09-26
go to a thriftstore and buy a handycam or larger svhs camera . make sure you have (manual) control over light level and focus.
or buy a 2nd hand security camera.
you can be set for 5-10 euro
also, get a tripod!
#3 — mrmodularus · 2018-09-26
great suggestions. thanks!
#4 — mcbrown9 · 2018-09-26
I’ve been wondering if a cheap security camera like this would be a good to use. Does any one have any experiance?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073P1K48T/ref=sxbs_sxwds-stvpv2_2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=6375e697-f226-4dbd-a63a-5ec697811ee1&pd_rd_wg=MCCVR&pf_rd_r=2Q0AEEK36W5Z099BWTF8&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-bottom-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B073P1K48T&pd_rd_w=PDvbG&pf_rd_i=composite%2Bcamera&pd_rd_r=99dcf051-e032-4835-ada9-89d90fc6466d&ie=UTF8&qid=1538001072&sr=2Amazon.com : Vanxse CCTV Mini Spy Pinhole Security Camera Hd 1.8mm 120degree CCD 1000tvl Hidden Mini CCTV Surveillance Camera : Camera & Photo
** $13.99 Link:** Amazon.com : Vanxse CCTV Mini Spy Pinhole Security Camera Hd 1.8mm 120degree CCD...
#5 — reverselandfill · 2018-09-26
I’ve once made a servo X-Y platform using a very small CCD CMOS camera.
The camera worked, but as it was very cheap, it had automatic light level. that sucks, especially for feedback.
that spycamera looks ok. maybe for some weird experimets it is useful. but note that everything is “auto” so it might crap out on feedback.
#6 — sean · 2018-09-27
I haven’t tried that particular cheap camera, but I have tried others. And, in my experience, you get what you pay for there. In other words: if you want rather dodgy-looking, very-wide-angle video, you’ll be quite happy. Otherwise,…
I’ll second the recommendation on old camcorders. I have a bunch, almost all of which cost me between $0-10 each (the only one that cost a little bit more was an older, tube camcorder).
And, while not nearly as convenient to carry around as something like that surveillance camera, they each produce a much nicer image than cheap “security” cameras like that. They also all have pretty impressive optical zoom (and some have amazing macro), which is extremely handy. Plus the ability to record to tape.
As far as procurement, I’ve found Craigslist a more reliable source than thrift stores. But this will likely vary, depending on location. Just posting on social media that you’re looking for such a thing can yield results from friends too. Once people know you’re willing to take what they view as “e-waste,” sometimes the floodgates open. (I realize I should add that it helps if you’re a bit on the older side here; younger people than I maybe don’t have friends with gear from the 90s sitting around.)
#7 — reverselandfill · 2018-09-27
that is my experience too.
and tube camera’s work wonders on feedback loops.
they are large and heavy, but they are are worth the hassle!
#8 — jsonpayload · 2019-02-12
I put together this camera + LZX guide that covers Panasonic CCTV Security Cameras, Sony Handycams, Canon camcorders, and moarrr!
quip.comhttps://quip.com/UxpaAjAXbd2aIntegrating a camera with your LZX gear can be daunting at first. This guide lays out your options and is chalk-full of pros, cons, and gotcha's.
Link: 🎛 + 📷 Camera integration with LZX systems
#9 — reverselandfill · 2019-02-12
you can add the Cadet video input to the LZX hardware list
#10 — wiatrob · 2019-02-12
And the Visionary Sync Generator and Triple Video Interface
#11 — nerdware · 2019-02-13
If you can find them second-hand. This may seem like mere pedantry, but any recomendations for Cadet and Visionary series modules will be conditional. With the Cadet series, the condition is being able to build a module. That’s not a small condition at all! It may seem like a small condition if you can build modules, but most people can’t do that.
With the Visionary series, the condition is having the time and patience to wait for a discontinued module to be sold and you being fast enough to buy it before anyone else.
While these conditions may be true for some of us, they’re obviously not true for everyone. This may be obvious to us, but not so to everyone else. So I think its misleading (to some readers) to not mention an important qualifying condition.
#12 — wiatrob · 2019-02-13
We threadjacked this with suggestions for @jsonpayload’s list…
@nerdware I don’t see this as recommendations, the section in the quip that is being referred to mentions: “…LZX gear with a video input to get video into your system.” for the sake of completeness Cadets and Visionaries would be included (as is the Visionary CTBC).
As far as qualifying conditions go, the TBCII isn’t available either
#13 — nerdware · 2019-02-13
I’m not saying they shouldn’t be included, mentioned or recommended. They certainly should be, but with a qualifier.
#14 — Fritz · 2019-02-13
There are many cctv cameras out there that have gen-lock inputs and rgb and y/c outs. This is a huge advantage as you do not need an input module. If it is synced you can patch in anywhere in the system.
#15 — GaelJaton · 2019-02-14
I some time use this king of fpv cam, big fish eye, for feedback it provide a round shape with expansion on center picture and compression on the egdes. I prefer this one for OSD with manual setup exp/white bal… https://www.cdiscount.com/photo-numerique/camescopes/700tvl-hd-mini-camera-1-3-sony-ccd-effio-e-osd-men/f-1128602-auc6922722172435.html
#16 — jsonpayload · 2019-02-17
i updated the “Getting Video into LZX gear” section on that Quip doc - although i’m not yet 100% it is clear of inaccuracies.
Thanks for the feedback!
#18 — nerdware · 2019-04-05
A small pedantic point: some of us use PAL.
#19 — terminalbuttons · 2019-04-09
I’ve read your guide and I’ve been looking at camcorders and I was looking at a Panasonic HC-V180K in particular and I seen that it appears to have a 3.5mm A/V port. Does that output composite? Would this be compatible with the Vidiot if you hook up an 3.5 to RCA and a RCA to Component cable? I’m completely new to the video side of electronics so I don’t know if there’s a reason this wouldn’t work because your guide said a video mixer or some go between would be necessary to use with the LZX systems.
#20 — sean · 2019-04-10
Vidiot is composite in (not component), so you’ll just need the correct 3.5mm to RCA composite cable. It looks like it sends stereo audio out, so you’ll probably need the 3.5mm side to be TRRS.
#21 — terminalbuttons · 2019-04-10
Awesome, thanks for the reply. And duh on my part about the composite, waiting for the Vidiot to be shipped so I don’t have my hands on it and it had been a bit since I looked over the manual.
#23 — nnate7 · 2019-05-25
I actually just got a couple GoPro 3+, with the mini-usb to composite plug (off Ebay it ended up being about $65 plus shipping each) for my vidiot and other composite friendly toys. I use it going into my BM Intensity and it’s a pretty nice small footprint option.
#24 — cmcavoy · 2019-09-13
A very fancy (and weirdly expensive) DAC was announced today - preorder for $79.99. They say on the site that it has RGB / component out, but I only see a VGA port. I guess there’s adapters? No idea.
https://www.analogue.co/dac/Analogue.
Link: Analogue.
Gold plated connectors!
It is convenient that retro gaming is on the rise…though it’s made it a bit harder to find old TV’s at thrift shops? Or maybe that’s just that the old tv’s are…really old.
#25 — Fallinggirl · 2021-02-21
This sounds interesting. What is a tube camera?
#26 — reverselandfill · 2021-02-21
@Fallinggirl : these are very oldskool cameras that give realy nice results when you do feedback with them.
But they might be hard to find , big and heavy .
more info:
https://hackaday.com/2020/02/27/recording-video-in-the-era-of-crts-the-video-camera-tube/We have all watched videos of concerts and events dating back to the 1950s, but probably never really wondered how this was done. After all, recording moving images on film had been done since the …
Link: Recording Video In The Era Of CRTs: The Video Camera Tube
CCD security cameras also work good, those are much cheaper and small. (so easy to position and rotate)
#27 — Fallinggirl · 2021-02-21
These look incredible! I’m going to search eBay for one. Right now I’m using a backup camera for a car but it’s angle is too wide. Worst case scenario I’ll get a cctv cam. Thanks so much!
#28 — prakodr · 2021-02-21
Professional tube cameras will generally have a genlock/sync input which could simplify things. I’m sure there are a zillion capable cameras but the sony DXC-1820 comes to mind.
You probably don’t want a 3 tube camera - way too much complexity unless you really know what you’re doing.
I believe the Canon VC 30, 40, 50 were good consumer cameras but you’d need to come up with a 10pin to video and power solution
#29 — nerdware · 2021-02-21
Many old CCTV cameras will also have genlock/sync. I think the main advantage of a tube camera will be the imperfections. All the old cameras have those, but perhaps the tube cams have better (more fun) imperfections? I don’t know. I’ve only watched some YouTube videos demonstrating the differences. I’ve never seen one on ebay.
#30 — sean · 2021-02-23
The biggest difference with tube cameras is that they have a light streaking effect:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAb1qpXoXckAs reverselandfill said, this can create interesting results with feedback.
In addition to old professional gear, there are many smaller early consumer camcorders that use tubes instead of CCDs. But as prakodr mentions, they often use connectors/jacks that are non-standard, at least to connect the cameras to the oft-separate recording units. Finding all the correct cables/adapters, power supplies, etc. can be difficult.
Sometimes searching for the tube names (newvicon, vidicon, etc.) yields some good results on Ebay — though also, if people know what tubes are inside, they are more likely to be asking higher prices. At very least, I have found that can be a decent way of discovering which old camcorder models are tube-based.
#31 — Staticlichen · 2021-04-01
Could anyone share a picture of the power cord on their Cp460? Just picked up some 470’s and having trouble knowing how to power them.
Both are 120v/60hz 4.8W. Thanks!
#32 — Fallinggirl · 2021-04-02
I just bought two tube cameras and they are awesome. The velvety texture is heavenly. One even has genlock.
#34 — jsonpayload · 2021-04-03
Which models of tube camera did you get?
#35 — Fallinggirl · 2021-04-03
I bought a Canon VC-30 and a JVC GX-S700U. They are absolutely spectacular and you can pick them up cheap.
#36 — Rik_bS · 2021-04-09
Since we’re gloating, I’ve started unpacking gear that’s been in storage for 5+ years… pretty happy to find stuff I forgot about:
An old Sony HVM-100CE camera, which is a vidicon tube model - have a HVC-200P keyer too!
Just hope they still work when I plug them in