After a few years, I thought it was time to retire some of my old Sony NPF-970 batteries. You start to notice that they won't hold a charge as long, and taking them out in the field was always questionable. After shopping around, I stumbled on to the SWIT S-8972 Batteries. The only Sony NPF style battery I know with a built in meter! I can't tell you how something so simple could really make life a whole lot easier.
Ok, so the battery meter is huge in my book, but there's more to the SWIT S-8972. It also offers a DC output allowing you to simultaneously power another device. Do you even know how many video devices there are that could benefit from this? Maybe you've got a monitor that runs on Canon LP-E6, but now you can optionally power it with the SWIT. An LED light? Audio recorder? Or how about taking a Sony Dummy battery and using the SWIT as your power source to power your Sony A7sII A7RII (or compatible sony camera).
In any case, you could buy cheaper batteries and i'm sure they will last a good while. But for a few more bucks, I find the built in Battery Meter and 7.4V DC Output is worth the extra cost. You can find the SWIT S-8972 product page (here).
If you're shooting with a micro four thirds camera, the Panasonic 12-35mm F/2.8 is in my opinion a must have lens for run-gun with your camera. It's also a very popular choice to use when flying your camera on a drone, or with the smaller handheld gimbals.
It's (equiv 24-70mm) focal range offers decent wide to medium zoom with a constant F/2.8 aperture and offers decent image stabilization. Not the most cinematic lens, but if you had to travel with just one lens for your M43 camera this is it. Right now this lens is discounted an additional $300 OFF, which is the cheapest i've ever seen it. A must have lens in the bag, don't pass up this deal as they state limited QTY at this price.
Here's a walk-through on my BlackMagic Design 4K ATEM setup used for live streaming out to the Internet while switching between several different cameras. It's certainly not elegant and i'm open to ideas on how other people have their setup, but what I have so far seems to work pretty well. Once everything is in place, we don't have a single hiccup.
First, let me state the the large 2U tray with Yamaha Mixer has been replaced with a simple Nady 1U XLR Mixer. So this cut down size and weight when i'm traveling with the 4U Rack Case I have everything mounted in and it looks a lot cleaner.
The reason i'm using a mixer is so that I can input several microphones, control microphones independently (with hardware controller), and feed the signal to both Left/Right. There are two XLR inputs behind the ATEM, but if you were to use the XLR inputs directly the audio would just be on one side (left or right) unless you used some special splitter. But again that would limit the amount of mics you can input and still wouldn't have the physical hardware to adjust gain.
We're not using the OSEE LCM156 Monitor in it's Flight Case, because it's just so handy to travel with and just the right size to see multicamera feeds. The professional monitor can also see just about every frame rate and we can use either HDMI or SDI inputs. We often had trouble using computer monitors or cheap televisions.
When your Program Feed (the final video output your audience sees) is streaming to YouTube, it will be compressed and sometimes only at 720p. For this reason we are recording the same Program Feed to an Atomos Shogun (you can use an Atomos Assasin too) locally in case we want to upload the better quality version later. Now because we're only capturing 1080, you could use a BlackMagic Design Video Assist Monitor but that records to SDXC Cards. I think I'd rather have my recordings on SSD.
To send the feed over to Wirecast, we have a BlackMagic Design Intensity Extreme (now discontinued). This takes an HDMI input and sends the video to your computer over Thunderbolt. A replacement for this device would be one of their UltraStudio Express devices but the cheaper ones will lack the HDMI pass through. Still it would work to send the feed to your computer for Wirecast streaming to YouTube (or other services).
I specifically chose the GH4 cameras because I wanted to work at least three cameras. The GH4 is also small and inexpensive compared to something like a Sony A7s. The batteries also last all day compared to other Canon or Sony cameras. The GH4 can record 4K internally to the SD Card while still outputting 1080p (and at any framerate) over HDMI. This means we can have an additional backup recording in each camera. The BMD ATEM also needs each camera to have the exact same framerate and resolution, so it's important that every camera can output the same. I really can't think of a more idea camera unless you go with a dedicated camcorder of some type.
Now I don't know if it's just me, the cameras, or the HDMI cables, but the 4K ATEM is pretty finicky when using HDMI inputs. So instead i'm converting all HDMI signals to SDI using an Atomos H2S which seems to never drop out on the ATEM, and i'm able to do super long runs over 100 feet. Sometimes we'll use send video wirelessly, but that could bring a new set of worries like battery power for your Wireless Transmitter, Interfererence, etc. When possible we'd rather run long cables.
There are much simpler solutions out there (and cheaper). One system i've been keeping my eye on is the Cerevo LiveWedge. This looks fantastically simple to use and should be great for a majority of Multi-Cam Live Streamering projects, but it does have it's limits when compared the ATEM for example HDMI inputs only. This may or may not limit the distance you can position a camera. But it does have a built in scaler which means you can use mixed framerates and won't have the same issues as the 4K ATEM.
Anyways, this is the setup i've managed to cobble together with the BlackMagic Design 4K ATEM when live switching Multi-cameras during a Live Internet Stream. Again, it's certainly not elegant and there may be better configurations out there. If you've got questions or comments, let me know.
This video was shared in the comments, but I wanted to post it up here as I think this is a great option too for the same price as the LiveWedge.
I recently had the chance to play with a BlackMagic Design Micro Cinema Camera over at the WPPI show about a week ago. The dynamic range looked better than from the Pocket Cinema Camera, but the addition of 60fps and now powered by Canon LP-E6 batteries is what really sold me. You'll definitely need some type of screen to work with it, but I already own the BlackMagic Design Video Assist (BMVA). Here's a couple of images showing the serial cable connections you can use to control this camera remotely (i.e. Drone use) and also the Camera settings available from the Menu of the new BMMCC.
I'm one of those guys who pre-ordered a BlackMagic Design Micro Cinema Camera the moment they were announced at NAB. But after almost a year of waiting, my pre-order still hasn't confirmed to ship. But here's really good news. If you want your Micro Cinema Camera ASAP, I just got confirmation that the DVEStore may have at least a few dozen available today by Tuesday [03.24.16]. They confirmed that they have already set aside for me to ship as soon as it arrives at their warehouse (overnight shipping!). I expect by Wednesday afternoon at the latest.
So if I you're looking to get one ASAP, i'd place your order at DVEStore (here), and then maybe cancel your previous. Their website may still say 'pre-order' but they confirmed their shipment should arrive on Tuesday. I expect these will go fast, and it would suck to have to wait even longer. Hurry and good luck!
I'm not sure how many people work with Open Frames (a.k.a Scrim Jim Frames, Cine Frames, 4x4 Frames, etc.), but it's a handy bit of kit when you need to setup diffusion, a bounce, flag a light, or to hold a gel away from hot light(s). There's a million creative things you can do with these open frames, but many portable kits are going to run you hundreds of dollars.
Now obviously you're reading this because you don't want to spend a ton of money. So here's a simple idea you can use to build some simple frames (without tools) and can be found at your local hardware store. Just look for the aisle that carries Aluminum Window Screen or Aluminum Door Screen Kits.
You can get them in practically any size and some very large sizes. The channels are aluminum which can easily be cut down for custom sizes with a basic hacksaw. These kits are perfect as they use special 'corner adapters' that are designed to fit tightly into specially formed aluminum channels.
These ready made custom corner adapters make them ideal for use as a kit with quick assembly and disassembly of an open frame. I believe you can find 4x4 kits for under $15 bucks and not only do they work great, but they are super lightweight, and I think they look a bit more professional than pvc or wood. The flat tubing makes them easy to clamp to with little binder clips, C47s, etc.
Currently the Rokinon XEEN Cinema Prime Lenses are available in 24mm, 50mm, and 85mm. Just recently they have announced a new 14mm and 35mm expanding this set of most affordable Cinema Prime lenses on the market. We were able to get some hands on time at the WPPI show in Las Vegas.
This might seem unconventional, but it will all make sense once you understand how this works. With so many laws from different countries about participating in Contests, Sweepstakes, and Random Drawing Giveaways, we had to get a little more creative to be able to give back to our followers. Technically speaking, we are not holding a contest or random drawing sweepstake. There is no judging involved or submissions to participate. We're simply asking you to buy something - for FREE.
Here's a little video about our next FREE product offering for 5 FREE Lav Mics from AspenMics.
By providing information to such coupons publicly, everyone in any country and any age is able to participate. All you need to do is be on time, and be the first. And so that we give enough time for our followers to prepare, we're making sure we announce such offerings ahead of time.
So how do you get a FREE AspenMics Lav? Well, we want to make sure these special offerings are available to the people that support us, so these 5 Unique Coupon Codes will be posted under our Exclusive Deals Area. Make sure to subscribe so that you can be informed about more of these offerings provided directly from our supporting businesses.
This might seem unconventional, but it will all make sense once you understand how this works. With so many laws from different countries about participating in Contests, Sweepstakes, and Random Drawing Giveaways, we had to get a little more creative to be able to give back to our followers. Technically speaking, we are not holding a contest or random drawing sweepstake. There is no judging involved or submissions to participate. We're simply asking you to buy something - for FREE.
[When this timer expires 5 Coupon Codes will be Revealed]
COUPON CODES: BQDPI2QB1LSJ, 5ZTP08TCHWN9, D7Z6JO84GA56, IZ3B9IXPC4EJ, 2M9P8LE58U4W
Some people were unhappy about not being able to grab a code, so as a consolation AspenMics.com is offering a 30% CODE on select items. But this code is ONLY GOOD FOR ONE DAY.
Here's a product overview of an affordable 10 bit monitor from OSEE that's part of a lot of conversations lately. OSEE is a leading manufacturer of professional broadcast equipment in China since its foundation in 2001, and is just starting to offer their products here in the USA. The OSEE LCM156 is a 15.6" has been a favorite tool of mine lately when working on projects where it can be beneficial to share the feed from your cameras.
Another added benefit not always found in monitors at this price is the ability to add a LUT to the LCM156. By displaying a LUT on your monitor, your clients can see the display with what your footage would normally look like once you've colored it - even though your camera is shooting in a flat LOG (c-log, s-slog, v-log, BMD Film, etc) profile. The OSEE LCM156 is not only great to work with on set for monitoring, but every display from OSEE is carefully color calibrated, which is also great for Colorists and Editors looking for a nice 10 bit system.
Having a display like the 15.6" OSEE LCM1546 is also very handy when you're working with a small crew or even by yourself. I often turn the monitor around so that I can see exactly what the camera sees while adjusting lighting or making sure boom poles and light stands aren't in the shot. Without a decent sized monitor, you would have to walk back to the camera to check every little change you make which adds up to a lot of time walking back and forth.
OSEE LCM156 Description
The LCM156 15.6" Full HD Display is an economical solution for Film and Broadcast applications with an impressive and powerful feature set. With true 10 bit (1.07 billion colors) color depth an RGB Backlit screen and advanced IP engine exceed the performance and quality of many competing products at a price meant to make this model available to every user. Producers, Directors, Editors, Colorists, Lighting Directors, and DPs will discover the LCM156 to be a production tool that provides true reproduction of their artistic efforts by effortlessly adding a 3D LUT.
Broadcasters, OB Vans, and Staging Companies will find the LCM156 to exceed their expectations in a rack mount monitor that can significantly reduce their budget while enhancing the confidence of their production efforts.
SWIT S-8972 47Wh Sony Replacement Battery with Meter and DC Out
BlackMagic Design Micro Cinema Camera RAW ProRes 60p
- Exclusive Cheesycam Discount Code on the LCM156 and LCM156 Field Kits
