Geoff Tirrell

Ok so I took the plunge on a MCR 42 slot setup for my camera a couple of months back and have been unable to deploy it for 2 reasons both of which I hope can be chalked up to operator error. 1st, I cannot figure out how to manually enter a frequency and the manual is no help. No not the group and frequency within the confines of what is offered in the coordinated groups that works fine. I am talking about the scenario where I am given a pre-coordinated frequency to punch in say for example 542.200, Think hop or coordinated stadium situation. I find it hard to believe that any professional wireless would not allow for this type of function. 2nd, May be related to the camera I am running it in PMW-400 but I am not convinced something else is not happening in terms of setup error on the reciver side. From what can tell if I run both channels of wireless at the same time it is choosing to output one of those channels to the camera. I am pretty sure this camera was designed to accept a duel channel slot receiver but in typical fashion Sony is not entirely forthcoming in their manual. Also it seems to work fine If I am only running one channel but when I fire up the second i get meters like I have two but only one is passing through on both tracks. I am currently on the 3.7 firmware If I remember correctly though the later version does not to my knowledge change anything I have mentioned.

It may work if you keep the distance really short. I just glanced at it but the stated range of 150 ft seems like it would disappear really quickly in a lot of situations, especially if there is anything in the way. That said for 80 bucks let us know how it goes.

I will second the part about staying with the freelancer, a good mixer should be a master craftsman in his own right. Just like how I could sweat copper or tinker in the circuit box of my house I hire a master plumber or electrician who has the equipment and experience to get it right the first time, otherwise things can be more costly in the long term. Now if the decision is already made and somebody is convinced this is the thing to do, than I would to start with add these things to your buy list. Time code cables from everything on the market to whatever your mixer/recorder uses. XLR to ta3 cables so you can use the direct inputs assuming you go with the 633.... buy at least 5 so that you have spares. possibaly a 3rd battery- you need to figure out exactly how long you can keep everything powered and recording on one and extrapolate that with a good margin for error. Always own a break away cable even if you have hops (there are situations where being hard wired is always better) High noise head sets for monitoring your audio xlr cabeling at least a couple of hundred feet in various lengths... it adds up quick 3 hard wire lavs or adapter units to power your wireless lav miss in the event you can not run wireless due to a location specific issue..etc. Adapters. a lot of them from everything to everything (XLR to RCA/mini/phono etc. Male to Male/ Female to Female) buy more than one of each these are for timing into other systems not a frequent thing but something you will always want to be able to do. Line to mic transformers, at least 2 of the switchable ones or multiple pares in the non switchable variety. Y cables, (not something I like to use but they can solve a last minute problem fast) That is just the basic list off the top of my head and I am not even touching on the issue of backups and multiple wireless blocks. I am also sure I am missing stuff, like I said earlier there are reasons to go out of house to hire a dedicated op.

I saw one of the prototypes a couple of weeks ago and loved it. If you can hold out for the production model you should be pleasantly surprised.

I would add walls to the list not your normal wooden stud residential walls.. as while they will reduce your signal some they will not cancel it. I am talking about the steel stud jobs they use in hospitals and business.

It probably has a hi and low output for night and day just like conventional GPS units. Truthfully I think the basic tec here has been around for some time a quick wikipedia search says that as far back as 88 some car companies were playing around with it in production models. Though if you look at the dates the HUD option is becoming more common. I honestly think I might get one of these units myself as it would allow me to retrofit my ford explorer... I will have to test it first of course.

I tend to prefer a flow through cable for this reason I find that a straight flow through cable has less tendency to rattle than a coil at least in my experience. Additionally the weight of extra cable while it is something you have to hold no matter what will be located at the back of or outside the pole so from a weight distribution standpoint it is better than if a chunk of coil gets pulled up toward the microphone end. Also In this configuration the solution is simple should I develop a fault in the cable I just cut the end off and pull it out of the pole and switch to an external cable. That said my solution is pretty similar to what happens to an internally cabled boom on a shoot. i.e. you wrap a cable around the outside and change the internal cable later.

I would look to the charger and possibaly the battery batch if they are close in serial number it could be that idx got a batch of bad cells.

yes just what every set needs... candy that makes one hear things.

maybe find a couple of fold away solar panels to use as a sunshade over the cart.

2 questions to elior. How do those stack on say a rockn roller type cart with a top shelf? And do those drawers lock or freely slide in and out. This might be a good modular solution for people like me that do a wide variety of jobs.

I had actually thought about doing something along these lines a while ago. Glad somebody else thought to do it and gave it a try.

I think it cuts both ways I have seen some cities where film permits were considered a revenue stream and local police would try to shake down news crews for filming permits, and some where it was more about safety, traffic, and disruption to local residents/businesses. The same goes for location fees, I do believe that there is something to them especially where large productions are involved but I also have seen businesses just use them as an excuse to shake down a small production grabbing a couple of shots. Ps... How are they counting those 150 days a year are they full productions with medium to large crews and everything that goes along with that or are they including single cameras shooting B-roll off sticks in that. Also I am always dubious with these when they start quoting tenant disruption etc as to weather the tenants/ shop owners are actually getting the money or if it just goes into the pockets of either the security staff or building owner.

will they replace or repair for all of their batteries, or just the pro-cells? My understanding had been that that was part of what you paid for when you went with the pro-cell line. I don't know how auto correct decided to change batteries to badgers but it did

You might try pro cell D batteries I actually got some from a family member that didn't use them any more.. didn't even know they made pro cells in that size.

Sounds like their editor is trying to use the recorder files as backup not primary audio could be a budget thing you never know. I will second Olie on this one.

Go to wall mart and spend 12 bucks for a fishing rod holder. A grip head will hold one just fine and it will do the job. The only difference between this style holder http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/885688-REG/Auray_BPH_BOOM_POLE.html , and your standard fishing rod holder is that the rod holder sells for less and has threads on the bottom part. all of the other dimensions are the same.

Not a chance like others said give it time. I shot with a broken right hand but only after I had taken the first month off and even then shot is kinda a loose way of putting it. In my case I had to relearn how to manage iris zoom and focus with my left hand while my right was in the cast. Still hurt like the dickens when something irritated the nerves though. Not a chance I would attempt that with a clavicle it is one of those injuries you want healed correctly otherwise you could just end up with more problems or even having to pay a doctor to re break it for you because things didn't set right and need to be straightened out.

I have faced the issue of trying to track down a sync issue after the fact where you have 2 cameras a slate and a recorder. Usually I take the same tact as Marc but for the life of me can't figure out why simple troubleshooting on something like this is not fought to more people in school. For anybody reading this its not hard if the two cameras and slate match than the recorder is off. If the recorder slate and 1 camera match than the other is off. If nothing matches than some people need to get their ears twisted.

I would be down with re terminating/ replacing all of mine but only if all the manufactures signed on and did it as an industry standards thing. I am big on uniform connectors, and am a big believer that in other ways it is one of the major "perk factors" differentiating pro kit from that carried by others.

any word on compatibility modes for other transmitters. I might be interested in one of these as a camera drop in if nothing else for the wide band capability.

If I had to guss that lower price may well go up in a year. It is probably an introductory rate since WisyCom is not particularly known here in the states. If they can get Say a couple of the big tv ownership groups to bite at those rates and change over from their legacy lectrosonics units then raise the price they will be set for market penetration in a couple of years.

Im interested in the drop in as well but need to know more about if and what compatibility modes it offers. At this point I would still go with the lecto unit as most other camera ops have them installed and it makes hop situations easy. Unless that is I could use it to pick up a lectrosonics signal.

I know its an april fools thing but part of me say darn that looks kinda fun, no matter what my wife might say on the topic.

I personally use a remote audio system with the usb tap and Anton Bauer dionics. so while it is a little heavier there is an added runtime due to the larger capacity. Also since I am also a camera owner I don't have to maintain two different battery systems. Like others have said the 4 pin system is bulky and heavy it works for some things but I would not want to carry all that around all the time.