http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ Forums Tag: DIY en Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:02:52 +0000 http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/diy-video-switcher-out-of-existing-pc#post-41465 Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:04:36 +0000 MikeVersteeg 41465@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hi Ted,</p> <p>Getting analog video into your PC is extremely easy, check out this forum post <a href="http://vidblaster.com/forum/index.php?topic=153.msg628#msg628">How do I connect my cameras to VidBlaster?</a></p> <p>Mike</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/diy-video-switcher-out-of-existing-pc#post-41411 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:41:33 +0000 tedbragg 41411@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> I have a slowly dying Videonics switcher, and would like to use a spare Vista machine as a switcher/recorder.</p> <p>I have three cameras fed into the switcher via s-video to tape live events and church services. Audio is run from a mixer board. What I'm thinking of doing is putting three or four PCI tv tuner cards into the PC -- but i'm not sure if one PC can handle that many.</p> <p> What I'd really like to find is like the Canopus boards we used to have when I worked for Charter Cable. Four inputs on one card, onscreen previews of the video feeds in an easy to use switching program. This was back in the days of Win98 and Pentium II 266Mhz and only 256megs of ram. If that clunker could handle that, surely there's stuff out now that can do it, too.</p> <p>The Canopus boards are no longer around -- they were old when I got to use them. VidBlaster software is a reasonablepackage to handle multiple sources -- the only issue I'm faced with is getting those analog sources into the computer.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/dimmers-on-work-lights#post-38375 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:52:13 +0000 D0n 38375@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> grab a bucket (empty paint bucket) and a 1x2 board. drill 2 holes in the side of the bucket, and screw the board in.</p> <p>fill bucket with concrete or sand. </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/dimmers-on-work-lights#post-38373 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:41:04 +0000 OppidianRyan 38373@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hey guys thanks for the responses. Wasn't thinking of getting a battrery operated light but thanks for the heads up on that. Also diddn't realize about the sound being an issue with dimmers. lthough thinking about it that makes sense. Thanks for the advice. Does anyone know how to make a DIY light stand for cheap?</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/dimmers-on-work-lights#post-38370 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:36:15 +0000 D0n 38370@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> I come from a photographic background.</p> <p>I find myself now setting up lights for BOTH photo and video.</p> <p>What I find is this:</p> <p>Video eats light.</p> <p>more (light) is better.</p> <p> I start by setting up my ambient (lowest level where I need detial in the shadows) first. Then build my lighting up from there.</p> <p>I've used dimmers. they make audible noise off the lights and change the color, making them difficult. Better results starting with a lightsource that meets the minimum level your camera can record without pumping up the sensor gain.</p> <p>then add lights with more power to build up your light ratios.</p> <p>easier to move a light back, or scrim it with black screen material or a grid to reduce its brightness, or add difussion. </p> <p> </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/dimmers-on-work-lights#post-38368 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:28:59 +0000 robgrauert 38368@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> I'm not sure I understand your question, but I wasn't going to answer it anyway. I just wanted to point out that I'm under the impression that you're going to home depot to get some lights and use those...? Am I right? If that is what you're doing, definitely don't get battery powered ones. When i first got into video, I did that. They lasted like, 30 minutes. </p> <p>So I was just giving you a heads up if that is what your plans were. Or perhaps I should have just read the packaging to see how long the lights would last... </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/dimmers-on-work-lights#post-38366 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:22:47 +0000 OppidianRyan 38366@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I realize the temp gets warmer. I come from a theatrical background so I'm used to using gobo's gels and levels to achive the look I want. I don't here a lot of that in the film and video arena. It seems like film and video are more concerened with using gels and patterens to get the light effect. Does anyone try the light level to get the shot or am I missing something.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/dimmers-on-work-lights#post-38322 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:58:10 +0000 D0n 38322@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> color temp gets warmer as it dims.</p> <p> </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/dimmers-on-work-lights#post-38319 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:17:05 +0000 OppidianRyan 38319@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>A lot of people suggest getting halogen work lights for their lighting kit. I was wondering if anyone has tried using them with a dimmer. I have two old theatical lights but wanted to suplement them and was thinking of making a DIY dimmer pack with rehostats and such. Any comments or ideas?</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/microphone-boom-complete#post-38063 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:41:48 +0000 gluefactorybjj 38063@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I'd like to see some pics and the link for the design you used... :)</p> <p>Scott</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/microphone-boom-complete#post-37994 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:37:08 +0000 ralck 37994@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>The microphone blimp is actually my next DIY project!  I've seen some directions like the ones you've listed, but I had a few other ideas of my own that I was thinking of trying... I've got to spend some time in the hardware store and see if I can get the parts to see if my idea will work.</p> <p>And I'll post back when that's complete.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/microphone-boom-complete#post-37992 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:15:28 +0000 cdanddvdpublisher 37992@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Very cool - and thanks for posting what you used</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/microphone-boom-complete#post-37975 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 06:41:58 +0000 D0n 37975@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> I'm testing out a light/mic boom hybrid design.</p> <p>I've got a 100 watt florecent bulb inside a white paper chinese lantern, on a pole similar to yours. The power goes to a 12 volt battery and inverter in a soft case with shoulder strap. the lantern hangs from a rubber mount, and the mic is shock mounted.</p> <p> </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/microphone-boom-complete#post-37973 Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:17:43 +0000 Aspyrider 37973@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Heres a couple DIY's I like. Make a mic blimp for your new pole!</p> <p><a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Microphone-Blimp/" rel="nofollow">http://www.instructables.com/id/Microphone-Blimp/</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.metacafe.com/watch/963275/diy_microphone_blimp/" rel="nofollow">http://www.metacafe.com/watch/963275/diy_microphone_blimp/</a></p> <p>They use an inexpensive bird feeder. :-)</p> <p>J.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/microphone-boom-complete#post-37971 Sat, 05 Jul 2008 22:07:41 +0000 ralck 37971@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>So today I <em>finally</em> finished my microphone boom!  Since I'm super low budget and microphone booms cost a lot of money, I used a DIY design I found online using a light bulb changer kit and some hardware.</p> <p>Sure, it's not as light weight as professional ones, and I have to wrap the mic cable around the outside instead of having it inside, but I also paid a metric crapton less. :)  I gave it a quick try this afternoon and it works quite well, so I'm happy so far.</p> <p>I can finally un-mount my shotgun mic from my camera... although now I need to find a boom op. :-P</p> <p>Anywho, just so you don't have to search for it, here's what I used:</p> <ul> <li>Light bulb changer with attachable heads - The DIY suggested Bayco, but I just got one from a local hardware store.  I think the Bayco ones only extend to about 10 feet, but mine goes to 16. :-P</li> </ul> <ul> <li>3/8"-16 by 1.5" bolt - standard bolt.  My dad convinced me to pay a little more for the stainless steel version instead of the zinc plated to make sure it doesn't rust or anything.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>3/8" washer</li> </ul> <ul> <li>3/8" nut - My dad convinced me to get the kind with the plastic washer to make sure it doesn't come loose.</li> </ul> <p>I used the suction cup head to make mine.  I took off the suction cup piece (a simple screw held it on in my case) and drilled out the hole so it was big enough for the bolt.  Then I put the bolt in, tightened it down with the nut, and put it on the telescoping pole from the light changing kit.  Simple as that!  My microphone shockmount connects directly to the 3/8" bolt and I think you know the rest. :)</p> <p>Well I'm quite impressed with it... but for about 20 bucks it's hard to not be impressed. :-P  I can post some pics if people want.</p>