Theatre Camera directly connect to TV

[DalekSec]

We've had a request from our theatre manager to have a TV in a room off the stage that has a live view of the stage.

 

I know we could stick and IP camera and a PC with the view on it. But he want's it basically 'Click on input X shows camera' and that anyone can use it. Also we have basically 0 wired networking around there!

 

So my quest is, is there such a camera where we can plug a HDMi into it, and plug the other end into a TV and it shows the feed? Don't mind having to use a remote control to turn the camera on and off, as will be on a lighting rig! No audio needed

[nwkeene]

in the 'keep it simple' approach...

i'd use a bog standard hand held video camcorder... mount it on a suitable bracket and strap it to the lighting bar. Run the HDMI back to the TV. For power, plug the camera PSU into a tail on the lighting bar, and at the control room end, patch that lead direct to a switched mains socket, assuming your lighting outlets aren't permanently patched to dimmer outputs.

 

or, as audio isn't important, mount it in the control room, or any other place with a suitable view of the stage, and zoom in till you get the stage...

 

my 2p

Edited November 17, 2021 by nwkeene
added more info

[3s-gtech]

Something like a GoPro can be set to power on once it gets a USB power feed, so you can stick it on a switched spur. Then run an HDMI straight out of it to the TV. You will probably need to change the lens to get the right field of view, but not a bad setup for it.

[mavhc]

Seems like CCTV cameras with hdmi out are expensive. Plus hdmi cable over a long run isn't optimal, how many metres will it be?

 

If you're picking a non CCTV camera, check how long it can stay on for without overheating

[DalekSec]

Thanks guys, just had a look this morning and first thought was a Unifi CCTV Camera and the Protect App / Viewport for the TV. Does require network cabling though which could get pricy!

 

Will look into the options you guys said also!

[Andrew_C]

I'd look for a camera with composite out, and a TV with comp (maybe on SCART - yuk) as it is all so simple, and if it deteriorates it tends to do so gracefully. If HDMI is over length, it can just stop.

[robyholmes]

Raspberry Pi which loads a CCTV camera feed?

[Davit2005]

https://github.com/Anonymousdog/displaycameras

 

I've used DisplayCameras on a Pi at home for this, takes a live feed from a standard IP CCTV camera.

[Andrew_C]

Don't over complicate things!

 

There will be significant lag if you go digital, you say "no audio" but if they can hear the stage, the sound will lead the image.

[FragglePete]

We have UniFi Protect and have a camera running at the back of our main auditorium. Just had the exact same request for a forth coming production so they can beam the action on the stage into a classroom for the waiting actors, etc.

 

You can switch on a RTSP feed from a camera individually which generates a URL link to the camera. Open this Stream in VLC and job done.

 

Pete

[Davit2005]

You may have to check if the Unifi camera supports RSTP. I've seen post on here suggesting some gen Unifi cameras do not.

 

There is also this which maybe worth a look https://store.ui.com/collections/unifi-protect-accessories/products/unifi-protect-viewport

 

You may also need the Unifi Protect controller on a cloud key or something too.

[geohanson]

A CCTV camera may be better than a Go-Pro or handheld, due to the low light you'll often get in theatres. CCTV cameras will cope better with the low light in my experience.

I'd keep it as simple as possible and would try to find a CCTV camera with an HDMI or SDI output, and just run it straight into a monitor. HDMI over ethernet might work better if it's a really long run.

Hikvision does make these but I don't know the model numbers.

 

In a one-off situation, I've used an iPad mirrored to an Apple TV and just left the camera app open on the iPad... Not a great solution but worked fine for the few hours we needed it.

[SamanthaD]

You're likely to run into issues with HDMI lengths.

 

Cheap CCTV cameras with composite outputs are the way to go, run the cable to your screen and convert to HDMI at the screen if you need to. Analogue systems don't suffer the same latency as digital or IP based solutions, and the kit tends to be cheaper these days.

 

Route the power down from the bar so you can turn on and off from floor level, or just leave it on all the time.

 

Consider privacy as well, this is technically a CCTV system. If people are using the space for something more private than a drama performance can you isolate the camera if you need to?

[DalekSec]

Cheers all, currently thinking is a Unifi G3 with a Viewport for simple 'click on this input to view' for the teacher.

[Chaniel]

Everyone is saying about HDMI lengths but HDMI over Cat6 is a thing that works very well, think it should only be about £80 for a pair.

 

Unifi G3 and a viewport is a nice and tidy solution though!

[DalekSec]

HDMi length if direct would be less than 10meters also, not a worry if we did have to go down that route.

[Andrew_C]

"To the man with a hammer, every screw is a nail."

[mavhc]

Also there's no noticeable lag on hdmi, and it does do audio if you want that later

[Andrew_C]

Also there's no noticeable lag on hdmi, and it does do audio if you want that later

RIGHT...??

 

https://us.kef.com/blog/hdmi-audio-delay-what-it-is-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it