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3. BREAK FREE OF THE CABLES! If you are working with a remote camera, the most obvious ways of controlling,
Using the transmitter, access Wi-Fi with your smartphone, running the free HollyviewWi-Fi iOS or Android app. This monitors video in real time. The app features lots of on-screen tools, such as waveforms, histograms, focus peaking, zebras, false colour, 3D LUTs and more. Transmission distance is 21.9m/400ft with line of sight between units, or 91.4m/330ft using the Wi-Fi app. For a higher-quality signal, the Swit SW-M150FS (£2034/$2750) works on SDI and HDMI cameras, beaming its HD video signal 150m/492ft to a receiver that plugs into your recorder or switcher. Other Swit models – or industry-standard manufacturers like Teradek, have a range of up to two miles – but are much more expensive, working with higher resolution and shorter latency. Teradek’s Bolt 4K Max sets you back about £15,000/$15,000. The brand’s range includes the basic Vidiu streamer that fits on top of a camera. The Teradek Vidiu Go (£1510/$1490) takes an HDMI or 3G-SDI input from the camera, or frommany popular video switchers. It streams over the combined bandwidth from Ethernet, Wi-Fi and up to two 3G/4G/LTE modems. Several smartphones can act as hotspots for even more bandwidth redundancy. Each of the modems costs an extra £399/$399. And don’t forget, you need data plans for each cellular Wi-Fi dongle, too.
monitoring, or even streaming and recording its output, are SDI, HDMI or Ethernet cables. But trailing long cables locks the camera in one place. Transmitting a wireless signal from your camera back to the recorder or switcher is an ideal solution – but it requires a wireless transmission system. These are usually built for larger, broadcast-style cameras and fit on to a V-Lock mount. They also need power to run – usually from a D-Tap camcorder battery. Many aren’t exactly cheap. However, Chinese firmHollyland has introduced its Mars 400S Pro at the far more affordable price of £616/$649. This compact transmitter unit takes the video signal from your camera via HDMI or SDI, then beams it wirelessly to a matching receiver unit. This connects, again via HDMI or SDI, to a remote monitor, streaming device or TV, enabling real-time monitoring. You can buy up to three additional receivers to stream to more devices. The output signal is 1080/60p at 12Mbps – not the ideal sole recording for high- quality post-production. However, it’s fine for monitoring, or even live TV or web streams. You can livestream directly from the receiver via a computer, using a USB Type-C lead.
If there is no Wi-Fi and you need to go totally cellular, use a simple cellular Wi-Fi hotspot, easily purchasable from mobile phone suppliers, although this isn’t very reliable. Cellular bonding uses two or more cell connections, creating a strong internet presence. If there is weak Wi-Fi or Ethernet,you can also add that to the mix. A LiveU Solo costs about £1000/$1000, taking up to two cellular data dongles and using them to create a Wi-Fi network fit for streaming. You’ll obviously need two 4G cellular dongles and the data plan that goes with them– ideally from different service providers. The Teradek Link Pro acts like a Wi-Fi hotspot with Node modems, accepting SIM cards from any 4G LTE provider. A kit costs £4820/$4990, while you also require a subscription to Teradek’s Core platform to make it all work.
“The Hollyview app features lots of on-screen tools, such as waveforms, histograms andmore”
THE HOLLYLAND OF REMOTE The Hollyland Mars 400S Pro compact transmitter unit takes your camera’s video signal, relaying it to a remote monitor via a wireless receiver unit
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