Tricaster & Sony Z1 questions

[Ervin Farkas]

My church is just about to purchase a Tricaster Pro, and we will be using Sony Z1 camcorders in SD mode (for now) for taping and live streaming. A couple of questions:

It would make our life a lot easier if we could mount one of the cameras upside down; does anyone know if either the Tricaster or the camera has an option to flip the picture?

And what size/resolution monitor would you say is enough? From the pictures on their website it looks like there is a lot of stuff on the interface, plus the Pro model has no preview out... we do have a 37" 1080 Mitsubishi LCD monitor... good enough?

Thank you,

[Richard Alvarez]

I work with an earlier version of the tricaster on a regular basis. It does NOT have the ability to flip the image. But check with the specs on the newer ones.

I work with the Sony HVR-z5u - I am unaware of the ability to flip the image.

I work with a smaller Monitor, and the previews are just fine. I send the Composite from the flypack to a Distribution amplifier - where I split it for an external monitor and possible broadcast feed - while sending the s-video out to the Recording unit.

[David Stoneburner]

I've got the latest version and I have not seen anyway to flip the video. That doesn't mean it can't be done, but I'm pretty sure you can't. As for monitor, you need at least a 17" at 1280x1024. Larger is easier on the eyes. My 19" does a nice job. As for multiply outputs, a video DA does nicely.

[Jeff Murray]

Hello I just checked my Z1P manual and there is no option to flip the video.

With regards

Jeff

[Richard Alvarez]

Ervin,

What are you using for camera control if you are mounting these cameras - right side up or upside down? Why not just purchase one or two PTZ cameras - They WILL allow for flipping the image, and can be mounted in either position. Cheaper, and allow for remote controll in the master control room.

I use several versions of these in various City Council chambers around the Bay Area. Often, I am all alone in MC - controlling three cameras, running audio, and loading graphics - yeah, it's a nightmare. But budgets are contracting these days.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...TZ_Camera.html

Is a link to an SD version complete with controller and cable. DO a search under PTZ cameras for various brands and versions. Yes, they are offered in HD as well.

[Ervin Farkas]

Thanks for the help.

We do need a third camera but looking forward we don't think an SD camera makes sense, rather a small higher-end consumer Sony.

Still... on a temporary basis we may consider a pan/tilt security camera, but we need broadcast quality as this stuff will end up on television. How would such a Sony measure up working with Z1s set to SD?

[Richard Alvarez]

Ervin - those ARE Broadcast quality cameras. SD broadcast and are used to broadcast daily. I know - I use them. They also have HD versions available, but not everyone can afford them. The optics and chips are superb.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ition_PTZ.html

[Jeff Pulera]

Hi Ervin,

Been a while since I used a TriCaster, but I know for certain it had the ability to do a horizontal flip, not sure about vertical though. Look in where you set up the virtual sets I believe, there are some special effects you can apply to the video source

Jeff Pulera

[Ervin Farkas]

Two questions remain unanswered:

1. How is a Sony PTZ camera (say the EVID-70) compare to our existing Z1s as far as sensitivity and color/contrast/etc.

2. Any of these cameras do 16x9? If not... the whole idea is dead... we're not going back to 4x3.

Thanks for the help,