View Full Version : Mini = Portable? lets build a scenario


Owen Meek
April 11th, 2008, 08:31 AM
i am interested in the Mini SI-2K solution as it can be taken to places where the DVR body combination may bring a flinching effect on the subject.
i have the Asus W7s notebook, and the specs seem to match the requirements perfect.

what i have understood thus far, is, i can basically hide the main processing unit (laptop) in my bag and no one will know i have got hollywood in my hands.

scenario: since all the controls are now tucked away in my bag, i will need a wireless trigger device (maybe even a wireless 5 button mouse) for program specific controls for the most essential features. [PAUSE]/[F.STOP UP]/[F.STOP DOWN] (please fill me in those parts that i have missed. i have intentionally negated shutter control as the f/stop can be used for exposure control)

then i will need to hook myself up to a viewfinder like this? http://www.myvu.com/Products/shades/
this may not be a solution for critical focusing? but can it be an ample guide for exposure metering?

im probably missing a chunk of information here, but is this scenario achievable?

Jason Rodriguez
April 11th, 2008, 09:41 AM
Hi Owen,

There is already a trigger mechanism, and there is a second multi-stage programmable button that will let you swap through different functions on the camera (such as exposure meters, focus zoom, etc.) . . . you can program the multi-stage button however you need. So with these two buttons, you should have about 90% of the work done for you.

So yes, the laptop in your back-pack should work fine, although there still could occasionally be some heating issues depending on the out-door environment (i.e. really hot).

I would purchase a fast laptop, like something in either the 2.5Ghz or 2.6Ghz range . . . I know the specs say 2.33Ghz, but that's minimum . . . with the new processors out there, having more processing power available for some overhead is better, especially when shooting at 2K resolutions.

Bob Grant
April 11th, 2008, 05:36 PM
One could 'hide' the mini in an old VHS camcorder body. A bit of work with a Dremel tool would do it.
For the DVR I'd imagine the same boards as in the full camera could be used to build a backpack friendly PC. Rather than fan cooling perhaps heat pipes could feed a small radiator that was discretely outside the backpack. It could take the form of a water bottle in a mesh holder. Instead of a spinning disk a SSD could be used to record to.

Chris Lakes
April 13th, 2008, 10:04 PM
If you plan on putting a laptop in a back pack, maybe try putting some of those ice packs at the bottom or beside the laptop. When we were filming in the desert we had a few problems with the laptop overheating until we raised it on a laptop stand and put ice packs or cold pop cans underneath it. This worked until we could rig up a fan.

John DeLuca
April 13th, 2008, 11:17 PM
So the camera head plus mini rig, start stop switch and EVF tethered to a liquid cooled laptop hidden in a backpack…..Sounds like a sweet set up :-)

-John

Justin Lovell
March 30th, 2009, 03:53 PM
I've been using the mini-2k head with myvu 301 Shades. Works great. Just need a VGA>RCA adapter to convert the signal. (which can probably be powered off the USB on the CPU)... or a simple battery pack of 4 AA batteries will do the trick.

Pics here:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wrIRoS5Mkp8/ScW4XoUEYtI/AAAAAAAABEk/T1Vd6R3721U/s1600/003.jpg

FrameDiscreet.com <br> transfers // cinematography (http://www.framediscreet.blogspot.com)

Best!


Justin
Cinematography//film.transfers
Frame Discreet - regular 8mm, super 16mm, super 8mm, film transfers to dvd toronto (http://www.framediscreet.com)
FrameDiscreet.com <br> transfers // cinematography (http://www.framediscreet.blogspot.com)

Bob Hart
March 30th, 2009, 06:15 PM
"That's a fancy lookin' lens you got on that old Polaroid camera. Didn't know they made them like that back then. -- They did huh? -- Learn somethin' new every day.

What's with that wire comin' out o' iet? -- No battery for the electronic flash. -- Oh right.

That's a clever idea you got goin' there using the battery in your Macbook. You are a smart young man. There's hope for the young generation yet.

Well you have a good day y'hear. 's good to see somebody keeping all the old things goin'. -- Don't forget some snaps of the monument. - By-ee.

Come along Martha let's leave the young man to go about his business."