Let's talk about the "CONSOLE" program from Canon....
 

Ok...I'm excited again.
Canon has hit another homerun with me.

The CONSOLE program is like HDV Rack on steroids. Well...maybe not like that, but it's damn sure aweome for the Canon XL-H1...here we go:

I plan on getting CONNECT HD from CineForm for Sony Vegas. it was released last night and it FULLY SUPPORTS the Canon XL-H1 in ALL modes for capture. But before I get it, I decided to give this console stuff a try. I downloaded the trial from the Canon website to check it out.

If you put your XL-H1 on the EXT.CONT. setting on the dial, it renders the camera functions to your firewire connected laptop PC.

This program is SWEET! I mean besides the vectorscope and wave monitor it comes with, it does ALL SORTS of stuff:

- Captures DV files in AVI1, AVI2 & MXF type files
- Captures HDV files in MPEG2TS & MPG2ES type files (renames the extension *.mpeg)
- Changes camera modes (vcr or camera or SD card)
- Gives you Time Lapse function (both frame and Sequence) for those peoplke who wanna record a flower grow or sun go down or something. lol
- all custom presents are accessible, uploadable & downloadable.
- IT GIVES YOU TOTAL CONTROL OF ALMSOT EVERYTHING ON YOUR CAMERA!. I mean every single knob and control. AE Shift, Wht Bal, Iris, Shutter, Gain, etc... You can change the frame rate, aspect ratio, start colorbars, set the zoom speed and focus speed and control them both as well!

I mean, this thing may change the way Cinematographers deal with the camera. You can hire a "Camera Operator" to do the moevents of the camera, and the "DP" never needs to touch it. He/She can simply adjust EVERY CAMERA IMAGE SETTING from a laptop in the other room while capturing HIDEF footage to the harddrive simultaneoulsy with the MiniDV tape in the camera. The Camera Operator never has to touch the record button because your DP can speed the camera from the laptop. *smile* Pair this with a shot list open in another window that contains scene camera settings....you're DP can be Highly efficient. Especially if they are using the "SPLIT-SCREEN" function it has on a wide-screen laptop with SXGA resolution! Your image color settings would be a snap. this is AMAZING!!

But that's not all folks... it will capture channel 3 & 4 of your 4-channel audio as .wav files!!! So this means, you can use the camera Mic as a stereo reference mic on channel 1 & 2, and record XLR inputted Dialogue to channels 3 & 4 all at the same time if you wanted to.

It also has this "VARIATION" feature that will give you a layout of the current scene with snapshot thumbnail images to show you what each of the twenty three(23) preset image control settings would look like if you decided to choose it. Simply pick your favorite look and set it.

_____________ here's the awesome part _____________
just like the DV footage, 24f, 30f & 60i HDV footage can be captured directly to your computer.....and guess what.....the 24f and 30f HDV footage comes in as 24P & 30P!! for 24p HDV, the pulldown is already removed and everything! Something we were asking Sony to do for CF24 that they wouldn't do, Canon has done it no problem for XL-H1 users!

What am I saying, you ask?
I am saying...TODAY, RIGHT NOW, AS I TYPE THIS MESSAGE...I can go out and shoot a movie in 24p High Definition with my XL-H1, and come to the office and simply capture the raw .m2t HDV footage to my PC as 24p HDV files ready for editing with pulldown removed!!!! Or better yet, if I wanted to have a laptop on the set with me, I can capture it as I go!!!!

I did two tests of 24f footage. One in DV mode and one in HDV mode. I set the camera in DV mode and came back and sat at my laptop. In the console program, I set the frame rate to 24f and hit the record button and it began recording on the camera "AND" onto my laptop. I recorded a few seconds. I then walked across the room & switched the camera to High Definition(HDV) mode, then went back at the computer & checked to make sure the frame rate was 24f then captured a few seconds as HDV 24f.

I then opened up SONY VEGAS 5 (i dont have 6 yet) and used the "import media button". I navigated over to MY DOCUMENTS where the two 24f clips were captured and I highlighted each one individually. (In Sony Vegas, you can simply highlight the clips and it will give you the information about each clip) here's what Sony Vegas said.....
24f DV clip captured with CONSOLE:
File Type: Video For Windows
Audio: 48,000 Hz, 16Bit, Stereo
Video: 720x480x24, 23.976 fps
Streams: 2

24f HDV clip captured with CONSOLE:
File Type: MainConcept MPEG-2
Audio: 48,000 Hz, Stereo
Video: 1440x1080x32, 23.976 fps
Streams: 2

Now I don't know about you guys, but that's GOOD NEWS...it gets better:
I went ahead and imported the DV24p file and put it on a widescreen 24p timeline. All was perfect as expected and was treated as if I captured it from a Canon XL2 in 24p (2-3) mode...it was sweet 24p Digital Video perfectly progressive, not one sign of interlacing or jitter or anything.
THE BIG TEST: I then imported the HDV24p MPEG file (console automatically names the captured HDV files as .MPEG instead of .M2T) and set the timeline to match the file. Vvegas does this automatically using the MATCH MEDIA SETTINGS option. And guess what......
SAME GREAT RESULT! it was sweet 24p Digital Video perfectly progressive, not one sign of interlacing or jitter or anything. Only difference was...it was HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO BABY! Good Ole' HDV.

------ if that wasn't enough ------

the damn program prints your video BACK TO TAPE! *faint* And you can preview it being printed on the cameras View Finder.

How do you like them apples?? *smile*

Only thing I DO NOT KNOW is the price of this software.... Either way, I'm gonna still get the CONNECT HD program from CineForm, because they have one helluva sweet intermediate HD Codec!!

*gone*

- ShannonRawls.com

Shannon, thanks for the information. I should be able to test the same soon, but in the mean time would like to know couple things. First, my purpose is to put the camera on the head of the crane, and would be really surprised if one were able to set the neutral density with the console program. Second, does the Console program have any recording buffer? (If one hits record, does the program store the previous 5-30 seconds?) Finally, if you record all four audio channels, will the audio signal be compressed? Or, do you mean, you can record channels 1&2 on tape in the camera and separately channels 3&4 on the laptop, all uncompressed 16bit and 48kHz sampling rate?

Well, I've griped to Canon before about their user-UNfriendly web site, and I guess it is time again. I signed up to be notified about release of the Console software even before the H1 hit the street, but Shannon's post is the first indication I had that it is available. I just went through the registration process twice, including turning off my anti-virus and firewall software, and only get the usual Canon download-window-tries-to-open-but-can't crap. (EDIT): Waited a while, tried again on another computer, and finally got the download. The ol' third time's a charm thing. Will load it later today and give it a whirl.

Wonder what it will cost? SHOULD be a nominal charge, but given they went to the trouble to put all kinds of restrictions on the trial version, makes me think it'll be expensive.

SECOND EDIT: Was able to load the trial software, but much like the sporadic problems I had with DVPC software for the XL2, it will simply NOT recognize the XL H1 as being present on the system despite trying it on Ext Control, VCR mode, and in Manual record mode. PPro capture window immediately shows the live image, so it isn't the computer or the camera. The problem is somewhere in the Canon software. And on two computers I've been unable to download the manual for the software (may not even be posted yet as there is no post date next to the link)...same window-closing problem as is usual with the Canon web site. The software LOOKS nice, but I can't use it yet. CanonUSA, this ain't the way to get me to open my wallet even further...

1. I just took a look and no....you can't control the ND filter that built in the lens. (that sucks)
2. again, no. CONSOLE does not have a recording buffer that I can see in this 1.0 version. HDVRACK has that cool feature (sucks again)
3. All audio signals will be compressed. Because you have to have the camera set to 4-channel recording to do this. If you have the camera on 2-channel recording but plug in audio via 3&4........wait a minute..... you know.... I have no idea. It MIGHT work...hell, that's someting I need to test. Put the camera on 2-channel to record its best audio on tape, but still plug in an external audio source to 3&4 and see if CONSOLE will record it. I highly doubt that will work, but maybe....Best guess is NO.

HEY PETE....
Make sure your camera has "DV CONTROL" turned on in the menu under SYSTEM. It won't work without it. And you're right about the price of this software. It better not be more then $50 bucks! I just dropped $9 grand on a damn handycam....they better not go taxing me for some software! *smile*

P.S.
Someone sent me an email asking about my firewire cable and how did I find one...I have a big senty-five foot(75') 4pin to 4pin firewire cable. I forgot where I bought it, but I paid $55 bucks for it last year somewhere on the internet. I used to use it for DV Rack on shoots. I would have my Sound Mixer monitor the laptop for me as we recorded a backup to it. It's super thick and is grey and works like a charm. Try Markertek.com(sp?) or something like that.

- ShannonRawls.com

Unfortunately, no dice. I've tried it on two very different computers in a number of different settings. Perhaps I have a unique problem or am missing something obvious, but since I have spent an entire morning working on this using two very different computers, I really gotta think the CONSOLE software has a problem, especially since it is clearly based on its glitchy DV-PC predecessor. What a waste of my Sunday morning.

Both the Virtual VCR and Canon video camera device drivers show up without error in the Windows Hardware settings, but the Console software simply will not recognize that a camera is attached. Other unhappiness:

- Cannot access the menus from Ext Control, so you have to go to a shooting mode to turn on DV Control, then back to Ext Control
- On my editing box (which would be my "studio monitor" if this #$@*! software would work), every time I try to open the Console software with the camera already switched on in Ext Control, I get a BSOD.
- Canon hasn't obtained Microsoft certification for the software (I can see why not!)

If you're lucky like Shannon and the trial version works for you, good deal. Otherwise, my recommendation for now is "NOT RECOMMENDED. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK."

I call upon Canon to take the following actions without delay:

- Make the software WORK reliably (I'll be e-mailing BSOD error codes to Canon and hope anyone else experiencing problems would do the same).
- Publically state the price of the software.
- Publically post the full documentation for the software (user manual!!!).
- Either obtain Microsoft Certification or fully warrant against loss to both hardware and Intellectual Property, to include data files already existing on a system damaged or corrupted by uncertified Canon software (I'll bet The Big Company will do neither -- very few would -- but a truly good corporate citizen offering a top-shelf product WOULD stand that firmly behind its stuff. We shall see).

Canon makes great cameras, and I've even been pretty happy with the software support of the Canon digital still cameras we own, but the Canon Video side of the house continues to look bad simply for poor web and software performance.

Well Pete (and Shannon),

I registered also since the software is backwards compatible with the XL-2 supporting most functions. I haven't gotten any notification either about it being available.

As for price....you ain't going to like this, but I remember seeing on the website something in the $495.00 ballpark.

I was going to go look for where I saw that but the Canon website won't even come up right now. I'll keep checking. Meantime, if the one of you two could email me the package, I'd like to try it since it's a free demo version.

-gb-

Greg,

Looks like the Canon web site is back up.

If it is another $500 for the software, I guess I'll just forget about it for the time being. Maybe I'd pay that if/when I have a truly critically pressing need for its unique features. For now, no way in he!!.

if it's $500 bucks....forget about it!

hell, if it's $100 bucks....forget about it!

and yes, in Ext. Cont. you cannot access the menu. I guess because it's expected that everything is controled via the software.

Either way, it's cool software.

oh well, i digress.

- ShannonRawls.com

Never thought I'd say these words, But "it sucks having a Mac" It would be nice to have either DVRack or Canon's Console.

Live recording only!
 

I just realized CONSOLE is a live recording program, not a capturing program. It does not have tape transport buttons (play, ffw, record, stop, rwd). It will only record footage coming from CAMERA mode. It will not record footage already recorded on the tape. You can't even hit the PLAY button on the camera itself and let it record that way either. A HUGE LIMITATION i just found.

On the GOOD SIDE: the console program DOES in fact have a pre-record buffer that Lauri asked about. You can set it from 1 to 10 seconds in the preferences. *smile* I didn't see that before.

Here's the instructions manual everybody.....

http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/con...&modelid=12155

- ShannonRawls.com

Thanks Shannon!

If i try to download the manual it always tells me i have no permission ? Could someone please host it - or send it to me if i am the only one with this problem - Thanks Again!

go here mike...

http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/con...&modelid=12155

That's good news! I've also heard the cost will be around 300$ to 400$.

BTW, the XL H1 PAL version should have arrived in the country today. Should get mine in a few days.

BTW2, I also had serious problems downloading the Console program. But once I set the "security level" of the browser to "low", then downloading went smoothly. Bit odd from Canon, should I say.

Yes, as I noted yesterday, there isn't a date next to the link for the Console software User's Manual and the linked window just closes. I think they just haven't posted the manual. Also there is NO help menu at all in the trial version. The software itself is there (at least at the Canon USA site. I haven't checked the Europe site, which is entirely separate and generally better done, IMHO), but since they use pop-up windows for downloads, security software may block it.

Lauri, will be very interested to hear how your trial of the software goes. I do see a pre-buffer option in the record window but of course since the software won't recognize my camera I can't test it myself.

I did email Canon yesterday; awaiting a response.

I am reading the manual now in PDF form. The link doesn't work for you guys?

- Shan

Nope. No date next to the link and the little window that tries to open just closes right back up...have tried it on multiple computers. Going home for lunch and will try there (again).

Not a good first impression, so I hope they really aren't charging hundreds of dollars for it!

Well guys,

I downloaded using the link after jumping through the hoops. Running the XL2 in external control mode and dv control set to on works fine. Here's a kicker, in the play panel play window there is a buttion to turn ext display on and off. Let's you playback to the camera VF from the software.

Some other sweet features in the vector and waveform display. At the top, you can turn on a crosshair for a color picker on your image and get all the info on that color...like the eyedropper on image editors. Then, it has a line mode where you can highlight any of the 480 lines and the waveform display will show you what is on that line. You can also vary the line width from one pixel to 15 pixels.

You can also show zebras on your recording monitor but they aren't being turned on in the camera vf so this is a software function. Another software function that is great for XL2 users is focus assist. It magnifies a portion of the image and you can use the little hand icon to move around and select the part of the image you want to see. It will also let you set it to black and white.

The layout of the software is divided into two main panels called recording and playback. Within each of those two panels are subwindows for different functions such as focus assist, record, and waveform in the rec panel. Playback, filebrowser, and another waveform monitor in the playback panel.

Good news is that my 1.6ghz Pentium M laptop passed the performance check but I don't know if it could do HDV.

Shannon is correct about not being able to use the camera in VCR mode to feed previously recorded tape into the software but that was also true of DVPC Recorder. These programs aren't really meant for that.

All in all, I am very impressed with what I saw in the way of functionality for the XL-2. If they make the price reasonable, I'll be buying this program.

-gb-

Pete, this is precisely what happened to me on the Canon USA site several times. Then the problem was resolved when I set in my browser "tools" -> "internet options" -> "security" -> "custom level" and there "low". After that I was able to download the pdf file Shannon is talking about.

I have not yet found the Console program on the Canon European site.

I finally was able to download the manual after multiple attempts and disabling ALL of my security software (very temporarily). Looks like the set up is not exactly Plug-n-Play...several specific steps that involve the camera hooked up to the computer while in certain modes, or at least that's what a very quick glance at the manual appears to indicate.

The software does some nice stuff, including up to a 10 second pre-record buffer, but also has a lot of restrictions such as the inability to use any sort of external or removable drive. This has moved way down on my priority list but when I get a chance, I'll try again to see if I can get the software to function with my H1 and learn more about the benefits and drawbacks.

you can use an extrnal drive. I captured HD footage to a little cheap 80gig laptop drive that was in a USB bus powered case connected to my laptop USB2.0 port.

- ShannonRawls.com

Both DV Mag and Video Systems Mag are saying this software is $600. I'll get you the specific issue if wanted.

I know that seems like a lot of money, but if you go and find a price
for the remote controller for the Panasonic Varicam, THAT
thing costs like $20,000.00!!!

Once put into perspective, the console program is a pretty good deal
and should get better with time, BUT what about Mac support?
Come on Canon, get with it!!!

Shannon,
Glad the external drive worked for you. Still, since Canon says more than once in the manual that they don't support external or removable devices, a guy can't have any gripes if that set up should fail during a critical shoot...

Jacques,
Point taken, although value is a subjective thing. Right now, I personally won't part with $600 for something I can't get to work and looks a lot like the free software that preceded it AND the free software for their still cameras. A real break in paradigm for Canon to start putting camera features including basic consumer-level ones like interval recording, onto "expensive" add-on software. If CONSOLE becomes a critical solution to a problem, then I suppose I'll pony up. Not today.

Canon Software
 

The Canon D30 digital SLR was a revolutionary camera, and I purchased one of the first available in the US. But the software was buggy and unintuitive, and I hated it. Fortunately, a number of affordable third-party alternatives were quickly developed. Since that time, I've continued to purchase new Canon digicams (both SLR and point-and-shoot) and I like each camera for what it does, but I never bother to load any of the Canon software on any of my computers, even when it's free. Canon makes great cameras and exceptional glass, but I always look elsewhere for the software.

Best,
Christopher

Hi Chris,

I guess they've gotten better, because I'm one who is generally more disposed to keep it simple and stick with my main applications (in this case Photoshop), but I found that I actually prefer the Canon apps for initial acquisition and batching sort of stuff when using my little SD500 and my wife's 20D. In fact, I recall that the last time I did red-eye reduction, I went to the Canon app rather than PS CS (haven't upgraded to CS2, which I guess has a pretty good 1-click red-eye fix, but I digress).

It's my hope that CONSOLE turns out to work properly and isn't so expensive as we fear -- we shall see.

Hello Guys,

OK can you program focus and zoom actions so that they are repeatable?

More specifically, can you program them to act as a software application to run the camera i.e. Roll camera... speed... Director says action 5-4-3-2-1 zoom at a precise speed and focus to a specific distance... 10 sec delay, zoom at a variable rate to a predetermined FL and refocus... etc.

Or is this just a technicians consol... not that there is anything wrong with that :-)

Thanks!

No Timecode!!!
 

I just confirmed that capturing HDV footage using "CONSOLE" does NOT give you the same timecode as the footage on the tape.

All HDV clips recorded with Console start at 00:00:00;00 (in Sony Vegas 5)

This program better be FREE!

- ShannonRawls.com

Hey Buddy,

I thought the software was $600.00??

Now available for sale: http://www.canoncompanystore.com/epa...Detail=CONSOLE

Might be worth it for you.
Because it's not able to "CAPTURE" footage already recorded to the minidv tape and also the timecode of the clips it records do not match the timecode on the minidv tape inside the camera, it is not worth it for me.

I am sure some nature photographers can use it.

- ShannonRawls.com

UPDATE:

Once I was finally able to download the CONSOLE User Manual, I was able to get it to recognize my camera. I think the trick is that the camera must be powered on in a camera mode or Ext Control DURING software installation, not just afterwards for use.

As I've been focused on family over Christmas, I haven't messed with it since the day I got CONSOLE to install, but it still appeared that some basic camera control functions were NOT working -- and I'm not referring to things listed as disabled for the trial version. If my trial hasn't expired yet, I'll play with it again tonight and see how it works.

This morning I went to the Canon site just to see what's new and noticed a little icon with "Buy Now" on the Console software's web page; I tried numerous times through the morning and could not get the page to load.

This afternoon, coincidentally, I FINALLY got an email notice that the software is available so I went back to the web page. Lo and behold, the page was alive:
http://www.canoncompanystore.com/epa...Detail=CONSOLE
It confirms that the cost of the software is $599 AND requires you to have the camera on and running with the CONSOLE software when you TELEPHONE Canon to get a license key. You have to give them the camera Product ID as read by the software, so I don't know if that means once registered, you can or cannot mix and match your various XL2 and XL H1's. I currently have an XL2 and two XL H1s...I'd be MAD if I spent $599 and then could only use the software on one computer and one camera!

This software, if it does work as advertised, may fit the bill for a few folks with very specific needs. So far, though, my opinion is that most of us would have little use for it. It doesn't support SDI-out (capture functionality will be natively supported in your SDI solution anyway). It is limited to capturing HDV over firewire; 1394 has a 4.5m cable length limit unless you go to the hassle of daisy-chaining (vs up to 300 feet for SDI out). So kind of hard to see how a pro would want to use this on-location on a crane as Canon suggests in its advertising...I'd suppose there are probably better solutions for a no-kidding production studio. And kind of hard to see how many of us small-timers will want to pay $599 to be tethered through a relatively delicate 1394 jack to within 14 feet of the one PC that the software is activated on.

I get the impression that Canon decided to drop the SDK concept -- so nicely exemplified by the Blue Barn folks with their XL2 Presets Manager -- in favor of putting beefing up the free DV-PC software with some vectorscopes, the Presets functionality from the SDK, and a prettier user interface in the hopes of creating an additional revenue stream. So far, despite buying a second XL H1, I'm not ready to add this particular $599 to my credit card....right now its value to me has one less "9" in it. As I mentioned, I'll tinker with it a little again this evening if I'm able, and will try to have something good to say about it. ;-)

Petey! You got TWO Canon XL-H1's?? awwww man, i'm envious. I need another one badly as well. I was saving the money for the HVX200, but I may as well go ahead and get another XL-H1.

Have you tested any of the timecode sync stuff yet? Let me know.

oh yea,
remember, Firewire is only 15feet max for transfer speeds of 400mbps.
Digital Video is about 100mbps, so that's why its no problem to do runs of about 150 feet and everything works fine. I personally have a 75-foot firewire cable that handles DV/HDV no problem for long runs and crane shots.

- ShannonRawls.com

Yeah, to make a short story very long:

The originally ordered camera was mistakenly sent by FedEx Ground, which was going to take a whole week, instead of Overnight as intended. So the retailer kindly said to just refuse that one when it arrived and got another one sent out immediately by Overnight. I've been happily using that camera since Dec 5th.

After sending the refused Ground-shipped camera ALMOST all the way back to the retailer, FedEx screwed up and rerouted it back to me. And even worse, the BAD, BAD FedEx delivery guy, just left it at our front door without signature. I'm sure Santa didn't leave HIM any presents! ;-) Fortunately, none of the neighborhood urchins got to it before I just happened to look out the front door and see this huge box. Of course, as soon as I opened the door I recognized the box and knew the score.

Discussed it with the retailer (has adequate stock so didn't need it back to fill any orders), and, oh by the way, my wife. We figure that if we just don't turn out to do two-camera shoots, well, it'll have very good re-sale value for some time yet, especially as a REALLY low-hour camera. Hey, we've already seen a slightly used H1 go for $8500 on DVinfo, eh?

So, yeah, I'm two-fisting it at present. I had considered that IF I was going to get a second camera, I'd try out the HVX200, but since opportunity has knocked at my door with this second H1 (or I guess, DIDN'T knock) my camera-buying days are suspended for a while!

Shannon, appreciate the real-world info on the Firewire. Are you able to find longer cables, or are you actually daisy-chaining a bunch of them togetther with dumb connectors or repeaters?

Oh, and NOBODY gets away with calling me "Petey" except my mom. ;-)~

I was going to try some timecode stuff tonight as well as check back on CONSOLE, but I didn't get to the local store to get some BNC stuff. Probably tomorrow.

Pete, I only understand you story half... did you now got 2 cameras for the price of one?

No, sadly, two cameras for the price of two!

Yes, OUCH! I guess I'd better quite goofing off and start making some money with all these dang "toys."

(clearing throat) Mr. Bauer *smile*,

No...it's one single seventy five foot firewire cable with 4 pin connectors on both ends. You can get the same cable in 154-foot length as well. www.markertek.com

- ShannonRawls.com

I suspect you may be confusing USB cable limits. Firewire supports considerably longer lengths than USB.

Best,
Christopher

Thanks Shannon, I'm pretty amazed that it'll work over such a long stretch. But good news for the practicality of it.

I did just a quick check here with the CONSOLE trial software on my 2nd XL H1 (not the one used to install the software), and as I learn my way around the program, it seems to work properly, albeit with the annoying but normal one second delay.

Another potential hassle is that many of us using this camera will be using Cineform products and the CONSOLE only captures in standard HDV MPEG, so it means allotting extra time for converting files to Cineform AVI format after the capture.

If only it was 1/10th the price and I could use it on whichever of my computers it was most convenient to capture to, I might bite. But I think I'll be shooting and capturing the old fashioned way for a while.

EDIT:
Christopher,
No, I wasn't confusing the spec limits, except that it is possible that the 2.0 version of the 1394a spec limit may have caveats...I'm not a hardware tech guy so don't really know that level of detail. With that caveat, 1394a cables, per spec, aren't supposed to be more than 4.5m, but obviously people have found that well engineered cables will, in fact, work at much longer cable lengths and are making use of that.

Pete,
I've shot hundreds of green screen events with the basic coated firewire from your basic computer stores. They worked fine for awhile but always broke down inside the sheathing. So, I went to a store the actucually makes the firewire in a braided form that was industrial. It has never broke!

As far as length, well Shannon is correct, but if you feel a little uneasy you could try a repeater.

Good Luck, Joe