Production Talkback (open)

[SYB]

I currently use radios with headsets to talk to my camera ops however every time I have

to hit the talk button to talk to them. I am directing them so I really just need to be open to

all them all the time. They don't need to be able to respond to me but in ideal world if they needed

to talk to me they could. I wondered if there anything that I could use to keep my radio open apart

from the obvious gaffer tape.

 

Any Ideas.

 

Ally

[tolley1466]

There's usually a function that, when it detects a voice or sound (depending on sensitivity level) the radio starts transmitting and doesn't stop until the sound has stopped.

But have you got the manual?

[dunk_1984]

Ryan you are referring to VOX.

 

I think the response times with this may be too slow for the OP.

 

Wireless Comms is an option, but it would likely be more expensive than the OP plans to spend.

[SYB]

Ryan you are referring to VOX.

 

I think the response times with this may be too slow for the OP.

 

Wireless Comms is an option, but it would likely be more expensive than the OP plans to spend.

 

We would like to still use the current system of radios for the cameras, the director can have a new piece of kit.

Also we work at concert so the environment is never quiet.

 

Thanks in advance

[dunk_1984]

Are the cameras wired?

[tolley1466]

Ryan you are referring to VOX.

 

I think the response times with this may be too slow for the OP.

 

Wireless Comms is an option, but it would likely be more expensive than the OP plans to spend.

 

Thats the one!!

Hmm... I don't think it would be very good in a loud music situation.

All I can think off is wired/wireless comms.

[cedd]

Are we talking reasonably cheapo consumer walkie talkies here (Unlicensed, domestic, use to talk to the kids at the other end of the park - sort of things)?

 

If so, you're only talking 25 to 30 quid per handset. If you're really desperate, you could buy a few more and issue everyone with two, both on different channels. One permanently receiving your gaffa taped vox, the other to talk back to you (you'd also have a second set to receive). Would also mean that if two ops needed to talk to synchronise a move or just pass a message, they could nick the spare channel and you could still give instructions.

Effectively by doing that, you've created a duplex system like proper wired cans are, albeit requiring two beltpacks.

 

Cheaper than wired or pro wireless, but only if what you've currently got works and gives the performance you need. Having once tried walkie talkies, I'll never do it again. Proper wired cans all the way. Whatever floats your boat.

[paulears]

For the director to cameras link, vox is very annoying - sometimes the very first syllable is the important one. A couple of points - most handhelds work by detecting the resistance across the mic socket when you push the PTT on a remote mic - so can be fooled into transmitting by experimenting with a switched resistance. However, handhelds are designed for a very light duty cycle - so they may well overheat and reduce output power if you leave them on - and run batteries down. An external PSU would work - but a cheaper solution might be a surplus proper Base station transmitter on whatever frequency you're licensed on. If the radios you are using works on PMR446 it's more difficult because the spec prohibits external aerials, base stations etc - not what it's for. The other more legit solution is to use licensed kit on a UHF PMR channel and do it properly. Ebay sometimes has surplus kit still licensable that could be used. If your cameras are cabled (I assume they are as you can't cut pictures you can't see) a better solution would just be a normal cans system - that's what I use. Wired is much more simple. My experience is that certain cameras hate RF near them - I've got some Sony betacams that PMR breaks though on - and records on the tape - damn nuisance. I think it gets in via the mic pre-amps.

[boatman]

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If the radios you are using works on PMR446 it's more difficult because the spec prohibits external aerials, base stations etc - not what it's for.

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Maybe so, but there are several PMR446 base stations about. Try Googling for 'Multicom XT-1000' or 'Intek MT-5070' You can often find them on ebay, or if you want a mainstream supplier then try Canford or Thunderpole.

[GregB]

Simple solution to the Unlicensed Cheap-type radio.

1. Turn radio ON;

2. Plug in head set;

 

This simple procedure on Motorola radios jams that radio onto 'Open Mic'. All radios tuned into the same frequency, within range, will recieve continuous broadcast.

[tolley1466]

I just had a thought.

How about buying a headset and a few wired in-ear monitors?

So you can talk to them and they can hear via the in-ear monitors or you could go completely wireless.

 

Just a thought!

[paulears]

Just a comment about PMR446 base stations, the ones linked to are not proper bases stations, they operate on internal power, with an external power supplu and a fixed aerial - running the same power as the portables. For want of a better description, they are simply walkie talkies that sit on a desk. They are not suitable for continuous transmitting. They are just designs that comply with the spec.

 

I still think that if you are cabling your cameras, why not just just run ordinary comms alongside. My multicore video cables have a comms core in them which breaks out to a Tecpro pack at the camera end, and a master station at the mixer end. I have loads of PMR radios, but they are just not really much use. The cable system is vastly more reliable, has more volume, full duplex and simplicity - and cannot cause interference.

 

The in-ear system would work fine as a simplex system, but is quite an expensive option.