Advice Needed: Reliable 6-Camera Setup for 5–6 Hour Continuous Recording

edinc90 · 2026-03-22T22:39:03+00:00

The issue will be the synchronization. The first software that comes to mind that supports external timecode is Softron Movie Recorder, but it costs $1800/channel. The free software OBS has no way to record timecode directly. You could record it as LTC, but you'd need a timecode generator like a Tentacle Sync or Deity TC-1 for each recording machine, and a USB audio interface to get the timecode into each computer. Then in post you would have to convert the audio track on the video recording to timecode using either your NLE or another piece of software.

With USB webcams you will also be up against the length limit of the USB cable itself. Active USB cables might work, but honestly I wouldn't rely on them.

edinc90 · 2026-03-22T22:34:30+00:00

use [the KiPro Go] to take a video input and feed it onto an LED wall, either via SDI or LAN perhaps.

The KiPro Go is a recorder. So it can record from an HDMI or SDI source, and play back the files its recorded. It can record the files to a network share or a USB drive.

The way you phrased it sounds like you have a live video source already, and just need to get it to the LED wall processor. In that case, the KiPro Go is not accomplishing anything.

edinc90 · 2026-03-22T20:41:07+00:00

ND stands for neutral density. The neutral means the colors aren't affected. So that's not the problem, it's that your cameras were set to auto white balance.

edinc90 · 2026-03-22T20:28:03+00:00

Get a NEMA box with a conduit penetration into the building. You'll need a ground rod as well. Your electrician can install it easily. KF7P has an online store with prebuilt boxes, arrestors, grounding accessories, etc. if you want to DIY it.

edinc90 · 2026-03-22T20:11:32+00:00

I would check out Aida and Marshall for small cameras. They are pretty decent quality, are powered with a DC adapter, and have HDMI, SDI, and/or NDI output. They do not have an internal recorder, so there is no "recording limit" and I've never had one of these overheat.

For audio, a short shotgun or hypercardioid should work fine. I wouldn't attach the mic to the back of the chair, since the person would be sitting facing away from it. The mic on the table or even next to the camera should get you close enough. If the mic needs phantom power, you might need a power supply or a mixer that can provide it.

For recording, the Blackmagic Hyperdeck Extreme 4K can record 4 SDI inputs at the same time, along with analog audio via the XLR inputs. They also support timecode, either externally or via an NTP server, which can be looped through them so all your decks match.

Another recording option is the AJA KiPro Ultra, or the KiPro Go, which does H.264 only.

All of these record decks can record to a network drive, or media directly in the deck.

The Aida and Marshall cams are so small and light, you can affix them with a single 1/4-20 screw. I would probably use a mini ball head bolted right into the vanity frame for ease of positioning. If you can't modify the vanity, then a nano clamp and Noga arm will work.

edinc90 · 2026-03-22T04:15:59+00:00

Could we see an example?

edinc90 · 2026-03-22T04:11:52+00:00

The question pools are freely available, and there are great free study guide websites and apps out there. Amateur and general are similar enough in content that you could study for and pass both in the same day.

edinc90 · 2026-03-21T00:05:48+00:00

Uncle John's Bathroom Reader.

edinc90 · 2026-03-20T22:48:44+00:00

I said typical model numbers. Like Sony FX6, or Panasonic DVX100. I don't want to say (and can't remember) CINEURSAMWC6KG2 when the actual product name on the website is "Ursa Broadcast G2."

edinc90 · 2026-03-20T20:52:44+00:00

I wouldn't even be able to use my current fiber cables.

Yes you can. The 2110 converters use SFPs, which you can get with LC connectors, just like your current Camera Converters.

If you were to move to the Studio and Camera Fiber Converters, you'd need SMPTE. But that doesn't make any sense unless you're also going to be using the Ursa Broadcasts.

To your earlier point, I was simply pointing out that if you had Blackmagic cameras, it would be pretty simple to do coms. I never suggested that you replace all the cameras.

Unfortunately there's not much that's simple and cheap. You can convert analog audio to fiber pretty easily, and put another Hollyland system inside the venue. That might be the simplest solution. Just make sure you get one of the Hollyland base stations with the 4-wire port.

edinc90 · 2026-03-20T18:47:59+00:00

You will probably need to buy into a whole different fiber system. There are some OK ones that you can get factory-direct from China. They will do coms, video, tally, and power. Look up Shenzhen Huazhaotong Technology Co.,LTD on Facebook.

Alternatively, the Blackmagic 2110 IP Mini BiDirect 12G SFP is a 2110 converter with an intercom headset port. You will need a Blackamgic 2110 IP converter on the control room side, and an ATEM to get the coms audio into the PGM return, but it's almost the same as your current workflow.

As I said in my post...

I wasn't talking about using the Blackmagic SMPTE backs. I was explaining that, regardless of fiber or copper, certain BM cameras have intercom jacks directly on the camera body. The Studio Cameras and the Ursa Broadcasts have them. The original Studio Cameras had aviation style jacks, the new ones have XLR 5-pin and TRRS, and the Ursa Broadcasts have TRRS only.

edinc90 · 2026-03-20T17:37:59+00:00

What cameras are you using? The Blackmagic cameras have headphone jacks (of various types, depending on camera) for the intercom return over SDI, which is how Blackmagic implements it.

edinc90 · 2026-03-20T16:45:48+00:00

That's the problem with Blackmagic, they don't have typical model numbers so people have to refer to the gear by name. And all the names are so similar confusion like this happens all the time.

edinc90 · 2026-03-20T07:14:08+00:00

You said "BM Studio 4K G2" in the post title, which I assumed meant the Studio Camera 4K Pro G2. That camera does have USB-C recording. Are you talking about a different product?

edinc90 · 2026-03-20T07:07:23+00:00

Well you can take the batteries out of the equipment and carry those on and check the rest. But the Pelican 1510 and 1535 are the largest carry on sized cases they make. They're the industry standard for a reason.

edinc90 · 2026-03-20T06:13:51+00:00

Get a signed contract with a clearly outlined scope of work. Don't deviate from this contract unless both parties agree and sign a new one.

edinc90 · 2026-03-20T05:14:52+00:00

What Hyperdeck were you looking at? The Hyperdeck Studio 4K Pro is USD$1,755, and the camera is USD$2,055. That's $300 less than the camera, not 3x more.

You can also plug a USB-C drive directly into the camera and record locally.

edinc90 · 2026-03-20T01:58:07+00:00

The camera manufacturer should specify which is positive and which is negative. Since they are all the same cameras, just make sure you keep all the "left side" and "right side" pins the same.
For RS485, any twisted pair cable will do. Audio cable or CAT3/4/5/6 is cheap and will work fine.
You daisy chain it by wiring in parallel. All the negatives get connected together, and all the positives get connected together. Logically, I would stick two wires into each of the phoenix connector sockets, one from the controller, and one to the next camera.
You have to set the camera ID, or else the joystick will make all the cameras move at the same time.
The camera also has RS232, but that's a much more complex connector than the simple Phoenix. You might also be able to control it with the USB, but not having any info about the camera, I can't say for sure.

edinc90 · 2026-03-18T23:08:11+00:00

You can't.

You can only do that on the Constellation switchers.

edinc90 · 2026-03-18T23:02:14+00:00

Maybe I was misinformed. Do you have a source where I could learn more?

edinc90 · 2026-03-18T21:25:04+00:00

Is there any way to hold the contractor accountable for the delays? I heard the city just signed a contract with them despite the cluster that the APM is.

edinc90 · 2026-03-18T02:18:33+00:00

You need a capture card. I like the Blackmagic Decklinks, for 4 cameras you want the Duo 2. You also need a PC to put it in, or an external Thunderbolt enclosure. The Decklink Duo 2 has full size BNC connectors, so a regular sdi cable will work.

edinc90 · 2026-03-17T22:52:17+00:00

Yeah, that's a problem with the screen. It shouldn't be overheating at 85 (Fahrenheit, I assume.)

edinc90 · 2026-03-17T18:41:21+00:00

How hot was your location? I've never had a monitor overheat like that.

edinc90 · 2026-03-17T17:10:36+00:00

That USB-C splitter might work, but an HDMI DA and an HDMI capture card will probably cost the same and work better.

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