OT: Walkie-talkie interferes with Sony VX2100

smhontz wrote on 8/6/2005, 6:18 PM
We have two Sony VX2100 cameras we use in our church. One of them sits in the back right by our sound board. Recently we purchased some Motorola walkie-talkies with headets so we can talk amongst the tech-team during the service and give camera directions, etc. I believe (but haven't confirmed yet) that these are your standard run-of-the-mill FRS-type walkie-talkies.

When we have the walkie-talkie within 3-6 feet of the camera, and you key it, the picture in the camera slides over. Not interference patterns, mind you, the picture literally pushes partially over to the side, maybe moving a full 1/4 of the frame width, or up at a diagonal, depending on where the walkie-talkie is in relation to the camera. It's really noticeable when the camera is zoomed in. And, the camera is connected via S-video to our video switcher, and the picture moves there, too, so it's not just something happening on the flip-out LCD screen. Changing the channel on the walkie-talkie doesn't help.

Anyone know why that would happen or has anyone seen this elsewhere?

Comments

RNLVideo wrote on 8/6/2005, 6:26 PM
I was video taping a race last weekend with my VX-2000 and believe that the same thing happened. I was on a camera platform along with a couple of race team spotters who were using radios. I have no idea what type of radios they were using, but I saw the same thing you describe - the picture moving horizontally in the viewfinder.

I've operated next to other radios before and haven't had an issue, so I'm not sure what was different this time.

Rick
farss wrote on 8/6/2005, 8:46 PM
I think some of the newer spread specturm radios might be the culprit.
Bob.
DavidMcKnight wrote on 8/6/2005, 9:39 PM
does it show up on the tape?
John_Cline wrote on 8/6/2005, 10:04 PM
This has been the subject of a lot discussion on the VX2100/PD170 forums. Apparently, any RF devices, like two-way radios or cell phones in relatively close proximity to the camera will cause the optical image stabilizer to "freak out", usually by locking to one extreme or the other. Was the "Super Steady Shot" turned on or off when you noticed your issue? If it was on, try turning it off and see what happens.

This also happens with the VX2000/PD150 cameras as well.

John

RNLVideo wrote on 8/7/2005, 6:33 AM
Yes, mine is on tape and yes, I had the stabilization turned on. Interesting.....

Rick
PhilCT wrote on 8/7/2005, 7:06 AM
We use Cannons and a Sony 250 with FSR radios and S-video switchers all the time. Never had an issue. We usually just have the directors radio mic locked in transmit so the other radio's only recieve.

I have had a few sound issues if the transmitting radio is too close to lower end wireless mics, we now try to test combatibility of all
wireless units as soon as we can when we go into unfamiliar setups.

Phil
smhontz wrote on 8/7/2005, 8:23 AM
John,

What's the URL for that forum? I'd like to read some of the discussions...
johnmeyer wrote on 8/7/2005, 9:18 AM
Is this a problem when using a wireless mic?
Coursedesign wrote on 8/7/2005, 9:30 AM
Is this a problem when using a wireless mic?

No, because then you have the transmitter far away and the receiver hooked up to the camera (unless you do parallel sound or feed a mixer that's some distance away).
John_Cline wrote on 8/7/2005, 9:48 AM
It's been discussed on this forum:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=2

Specifically these threads: (and probably others)

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=29033

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=5777

and, as I remember, it was discussed on the Yahoo Groups VX2000/PD150 mail list as well.

John