Live feed video equipment

[Tim Whitten]

Can anyone suggest what sort of equipment I might use in order to feed a live image to a TV? I want to use a camera of some sort to shoot my POV in a hands-on course that I am teaching. My little digital camera has an AV Out jack and can almost do the job - but it powers down after a minute or so. Are there alternatives to an expensive digital camcorder that might be up to the task?

Thanks.

[jerry bark]

I do this all the time at work. I simply use a DV video camera I plug it into my laptop and record on the computer in realtime. it works great for me.

If you don't want to go that route, you should be able to pick up a used VHS camcorder for a few bucks and you can simply connect it to your TV with an RCA cable from radio shack or wal-mart.

another option is to pick up a simple security closed circuit tv camera and connect that via wire. ebay should provide you with a cheap CCTV unit.

lots of possibilities,

good luck
jerry

[pcford]

Can anyone suggest what sort of equipment I might use in order to feed a live image to a TV? I want to use a camera of some sort to shoot my POV in a hands-on course that I am teaching. My little digital camera has an AV Out jack and can almost do the job - but it powers down after a minute or so. Are there alternatives to an expensive digital camcorder that might be up to the task?

Thanks.

Put a tape in your camera and press the red button.

Consumer level cameras time out after a few minutes in standby. If the camera is running, it won't time out. A decent consumer level camera ought to suit your needs just fine.

[StevenBauer]

My little digital camera has an AV Out jack and can almost do the job - but it powers down after a minute or so.

You can probably change the settings so the camera won't power down like that. Check your manual or e-mail the camera company's customer service dept.


Steven

[pcford]

You can probably change the settings so the camera won't power down like that. Check your manual or e-mail the camera company's customer service dept.


Steven

don't think so. At least my "snapshot" Canon video camera won't do it. With a tape in it, it won't time out. Pop for a 3 buck DV tape. Save it if you want, record over it if you wish.

[Tim Whitten]

Thanks Jerry, actually I thought of the old VHS camcorder about a minute after submitting the first post. That is probably the easiest and best solution.

The camera that I referred to above is a point and shoot digital still camera, not a video camera. It does record short clips but does not have a setting to override the display power down. And believe it or not - I read the manual when I unpacked it. :)

[pcford]

VHS cameras are pretty much a POS. Quality will be bad.

You should be able to get a mini DV video camera for less than $200. Less on Ebay.