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Home: Video University Forums: Tech Q & A:
Shooting Computerized Christmas Lights

 


darrylb
Novice


Oct 12, 2004, 9:38 PM

Post #1 of 7 (3872 views)
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Shooting Computerized Christmas Lights Can't Post
SmileHello All,

I am looking for a video camera to shoot Christmas Lights. Actually they are moving Christmas lights. Every light is controlled by computer and is sync to music. Here is a link to my video. This video was shot with a older Sony Handy Cam.
http://www.christmaslightshow.com/video/

Thanks!
Darryl
Darryl Brown
We Put People In Control Of Their Lights!
http://www.CHristmasLightShow.Com


videobear
Veteran


Oct 13, 2004, 6:13 AM

Post #2 of 7 (3861 views)
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Re: [darrylb] Shooting Computerized Christmas Lights [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi, Darryl!

I moved this thread over to the Tech Q&A forum from the "Teaching Video Production" forum, since it's more of a technical question.

Pretty much any camera will do the trick...whatever you're using currently seems OK. But the Sony VX-2100 is especially good in low light, which may give you a bit more latitude in shooting.




Regards,
Doug Graham
Panda Productions


darrylb
Novice


Oct 13, 2004, 9:01 AM

Post #3 of 7 (3854 views)
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Re: [videobear] Shooting Computerized Christmas Lights [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
Hi, Darryl!

I moved this thread over to the Tech Q&A forum from the "Teaching Video Production" forum, since it's more of a technical question.

Pretty much any camera will do the trick...whatever you're using currently seems OK. But the Sony VX-2100 is especially good in low light, which may give you a bit more latitude in shooting.
Thanks Doug. The main thing I am looking for is to pick up color. I have two trees that fade from one color to the next. The Camera I used then had a problem with that. Do you think the VX-2100 will be good for this? I am also wanting to be able to plug in an another audio source. I want to pick up the surrounding sound, people, outside music, etc. and Just the music being broadcast from a low powered Fm transmitter. I will be broadcasting the music that the display is sync to and basically plug an FM receiver into the extra mic or headset input. Will this camera capture both audio without overlapping it.
Darryl Brown
We Put People In Control Of Their Lights!
http://www.CHristmasLightShow.Com


(This post was edited by darrylb on Oct 13, 2004, 9:01 AM)


videobear
Veteran


Oct 13, 2004, 10:51 AM

Post #4 of 7 (3851 views)
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Re: [darrylb] Shooting Computerized Christmas Lights [In reply to] Can't Post
Getting reliable color out of those miniature lights is anything but easy. Try closing down the iris on the camera. This will darken the non-lighted portion of the image, but may keep the lights themselves from oversaturating.

Also, use manual white balance, or use the incandescent preset. Auto WB will try to adjust the image when the colors change, tending to wash them out.




Regards,
Doug Graham
Panda Productions


darrylb
Novice


Oct 13, 2004, 12:19 PM

Post #5 of 7 (3844 views)
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Re: [videobear] Shooting Computerized Christmas Lights [In reply to] Can't Post
Thanks Again Doug. Can you recommend a good place to purchase one of these. I have already figured out that most Cameras are sold out of New York and try to sell at low prices to draw people in for the kill.
Darryl Brown
We Put People In Control Of Their Lights!
http://www.CHristmasLightShow.Com


videobear
Veteran


Oct 13, 2004, 1:04 PM

Post #6 of 7 (3841 views)
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Re: [darrylb] Shooting Computerized Christmas Lights [In reply to] Can't Post
B&H, http://www.bhphotovideo.com
Armatos, http://www.armatos.com
Al-Art Video, http://www.alartvideo.com/

...and some of our forum participants also recommend Butterfly Photo, though I haven't tried them myself.

You can occasionally find a good deal on lightly used gear in the Trading Post forum right here on VU.

In general, check the ratings of anyone you plan to deal with via mailorder at http://www.resellerratings.com




Regards,
Doug Graham
Panda Productions


MarshallM
Veteran


Oct 15, 2004, 12:33 AM

Post #7 of 7 (3806 views)
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Re: [darrylb] Shooting Computerized Christmas Lights [In reply to] Can't Post
A small piece of advice, Darryl. Reshoot the light show using a tripod.

Marshall