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Choosing video system for AAW Chapter

F

Fred Culbert

Joined
Sep 17, 2007
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Location
southeast Wisconsin
Our local chapter is investigating buying a video system. The criteria are to provide a viewing screen for those unable to get close enough to see well and to document demonstrations that we put on. And, of course, it must be with our budget. Which means cheap.
I would like to hear from anyone who is knowledgeable in the field or who has had any experience in purchasing a video system.

Thank you,

Fred Culbert
 
Fred - If "cheap" is the operative word then you might want to consider hitting the thrift shops / consignment stores in your area or look in the classifieds or ebay. Pick up one or more older tube type tvs, an old analog camcorder and a tripod. A couple cables and you are in business. You might be able to do it for under $100.

The above would take care of viewing. Documenting for posterity would require investment in a wireless sound system at a minmum. If you had a member willing to take the camcorder home and burn to DVD / VHS with their equipment you wouldn't need anything else.

Ed
 
Our chapter (Pikes Peak Woodturners) was given a $1,120 grant this year to totally upgrade our video system with digital equipment. You might consider looking to the AAW for some help as well. Applications for next year's grants are due to the AAW St Paul office on or before 15 January, 2008. Here's a link to the Educational Opportunity Grant page

BTW, if you know someone who goes to the AAW's annual symposium and bids on the live and silent auction items that are generously donated by AAW members...then thank that person...for funding the EOG program.

A hearty thank you is also owed to the AAW Board, AAW staff and volunteers who make this program possible. It is without a doubt, one of the most beneficial aspects of being a part of this great organization - commercial over :)
 
Ed, thanks for the EOG "plug".

Fred, rather than going real "cheap", I would suggest you look into a real video projector and camera(s). Just like woodworking tools, cheap stuff seems to always need replacing and upgrading. The cost of a complete modern system is getting less and less and there's no comparison between a small TV and a large bright projected image. In fact, if you go the small TV route, after a few uses, you will most likely not bother because it's not worth the trouble. Start a fund-raising effort; apply for a grant, whatever it takes. Good luck.
 
Thank you for the input. I have to agree with Malcolm that going real cheap is not the answer. If we could get a grant that could very well make the difference between having a system that is just hodgepodge and one that will last and provide decent DVDs.
Does anyone have any experience with providing demonstration material to local schools? Are they looking for such material?

Fred
 
Cheap doesn't have to mean bad. Lots of people are dumping perfectly good large tube TVs as they upgrade to the latest Plasma/LCD/Projection/Whatever. You also get the added benefit (and cost savings) of a built in sound system with a TV. They are a good solution for a club that can leave equipment at the meeting location on rolling carts. If you have to transport the equipment to and from the meeting site, you probably don't want to consider large tube TVs.

By all means, get the best system you can afford. Wireless cameras and microphones and full digital recording, editing and projection capabilities would be fantastic. But if the money is limited for whatever reason, my advice is to not put off doing something just because you can't afford the best right now.

Ed
 
more info in AAW Chapter Presidents' Forum

YoYo Spin gave a link to a SWAT newsletter article that may help you in the second post of the Audio Visual Upgrade Advice?? Thread in the AAW Chapter Presidents' Forum within this AAW Forums site.
 
The Bayou Woodturners have been using video for about 6 years. We started with a really inexpensive CCTV camera with a fixed lense. We eventually went for a grant and got a mini DV camera by Sony. This year I bought two more cameras for a total of $300 on EBAY from a reputable dealer with a warranty. We were using a projector borrowed from a school for years. When it wasn't available we also purchased one from e-bay for about $300. We use a 5X5 projector screen, cheap switcher and two cameras getting an overhead and tails stock view. One of our members provides another projector and screen from his firm. This gives us two fixed views, one on each side of the demo, for members to watch. We assign an assistant to keep the cameras set right, use a small monitor on one camera so the demonstrator can see one of the views (he can then bring a tool up close to show edges, etc) It seems complicated, but we can put up the overhead canopy, mount cameras, lights, screens, everything in less than an hour. Our members now enjoy the best demonstration presentation available.
I did some checking and we can probably borrow at least 3 more projectors from members if we needed them.
EBay is a great place to shop for this equipment, just buy from reputable firms when you find the stuff.
We have David Ellsworth coming on next may and by that time we'll have a new overhead canopy system, with three cameras and a Bose sound system donated by a member. When we have someone as special as David come in, we want the best in presentations for those in attendance.
It has involved lots of work, some experimentation and some dedication, but when I sit in our audience, I get a better view on the screens than I can standing next to the demonstrator. I haave posted a photo of the old set-up in the gallery section. Cameras, lights and power are included in the overhead.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Ann Herbst:I was unable to find the thread to the SWAT newsletter.
Captain Eddie: Thanks for the info. This is the kind of input I need as Audio Visual systems are not my area of expertise.

Fred
 
It depends, don’t you hate those answers…

How many members do you need to support / view a demo? We have anywhere from 80 to 120 at our meetings so we have two 32†TVs on TV stands..

Our video camera uses an internal Hard disk drive. I burn DVDs of the demos off the cameras HDD at home. Then place them in our member’s video library.

I agree with the statement Cheap is not always the best. You can find good deals on cameras and TVs if the timing is right..

Please feel free to shoot me a message if you have further questions.

Happy turnin’

Frank
 
Does anyone use multiple “pin-hole†mini-cams for your demos, and if so, what model are your remote (cheap) cameras and the switcher, and where did you buy this equipment?

We were planning to buy a mini camera and switcher setup from the Canadian company Woodchucker, but they are not selling this equipment any longer.
 
Ed,

Radio Shack has an inexpensive switcher for $20. It has 4 inpouts and can use either s-video or composite (RA) signals. It is only a switch an requires no power. I bougt one for our club and I think that it's better than the Woodchucker version. There are some Sony color security cameras available for about $75 which comes with everything that the old Woodchuckers camera system did. I'm liiking for the website (it's www.123..... something). As soon as I find it, I'll let you know.
 
demonstrator cameras - sources?

Our chapter is also interested in enhancing our member experience during out demonstrations.

There used to be a source out of Canada (Woodchuckers) that offered demonstrator cameras for ~$120, but I believe they no longer are available. I seem to recall somewhere that an alternative supplier was available... does anyone recal?

What's the pros and cons and experiences of using a large TV (s) versus an LCD projector(s)? We are debating that at the moment and would be interested in other chapter's experiences.
 
Large TV? Where are you going to store them? That's why we went to the projectors and the screens. We've been doing it for about 7 years and if we stopped today, I'd catch hell from members. We are trying to develop camera assistants for hand helds, etc. But the two stationary cameras shown in the photo work great. We get a "turners" shot and a tailstock shot. Everybody sees the action all the time. There is also a companion thread on the Chapter Forum.
I found full color CCTV from home security companies with a fixed lense, which is zoomable by hand and rotates to help get the shot. They were just at $100 and we used them for about 2 years without a glitch. I now have them watching my yard. I had to get creative for a mount, but that is what any camera will need.
 

Attachments

Captain Eddie said:
Large TV? Where are you going to store them?
Click to expand...

Your club has a really nice setup, but I have to laugh about your concern about TVs taking up too much storage room. Where the heck do you store that bridge that you have everything mounted on in the picture? :eek: Do you have to assemble / disassemble for each meeting?

Ed
 
There used to be a source out of Canada (Woodchuckers) that offered demonstrator cameras for ~$120, but I believe they no longer are available. I seem to recall somewhere that an alternative supplier was available... does anyone recal?



Ed,

The website I was trying to remember was www.123cctv.net. They have a Sony "Ultra-mini" Color Camera with power supply and 25 ft cable for $75.95.

I've ordered two.
 
Storage

We store the display in our trailer. It takes less than 5 minutes to set it up. I used bed frame brackets for assembly. They have been dropped and dragged a few times. Wonder what would happen if they were TVs?
 
They have been dropped and dragged a few times.[/QUOTE said:
I guess as long as they don't drop them on the projector you are good to go. :D

I really like the setup, but something like that would be a little harder sell at my clubs.

One club has on-site storage and two big TVs on rolling carts. Only takes a minute to roll out the TV. Our lighting is horrible though and it sure would be nice to have the flexibility your bridge offers.

The other club meets in a very small space with a wall mounted TV permanently installed. We're lucky we have enough room for chairs and a lathe.


Ed
Click to expand...
 
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