Low Budget Wireless HDMI Monitor System Could Help Indies
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- August 19, 2014
By James DeRuvo (doddleNEWS)
Wireless HDMI can be really beneficial on set, but options like Teradek’s Cube or the Paralinx Arrow can run $900 to $2,000, and that’s about the cost of an entire project for some indie, guerrilla filmmakers, and an entire season for the YouTube set. Luckily, the Nyrius ARIES Pro is a more cost effective option that not only gives users wireless HDMI in high def, but does it for under $300. But there’s some work you have to do in order to literally swing it.
Top of the line wireless systems are great to work with when the funds allow, but for this production, it wasn’t an option … And, while I’ve had varying success with home-brew wireless HDMI in the past (so I was skeptical), I was delightfully surprised with how this unit performed in the middle of an industrial district in a major city. And all for under $275. Here is what you need to make this happen for yourself. – Ryan Walters
We’ve done these setups before, but not with the of range or color specs that the Nyrius ARIES Pro wireless HDMI transmitter promises. Which is 10-bit 4:2:2 at 1080p 60fps. Yeow. The Aries is primarily built for home use, with gamers and home theater geeks as their main fans since it can send games from your computer to your big screen.
But since it’s rated range capability is over 150 feet (and some even report twice that line of sight), it’s a prime candidate to be used on set as a wireless monitor option. Cinematographer Ryan Walters used the Aries Pro on the set of his latest film, but he ran into an issue of requiring AC power and the Aries Pro receiver.
Unsatisfied, Walters kluged together a DC/DC converter with a D-Tap Plug. But unfortunately, he was limited to half minute of power before the system overheated and shut down. Not wanting to fry the system, Walters decided to go with the AC system.”The receiver has to be powered via the included AC adapter. Which really isn't that big of a deal, as the monitor has to be plugged in anyway.”
Image credit: Joe Simon on Instagram
Killer Wireless handheld setup @smallhd #nyrius Directors best friend – Joe Simon, Instagram
But cameraman Joe Simon has discovered that since the Aries Pro transmitter can also be powered via USB a backup power brick which has a 6,000+ mAh battery built in and a 5v USB plugs, Simon was able to power up his SmallHD field monitor via the Aries with no trouble, even calling it a “director’s best friend.” And you can do it all for under $50 for the battery and cables. That makes the total around $275-300 and you have a wireless HDMI field monitor.
My preference is the Jackery Giant, as it has a 10,000+ mAh battery, which will give you almost twice as much battery life. Amazon has them right now for $39.95 with free shipping. It’s a bit larger, but time vs. heft, ya know? If it’s too heavy, the 6000mAh battery is $29.95.
These are mostly designed to act as mobile rechargers for your cellphone or tablet, but runners and gunners are discovering they make a very important contribution to keeping the camera off the tripod and still be able to see the shot. So, power it up, stick it on a good handle grip rig and you’re completely mobile.
This is really what film work is all about. Putting together technology solutions that can be used to get the shot. And it’s all too often the spark that creates innovations like wireless HDMI transmitters. But solutions aren’t always one-size-fits-all. And as such, the innovation cycle repeats and repeats. And we’re all the better for it as filmmakers.
Hat Tip – NFS
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