carsonld
Active Member
Recently, I have been working on tracing all of the closed circuit TV lines that were installed in our theatre. I really don’t know too much about video but I am slowly learning. I have created a video diagram, which is attached. On the drawing, I have drawn some items in hot pink. These are things I am planning on adding by the end of the fiscal year. Before going to crazy, I had a few question on what will work, what to buy, etc.
To quickly explain the drawing: I have the camera that goes through an analog to Cat5 balun. The cable goes to a distributor/amp and has eight outputs (seven runs). Each cat 5 output goes to a destination listed on the drawing. The run is probably around 300-500 feet. At the end of the run, that same balun is attached for whatever output source is in that room. Only the theatre room and stage left have a tv currently. I only have four box TVs currently so we convert the digital signal to the analog. Once I buy all flat screens, I might switch to digital depending on the price of the HDMI balun.
So here is what I would like to do and the questions that come with it:
I know this is a lot of information. I have about a year to get it all done. Thank you so much for y’alls input and help!
To quickly explain the drawing: I have the camera that goes through an analog to Cat5 balun. The cable goes to a distributor/amp and has eight outputs (seven runs). Each cat 5 output goes to a destination listed on the drawing. The run is probably around 300-500 feet. At the end of the run, that same balun is attached for whatever output source is in that room. Only the theatre room and stage left have a tv currently. I only have four box TVs currently so we convert the digital signal to the analog. Once I buy all flat screens, I might switch to digital depending on the price of the HDMI balun.
So here is what I would like to do and the questions that come with it:
- Buy a camera. I am not sure what I need here. I have asked the head audio guy at a theatre in town and he recommended just a cheap security camera that has analog outputs. This is great until he realized that the distance from the camera to the stage is around 100’-150’. I would like a fairly cheap camera (Under $750). It would either need to zoom or have a close-up lenses?
- Buy flat screen TVs that have analog inputs for the three dressing rooms and stage left/stage right. I would like to purchase an analog to VGA balun to have a computer monitor for stage management. Is this possible?
- I have two very large monitors in my office but neither have analog inputs. Could I get an analog to HDMI converter? I would then just switch inputs when I want to watch the onstage feed.
- I don’t have lines dropped backstage or in the pit. My plan is to buy a splitter (any brands?) and split the signal from the dressing room into five additional outputs. Would The cable running wouldn’t run more than 100’. So would I need to buy a distributor and amp like I have upstairs? Or can I get away with just a splitter? I would prefer not to have to buy another model like I have upstairs since its $500. But I’ll get what I need to get to get it done correctly.
- The previous question is also applied here. I am looking at fixing output 7 (it just doesn’t have a CAT 5 end by the splitter upstairs) and splitting that signal into four signals: one for HL lobby, HR lobby, Box Office, Concessions. Do I need the amp and distro or just the distro?
I know this is a lot of information. I have about a year to get it all done. Thank you so much for y’alls input and help!