HC3-TopDawg-Back Monitor

[wilbkr1]

Hello Everyone,

My Top Dawg had its first leak test. In the bathtub! After that I started playing around with the camera controls. Simple things like record then pause zoom in and zoom out turn off….. Wait how the heck do you turn the camera off? I bet it took me half an hour to figure out how to turn the blasted thing off. I know… read the instructions. So then I moved on to using the back monitor and here is where I really ran into problems. With the back monitor you can’t tell what mode you’re in. The best way I figure is to look into the port. Any help? Not much to tell, but tomorrow I hit the pool for a real dive… well maybe not a real dive, but at least I get to get wet.

Couple things I’d like to mention. You need to use the second hole of the base closes to the faceplate, otherwise you get a reflection of the red recording light on your film. (with the HC3)

The Top Dawg is positively buoyant at the surface. I think it’s that way by design. Any input on this is welcome.

Finally I’d like to report that my bathtub looks AWESOME in 1080I. Hope the community doesn’t mind me reporting my findings since I’m new to every facet of underwater videography, maybe it'll help someone else that’s just getting started. I’ll report again after the pool. I’ll try to post some video so you Pros can give advice.

Stay Wet!

WIlbkr1

 

[drbill]

Are you getting 4:3 or 16:9 using the Top Dawg monitor with the HC3?

Place a piece of electrical tape over the red light to avoid the problem. The fish don't need to know you're filming them... they'll just do stupid tricks if they can see your red light.

Positively bouyant with or without lights? Mine is positive with 0 or 1 but negative with 2 (of the older Sunray/Makita battery models). I prefer mine slightly positive so if I drop it, it rises to the surface rather than drops down that 7,000 foot deep wall!

Don't mind footage of the bathtub... as long as your girlfriend was in it!

 

[wilbkr1]

Hello,

Are you getting 4:3 or 16:9 using the Top Dawg monitor with the HC3?

Well since I saw no black strips across the top or bottom, I'd say 4:3.

The fish don't need to know you're filming them... they'll just do stupid tricks if they can see your red light.

Are you kidding or is this for real. OMG! if you are kidding I really am showing I'm a newbie. LOL Fish doing cartwheels

Positively bouyant with or without lights?

Ummmm without. Didn't figure I could get my whole light system in the tub. But heck I'll try anything once. I agree with the whole not dropping it 7000 ft down.

Don't mind footage of the bathtub... as long as your girlfriend was in it!

You show me yours and I'll show you mine.

Looking forward to the pool dive tomorrow!

Stay Wet!
Wilbkr1

 

[diversteve]

Quote:
Are you getting 4:3 or 16:9 using the Top Dawg monitor with the HC3?

Well since I saw no black strips across the top or bottom, I'd say 4:3.

Assuming you've plugged the Composite output into the monitor, I think the default is 4:3 - in SD. You can change it to 16:9 in the camera menu settings.

 

[wilbkr1]

Hello again,

Couldn't sleep.

Assuming you've plugged the Composite output into the monitor, I think the default is 4:3 - in SD. You can change it to 16:9 in the camera menu settings.

Steve, Hate to ask, but could you explain a bit more in detail please. I'm really not following. Sorry, comes with being new at this. Thanks

Stay Wet!
Wilbkr1

 

[drbill]

Steve... are you saying the camcorder's output through the composite connector is by default 4:3 or that the Top Dawg's monitor back is?

I'm curious as to whether the HC7 (or HC3) can output the 16:9 frame to the monitor as it will be filmed in HD mode.

 

[diversteve]

Some of this is guesswork since I have neither the HC3 or TopDawg.

Steve, Hate to ask, but could you explain a bit more in detail please. I'm really not following.

By default your camera outputs a 4:3 SD signal through the composite jack. This can be changed to a 16:9 SD signal through a menu option. See page 68 in your manual. The TopDawg is just a small composite monitor.

Steve... are you saying the camcorder's output through the composite connector is by default 4:3 or that the Top Dawg's monitor back is?

Both afaik.

I'm curious as to whether the HC7 (or HC3) can output the 16:9 frame to the monitor as it will be filmed in HD mode.

It can but only in SD. Since it will pass the input through to the composite jack during filming.

The HC3 has three outputs, composite, component and HDMI. The composite output can only carry an SD signal afaik. So plugging the composite output into the SD TopDawg monitor means you're only getting SD output. Given it's age/price, that's the best it can do.

The only current HDV monitor is the Gates EM43 and it's over $2K. Amphibico is coming out with one based on the Sony PSP display - PM me with your real e-mail address if you'd like to see a picture - it's on a site that SB blocks.

The HC3 also has the ability to output a 16:9 signal through the composite output. So anyone with a widescreen SD/EDTV can view their video w/o black bars. If you were to change the menu setting on the HC3 to do this, then I believe you would have the black bars on top/bottom of the TopDawg monitor. Or the monitor would expand the signal vertically fullscreen in which case it will crop the sides of the 16:9 image correspondingly. But I doubt it. More likely you'll have a smaller 16:9 signal with space on top/bottom.

Only the comPONENT and HDMI ports on the HC3 output an HDV signal since either has the bandwidth to carry it. Page 67 in the manual.

Dr. Bill, to follow along, you can d/l the HC3 manual here. Probably the HC7 also, I didn't check.

 

[drbill]

Thanks, Steve. I realize the output to the monitor is SD. All I'm worried about is whether I can get the image on the monitor to represent the actual framing of the subject when filming in HD mode. Can hardly wait to experiment.

 

[scorch]

I use the same setup and instead of buying the monitor back I picked up a 2.5" LCD and rechargeable battery pack from http://www.superdroidrobots.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=512. Mounted this using some foam core and have no problems with the display indicating which mode I am in. It also displays 16:9 when shooting in HDV.

As far as the bouyance issue I just wrap a 2lb. weight belt near the back to make the housing nuetral.

As mentioned before electrically tape on all indicator lights.

 

[paulpost]

I dont know about HC3 or HC7 but on my HC1 in the menu you can select to have the recordig light on or off.
Paul