LCD for a Video Housing

[grouchyturtle]

Anyone here ever build a video housing with an LCD display instead of a rear lens for the viewport, or a mirror for seeing the camera's LCD, etc.

I know you can order replacement PDA screens online which I'm shure would work.

But I don't have a clue how to build or where to get the circuit that would get plugged between the camera and the LCD? Or where I'd connect the battery too?

[KWS]

i just did mine got a pustom monitor on e-bay and have just got it working. i did mine because i am far sighted and needed a larger view. looked around and foune monitors for 5-900. so i made my own. pm me if you are interested and we will getr together and swap details. mine is mounted in a sony mpk housing. if you are not picky on the camera or cash is not a problem you may want to look into a smaller camera. if you want to do one for about 100.00 let me know.

[diversteve]

Anyone here ever build a video housing with an LCD display instead of a rear lens for the viewport, or a mirror for seeing the camera's LCD, etc.

I know you can order replacement PDA screens online which I'm shure would work.

But I don't have a clue how to build or where to get the circuit that would get plugged between the camera and the LCD? Or where I'd connect the battery too?

If you have a clear back on your housing, a monitor like the Citizen M329 works well. The batteries are installed into the back of the case, so all you have to have is enough clearance between the back of your camera and the inside back face of your housing. Cabling is just a standard RCA cable from the cameras video output to the monitor. You can either extend your camera tray with a second mounting hole for the monitor - takes a standard tripod mount, or velcro it to the back glass.

Ikelite sells a mirror that sticks to the outside of their housings that allows you to view your LCD Monitor. But I read somewhere that the image is inverted making it harder to use.

The really cool trick would be to use a monitor mounted on top of your housing in an external case like Gates and L&M sell. Much better viewing angle while filming.

[Padipro]

Radio Shack mini TV with A/V inputs. It's color, looks and works great.

Check it out on my MSN site, DIY Group (http://groups.msn.com/Divelight).

[ScubaDadMiami]

Just to clarify, these units are commercially available. My Light and Motion housing comes with a "monitor back."

[grouchyturtle]

How wide is the pustom and the Citizen monitor?
Small enough to fit in 4" PVC?

Mounting on the top! I never thought of that. I was just thinking on the back would keep the housing more compact, but now that you mention it, it would be much more comfortable to view it through the top.

You could just drill a hole in top to fit, maybe 1" tubing, or use an angled T coupling for the body.

What would you use for the part that holds the lcd, though?

[grouchyturtle]

WOW.

Gates and L&M top mount monitors sell for over $1k!

I think I'll make my own.

[diversteve]

How wide is the pustom and the Citizen monitor? Small enough to fit in 4" PVC??

Citizen M329:

Screen Size 2.9 inches (measured diagonally) No. of Pixels 94,608 (146 x 648) Standard Accessories Battery Pack (AA x 6) Hood 8 pin A/V Cord RCA A/V Cord DC Cord Mounting Tool Monitor Stand Mounting Bar Optional Accessories AC Adapter (BA-753) Auto Adapter (BC-755) Driving Method CSM Type Display Element TN Type LCD Viewing System Direct Viewing Lighting Source Fluorescent Tube Power Supply Battery Pack (AA x 6) Optional AC Adapter Optional DC (12VAC) Adapter Power Consumption 2.7W Terminals DC Input (3.4mm) A/V Input (3.5mm) Earphone (3.5mm)

Dimensions (inches) 3-1/8(H) x 3-9/16(W) x 1-1/16(D) Weight 4-3/4 ounces



Mounting on the top! I never thought of that. I was just thinking on the back would keep the housing more compact, but now that you mention it, it would be much more comfortable to view it through the top.

You could just drill a hole in top to fit, maybe 1" tubing, or use an angled T coupling for the body.

What would you use for the part that holds the lcd, though?

I don't know, maybe build a box out of 1/2" plexiglas? I just thought it was a great idea. My dive buddy mentioned it to me also this summer when he was using my housing, I don't have enough room inside the housing for any kind of monitor.

[grouchyturtle]

Where are the video inputs located on the Pustom?
It looks like the side, but hard to tell from the pictures I've seen.

[diversteve]

See...

[grouchyturtle]

Where were you able to find the cable to connect it to the camera?

All I seem to be able to find is 1/8" x RCA. I bought an adaptor, but the cable that came with the camera, with the 3 rca plugs is too big to cram in the housing. I have another cable with a single rca, but when I plug it into the TV I get one of the audio channels and no video.

I don't get it, most cameras use a single 1/8" port for video and stereo audio output and most portable TVs use the same for the input, but I can't find the cable anywhere. I found a stereo 1/8" x 1/8", but none with the 3rd conductor for video.

[Bob3]

Have ya tried Tigerdirect.com & computergeeks.com?
The cable you're talking about is pretty much standard for video cams.
Come to think of it, both the above have the little video monitors/TVs too.

[diversteve]

Where were you able to find the cable to connect it to the camera?

All I seem to be able to find is 1/8" x RCA. I bought an adaptor, but the cable that came with the camera, with the 3 rca plugs is too big to cram in the housing. I have another cable with a single rca, but when I plug it into the TV I get one of the audio channels and no video.

I don't get it, most cameras use a single 1/8" port for video and stereo audio output and most portable TVs use the same for the input, but I can't find the cable anywhere. I found a stereo 1/8" x 1/8", but none with the 3rd conductor for video.

What jacks are on your camera video output and monitor input? I use a regular yellow RCA jack from my camera video output connected to an RCA->1/8" adapter which plugs into the monitor - works fine. I think I bought the adapter at Radioshack. Pic attached. I don't get - or care about - audio.

Radio Shack also sells right-angle RCA adapters for your camera output space problem.

You can also get what you need at Fry's Electronics, if they're in your area. If not I'm going there Friday morning, so if you want PM me the exact details of what you need by tomorrow night and if they have it, I'll pick it up and mail it to you.

Or try a custom car stereo installer, they use similar cables to connect Playstations to seat mounted lcd monitors.

Steve

[Padipro]

Where were you able to find the cable to connect it to the camera?

All I seem to be able to find is 1/8" x RCA. I bought an adaptor, but the cable that came with the camera, with the 3 rca plugs is too big to cram in the housing. I have another cable with a single rca, but when I plug it into the TV I get one of the audio channels and no video.

I don't get it, most cameras use a single 1/8" port for video and stereo audio output and most portable TVs use the same for the input, but I can't find the cable anywhere. I found a stereo 1/8" x 1/8", but none with the 3rd conductor for video.

I had a problem fitting the cables into my housing as well. The video out connections on the camera were to close to the side of the housing to just plug them in and then fit the camera into the housing. I got these right angle adapters from Radio Shack and the cables fit perfect.

One thing I realized after using the rig a few times is that audio doesn't matter. You don't need to listen to what you're recording while you're filming it so using a single, two wire cable is all you need. One channel of audio and one of video, all you want the tv for is to see what you're filming easyer then looking thru the view finder.

[grouchyturtle]

Both my camera and the monitor use 1/8" connections on the camera it's 3 conductors (video, audio L, audio right) on the TV it's 2 conductor (video, mono audio).
Technically 3 and 4 conductor (if I remember correctly the shielding is considered a conductor)

The problems were:
The cable that came with the camera, standard 1/8" x (3) RCA was just too big for the housing.
I had a small mono 1/8" x RCA that already had a right angle on the 1/8" end, but when you plug a mono 1/8" into the camera it connects to one of the audio channels (NO VIDEO).

so what I really needed was an 1/8" x 1/8" stereo with right angle ends. Looked everywhere. Found it at one place, but it was more than $20 after shipping.

So in the end I got a short 1/8" x 1/8" cable with (2) right angel adaptors from RAdio Shack for about half the price.

I could have bought (2) right angle plugs for only about $3, but really didn't feel lik soldering, especially small PITA plags like those!

[grouchyturtle]

Have ya tried Tigerdirect.com & computergeeks.com?
The cable you're talking about is pretty much standard for video cams.
Come to think of it, both the above have the little video monitors/TVs too.
Actually neither of them carry the TVs or the monitors anymore.

[grouchyturtle]

Doesn't anyone sell these things in the US?

No one has the Citizen anymore and they won't be getting anymore because it's discontinued.

I decided to go with the Pustom.

We'll the audio and video on the one I got were wired backwards, so I had to take 2 1/8" to dual RCA cables and flip the RCAs. Works, but too big to fit in a housing.

So I'll have to make a custom cable for it.

BUT now he real fun part. The video isn't working at all now an I have a dive tomorrow!!!

I have to send the damn thing back now. And I can't find anyplace that sells them except in Australia or Hong Kong!!!

[Padipro]

Again, try Radio Shack. They have everything you could possibly need for everyday electronics. They have a cable that comes without ends. You buy the ends seperately so you get exactly what you need. You can get maybe a dozen different types of ends from 1/8 mono plugs to battery charger plugs and they all come with a two prong connection that plugs into the cable. One prong is + the other is - and if you pluged one of your 1/8 inch jacks in so the prongs are + to + and the other so that it's + to - wouldn't that solve the problem? Take a look at this picture and you'll see what I mean. Custom cable (http://groups.msn.com/Divelight/diyo2analizer.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=223)

[grouchyturtle]

Yeah the cable isn't the problem. Worst case I easily could have built my own in time for yesterdays misserable failed dive.

The problem is getting the display. The TVs are all too big to fit in my housing. Actually so is the Citizen (but it's discontinued anyway) and everyone seems to be out of stock.

So the only thing I've found that will work is the Pustom monitor. Problem is they only seem to be available in Hong Kong, so now I have to wait at least a week or two to get a new one. If they were available in the US I would have been willing to even drive an hour or two to pick it up, just to not have to wait.

[Padipro]

What size monitor are you looking for? I mean what are the dementions you're looking for? Is a standard pocket sized TV monitor that you see in the electronics stores to big? I realize that the cameras now days are about the same size as these TV's but the one I use is still pretty small. Does your camera have one of the flip out screens you see on the cameras now days? If so I've seen people open these, flip them around and then fold them back into the camera so that the screen is facing out. Then they place a mirror inside the housing so it's angled and they can see the picture. Of course this is a backward picture but at least you can see what you're filming.

[grouchyturtle]

The overall dimension of the Pustom are 2.9528" x 2.3622" x 1.063"
Big numbers because it's converted from metric.

I don't think I'd be able to fit anything much bigger than that. It has just enought room when it's plugged in.

[kiwiman]

If anyone is still intrested. I found portable displays for $75 that would probable fit in the tube stile cases. http://www.avdeals.com/tvcombomain.htm

[paulpost]

You can buy pustom monitors at www.superdroidrobots.com in USA $65 , I have one in a Sony MPK-TRV housing with a dcr-trv38 camcorder. the problem in my case was the battery pack that has to last at least 6 hours because you cannot turn it on and off but I found a battery pack called powerizer at www.batteryspace.com that gives out 11.1volts at 4000mAh enuff for what I need.
Paul

[grouchyturtle]

Here's another one. Very similar to the Pustom.
http://www.ikancorp.com/v2500.htm

[ultravinnie]

Jameco sels a color video LCD kit vor 150$.
board and lcd.
i built a lc dmonitor for my underwater housing. power is controlled through the camera.
works flawlessly.

[ultravinnie]

the control is easy.
i use the microphone input of my camcorder.
all microphone inputs for SONy camcorders have 5 volts avaialbel in the tip of thepin. this is used to power external condensor microphones.
all you need to do is make pa plug ( 3.5 mm jack ) solder a wire , drive a powertransistor thet shuts off the battery from your monitor

the 5volt disappears when you switch the camera off , even if using the LANC commands. i made the switch using a 2n7002 N-mos a sttp3pf30 P-mos and 3 resistors. i can send you the schematic if you want

[crpntr133]

Just finished up with a little DIY project. I usedhttp://www.lcdracks.com/panels/vlcd4p.html for my monitor, $165, and then bought a solid state relay to turn it on and off with the LANC. This is pretty easily done. Just hook the + and - from the LANC to the + and - on the input side of the relay. Then connect the + side of the power supply for the monitor to the output of the relay. When there is no power the relay stops the power to the monitor. If you want more details I will be more than happy to help.
The monitor is 12VDC so I used 8 AA. Even with the batteries the housing is still about 2 lbs positive. So powering the monitor from the camera isn't an issue. Even if it was I am sure that it could be done with a slight modification of ultravinnie's idea.

[clive77]

crpntr133,

Is your LCD external or within the Housing? Are there other ways to auto switch the LCD if its external?

Thanks

[crpntr133]

crpntr133,

Is your LCD external or within the Housing? Are there other ways to auto switch the LCD if its external?

Thanks

Internal. Even if it is external you could use a relay. I really don't think that it could get much easier.

[Bill51]

I’m not sure if my old Citizen M329 is getting dim, or my old eyes are getting dim, but it seems to be more difficult to see than it was years ago. Anyone know how the brightness on the Pustom compares and if they find it easy to see. I like the Marshall panel, but I also like being able to run the monitor off the same 7.2v as the camera and I’m not sure how low a voltage it will give a good display on.

Thanks for the tip about the 5v on the mic and I’ll have to see if my Cannon ES5000 has that. The circuit I built years ago to turn my monitor off and on from the LANC will now turn the monitor on, but not off every time for some reason. This sounds easier than reading the LANC.

I’m glad to see I’m not the only one wanting the monitor external to the case at times. I guess it’s time to start thinking about monitor housings and how they might work because there are plenty of times I would like to be able to view the monitor from the side.

[mrben]

Just finished up with a little DIY project. I usedhttp://www.lcdracks.com/panels/vlcd4p.html for my monitor, $165, and then bought a solid state relay to turn it on and off with the LANC. This is pretty easily done. Just hook the + and - from the LANC to the + and - on the input side of the relay. Then connect the + side of the power supply for the monitor to the output of the relay. When there is no power the relay stops the power to the monitor. If you want more details I will be more than happy to help.
The monitor is 12VDC so I used 8 AA. Even with the batteries the housing is still about 2 lbs positive. So powering the monitor from the camera isn't an issue. Even if it was I am sure that it could be done with a slight modification of ultravinnie's idea.

Hello crpntr133,

I'm new to this forum (in fact I just found this thread which interested me ;-) - so a little hello to all happy divers of this forum).

I would like to know if you could give a basic schema of your setup, the part which interests me is the power control via the lanc hook. I would like to know more specificly which kind of solid state relay you used to do this.

I bought a PUSTOM screen I plan to use in my housing and I was looking to an easy way to control power on/off of the monitor. As I plan to use microphone input to record sound, I think ultravinnie solution is not adapted.

Many thanks in advance for your help.

Best regards,

Benoit

[crpntr133]

PM sent

[lulli65]

Hi to everybody,
I find this thread and I'm very interested because I bought a Pustom LCD for my Sea&Sea VXPC300 . I want to use the MIC line for the control power of the LCD, can someone help me for the electronic component ? Thanks to all.

[trehoret]

Yeah same here, can someone poitn out the component that outputs 5v in the pustom on the ictures atttached ?
thanks a lot

Jim.

[lulli65]

Hi Jim,
I resolve the problem with this battery.(sorry but it's impossible for a new user to insert a url) I have find big problem to insert the Pustom in my Sea&Sea Housings, it' very very little. When I'm finish the big work, I post a pics.