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Develop knowledge and skills of vision system fundamentals
Develop knowledge and skills of vision system fundamentals
Student VET entertainment resource developed by The Arts Unit
Years 11 and 12 VET entertainment
What will I learn?
What will I learn?
You will:
explore vision system equipment, cables and connectors
experiment with projector functions.
Vision specific equipment
Vision specific equipment
TASK 1
TASK 1
Research and discuss the diverse ways vision system operations are used across the different production contexts of the entertainment industry.
Consider:
live theatre
live music concerts
festivals
conferences
events
exhibitions, including trade shows
television and film
studio recording.
The Arts Unit - Studio filming
TASK 2
TASK 2
Download the Vision system equipment worksheet to complete a summary of vision system equipment outlined below from the information presented and your further research and class discussion.
Vision system equipment worksheet
Vision system equipment.docxVision sources
Vision sources
Video cameras - used for pre-recorded and live camera feeds.
Playback devices - USB, DVD or video player.
Computer or laptop - capable of capturing and editing video, audio or data, as well as playback.
Tablet or phone - capable of capturing and editing video, audio or data, as well as playback.
Laptop or computer
Video camera
Video action camera
iPad and iPhone
DVD or video player
Vision display devices
Vision display devices
Projectors - data and video, front, rear, floor and ceiling projection positioning options, various size and quality
Screens - tripod, TV, plasma, LCD, LED, manual, electric, cyclorama, scrims.
Monitors - multiple screens to preview video or data input from cameras or playback during production.
Projector
Projector screen
Screens used to for performance backdrops
Screens used for large audiences
Concert LED or plasma screens
Large screens for concerts
Screens used for live productions
Vision monitors
Vision mixing equipment
Vision mixing equipment
Switchers - Switches video or data signal when there is more than 1 source.
Distribution amplifiers (splitters) - Splits video or data signal when there is more than 1 display device.
Mixers - Switches video and data signal with effects and transitions, digital processes camera signal with preview capabilities.
Recorders - separate or built into the mixer to record main screen vision or multiple camera feeds.
Vision switcher
Vision switcher preview monitor
Vision preview panel
HDMI switcher
HDMI distribution amplifier (splitter)
Data distribution amplifier (splitter)
Cables and connectors
Cables and connectors
There are various types of cables and connectors used in vision, both analogue and digital.
Watch the video Component and Composite Cables to explore the difference.
Component and Composite Cables
Duration: 02:49Composite cable
Composite cable
3 video signals through 1 cable
colour, brightness and sync information in the one signal wire
analogue signal
with all signals down 1 cable bleeding can occur.
Component cable
Component cable
3 video signals in 3 separate cables
one signal for brightness and two for color information
high analogue video quality.
HDMI cable
HDMI cable
High-Definition Multimedia Interface
video and digital audio signal
high digital quality
consumer level cable
19 pin connector.
Watch the video 'What is HDMI?' to learn more about this cable type.
What is HDMI?
Duration: 03:27SDI and HD-SDI cables
SDI and HD-SDI cables
Serial Digital Interface
digital signal - high definition and 4k
professional video production cable
uses BNC connector.
Watch the video 'What is SDI and HDiSDI digital cable?' to learn more about this cable type.
What is SDI and HD-SDI digital cable?
Duration: 03:06Video and data connectors
Video and data connectors
There are many different connectors used in vision systems for both video and data connections. You will find the equipment you use may have one or a combination of connections.
RCA
Analogue video or audio connection commonly used with DVD players, older video cameras.
BNC
Professional video analogue connection used for broadcasting, has a lock feature.
Coaxial
Analogue connection that transmits radio frequencies, used for television aerials.
S-video
Analogue video connection transmitting colour and brightness separate to synchronisation.
VGA
Data connection common on computers and laptops.
DVI
Data digital connection commonly used in professional broadcasting.
HDMI (micro, mini, standard)
High definition digital connection transmitting both video and audio.
CAT-5
Twisted pair Ethernet cable for data networks and the transmission of a video signal.
Converting signal and adapters
Converting signal and adapters
There are times when a signal needs to be changed or a connector needs to be adapted so specific sources or equipment can be used.
Scan conversion is when a high resolution is changed to a lower resolution. This may involve a data to video signal conversion. This will mean a loss in quality of the signal and can be done through a video mixer.
Scaling is taking a low resolution to a higher resolution. This includes a video signal to a data quality signal. There is no better video signal but is at data quality of output. This could include converting component to HDMI.
Adapters are used to change the connector type when they have the same signal characteristic and can also change the gender of a connector when required.
Watch the video 'Component to HDMI converter' to explore the equipment used to convert analogue video and audio to digital HDMI.
Component to HDMI converter
Duration: 01:10DVI to HDMI adapter
VGA to HDMI adapter
Projection features
Projection features
Pixels
Pixels
A picture element or single illuminated point in an image. Each pixel has a colour and are combined to create a digital computer or television picture.
Watch the video 'What is a pixel?' to see how pixels are used to create an image.
What is a pixel?
Duration: 00:50Aspect Ratio
Aspect Ratio
The shape of the display device as an height to width ratio
4:3 - Video & PC
5:4 - PC
3:2 - 35mm Slide
16:9 - Widescreen & Digital TV
1.85:1 - Cinema
Projection distance
Projection distance
The distance between the projector lens and the screen.
Lens ratio is usually written on the lens and is calculated as PD = R x S
PD = Projection distance or throw
R = Lens ratio
S = Screen width
A good rule of thumb is use a ratio of 2:1, that the screen should be placed at a distance from the projector that is 2 times the width of the screen being used.
Keystone
Keystone
If the projector is ‘off axis’ keystone occurs and the image FOCUS is uneven and DISTORTION occurs
It is important to make sure the projector is set to its correct placement and is level. Use the keystone buttons on the projector or remote to correct any image distortion.
Watch the video 'Keystone correction' to see this function demonstrated.
Keystone correction
Duration: 01:13TASK
TASK
Using a projector you have access to experiment with changing each of these projector functions to develop further understanding of each.
Third-party content attributions
Third-party content attributions
Schools Spectacular images, photographer: Anna Warr.
Entertainment Industry Curriculum Framework Stage 6 Syllabus, © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2020, copied under s113P, accessed 04/08/2020.
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