RF24 New project : Wireless Tally Camera

[Grag38]

Hello, I'm planning to realize a system of wireless tally camera system based upon arduino nano and RF24 modules.

the ref of the RF24 is this one :

http://www.satistronics.com/nrf24l01-with-pa-and-lna-1000m-long-distance-24g-wireless-module-with-antenna_p2862.html

These one seems work with very long distances :

Transmission distance: 520m@2Mbps, 750m@ 1Mbps, >1000m@250kbps !!!

I just explain what is tally for the people that doesn't know it.

I'm working with wideo to record live concerts during big festival in europe. So from there are often 5 to 9 cameras to record one concert.

When the art director switches between the different cameras, the camera operator needs to know that he's 'on air'.

This is easily done by the tally system. Every time a camera is switched 'on air' there is a relay contact that is switced on the video mixer of the art director. So from it's easy to get this information and then use it to light on a red led that is on the concerned camera. This is the tally (the Red light on the active camera).

So from my project would be like this schema :

There will be 3 different kind of nano+RF24 modules : Master, Relay, Camera.

Master module : Located on a video truck or somewhere else.

This one is connected to the video mixer and get the relay information from it. Then this module sends the ID of the new camera that will receive the tally signal.

Relay module : this module can be at 200m from the Master one. It has to be located at a good place to receive the better signal from the Master modeule.

His function is to receive the datas (active ID camera) from the Master and send it to the Camera modules.

Camera modules :

Each camera get this module and will get the data transmited by the Relay module.

So from there are only 2 actions to realize :

If the ID of the Camera module is the same of the data transmited by the Relay module then Switch On the Led.

If the ID of the Camera module is different of the data transmited by the Relay module the Switch Off the Led.

I already own few Nano and I'm waiting for the RF24 modules in few days.

My idea to realize this project is quite simple. If someone can get me advices to improve it, please do it !

Master will send data to pipe #1
Relay listen on pipe #1 and send it to pipe #2
Camera Modules (up to 9) listen on pipe#2, and then act considering the data (switch on or off the red led).

Is this way of doing it seems to you ok ? Need the active camera to send back an ACK to say : I received the data ?

Thanks for all of your comments about this project.

Best regards.

Grag38

ps : I want to realize this project because a similar system with only 4 wireless camera tally is selled around 4000 euros !!!!!

ps2 : I'm ok with electronic, developping program in C and I'm feel ok with arduino. I'm just looking for idea to do it well, not for the other to do it for me ;o)

So from getting information from the video mixer with the relays is easy. Lighting a red led is very easy. Just want to work about the protocol.

[yair]

hey OP, how did it go?

[system]

Hello Grag38 !
My googling sent me here, as I plan to make a tally system similar to yours. I think I found the same out of price product (4000 $)...
Did you get you system working ? Would you agree to send me plans ?
I have another project, consisting in remote controlling DSLR (iris) through a servo controlled motor.
Thanks and best regards !
Note : if you wish, we can discuss in French, as we are both French...

[Grag38]

My project is finished.

I've realized 8 wireless tally system. It works over 80 meters without any trouble.

I send 2 pictures of the stuff. I've realised it with Lilypad for the 8 first tallys, I plan to use arduino pro mini in the next generation of the project.

The lipo battery allow the system working for more than 12 hours a day !

THanks to the nRF24 product, this project was noto so difficult to realise.

The 2 other poarts of the projects are :

An arduino board to get the tally command from the video mixer and send it through an rs485 driver (tested over 150 meters with audio cable).

An arduino board that get the RS485 signal that send it through the nRF24L wireless breadboard to the tallys.

So from one module is connected to the videomixer, the sedond module is on stage (we are recording live concerts) and transmit the tally signal to the 8 tallys on stage.

The final box we can see on the second picture is 8x5x3 cm.

Next project : Getting the Sony Camera Control Protocol to drive a lot of parameters (iris, color balance, ...) with wireless modules.

[system]

Dear Crag38,

I am very interested in building this wireless tally system.
Can you send me the drawings how I can assemble and program this?
I wanna use it with a Atem 1 switcher.

[system]

KvitkoIT created one with Arduinos recently. Take a look at Kvitko IT Consulting | Wireless Tally Light System compatible with ATEM switchers for more information. There is some documentation on how to create if you're interested in making your own.