|
Power Panner FAQ
PREFIX KEY. MDRP = MDRP360. MP = MP101, MP101v360 &
MPR202
MP Can I use this for
time lapse photography? What is the minimum movement and the slowest speed to
complete 340 degrees?
It is
possible if you can work in the following parameters. At it's slowest around 4
degrees per second it will take approximately 60 seconds for 180 degrees and
about 85 seconds for full 340 degrees. The only other option is to use the
manual rotation but with the obvious point that you would have to be in
attendance to operate. For more control you would need the MDRP360 - see
MDRP360 specific related time lapse question.
MDRP + MP RANGE GENERAL
MDRP/MP What cameras
can be used with the MP101 and MPR202 panners?
Virtually all cameras
can be mounted on these panners. Note that they will only pan and have no
direct link to the camera to fire it or do anything else. If this is required
please refer to the MDRP360.
MDRP/MP What is the
operational temperature range for the power panners?
4บC 45บC.
MDRP/MP What is the
maximum tilt range?
All our MP, MPR and
MDRP panners tilt 15บ up and 15บ down, a total of 30บ.
MDRP/MP Can any of
your power panners pan and tilt at the same time?
Yes, all our MP, MPR
& MDRP panners can do this by pressing vertical and horizontal buttons on
the remote at the same time.
MDRP/MP What is the
weight the power panner can support?
6lbs or 2.7kg.
MDRP/MP What material
are the power panners built from?
A strong robust plastic
outer casing.
MDRP/MP What powers
the power panners?
4 AA Batteries or 6v
mains adaptor. Rechargeable AA batteries can be used.
MDRP/MP How noisy are
the power panners?
Approximately 5
decibels from the panner motor when in use.
MDRP/MP What is the
maximum battery life of the power panners with batteries?
This depends on type
and charge of batteries, how long the motor is running for and in the case of
the MDRP360 also how long the wireless is transmitting for. As a rough guide
though -
The MP and MPR range
can last up to 20 hours
The MDRP can last up to
5 hours and longer.
MDRP/MP Are any of
the panners waterproof?
Although the panners
are robustly built and to be used outside they are not designed to work in
adverse or wet weather conditions. There are waterproof covers available from
separate companies.
MDRP/MP Are the power
panners built well enough to withstand moisture and dust?
As you would expect
with this kind of product it is built for robustness but care should be taken
in adverse conditions.
MDRP SPECIFIC
MDRP What devices
will the power panner support?
Most types of compact
and DSLR cameras are compatible. If you need remote Live View, your camera
needs to have Live View.
MDRP Does the MDRP360
work with Apple Mac OS 10?
The MDRP360 is designed
to work independently from any computer when using the handheld monitor. If you
want to use the Apple to control the MDRP360 through the optional wireless USB
solution, then the wireless USB does support Apple.
MDRP360 Have you a
list of cameras that are compatible with your system, including the zoom
function?
All Canon and Nikon
that have Live View are supported. Some other makes with Live View may be
supported but we would need to know the camera make and model number in order
to advise.
Some cameras which do
not support Live View but have picture view will display a picture taken only
on the remote.
We are controlling the
camera via the control port and zoom is not supported via this method.
Remote wireless zoom operation is available with the optional MDRP360 Zoom Module which supports the Canon G12 camera.
MDRP Is the MDRP 360
Panner suitable for wildlife photography?
Our MDRP Power panner
can get close to wildlife without disturbance, as the person operating the MDRP
360 can be operated at a distance of up to 150ft although this will depend on
open spaces as the surrounding Wi-Fi frequencies that may interfere.
MDRP Can panorama's
less than 360ฐ be taken? E.g. 180ฐ and how do you program double row
panorama's, the horizontal range, vertical range, rows and number of pictures?
To double layer take
one set of images and then change the vertical angle manually (with the remote)
and set auto tour mode again. It may be preferred to take a full 360⁰ and then change vertical position since the start point will be
identical and automatic. Then just delete the non required images from the
outer range. The number of images is selected by the incremental angles on the
MDRP360 panel or by the amount calculated automatically when using ExpressPan.
MDRP Is the MDRP360
suitable for time lapse and how slow can it operate?
Yes the MDRP360 comes
into its own because it has the ability to automatically and remotely pan
during the shooting sequence within the following parameters.
The slowest pan speed
can be set to approximately 2.5⁰ per second
At 360⁰ a full cycle would take 138 seconds
The minimum fixed angle
on the MDRP panel setting is 5⁰ but using ExpressPanฎ it is possible to reduce
this to around 2.5⁰ for each shot
So setting a maximum 30
second delay using minimum 2.5⁰
360⁰ rotation with 144 stops would take 4320 seconds (1 hour 12 minutes)
180⁰ sweep with 72 stops would take 2160 seconds (36 minutes) and you will
need to manually stop the sweep after 180⁰ or
manually delete or if terminated after the desired sweep delete the images you
do not require
MDRP Can tilt be
operated during a time lapse shoot?
No once the tour or
Express Pan has started, it will stay at the vertical angle set.
MDRP Will new
features come out for the MDRP and does this make existing equipment redundant?
The MDRP firmware is
field upgradeable and if the software is updated then the MDRP can be upgraded
by connecting to a PC with the optional USB kit. Alternatively, it can be
returned to the supplier for upgrading.
MDRP Why is the range
only in practice around 100 when the specifications say 300?
300 is the maximum
distance according to the technical guides in the most ideal and interference
free conditions. Since the AV frequencies operate on the common 2.4 GHz wave
band, other devices can have an impact on signal strength and distance.
MDRP Do I actually
need remote Live View?
Remote Live View is
only required when the camera Live View monitor or viewfinder cannot be seen at
close by. Ultimately you are the only one who can decide whether you need this
facility.
MDRP Why is it so
important to also use the A/V lead that was originally supplied with my camera?
You must use the A/V
lead that was supplied with your camera when using remote Live View via the
MDRP360. Many A/V cables can look the same normally with a mini USB and 2 or
3 video and audio phono connectors at the other end. The usb type connector
wiring can be entirely different from one camera type and manufacturer to
another so the original camera supplied cable will always be correct.
Undoubtedly, this is usually mixed up with a bunch of other cables in a drawer
somewhere so it is very important to identify it and if possible label it for
easy identification later on. Some manufacturers actually emboss the name like
CANON on the rubber molding at the connector end helping identification.
MDRP I have seen
similar remote viewers or digital video recorders for sale is it possible to
use any of these in replacement for the MDRP monitor?
Possibly yes if they
are 2.4 GHz 4 Channel but there are no guarantees or support if no remote
signal is received or if things go wrong. Although there are many 2.4GHz A/V
monitors on the market, they are not all compatible with the MDRP360, nor any
other 2.4GHz transmitting device. When a monitor is labeled as 2.4 GHz, that
merely means that it utilizes some portion of the 2.4GHz ISM communications
frequency band. How it utilizes those frequencies is another matter. Even
monitors labeled with the same frequencies for channels 1, 2, 3, and 4 will
often have completely different frequency offsets for the audio signals. It is
also common for the video modulation scheme used on the 2.4GHz carrier to be
inconsistent. In short, this means that transmitting products and receiving
monitors have to be selected such that the audio/video frequencies and modulations
are a perfect match. Unfortunately, monitors do not display this important
video frequency, audio frequency, AND modulation scheme information on their
case or in their manual.
We test, support and
guarantee our remote video monitors and can assist and answer questions if
problems occur.
Is there a bigger remote
viewing screen available?
We do not have a large display for the remote viewer at present. However, you can use a larger monitor
of any size. The MDRP remote monitor has A/V out port and also includes an A/V cable
which you can connect to and use with most displays which have A/V in port. Please bear
in mind that the output analogue signal does not change and therefore
resolution is the same for different monitor sizes. This means that the larger the display,
the pixels are further apart and can look more pixelated and the smaller the screen the better the quality looks.
What are the exact
video frequencies of the MDRP360?
It is respectively
different for each of the 4 channels as follows: CH1, 2, 3, 4 = 2.414, 2.432,
2.450, 2.468GHz respectively. These are common channel separations for ISM band
video products. A third party remote video monitor or DVR with these same frequencies
will not necessarily be compatible due to differences in the modulation
technique and the different audio frequency offsets.
MDRP Can 3rd party
remote Live View products such as the Hahnel Inspire and Aputure Gigtube be
used with the MDRP360?
In general these
products can work independently of the MDRP360 still giving remote Live View.
There are two parts to these products the transmitter and the remote receiver
monitor. The remote receiver monitors work on the 2.4 GHz frequency with 4
channels and are usually compatible with MDRP360 when the camera A/V socket is
connected to the MDRP360 A/V socket via AV cables.
MDRP How can I remotely control movie mode on my DSLR camera The new Gigtube II is the only device which is able to do this with a special infrared cable and interface and allows start and stop recording of the movie mode. This can be used in conjunction with the MDRP360 operation and replaces the basic MON-HHLV video monitor.
MDRP Why do I lose
remote Live View after it has been operating for while?
If the internal
temperature on new DSLRS increases due to prolonged Live Shooting or in very
hot or sunny conditions, Live View can be terminated automatically by the
camera. This is a safety feature within some cameras. The camera must be
switched off and then back on again and Live View set again. If it does not go
into Live View immediately, switch off and wait a while to allow the internal
temperature to decrease. Please also refer to your cameras operating manual.
MDRP Wireless USB
Specific
MDRP What is the
range of the wireless USB extender when used with the MDRP? What frequency does
the extender operate on?
Up to 150 and longer
in non built up areas. In built areas the distances are usually reduced. The
range can be extended by changing the antennae.
MDRP Why can the
remote video monitor not be used with the wireless extender configuration?
Some cameras disable
the live video out when the usb is connected to the camera.
MDRP When I capture a
picture or video on the camera using the wireless USB, can I see this on the
software on my PC?
Yes, but a delay will
be noticed when using in conjunction with a laptop. The remote control image is
however instantly available. If you require the option of saving to your camera
you can purchase additional after market software to do this.
Can I buy a different
aerial to increase the range of the wireless USB?
Yes, compatible aerials can be bought to considerably alter the range to
1000 feet. Please get in contact with us for compatible models.
|
