Making an XLR-Barrel Splitter for BMMSC & Fiber Converter (+ Pace Soldering Station Tangent)

I’m sprucing things up in the studio (basement), which includes removing most light stands and tripods. They’ll be attached to the ceiling instead, and with that comes re-wiring everything. Also, upgrade of a couple of full-size Blackmagic Studio Cameras (gen 1) to the much smaller and lightweight Micro Studio Camera 4K G2. Unfortunately, whereas the old BMSC devices have SFP slots for fiber connectivity, the BMMSC G2 does not.

So I’m also using a couple of Blackmagic Mini Converter Optical Fiber 12G modules with the cameras, but as with the cameras they require power which can’t be provided by fiber. (I did look at structured cable, but it wasn’t worth it.) To keep things somewhat neat and tidy, I decided to provide power remotely using 4-pin XLR cables going into custom splitter boxes with 3 barrel jack outputs. That’ll run the camera, converter, and a small LCD monitor if necessary.

Mostly this video ended up being about the adapter box, and I didn’t get into the fiber converter as much as I intended to from the outset. That’s because the whole project got a bit sidetracked by the power supply not working out of the box. I’d picked up a Core SWX Cube 200 Power Supply from B&H, which is supposed to put out 14.3V constantly, but was putting out 16V occasionally when I banged on it. Just a faulty unit, I suppose. Might return it or investigate further.

In a subsequent video I’ll go over the actual setup of the cameras using the adapter boxes, as well as the fiber converter (and hopefully a working high-amp PSU).

As usual, nothing in this video was sponsored and I’m not promoting anything. I paid for all this stuff out of my own pocket, for my own reasons.

3D Rig – Discussion and Assembly (feat. Blackmagic Micro Studio 4K Cameras)

2D Version

3D Version

What??

I had the idea that my videos would be better in 3D. Well, maybe not better. More involved to produce, anyhow. And since I make videos mostly for the love of the process than because I like being on camera (I hate it), more complexity equals more fun! Well, maybe fun is the wrong word. But, you know… something.

There are other reasons, too. I cover all that in the video. :)

I also get into the reasons for choosing Blackmagic Micro Studio Cameras (small, light, 4K, genlock) and why I’m using both a Video Assist 4K and an Atomos Shogun. Which isn’t due to a very good reason at all.

Importantly, the 3D version of this video is purely experimental. This is the first 3D video I’ve ever made (aside from some test shots), so please have pity on me if it gives you a head ache or makes you vomit in a combination of rage and illness. I’m just getting started, so besides the pity I’m open to any and all suggestions to improve things going forward!