The MagicWand wireless remote for BMPCC et al

Hi Folks,

I knocked up a quick, rough and ready Proof of Concept demo video of my project "MagicWand" wireless remote for the BMPCC and it is now available on Vimeo:



The plan is to build an Android App with other platforms to follow if there is sufficient interest.

So far AutoFocus, FocusNear, FocusFar, AutoIris, IrisOpen, IrisClose and Record Start/Stop are function over the wireless link.

Zoom is also planned, I just need a lens to test with. Anyone got a spare of the new Panasonic 14-42mm power zoom?

I can't see why it wont work with the other BMD cameras as well, I just don't have the means to test these yet.

Regards,


Andy.

PS: The prototype has already cost me close to a couple of hundred dollars in hardware bits and pieces and a number of hours coding time for the software to just get this far so any contributions would be most welcome and appreciated and can be sent via PayPal to paypal.admin@thedoco.co

Awesome.
You are using a wireless hardware interface with the Lanc input?
This warrants a Kickstarter campaign.
Nice work.

Looks cool!

Will this be compatible with the BMCC & BMPC?

I believe it will - but I haven't tested it.

Proof of Concept update:

As of 3:20 this afternoon I can now control the camera from my Android Phone, once I have cleaned and beautified the interface a tad I will post another video.

Feature requests anyone?

iOS version please.


Joshua

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You should be doing a Kickstarter. It's a LANC connection, so it should work on all LANC camera's, Canon, Sony, BMD camera's, etc. There are a lot of potential customers out there.

Nice work, hope to see it become available soon! And it definitely deserves a kickstarter campaign for your time and effort!

What about settings like changing the ISO, White Balance, Shutter Speed? Will it be possible to do that via wireless lanc?

Kickstarter campaign submitted and awaiting approval - thanks for the encouragement guys.

@cplkao: Theoretically, and with Blackmagic's support it is all within the realm of the possible I want to integrate it with production management and metadata too if they are willing to help, so far they seem open to discussion so keep your fingers crossed. Keep those feature requests coming.

Andrew - just sent you an Email.

best,

Dan

This is good news Andy.
I look forward to the Kickstarter campaign.

Yeah, I'd buy this if there was an iOS version too....!

This sounds like a much needed add on for the Pocket cam. If you could get control of MFT lenses pulling focus and enabling IS on lenses without the physical switch that would be amazing!

There's a reason most developer's launch iOS first (if not iOS exclusive).

Android only will make it mostly DOA.

There's a reason most developer's launch iOS first (if not iOS exclusive).

Android only will make it mostly DOA.

Said with great authority

Sent from another Galaxy

Any updates on your project? How is the kickstarter? I want to give you money!

bump

+1

As some of you may know I have been squirrelling away in my own little SkunkWorks tinkering about creating a wireless remote control system for operating the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera. In an effort to move the development to the next level I now proudly announce the commencement of a new CrowdFunding Kickstarter campaign to raise the funds to build and refine the prototype and the associated software and Android App.

Please pledge generously

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/166 ... blackmagic

There will be an iOS version, however I prefer to start with an operating system I know reasonable well then port to the one I am less familiar with rather than the other way around.

This is very good news to hear! I will be pledging as soon as I can. Thanks

What kind of Hardware would I need to get this running? Correct me if I'm wrong but the kick starter is software only?

Gesendet von meinem HTC One X mit Tapatalk

Nice work Andrew. Ill join next week on pay day.

Will this work with bmcc?

why would making it on android yield DOA?

Thanks for all the support folks,

@Florian I have a Bluetooth solution currently working like a treat, the only problem is the range is quite limited. One of the reasons I have restricted the Kickstarter campaign to software is that I want to experiment with a WiFi solution however I need the funding to get hardware to test with and until that test/experiment phase is completed its hard to put a price on the hardware which makes it difficult to build it into the reward structure for Kickstarter.

The funding solution I have in mind is two phases approach with backers from the first phase being offered a substantial reduction if you back the phase 2 production Kickstarter campaign. I could offer a working Bluetooth solution right now for $250-$350 USD if anyone really needed it ASAP but my gut feeling is a WiFi version will end up being cheaper and better, but I can't make any guarantees till I have done the work.

I would appreciate any thoughts and feedback.

@thomas325 I have every reason to believe it would work with the BMCC and many other cameras however I can only guarantee what I can test myself and at this point I only have a BMPCC to work with. If the Kickstarter campaign comes though I will be trying to borrow or hire a BMCC to test with = obviously the more cameras it works with the better.

why would making it on android yield DOA?

I have no earthly idea - it's working well for me - and once the Android version is done I will port it to iOS if there is sufficient interest.

Once again thank you all for the support so far and I hope more of you consider the project worthy of backing. If you have questions please post them here or via email and I will do my best to address them in a timely manner.

The Kickstarter campaign is available at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1663031710/magicwand-a-wireless-remote-control-for-blackmagic Please pledge generously.

Regards,


Andy Agnew

Great to hear updates, Looking forward to hearing more. I will be contributing asap, and spreading the word!

Hi,

i see the use of a remote LANC control, but i don't see the point why it has to be done via a smartphone?

There are several arduino projects for LANC control, like this:
http://controlyourcamera.blogspot.de/20 ... emote.html

and there are wireless transmitter kit's for the arduino (7$):
http://www.seeedstudio.com/wiki/Grove_- ... F_Link_Kit

So using two Arduino Micro (40$), the wireless transmitter kit (7$), some case, buttons etc. (5$) and labor (40$) this could end up for under 100$ and be independent from any smartphone, that might be out of battery exactly when i need it...

you can't stream an image to an andrino, and smartphone are ubiquitous and provide a great means to provide a ready made platform for a user interface + a means of storing useful metadata. BTW Andrino is one of the option I am looking at for extending the range.

Very valid point for the metadata entry, thats would be great. Is it possible to store metadata along the clips in an XML or something so you just import it in resolve and have the clipdata updated with this?

Preview - i don't know, possible great for people using the camera on a crane. But if you start streaming HDMI over WiFi to a phone this will involve a lot of very expensive hardware.

I wonder if there will be ever a project like magic lantern or chdk for the blackmagic cameras ... would be interesting to see what the camera is capable of doing if it is not limited by marketing politics. Triggering single images would also be great for DIY Super8 to Video projects.

Too bad blackmagic is not just opening up the firmwares source. I would love to have a mini external keyboard connected to the camera to be able to adjust clip-data... The whole UI for the camera is based on touch screen editing - as the other BMCC's have.

On the other hand: i never tried if this is already possible to connect a USB keyboard.

There will be an iOS version, however I prefer to start with an operating system I know reasonable well then port to the one I am less familiar with rather than the other way around.

Awesome! I'll buy the iOS too when it comes out! Thanks a ton!!

Further to feedback received I have decided to add a new reward level to my MagicWand Remote Control Kickstarter campaign:

The Bluetooth Kit:

The kit includes the Bluetooth hardware module, a rechargeable battery and the necessary cables to connect a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera (and possibly others) to the MagicWand Remote Control System.

This kit is based on a refined version of the proof of concept hardware and Android software.

I have also been in touch with Blackmagic about what features may be possible in the future and have had a very positive response - but for now lets just see if we can get the basics up and running.

Time is running out on the Kickstarter campaign and I really could use your support. Please pledge generously.

See https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1663031710/magicwand-a-wireless-remote-control-for-blackmagic

It's an amazing tool and I'm shure every BMPCC user including me want it and will buy it, but the kickstarter page should be more informative with more graphics and better video

Alright Andrew...I've backed your Kickstarter!
Fingers crossed that you can get it off the ground.
Seems like you're on the right track.

Cheers,
Steffen

Thanks Steffen, I appreciate your support, you will be pleased to know the Bluetooth version is already working!! It's just a matter of ordering the parts and assembling. The battery pack I intend to provide can also supply the camera (BMPCC) and I have been able to power the Bluetooth module and the camera continuously for over 3 hours in record mode on a single charge.

Thanks Steffen, I appreciate your support, you will be pleased to know the Bluetooth version is already working!! It's just a matter of ordering the parts and assembling. The battery pack I intend to provide can also supply the camera (BMPCC) and I have been able to power the Bluetooth module and the camera continuously for over 3 hours in record mode on a single charge.

Sounds great Andrew! Keep it up.

Have you posted anything at BMCuser forum?
I couldn't find it if so..but it would seem wise to spread the word as much as possible about your project to all BMPCC and BMCC users since I think there's many that would be into remote functionality.

Only a few days left on the Kickstarter so better try to drum up support near the deadline!

Thanks again Steffen,

I have put a post up on BMCC User http://www.bmcuser.com/showthread.php?7735-MagicWand-A-wireless-remote-control-for-BMPCC-and-BMCC&p=105880#post105880 as per your suggestion

How are you planning on streaming video across a 9600 bit per second data connection?

Video over 9600 baud? No that would be totally impractical if not impossible.

Right, that's why I didn't understand your comment about going with a smart phone over a hardware solution. Your reply was

"you can't stream an image to an andrino..."

So I assumed you were planning on streaming something..

so where does the 9600bps come in?