Video Assist Sun Hood

Has anyone come up with a sun hood solution for the 2 different Video Assists? I have the 4K, but feel that this can go to either one. I'm looking to see if there's a Sun Hood that can be purchased through a retailer like B&H to use with the Video Assist or Video Assist 4K. Otherwise, it's a DIY solution.

One idea I've tried is the BMCC Sun Hood. It works for the most part even though it doesn't fit perfectly. Share your ideas and solutions below.

The Wooden Camera sunhood, the 5" and the 7", look like they might work with the VAs without messing with the cables.

http://woodencamera.com/LCD-Sun-Shade-6-to-7-Inch.html

The hood for the Video Devices PixE 5-inch fits the 5-inch VA without any mods.
Here is a quick photo whith the Video Devices Pix hood. DS

image.jpeg (629.21 KiB) Viewed 12060 times

I have been experimenting with a screen protector/sun shade for the 4k VA that may be of interest. It consists of a black anodized aluminium plate with a right angle bend along one edge. There are two sets of slots that match the spacing of the ¼” 20 holes on the VA. The slots can be slid over retaining screw shanks fitted to the VA . The screws are then tightened. Depending on which set of slots are used the plate either covers the viewing screen or projects forward as sun-screen. For further screening I can fit a black foam neoprene flap held in place by 2 screws on the lower edge of the VA. It is very quick to fit or remove.

3 pictures below - unable to load pic of flap installed

To accompany post above: -

Plate and flap fitted

_DSC2656.jpg (72.86 KiB) Viewed 12104 times

It consists of a black anodized aluminium plate with a right angle bend along one edge...

That's fugly.

This isn't:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1536830

It consists of a black anodized aluminium plate with a right angle bend along one edge...

This isn't:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1536830

Anyone in Canada have a 3D printer?

Only $45 will get you the PixE Hood, see my post above for a photo of the hood on a VA-5

Fugly it may be but a damaged screen would be fuglier still. timbutt2 who initiated this topic invited readers to – ‘Share your ideas and solutions below’. The main reason for posting my idea and solution was to show a design with an additional function namely that of screen protection that I consider to be more important for the 7” (shown) than the 5”. It is a concept that I feel has some merit. Denny, I had noted your response before making my post. Yes, the Video Devices product is neat but by the time it reached here would be nearer $100au. Furthermore it is for the 5” and not the 7”. My design is likely to evolve with time and I plan to provide a reflective cover to the rear to keep the VA cooler under sunny conditions.

Alastair, I hear you on import duties and shipping, yikes! However, Video Devices does make a 7-inch version of the hood too (for the PixE 7), for those able to get one without all the added fees you listed. Does not Sound Devices/Viseo Devices have a AU distributor?

I did like your solution using the top screw mounting holes. I had a similar idea for the 5-inch VA, only designing it more like the PixE hood, but using lightweight "Gator Board" about 3/16ths of an inch thick, rigid foam core that is black, including the foam core, and is very inexpensive, and useually available from Art Supply stores. Great stuff, does not wrap easily, and I have used it in the studio as "cutters" blocking unwanted light (do not get is too close to hot lights however).

Hello,

I designed the sunshade from Thingiverse. If anyone would like modifications made, let me know and I can upload a new STL to Thingiverse.

If anyone has a 4K BMVA and wants to send me accurate dimensions I can design a version for that as well.

Hello Christopher,

Some VA 4k dimensions: -
Width 7.335”
Height 5.137”
Three ¼” 20 holes spaced at 1.923” centers aligned centrally on a flange 0.652” wide on top and bottom of unit.
Depending on the size of the connectors used there is a strip at least 0.35” wide down each side from the front of the VA to closest point of connectors.

Thanks Alastair.

Does anyone have preference on which mount hole they'd like the sunshade to mount to? Left, center, right, top, bottom?

Also, what is everyone's preference on hood depth? I believe my original version for the 5" BMVA was around 3" deep tapering to 1" at the bottom. I may do a bit deeper as getting your hand inside a hood this large should be easier than on the 5" BMVA.

If we can get a consensus on the design that will reduce the number of permutations I need to create. I'll start out with a top-center mounted, 4" deep version.

Hello, me again.

I've completed a first version of the 4K hood.



It is 4 inches deep and connects to the top center screw hole. There are also alternative versions on that page that attach to the top left and top right screw holes. http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1590929

I also made a version that's slightly wider and has tabs that run down the side of the BMVA to improve stability. http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1590936

If anyone prints them, let me know how they work and I can make modifications to the design.

Cheers!

I've also designed a screen protector/cover for when the BMVA 4K is not in use.



http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1591166

Is there any other Video Assist accessories that any else would like designed? If someone is feeling generous enough to purchase a 4K BMVA for me it would make the process a whole lot easier

Nice work Chris! Any chance of a screen protector for the 5-inch VA?
Thanks

Denny: Definitely. Will upload it tonight! Any features or preferences?

Here is a screen cover/protector for the 5" HD Video Assist. http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1593745



There is also an alternative version with no text.

Hi Christopher,

Your design would have more appeal to me if it was more securely attached by using the two outer attachment points with the added advantage of leaving the center hole available for something else.
If you used slots instead of holes fitting and removal becomes quicker and as there is no need to then to remove the screws they are less likely to be lost. Finally if the one item could do both jobs it would be harder to leave behind.

Hi Christopher,

Your design would have more appeal to me if it was more securely attached by using the two outer attachment points with the added advantage of leaving the center hole available for something else.
If you used slots instead of holes fitting and removal becomes quicker and as there is no need to then to remove the screws they are less likely to be lost. Finally if the one item could do both jobs it would be harder to leave behind.

Cool. I'll design you something.

Hey Alastair,

Here is my first stab at a combination sun shade + screen protector: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1594551

Unfortunately couldn't figure out a way to make it one piece (though I'll keep thinking about it).

Thanks Chris, great work.
Cheers

Hi Chris,
Thank you for the rapid prototyping

I'm going to try and find someone to print this out for me, and will report back on potential modifications.

Cheers

I bought the Video Devices PixE 5-inch, but I also needed a cheap sun hood for my GPS which is 5" and the one I bought was around $15.00 on eBay and it clips on over the back and it worked too. Since it clipped on over the back, it does not interfere with any of the 5" monitors controls or outputs. So if you ant to go a cheap cheap route, you could do that as well if you don't care what the cast and crew think. They also have $8.00 ones that are clip over the back differently

$15.00 one I got
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sun-Shade-Glare-Visor-shield-Garmin-Nuvi-GPS-2597LMT-52-54-3597LMTHD-42-44-LM-/170979625977

$8.00 one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-Sun-Shade-Glare-Vision-Shield-Clip-for-4-4-3-5-inch-GPS-Navigation/191403054795?_trksid=p999999.c100623.m-1&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160323102634%26meid%3De3756ce29fd1404aabe82dc3feeb4041%26pid%3D100623%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D170979625977

They also sell them on Amazon too
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=sun+shade+for+garmin+gps&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=77830821411&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6986888562931550156&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_242wq5pj5z_b

Wow, those are much cheaper than the $50 my local 3d print shop quoted me for a tvp version of Christopher's design. I don't know enough about 3D printing to know if the price would go down considerably if using a different material or tweaking it in software to be thinner...? Christopher?

Wow, those are much cheaper than the $50 my local 3d print shop quoted me for a tvp version of Christopher's design. I don't know enough about 3D printing to know if the price would go down considerably if using a different material or tweaking it in software to be thinner...? Christopher?

I haven't heard of TVP as a print material so I'm not sure what technology they're using. Generally the cheapest will be ABS or PLA material using an FDM printer (like the MakerBot). Mine is made from ABS and it is quite sturdy.

$50 is pretty high, but it's not an insane price considering it's a one off build. Most of that cost is likely not in material but in machine time. Depending on how they orient the part to be built, it may require building up layers of support material around the part, and that process can just take time, even if the part itself is thin. I've seen print times on some machines triple because the printer had to constantly switch between the part and support material on every layer.

I'd look around and see if any of your local libraries or universities have 3D printers you could use. This is a design that a medium sized MakerBot should be able to print without much issue.

You can also get an automated quote from QuickParts.com to get an idea of what is a competitive price or not.


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Just to chime in with a sun hood suggestion: for $18, I got the ProAm hood off of Amazon and like it well enough. Looks like there are a couple reviews from BMVA owners who've also found this hood suitable. Link: https://smile.amazon.com/ProAm-USA-Vide ... 007GPJ37I/

I don't have the BMVA 4K, but there is a 7" version of the hood which may work for that: https://smile.amazon.com/ProAm-USA-Vide ... 003KV3R1K/

A con for some might be the fact that you'll need to adhere the included velcro strips to your monitor. I don't mind this personally, but I know some people don't like that. The only issue I've had is that I feel the included strips are a little thin to grip the hood as firmly as I'd like, and at some point I'll replace them with slightly wider ones.

Other than that, I think it does the job. I like that it's a soft material, attaches easily, and fits nicely in the Pelican I use to store my BMVA. I'm happy with it and the fact that it didn't cost me $50-60.

A down side to a hood that goes all the way round is, it makes using the touchscreen a little harder than the three side hoods like the PixE uses.

A down side to a hood that goes all the way round is, it makes using the touchscreen a little than the three side hoods like the PixE uses.

If this is in reference to the ProAm hood, it has a detachable bottom side. I don't find it too hard to use the touch screen when it's on, though.

If anyone gets feedback from a 3D print shop on what redesigns would decrease costs, let me know and I can try and incorporate them.

A tilt-up cover can provide easy access and a lot of shade.

A work in progress

_DSC2736.jpg (86.68 KiB) Viewed 11340 times

Where did you get this tilt up loupe, or did you make it yourself? It looks like an old Arri mattebox.
Is it for a 5" or 7"?

Bummer, that hood that Denny was talking about is no longer made.