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The camera I was using with my Vocopro Video mixer crapped out on me and I'm in the process of finding another. I've got an old VHS video camera, but all it has for an output is an RF out. For the mixer I need a video input. Short of running it through a VCR and using the video output from that, has anyone got a suggestion?

Sorry, but you're trying to do signal conversion, and there's no easy way The only real possibility is using your VCR's tuner portion for that.

go to radio shack and buy an RF Modulator (about 40 bucks) and it will do the trick (RF or COAX in to RCA Video output)... good luck- tig

He needs to go the other way. From an RF output to a composite input.

To do that it's a little more difficult. I'd look for a video switch box that has both RF and composite outputs and allows for RF and composite inputs. They're out there but not real easy to find with a simple trip to the local Radio Shack (although they 'might' have one).

Baring that, I'd try using a VCR set to the same RF channel as the camera and then using the composite outputs from the VCR to pass the video to the mixer.

Of course there is always the possibility of getting another camera....

I agree with Tig... if you have a RF signal (such as a cable or vcr) and you need to convert it to regular RCA... the RF Modulator will do the trick.

takes standard RF input (the output from the camera) and converts it to rca.



just do a google search for RF Modulator. Easiest way to get it fast is Rat Shack.

What he needs IS NOT AN RF MODULATOR. what he needs is an RF DE-MODULATOR(or converter) Ratshack used to sell them about 4-5 years ago. Whether they have them now , youll have to go there and see, better yet go to thier on-line ordering center called RSU. or go on the Ratshack on-line website and search there for a RF CONVERTER.

heres their current product line that youd find IN THE STORES:

http://www.radioshack.com/search.asp?co ... mage1.y=38
.
and they dont list a CONVERTER, so you wont find one IN STORE---so youll need to go to a RATSHACK store and see if you can find one in Radio Shack Universal(RSU) which is where many discontinued products end up being available for order.

your only oher hope would be maybe to try FRY's Electronics.

_________________
"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

Go to www.mcmelectronics.com and search fort part number 33-2060. This RF demodulator converts channel 3 into audio and video line level outputs. Price is $57.31.

the reason the demodulator doesn't sell any more is the demand is down.

However, the MODULATOR SHOULD work. You're taking a CABLE signal, just like what comes into your home. You then CONVERT it to the audio and video RCAs. That I BELIEVE is what Tom is using.

And if you are hooking up thru a VCR to do the same thing (RF IN and RCA out), that's exactly what the modulator was meant for.

The RCA jacks shown on the modulator in the picture are Audio and Composite video INPUT jacks. These are RCA jacks--the F-Type connectors are the RF INPUT (from antenna) and the RF OUTPUT (To TV). The modulator COMBINES the audio and composite RCA signals from the Camera or Karaoke Player and STEPS it UP to RF Frequencys. It does NOT DEMODULATE RF signals and bread them down into its component parts(audio and composite video).
Essentialy what a RF modulator does is MODULATE (mix) the RF CARRIER signal with the composite video and audio inputs from the camera to step it up to a frequency that the TV tuner can use. The internal filters inside the RF Modulator DO NOT function to act in the other direction.
So again to do what he is trying to do you must have a DE-MODULATOR not a MODULATOR.
Its the same principle as a radio transmitter/reciever--to step up the frequncy you MODULATE. To break down the signal you DEMODULATE. They require different circuitry and one WILL NOT do the other or likewise.

_________________
"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

I don't need an RF modulator, have one at home on an old TV for the grandkids video game. I need the other way around. Guess I'll just run it through the VCR until I find another camera. Thanks guys.

Another possibility in addition to the demodulator is using a standalone tuner w/ composite video out. I saw a wireless solution from X-10 europe but no for here in the states. If you check local electronic surplus stores you might find an old cable tuner w/ composite video outputs pretty inexpensively.

Now days I can buy a brand new VCR, cheaper than an RF modulator...

okay, gotcha. But he can hook up to the ANTENNA input, correct? That's RF. Then it's a simple matter of having a RF connection to RCA jack. I've done that before with TVs. Hooked up to the RCA yellow video.

or maybe he doesn't need the outside RF modulatro/demodulator at all... just the Radio shack rf connection to RCA??

The original problem is that he has a VocoPro Video Mixer that only accepts composite video inputs (RCA connections). The camera he was using is broken and the only other camera only has RF output.

This means he's trying to take channel 3/4/whatever and patch it into the Video Mixer which won't go directly. It's basically the exact opposite of what most people normally attempt (connecting the composite video output from a device to a TV w/o any composite video inputs). In his case demodulation of the RF TV signal is required to remove the carrier and provide the composite video signal.

Demodulation can be done with a dedicated device or one that has it built in as a 'feature'. Dedicated demodulators run about $60-70 for consumer models or far more than that for more commercial versions. Devices that have demodulation as a 'feature' would be cable boxes that provide composite video outputs to connect to a VCR or some VCR's that allow an RF in, composite video output (not all VCR's will offer this 'feature' however).

hitwtom's comment though is spot on. You can buy a complete VCR for less than most of the demodulators we pointed out. My recommendation was to check with some of the electronic surplus places for a cable box that supports demodulating the signal. I found a number of demodulators for under $10 on a site but they're not complete and require connectors, power supplies, etc. Fine if you're an electronics junkie, but not so fine if you're looking for a final product.

just use an old VCR and save a lot of time and money-----keep it simple!

_________________
"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT