Video/audio monitor

[doodab]

It's so people in the dressing room can see what's going on a stage. At the moment we use runners and walkie-talkies. The IP over power would need testing, as the theatre is quite old and quirky - I've got some spare plugs, so I can give it a go.

There's no chance of doing anything over the internet.

A couple of PCs networked together sounds a possibility. The thing is, I want cheap cable with a long run!

You should be able to cover the distance with cat5, especially if you can put a switch in the middle somewhere. I've used MS Expression Encoder for streaming video between PCs before. I was streaming a file, I don't know if it will work with a live feed from a camera though I expect it will.

There are also various contraptions for sending regular AV signals (composite etc) over CAT5 cables. You can also transmit HDMI a few hundred meters over standard fibre optic cables.

MuxLab VideoEase - Stereo Audio-Video Balun

MuxLab VideoEase - HDMI Econo Extender Kit

[NotAllThere]

It's so people in the dressing room can see what's going on a stage. At the moment we use runners and walkie-talkies. The IP over power would need testing, as the theatre is quite old and quirky - I've got some spare plugs, so I can give it a go.

There's no chance of doing anything over the internet.

A couple of PCs networked together sounds a possibility. The thing is, I want cheap cable with a long run!

[doodab]

What are you trying to achieve? Do you already have audio and/or video signals you can use?

Have you considered walkie-talkies and a runner?

[scooby]

quick glance at cable kit came up with this (if you do DIY and have a router with a spare socket)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100M-CAT5e-RJ45-Internet-Network-Modem-Cable-Tester-Crimping-Tool-Boot-End-Plugs-/280801671975?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&h ash=item4161157b27#ht_1863wt_1317

Or homeplugs:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100M-CAT5e-RJ45-Internet-Network-Modem-Cable-Tester-Crimping-Tool-Boot-End-Plugs-/280801671975?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&h ash=item4161157b27#ht_1863wt_1317

Shop around though... Can you really be arsed running a cable 100m?

[scooby]

Cat5 cable would be fine, you could try the homeplug things that transmit over the power line (assuming they are on the same fusebox...).

You can get webcams with built in mics v cheap, however, I dont know of the software you would use. What is for? Calling people to stage etc?

You could create 2 duff MSN accounts etc, or skype, and leave them running.

[NotAllThere]

What's the best, reasonably cheap way of getting audio and video down five flights of stairs from the stage to the dressing rooms?

Webcam? Cheap video camera? But most importantly - what kind of cable can do that distance, say 100m?